I’m over the halfway point of my time in Malaysia so I wanted to give you an update on how things are going and how you can pray.
David, me and Pastor Fred
New Classrooms for Malaysian Bible College
I'm used to deer crossing, but this ...
I recently went to Tawau and spoke four times; once in a home group; once in the English congregation; once in a Malay congregation and in one village church way out in the jungle. I traveled most of the time with David Chang who is the leader of the church here in KK and with Pastor Fred who pastors in Tawau. He actually does much more than pastor. He has directly or indirectly planted 60 churches and started a Bible college. He’s like an energizer bunny. Once we were eating at a little café on the road and I noticed a big prison right across the street. I ask Pastor Fred about it and he tells me that it is indeed a prison run by a Muslin government and they once had no chaplains or ministry of any kind – Muslim or Christian - so he went in and started ministering to people from death row to people being caned to hopeless addicts. I just sat there in awe. He then tells me how he turned the ministry over to someone else and now they run it. Pastor Fred is truly one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met.
What an honor to be with these pastors!
Pastor Tommy, David Chang Senior, and Pastor Fred - looking at donated land
I also went with a group of Malaysian pastors to look at several possible new works. We saw two places they were considering and in both places we found out someone had donated land for the church. Once we were talking to a couple and they mentioned a group of people who had no one working among them. Pastor Fred was with us and he was deeply moved and immediately began to plan a way to reach them. My guess is that next time I’m here all these works will be moving full speed ahead.
The very tip of Borneo
On the fun side, we went to the tip of Borneo. It was beautiful. Later this month I’m going to the top of Borneo by climbing the largest mountain in Southeast Asia, Mt. Kinabalu. It’s a two-day climb. The second day starts at 2 a.m. in the dark!!! I’ll give you the full update with pictures on my next entry.
Rozzie - always helping out
Youth over to my place for games and food
In addition to preaching each week, I meet with people on a regular basis. I have people over to my apartment at least once a week. I asked Rozzie to be my administrative assistant and she does all the work from calling people to buying the food to cleaning up. She’s great! Also I’m trying to do some long-term training that will continue to help after I’m gone. My discipleship group is growing closer every week. I’m using Robert Coleman’s book, Master Plan of Evangelism, to teach them the key principles of discipleship. Next year they are having an outreach called “Operation Andrew.” They did it earlier this year and almost 500 people came to faith in Christ. I’m hoping this will help them be ready to follow up and disciple more people. Also, my Homiletics Class is doing well. I’m using Haddon Robinson’s book, Biblical Preaching. It’s pretty intense with quizzes, lectures, and each person speaks three times over the 3 months. We’re going to video the last one so they can see themselves. This is painful, but can really help people grow as communicators. When I leave in December they will take over the preaching so I’m hoping this will be something the leaders can immediately use.
Albert and me at the gym
I’ve also had several opportunities to share my faith. Albert works at the gym across the street from the church. It’s a rustic place, but perfect for me. I’ve been able to go to dinner with Albert and share my testimony with him. There’s a language barrier, but I think I’m making some small progress. I’m planning on giving him the Jesus film as a going away gift. There is also a woman named Aileen with whom I’ve met three times. Each time we make more progress. Nora (who trusted Christ last year and has grown so fast), Aileen and me are watching the Jesus film together (in the Malaysian language). There are some more opportunities – Lily, DD, Sally, and Amy. The time is short so please pray for open doors and wisdom in how to use my time.
In addition, I’ve meet with a sharp group of businessmen a few times - Paul, Patrick, Aaron, David, and sometimes a few others. Thinking ahead this might form the basis for a discipleship group for next year.
Please continue to pray for the ministry, discipleship and evangelism. It’s truly awesome. I so appreciate those of you who are praying and supporting this ministry. We’re in this together!
