Memories That Will Last Forever🤍

One thing I quickly learned about Malaysia is that there was never a dull moment. Each day brought new opportunities— some planned, some unexpected, but all memorable! From ministry opportunities to everyday adventures, I had the privilege of being part of experiences that stretched me, taught me, and deepened my understanding of who the Father is, while also getting to enjoy the hidden secrets of His creation. Making lasting memories I’ll hold onto forever. Let me share some of my favorites with all of you…

Christmas Caroling was by far the most unexpected, but highly favored memory from this trip. Hearing you’re going to sing the same 10 songs from 7:30 pm to 3 am every night for a week is not exactly the most thrilling news you get from your squad leaders a couple of days in advance, but hey, we made the absolute best of it! I don’t think I’ll ever hold onto a memory as I will singing my heart out to a song that’s words I don’t even understand, and dancing with friends that will forever be close to me. To get to go to over 50 homes and spread so much joy to families’ faces. Praying over those families and sharing with them the true reason for the season and the gift we receive in Jesus. It was a feeling like none other. Getting out of the vans once arriving at the next house dilusional with how tired we were. Running on pure slap happiness and stomachs full to the max with so much cultural food that we’d be praying the next house didn’t have anything else! Oh my… thinking about it now fills my heart with so many good memories. Moments that couldn’t be replaced for anything.

Monkey Island!!!! A couple of different times, I got to go to the beach with friends and we would rent a boat to take us to this island with a bunch of monkeys and explore. It was so fun and definitely a memory I couldn’t forget because these monkeys were crazy and would attack you for any food you had. It was easily the funniest memory for sure because the boys in our group had the best reactions, throwing their coconuts at them in fear of getting attacked. Fleeing into the water and screaming as the locals just sat and watched in entertainment. Embarrassing in the moment but funny now. It makes me laugh just writing about it! We also got to go on a fun hike on that Island and explore. They had rope swings and big rocks you could climb, etc. It was just such a fun day and so cool to get to experience and explore a place so different from back home! It’s also cool because in South Africa, on our visa run, we got to go into the Indian Ocean and now here in Malaysia we’re swimming on the other side!

Penang Trip… On a logs (logistics) bonding day, we took a train and ferry to Penang and explored the city there. I’ve never traveled somewhere like that before, so it was a fun little adventure in of itself. But then in Penang I got to go to a bunch of local markets all over the city, getting little souvenirs, and saw so much of the beautiful cultural architecture behind Malaysia. We had sweet conversations as we just walked and explored. Even just sitting by the water and taking it all in. This trip can go so fast with how much you’re doing, it was nice to take time to move at the pace of peace and soak it all in. Having no plans but just a motive to see more of Malaysia. And my logistics team is some of my favorite people, so all in all it was just a great day!

Ipoh, Malaysia. One weekend, we were given the opportunity to go to Ipoh, Malaysia, to visit a church there. A group of us traveled down one night and got to spend the first day exploring the area, going to hike a huge waterfall in Chenderiang and then a Malaysian night market in the evening. The waterfall was so cool. It was so big and you could get in the water at different parts and slide down the rocks like a waterslide. How we found out you could slide down it was through me getting pulled down by the current, and when I got to the bottom of that part of the rocks and was okay we decided it was a perfect way to enjoy our time! And the locals watching us also thought it was a good source of entertainment for them, haha. The night market was also fun to meet a lot of people and talk with them, as well as experiencing a side of nightlife culture here. Then the next day we attended a church event and hit the road back home to base.

Sumaiyyah🤍 Not exactly an adventure but I have to include the Rohinya student I tutor in my memories! There are so many people here I will never forget, but I just have to share more about her with you all. She’s my most special memory by far! I didn’t start off tutoring her, but was moved to her the third week at the school. She is the smartest girl I have ever met! She is so diligent and outdid everyone else in her class. She had such a gift for understanding english and she excelled at every subject I did with her. And personally, I felt so much like her big sister. I could tell as time passed and goodbyes were coming soon, every time she saw me her eyes lit with excitement. I’ve never been so glad to be a part of someone’s life like I am to be in hers. I never want to forget her. She’s so special. I love her with my whole heart!!!

There’s been so many memories here I never want to forget— but here are just a few! Even though Malaysia was a tough ride I’ve loved every second of it. These memories and this time couldn’t be replace for anything in this world. I can’t believe that after today it will all just be memories. So crazy how time works but grateful I get the opportunity to document all of it along the way! Thanks for joining me in Malaysia… off to Guatemala next!!!!