2 Things in Common

My turn.

My turn to come 'home'. And, my turn to write.

...

Believe it or not, the decision was voluntary.

And believe it or not, it was matched with the usuals of uncles and aunties telling me what an unwise decision to make at this very point in time.

...

I will blame this great tragedy on FES. No, really.

It was the words of a certain few very wise people that urged us students to return to smaller towns to serve, and not just crowd in bigger cities after we graduate. The usual picture is that there is a missing generation - the elderly remaining cuz that's all they've known all their lives, and the little kids that, well really, don't have much of a choice.

The missing link - young adults.

Well, that was vaguely what those wise people said anyway. You get the gist of it.

Being a true-breed KL-ite, there wasn't a 'hometown' for me to go back to as such. But I remembered the analogy. Or rather, it latched onto me and wouldn't let me go!!

...

The other reason came from a mission trip we had to C-land.

The time where I learnt the importance of presenting the gospel in a culturally relevant manner and in the heart language of the recepient.

And that is exactly the advantage I have being a Malaysian. And that advantage came from? Being a true-blue Kebangsaan school student. Speaking the language, knowing the culture - mission school training before I even knew it.

Now, see? We may have picked up lousy studying skills (but make it through uni anyway!) through the SRK/SMK system, but we picked up other skills that are so crucial and precious.

...

So, I bought a one-way ticket home after 3 years of studying.

Didn't I want to stay on for work experience? Of course I did. Anything to prolong the wonderful moments of Australia.

But I figured, learning and gaining experience is a lifelong process anyway. Besides, knowing and understanding how things work here IS an experience in itself. And when I see the need to learn more in order to fill in the leakages of the system, I can always go back to studying.

...

It's been 9 months.

8 months of which I spent being in utter despair at my decision, and trying to come to terms with it without having to bomb anything to pieces.

What have I done to change this place? Nothing much, really.

...

Tonight, I was amongst 10,000 people in a stadium. Praying.

It was the Global Day of Prayer. Malaysia was one of the 216 nations that participated.

As I looked around the stadium, I saw that we had 2 things in common.

1. We know who our God is. And who the God if this nation is. Most of all, we know His heart for the people and this nation as a whole.
   
   
2. We all knew the words and tune to 'Negaraku'. A song we once sung proudly in our navy blue school uniform with our brothers from another race.
   
   

I can't describe the feeling of singing my national anthem with 9,999 other people who still have hope simmering deep within our hearts for this place we call 'home'.

It was the most breathtaking moment of the night.

...

I am more than blessed to see on stage - leaders of the Malaysian church being excited about the things to come, spurring us to continue looking to the One who wants change more than we do.

I am so proud to say that I have great examples ahead whom I can respect and follow! People who have eaten more salt than I have rice, and more french beans than I have french fries - but are still rooted firmly in this place.

And we sung whole-heartedly to Mr Tomlin's "God of this City" ala Malaysiana.

Greater things have yet to come,
Greater things are still to be done in Malaysia.. (..aa..aaaaaa..),
Greater things have yet to come,
Greater things are still to be done here.

...

And tonight is the night that I found 9,999 other people who have kept a teeny bit of hope alive for this place.

I don't feel so alone anymore.

...

Esther Goh
Adelaide, Australia (2006-2009).