A New Beginning

It has been three weeks since I arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and I have loved every moment of it. So far away from home, yet it feels like I am home. Everywhere we go we are received with so much love. People who do not know us have opened up their homes and have invited us to celebrate with them celebrations commom to thier culture. Since our time here we have had the opertunity to experience the end of Ramadan celebration, Hari Raya Adilfitri which is a Muslim tradition, and the Mooncake celebration which is a Chinese celebration. And today September 16, we celebrate Malaysia Day and of course keeping in mind my own countries independence day... Viva Mexico!

I think it is really neat how diverse this country is. Everywhere you look there are people from different backgrounds. Malaysians, Chinese, Indonesians, Philipinos, Indians, Koreans and many different Orang Asli. In my workspace/home alone there are about six different ethnicities and way too many languages being spoken such as Bahasa Malaysia, Korean, Chinese, English, some French and now with me Spanish. Pretty cool thing though is that we all teach eachother the language we know. I'm being taught Bahasa Malaysia, the official language of Malaysia, and who knows maybe later I'll try to learn some Korean or Chinese. And it has been fun trying to teach Spanish to my house mates. Indeed a lot of diversity.

The thing that I especially love about being part of this mixture of cultures is that we are able to set aside all our differences and treat eachother like the brothers and sisters that we are in Christ. It's been amazing living with a group of God loving people from different backgrounds who are on fire with God's love. We often find ourselves caught up singing worship songs after dinner, at the office, and even in the car on our way to the market... looooove it!! God knew the plans he had for me. At times I was nervous and felt anxious just of the thought of leaving everything I always knew to be part of my life to come here, practically to the other side of the world. It's a scary thing, but somehow I knew that He was holding my hand all this time, and still is. Here starts a new beginning.

I am a YAGM

I have recently finished my undergraduate studies and received my Bachelor of Science from Texas Lutheran University. As this chapter of my life has ended a new one has been started. For most this next chapter starts with continuing their education and going into graduate and professional school to finish their career. For me, it is a different case. My plans after graduation were to continue my education and go into the medical field, but God had other plans for me. He has called me to travel to Malaysia to do a year of missionary work. This is an exciting yet frightening adventure He has placed in my walk with Him, but I will go where He sends me.

For a long time I have lived a comfortable life going to college to get a good education, having a nice family and friends who care for me, look after me and make sure that I’m not missing anything. I have also been part of a congregation in Hutto where my father is the pastor. I can’t complain I’m living a pretty good life if you ask me, but as a follower of Christ I feel that I have to complain about the life that I am living. I am way too comfortable right now that it has come to make me uncomfortable. Christians are not called to live comfortable lives, we are called to follow Christ, and therefore get out of our comfort zone and go where God calls us to go for His Kingdom’s cause. As a believer, I believe that when we are called to do something or go somewhere we must drop everything and go wherever we are called to go. That’s the beauty of being a Christian: not knowing what God will call us to do next. So I thank God for giving me this opportunity to travel to a foreign place to share His love with others.

So please pray with me as I start this journey. Make this your experience too. I can't do this alone, so I invite you to follow me as I serve this year in Malaysia by supporting me with prayer, words of encouragement and whatever else you can offer. God bless you and be with us all.

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7

Father, please bless these feet that will go wherever you take them to speak of Your name and share you amazing love with everyone whom they will reach. Amen!