Easter

On Palm Sunday we spent time in Girls Brigade discussing Easter and what leads up to it. There was a handout for each girl that talked about the days between Christmas and Easter. On this list was Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and finally Easter. Out of all of these days all of them knew Christmas and Easter. A few knew Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, and Good Friday. Almost none of them knew Mardi Gras, Lent, and Holy Thursday. This was very eye opening to me and really made me realize how different places can be. After Bible Study with the girls on of the leaders came into my classroom and started asking me many questions. It turns out she had never heard of Lent or Mardi Gras. She had heard of the other days but was curious as to how they are honored and what exactly they mean. It was one of the best religious conversations I have had in Malaysia so far. She shared with me what she knew and asked many questions as to why I honor these days. The main question that stuck out during this conversation was: "Where is this in the Bible?" This launched another whole conversation about the gospels and what they talk about.

Easter this year was very different than any Easter I have experienced in the past. This year it really didn't feel like Easter was here. (Maybe it is the time warp in the weather!) It was very different because within the BCCM church there weren't any Lenten services. There were services held on Good Friday. From what I have gathered the Lenten services that were help in the vicinity were at Catholic or Anglican churches.

So how did I celebrate Easter without my family and friends:

The other volunteers and I worshiped together by singing and reading scripture. On Easter Sunday I celebrated with the Girls Brigade by having a party full of games, food, and a devotion. Afterwards my housemate, Ellen, and I invited two of the STS students over for dinner. It was a fun dinner where Ellen and I made whatever we felt like eating. We just warned the students that it would be western dishes and there wouldn't be any rice! The menu turned out to be pasta bake, potato salad, fresh fruit salad, and apple crisp! It doesn't all really go together but it was good and I think the students liked it. It is always hard to tell. The nights meal was a great end to the holiday.

KL

Last week Erika, Ellen, and I took an adventure to the West side of Malaysia to the capital Kuala Lumpur (KL). It was a great four days spent running around the city and seeing as many sites as possible.

Ellen and Erika at our Hostel at the YWCA. (top left)

An amazing Indian meal. (Middle)

View from the Petronas Towers. (Below)

Petronas Towers at night. Taken from the fountains in previous picture.

Reflection of Petronas towers.

Ellen and I at Taman Tasik Perdana (lake gardens)

We were able to go canoeing for a half hour!!! My favorite half hour of the day.

After climbing 272 stairs this is the sign that greeted us at the Batu Caves

We swam at a park on our way back with some local kids and students!

Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) on the left and a really neat building on the right. We took many detours on our journey which allowed us to see some amazing structures and more of the local life. It pays to Jalan Kaki (go by legs) and not be able to always read a map!

Two scenes from Melaca. An small town with a lot of history.

We also visited Chinatown, Little India, central market, the local night market, and Masjid Jamek (Jame Mosque). It was a wonderful trip with lots of adventure and a little sleep along the way.

Half Way

It is very hard to believe that half the service year is already over and only five months till I will be back in the states. Time is going pretty fast and I'm enjoying every moment of it. For the last week or so there have been some great moments in service that I would like to highlight for you.

1) I was meeting Johnny at Cheshire Home for conversational English practice (we meet about three or four times a week) and he started telling me they are going to have another volunteer. He went on to describe how the volunteer will be teaching English to some of the members of Young Voices. After a little bit I realized he was describing the class they wanted me to lead on Wednesday nights and tried to tell him this. Johnny said "No, no, the volunteer will be here at night and they are from America." I said, "Johnny, I am from America and Jennifer (my supervisor) just asked me if I could come on Wednesday nights." He gave this some thought and then once it sunk in asked what we would be learning.

2) Wednesday night classes at Cheshire: For these classes the main objective is to work on conversational skills. Last week we had our first class and it was me, Kelinus, Madayuk, Tony, and Johnny. There was lots of laughter, jokes, and a little interrogation into eachothers lives. It was a fun night and I look forward to more classes with those four.

3) Swinging with Colleen. There is one resident at Cheshire who loves to go swinging so each day when I see her she says my name (at least it sounds like my name) and makes a swinging action with her arms. This is the signal that she is ready to go swing and won't stop asking until we do it. Usually our swinging will last between 2-10 minutes. It all depends on her mood and how hot it is. Then she says minum (drink) and we head back to get water.

4) This week I asked two of the kids at Care Haven to look at some pictures and write a story. This is what they came up with:

The Strong Dragon: One day the strong dragons get from the castle. He wants to found people for lunch. He walks to the jungle. He have look a smokes from house. People from the house afraid the dragon will eat them. One boy come help them. He rides the horse and takes shield and sword and goes to the dragon, and the sword stabs the dragon. The dragon die and the boy become king. The Place is Peaceful. -- Edward

A Hive is a House for Bees: Ben and his father have a job. They catch the bees and put in the bee hives. The three hives for the bees house. the bees go outside and eat the flowers and after they eat the flowers they come back in bee hives and make the new honey. Then the bee hives full honey. The people take away the bees honey and they eat it everyday. -- Nelwe

Indonesia pics

Here are a few pics from the Indonesia trip: The first is our trusty van/bus we rode everywhere in. Then you have our 'family' portrait. Next is our pic with most of the cousins and I think a few of the aunt and uncles are in there too! The next two are from a traditional dance/music show. The last pic is of the ang pao!!! (Envelopes given to those who are single and they are usually filled with money. A great tradition!)