Malaysia ISB - June 2012

Malaysia was once a part of the British Empire until 31 August 1957 when the Federation of Malaya declared independence. The main religion in Malaysia is Islam 61.3%. Buddhism is practised by19.8%, Christianity by 9.2% and Hinduism by 6.3%.  The total of the population in the 2010 census was 28.3 million people.

The theme for this International Scripture Blitz (ISB) came from our team leader Bill Thomas from Malachi 3:10 '"Test me now in this," says the Lord of Hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until there is no more need."

As I have been a Gideon only a short time, I am still navigating my way around things and expectations. I had no idea what to expect or what was going to happen save that we were going to be split up into six teams working with the local Gideon members and Auxiliaries.

Each day in Johor Bahru, where we were based for the Blitz, began at 4.00am for me. Every day I had to be of the highest presentation, outwardly and inwardly, in sweet fellowship with the Master. Group prayer meetings were held daily at either 5.45am or 6.00am. Breakfast was at 6.30am and we were on the road to pick up Bibles and New Testaments from the depots between 7.00am and 7.30am.

The realisation that an ISB is not for the faint hearted is an understatement. To maintain the pace requires a great deal of support from those around and those praying for you in the home countries.  The Lord's portion will be given to all who not only physically attended but upheld the entire event and the teams.

Day 1 started with some disappointment as it was sports days on that weekend and some schools were closed. However, we addressed the matter by rearranging the timetable. During an evening visit at one school we had an encounter with the principal of the school, who was standing outside the school with a security guard, which all schools there have. The principal was a Punjabi Sikh gentleman and I seized the opportunity to talk to him as I am a Punjabi Hindu convert. The Punjabi gentleman realised who we were and said he had no objections to what we were doing so long as we avoided the Malay people. The principal asked for 4 copies of the English New Testament to hand out to his friends.  The security guard, who had also been listening, requested a copy as well and joyfully we gave him one. 

Day 2 was an early start as we had a two-hour car journey, which was to take us to a city called Kluang which is the 3rd largest city in Malaysia. The first hotel, which had newly opened, was called 'The China Town' and not only did they welcome the bilingual Scriptures we provided but the owners, who are of the Buddhist faith, asked us to pray for them.

Day 3 we headed to a city called Batu Pahat, where a new Gideon camp had been set up by local Gideons only two months previously. They were so encouraged by the whole visit of the Gideons, not just by the international team but by the presence and support of several Gideon members from other camps in Malaysia. The local Gideons had prepared well and contacted most of the hotels in advance. On one occasion, we came across an unknown hotel. Upon arriving we were confronted by a Malay (Muslim) lady, whom we believed was a co-owner of the hotel. I explained who we were and that we fully understood that she being a Malay need not receive the Scriptures, but we were offering them free of any cost or obligation for her clients. She told me that she would be more than happy to receive them for her 28-bedroom hotel. Hallelujah. God was certainly proving Himself and we were able to prove His blessing on many occasions.

On days 4 & 5 we stayed locally visiting schools. What an encounter that was. As soon as some of the Indian students found out I was an Indian from the UK they wanted to know more. What an opportunity with such young fertile minds to share the Gospel of our Saviour.

My time was both spiritually and physically the most enriching time in the service of the Master I have encountered so far. The final report from the local Gideons was that 46,035 Scriptures were given out, when our target was 50,000. In spite of the fact that the target was not quite reached, the Saviour proved Himself again and again, so that in the midst of much resistance and Islamic fundamentalism, His Word has gone out and will not return void. He really did open the windows of heaven and bless the service rendered.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for me and the whole team - you all have a portion in this ministry which will be realised in eternity.

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