Just before leaving Ayer Tawer I went with Dr Wong to have my teeth cleaned. Cheaper here than in Perth that is for sure and I had missed out getting them done in Thailand as I had planned. This wonderful Christian dentist refused any payment saying she wanted to bless us for the work we were doing in the Kingdom. I felt very guilty as I haven’t really been doing much in the area of ministry since arriving in Malaysia except for personal one on one. Still she refused saying the Lord has blessed her to bless others. What a wonderful woman.
Two lovely Chinese ladies, Jayne and Aileen, visiting from Sydney stopped in for a night with Dr Wong the day before I left for Penang. Dr Chua and Dr Wong took us out for a seafood feast in Lumut. I couldn’t believe the size of the crabs! It was an amazing feast. I have been so blessed to be able to stay with these two very good friends who I have known for over 30 years.
The next morning I was dropped at the bus stop a little before 8:45am to wait for the bus to Butterworth. The bus ticket stated 9:30am but I realised later that must be the time you have to be at the bus stop as the bus didn’t arrive till 10:10
am. Lucille whom I have known since Cambodia had invited me to join her and was picking me up on route to Penang. She had return from ministries with HisChild International, to her home in KL, and was traveling by car with her daughter for the Eurasian Festival in Penang. I was to meet Lucille at one of the R&R points along the highway but just before boarding the bus Lucille SMS’d me to say one of the cars had broken down and instead meet them in Penang.
The bus dropped me off at the ferry where I took a courtesy mini bus to the ferry and waited another half an hour for the ferry before boarding. 
Once I arrived I found a taxi driver who spoke to Lucille to receive instructions to where they were staying. It was lovely to see Lucille again and to meet her family. The guest house we stayed in had 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms so we all had our own rooms.
During my stay in Penang I was thoroughly spoilt, being taken out to eat at many of the famous Penang eateries for lunch and then on Friday and Sat night to the Eurasian Festival where Anglo Asian families come from all around Malaysia, Indonesia, Australi
a, UK Canada and USA to celebrate with food, dance and fellowship. The Eurasian culture is very strong here in Malaysia and stemmed from intermarriages firstly during the Portuguese settlement in Melaka then during the war, many with Australian, NZ and British armed forces. The Eurasian food stems from a mixture of all cultures including Chinese, Indian and Malay and is known as Nonya.
I’ve had a great time sampling a variety of foods with Lucille and in between trying to sort out the next leg of my journey. The day after I arrived in Penang, Friday 14 Aug, I was taken into the Air Asia office where I inquired about changing my return ticket from India. I had prayed that if it could be changed it for less than $50 Aust then I would return to KL ,if not I would go to Sri Lanka to fill in the time before the return ticket was due. In my heart I hoped to be able to change it as I had already decided what I wanted to do with the month before I returned to Perth. I wanted to visit my friend Yvonne in South Africa. Yvonne and I have been best of friends since 1988. She visited me in Thailand in 1992 where I encouraged her to follow her heart to minister in Africa.
The Air Asia attendant informed me it would cost 135 ringgit about $45 Aust. Hallelujah I’ll take it! I changed the date to the 27th Sep which will give me time with friends in KL before the next leg of my journey…. AFRICA.
For some time now I have felt that I may have to forfeit my plans of traveling through Africa next year as I feel it is time to stay at home to care for Mum. So an early trip to South Africa will be a fulfilment of my original plan but just a few months earlier and who knows, I may even have time to visit the Wakisa Ministries Uganda. Next year I’m still hoping I will be able to join the World Share team when they visit the HEAL Africa Hospital in Democratic Republic of Congo.
So back to Penang…. instead of my original plan to bus to Phuket (13 hrs) I decided to save time and fly. I booked my flight to arrive in Phuket on Sunday. This will give me more time to spend wi
th my friends before I return to Ayer Tawer where I hope to catch up with my old friend Dai Lee. Dai Lee is returning for a visit to her roots with her family from the UK. What an amazing opportunity for us both to connect! I just couldn’t miss this once in a life time rendezvous.
From Ayer Tawer I hope to take a bus to KL where I will repack my bags, send the excess back to Perth so that I will only be taking the minimal luggage with me to India and SA. Lucille has thankfully lent me her backpack for the rest of my journey here and in India. My big suitcase (which is actually cabin luggage size) and extra belongings she will store at her home till I return which includes the clothes Dr Wong had brought back from Cambodia for me and the things I needed to bring with me for India. I had brought them with me as I was not planning to return to Seremban before heading for India. Now I’m thinking I may return if I have time so I can pack and send home my excess luggage as I don’t want to cart it all to SA. It will also be good to have all my belongings stored under one roof.
Pictures: 1. Lamut Crab 2. Farewell feast 3. Penang Ferry 4. Lucille and me 5. Cooking Satay 6. Yours truly 7. Satay before serving.
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for answered pray concerning the date and cost of my return ticket from India.
I continue to be amazed and delighted with all the opportunities the Lord has given me to catch up with so many of my old friends and now Dai Lee is coming all the way for the UK just at the right moment for me to see her too. Thank you Lord.
I continue to thank the Lord for all my friends, their hospitality, abundant generosity and love.
Please pray for the Lord’s guidance and timing over the next few weeks as I travel to Phuket and back to Ayer Tawer and KL before flying out to India.
Pray with me for the Lord’s will concerning my visit to India, for the right connections, safety in my travels and His leading on where to go and who to minister to.
Please pray for ongoing good health, protection and safety on my travels in Phuket, Malaysia and my up and coming trip to India.
Thank you all for your continual prayers for my mother who is being well looked after in Perth by the Baptist Home Care. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.