The most meaningful moments

My hearts desire is to spend just a few moments reflecting what has been so meaningful about our trip to Malaysia. It is surely in our encounters with others that are purposely pursuing living their lives to glorify God. Pure worship of God is such a benefit to the soul. We have enjoyed the daily chapel services in which the students prepare worship in song with voice and musical instruments and how they humbly pray and call upon us all to quiet our hearts and reflect on Jesus. One chapel each week is led by a guest speaker; one chapel is a time for the mission teams sent out in August to share their experiences; and one chapel for the students in the preaching class to practice preaching among their peers. When God is glorified, worship touches the soul and convicts me of my own shortcomings (there are many). Chapel begins at 10:00 and is invariably the highlight of the day.

The students at MBTS are very responsive and appreciative of our being here. The administrators are concerned about every detail of our comfort. For example, we do not have a car. Therefore, every morning and afternoon, someone is delegated with the task of picking us up at our condo and bringing us to the seminary and back home in the afternoon. This requires quite a bit of coordination and yet no one has made us feel as if it is too great a burden or inconvenience for them. Several students have spent their Saturday or other free time taking us to sites of interest that are not necessarily on the tourist's roster. We have enjoyed numerous meals with new friends and I must say Malasian hospitality not only fills your stomach but indelibly imprints their hearts in our memories of "times to cherish".

The seminary is involved in far reaching ministry. There is a passion here to equip the students for ministry with the understanding that ministry requires personel sacrifice, very likely financial loss, and persecution. Many of the students have left law, medical, and engineering professions because God has called them to prepare for reaching a lost and hurting world with the hope of Jesus Christ. The churches we have visited have vibrant services and outreach ministries. One pastor has developed three phenomenal games to help individuals reflect on how to find meaning in life; what the church is all about; and developing a world vision for missions.

We feel priveleged to be here and experience Malaysia in such a unique setting and purpose. I'm quite sure we have experienced the best of Malaysia as we have worked, worshipped and shared our lives with one another.

Forgot about our lunch guest

Today at lunch in an outdoor restaraunt, we had this snake right above us. The server wasn't worried at all, but it sure looked a little spooky to me. We moved over to another table nearby!

Twin Towers in KL

Just a quick pic of the twin towers in KL. Until a few years ago, the tallest buildings in the world. In Kuala Lumpur, Jeff taught a quick one credit course and BJ taught a one credit course in English as a Foreign Language. Jeff also preached at an English speaking church that Sunday. We go back again next weekend for another weekend.

Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary, KL Branch

Last weekend we taught at the seminary branch in Kuala Lumpur. This branch is less than a year old and reminds us alot about Jeff's office in Wasilla. They have three nice classrooms, a small library, a faculty office, and space for two or three administrative personnel. The students here are a little older than those on their main campus in Penang. Currently, classes are on Saturdays. I have a pic here of their three story building they just purchased in the middle of a shopping center with lots of shops and places to eat.

Also here is a picture of Jeff's first class in Penang. They have about 100 full time students as well as others who are part time. They have extensions of various sizes and degree offerings throughout Asia. This was the last day of class and most were still smiling!

Vision Camp

Last weekend the seminary sponsored a Vision Camp for those interested in theological education. Potential students of all ages came from all around the region to participate. They attended workshops, listened to preaching and testimonies from seminary students and staff. It was a lot of fun and it was encouraging to us. The event was a good way to connect the school with the local churches.

Friday, September 25

This picture is from the 9th floor of our condominium. Can you see the monitor lizard? We have had fun watching him from the balcony. He is very large - at least five feet. If you can zoom in, he even has beautiful circle markings on his body. We have seen him swimming, and sun-bathing, and waddling around. His waddle is pretty humorous. As you can see, we are easily entertained. We don't have a TV in our room, but we are enjoying reading, swimming, studying, napping, and walking.

The monkeys are a lot of fun to take pictures of, but they don't stand still very long.

This is a nice view from our balcony.

This is the dining room at the seminary. We have great fellowship around the tables.













Our meals at the seminary are very satisfying. There are always delicious stir-fried vegetables and savory meat or fish dishes. Everything is fresh and well prepared. We usually eat out for dinner, but I enjoy the seminary cooking the best.

One day we went shopping. It was a holiday. When we left, it was very hot outside and we had to wait quite a while before the bus came. When it arrived, it was packed with people. Jeff went to the front of the bus and paid the fare. I went to the back door to squeeze in. Jeff could barely squeeze in as we left the bus station. Fortunately, the bus was well air-conditioned and we were thankful to be there. Everyone was very nice and cordial.

Friday, September 18

You'll have to turn your head for this picture, but I just love the architecture of the buildings here.












This was a pretty large snail on the sidewalk and I thought its shell was beautiful.


















These green beans are at least two feet long and we enjoyed them at lunch today at the seminary.

This evening we noticed people lighting fires and incense on the side of the road. We were told they are lighting paper money and burning incense in some kind of ancester worship. Some of the piles were quite large.

This evening we ate at a restaurant called "Town Steamboat". There is a pot in the middle of the table with two sections with broth (one spicy, the other not). Then, you walk around the restaurant and fill your plate with all kinds of vegetables, meats, noodles, and seafood. Then you put it in the pot to cook. The base can also be used to grill (like a hibachi). It was all you can eat and cost about $5 per person. I won't loose any weight at these kinds of places. The food was delicious.

After a long morning of teaching, Jeff and a local man headed out (you know where). Jeff came home with a smile on his face and a bag full of small fish.

This is a memorial structure in downtown Georgetown. There are many beautiful colonial structures with Greco-Roman architecture. We took a walking tour last night of Georgetown. We are really getting in shape with all the walking.

This is Wawasan Open University, a government sponsored university for working adults. It has similar delivery systems as Wayland. The architechture incorporates renovated colonial buildings into the modern architecture because there are prohibitions against leveling certain historical structures.

Jeff is standing by Fort Cornwallis, one of the first structures in Penang.

This is a bird that is feeding on a dead snake that was in the road.

This is a picture of a large monitor lizard that we saw in the ocean at Penang National Park. It was about 4 feet long and looked very much like a crocodile.

September 14, 2009

This squid was hanging in the restaurant that we ate at one evening. The food is very fresh and delicious here.

Yesterday, when we went for lunch, this water spout appeared in the sky near the restaurant.

Jeff went on a hike in the jungle behind our apartment. He was able to take a picture of this cute monkey.

Getting oriented.

Last night we went to dinner with new friends we have made. The city becomes very busy in the evening. People congregate on the streets at the many restaurants and there are open air markets for shopping. Jeff and I are enjoying the exercise we are getting walking to and from the market.



This is a view of the hillside from a window in our apartment.



This is a picture of our apartment complex.

I am pictured with Yee May, administrative assistant to the academic dean on the Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary. The seminary is on a steep hillside and has a beautiful view of the Andaman sea. We toured the seminary yesterday and had a delicious lunch on campus with the administration, faculty, and students.

This morning, Jeff and I ventured down the hill from our apartment and caught a bus to a shopping center. We ran onto the bus just as a rain storm was approaching. It was a torrential rain and we hadn't yet bought umbrellas and so we were very appreciative to be on the bus.

We've Arrived!

We had a smooth trip across the Pacific, landed in Taipei and flew to Penang after about a 4 hour layover. For those of you who went with us to Thailand, we tried out the massage chairs in the Taipei airport there again. Nice!!

After landing, on our way driving through Penang we saw many Muslims out shopping for their evening meal during Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims fast during the day and either cook at home in the evening, or go to the markets and pick up food that has already been cooked. We also heard the call to prayer last night as we went to bed. Also lots of traffic...a very modern city. Penang Island has about 1.5 million people, so it's pretty urban.

This morning about 5 (yes we were up!) a huge lightening/thunder storm rolled through, so we went out to the balcony and watched that. We don't get much of that in Anchorage. We are staying about 1-2 kilometers from the seminary in a high rise apartment. It has all that we need. It's pretty warm here but we will get used to that. About 90 outside.

We're off to take a look at the seminary this morning. Jeff had 30 in one class and 14 in the other. BJ doesn't know how many are in her classes yet, but we should find out today. We will spend the next couple of days finding our way around.

Interested in information about the seminary?

Here's the web address for the Malasian Baptist Theological Seminary.

www.mbts.net.my

Our seven week adventure in Penang, Malaysia

Jeff and B.J. will be in Malaysia for seven weeks from September 9-October 31. Jeff will be teaching two courses (Intertestamental History and Literature, The Writings) at the Malaysian Baptist Theological Seminary and BJ will be teaching EFL (English as a Foreign Language). The seminary has two campuses, Penang and Kuala Lumpur. We will be at both places. We will keep you posted after we arrive.