Malaysia was a bit of a whirlwind. After an incredible month in Thailand, I felt ready to take on the World. I felt more equipped than ever in my life.
We arrived in Penang, tired from a long travel day and ready to crash. We all fell asleep and were out ALL night.
The first week we were there, we helped our host move, saw the vision for what our host was all about, and had LOTS of opportunity to do all kinds of ministry.
We got to go to a homeless ministry where we helped prepare and serve food, and hear stories from the people there. I also got the opportunity to go Christmas shopping for decorations for the center they do the meals at! It was so fun. Decorating for Christmas is one of my favorite things to do.
I also got to serve at a local church helping teach kids’ Sunday school. The kids had a TON of energy and were so fun!
The weirdest experience I think I’ve had on the Race was this: Christmas Eve, I was having lunch with my squadmate Morgan. We were at a Mexican restaurant. In Malaysia. And they were playing Elvis and ‘*NSYNC Christmas music. It was somewhere around 90 degrees and sunny.
Y’all. I’m from KANSAS. It’s never 90 degrees in December. It. Was. Weird. It felt so off.
As stated in my reflecting post about Thailand, Jordan flew into Penang and spent Christmas with us. Christmas morning was sweet and fun, like a Christmas morning with family. We opened presents, had WASSAIL made by our squadmate Ryan, and Christmas pancakes made by me. It was the sweetest holiday I think I had over the course of the Race. It just felt like home. And it was truly a reminder that home isn’t a place, but it is people, community, centered around God, Love himself.
