All I can hear is people asking, “When will ministry start?” but all I can feel deep down is that the ministry never really stopped.
We finally made it to Malaysia, and it has already been such a full, beautiful, stretching season. From the very beginning, it’s been filled with coffee shop runs, constant 99 Speedmart stops (it’s honestly a little too close for comfort 😭😬), late nights that somehow turn into early mornings—anywhere from midnight to nearly 4 a.m.—and so much laughter in between. Every single night feels like one huge sleepover, and it’s wild how something so simple can feel so sacred. God has truly blessed us in this season with community, rest, joy, and moments that feel small but will stick with me forever.
The church we’re staying at has one of the most incredible congregations I’ve ever encountered. The people here are endlessly kind, welcoming, and genuinely joyful. They don’t just show up—they stay. They’ll stay out late with us, take us to eat, and make sure we’re cared for even when we’re exhausted. Texas Chicken has somehow become a late-night staple (it’s kind of like Cane’s or Chick-fil-A), and honestly, we can never tell if it’s actually that good or if we’re just starving and half-asleep—but either way, the memories make every late night worth it.
Our ministry during the first week looked different every single day. The first day, we went out with the pastor, grabbed coffee, and just talked for hours—real conversations about life, faith, and what God is doing here. After that, we attended a pastors’ conference-style meeting and then went out to lunch with them for traditional Chinese food. It was so good, but even more than the food, it was meaningful to sit at a table and simply fellowship together.
The next few days were spent at the school, getting to know the kids and the environment, and then Thursday we went to the park for an outdoor activity day. We did Zumba with the kids and played games, laughed, and ran around. Let me tell you—Zumba will humble you. It gets you. But it’s also so fun, and I think our whole squad has discovered something we all secretly love because of how funny and joyful it is. Those moments felt so light, so alive.
Our second week settled into more consistent ministry. On Mondays and Tuesdays, we go to the school to teach the kids, and later in the week we serve at a bakery where students with special needs work. That has been such a sweet experience—seeing their joy, dedication, and pride in what they do has been incredibly moving.
I’ll be honest for a moment: the constant back-and-forth between ministries has been a little hard. At times it feels like we don’t fully have one place to settle into, and the lack of consistency can be uncomfortable. But it’s been such a powerful reminder that this is life. Things change. Plans shift. Nothing is ever perfectly consistent. And when you walk through that with the Lord instead of fighting it, it becomes something beautiful. There’s so much freedom and joy in learning how to trust Him in the unknown.
In the midst of serving and learning, we were also blessed with moments of rest and joy. Getting to visit the beach was such a gift, a reminder of God’s creativity and care even in the middle of a missions trip. One of the highlights was parasailing—soaring above the water and taking in the beauty from above was unforgettable. It felt like a moment to pause, breathe, and thank God for the opportunity to be in Malaysia, experiencing both meaningful ministry and the simple joy of His creation.
Outside of ministry, we’ve spent entire days just going out, exploring, walking, eating, riding in Grab cars, and letting the days unfold as they will. Those all-day adventures—when you don’t really know where you’ll end up—have been some of my favorite moments. We’ve had amazing conversations, especially with our Grab drivers. Some of them have shared their stories, their beliefs, their families, and their experiences with faith. Others just joke with us, ask us questions about where we’re from, or laugh at how tired we look by the end of the day. It’s been such a reminder that ministry isn’t always planned—it happens in cars, on sidewalks, over meals, and in passing conversations with strangers who don’t feel like strangers by the end.
And then there are the nights. Late-night worship sessions where time completely disappears. Getting absolutely wrecked on the floor of a Malaysian church, overwhelmed by the presence of God, realizing once again how deeply loved I am. I am loved—and I get to love the most beautiful man out there. That truth feels heavier and sweeter every day.
This season has been messy, joyful, exhausting, unexpected, and holy. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
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