On Your Mark, Get Set, ....Malaysia?

Once back in Perth at the end of June, I had 2 weeks before the next school started.

But, with Australian Immigration and all its hoops, the only way I could stay in Aus was if I re-entered the country on a different visa.

I had found out about this earlier on,
....an unforeseen expense. But that’s what had to happen, so Lord, you knew that!

So I began to search and pray for good cheap flights to nearby countries. I found a very reasonable round-trip ticket to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, so I jumped at the chance and booked it for a 4 day journey.

Okay. So I have a ticket.
But I don’t know where I’m staying, and I’m going alone, to a foreign country I am completely unfamiliar with.

God? I need your help here.


There were a few tense days when nothing was settled, and it was a week before I flew. I didn’t really want to stay in a hostel by myself, or spend a lot of money (tight budget nowadays), I had sent the word out to a few people but still had not received any concrete answers.

Then, finally, within 24 hours everything came together. I had 5 days before I was to fly.
I got an email from a friend on base whose parents live in Kuala Lumpur and would love to have me. The immigration department in Malaysia seemed promising, and my visa application was filled out. (*visa = permit to stay in the country.... not the credit card)


Praising God, I packed my bag and flew out with now a home, a family, and transportation.

And boy, was it ever!
I stayed with the most lovely, amazing Christian family.
They considered it pure joy to have me with them, going above and beyond anything I ever expected. Asians hospitality rocks!

This family did not have much, (and they did not even know me beforehand!), but they were so steadfast in their devotion to care for me, and with such a sincere heart!
Their love for God obviously shone through their attitudes, actions, and willingness to serve others. They inspired me so much, and I kept thinking about what Jesus said,

“Freely you have recieved, freely give.” Matthew 10:8


from my journal upon arrival there:
“... Thank you Jesus.
Thank you that you are fully aware of my needs and you supply all of them.
Thank you that even amidst my feelings, you are still strong and reigning.”


I was so touched by their hospitality.

It was a wonderful stay. This is us at the tallest twin towers in the world.
Yes, they are in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

I got a ride to the Embassy to get a new Australian Visa (which worked out very smoothly and was granted in half the usual time!), and then we got to go a lot of places as a family and see the special things about Kuala Lumpur. The two teenage daughters thought I was really cool, and I had a lot of fun with them.

At the pewter museum, with historic Malaysian labourer dress-up clothes on.
With the mining-boat in the background of course.

What I anticipated to be a dry, all-business, all alone, uneasy, unenjoyable trip to Malaysia,
turned out to be a full, safe, warm, hospitable, loving family, fun trip to Malaysia.

“I am come that they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly.” -John 10:10

Life is so worth it with Jesus.