Living the Great Adventure - Homeschool Blogger

A post on the religious dynamics of this area.

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 21:10:00 -0500

By the way. Have you figured out when I am writing...and when Eric is writing?

I've been spending some time thinking about the religious dynamic of this little island in Malaysia. My thoughts, of course, have run back home to my own people.

I've come to the opinion that we have a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy in the U.S.. I mean--really--we have a church on every corner, but walking through Walmart, I can't really tell who belongs to what. Yes, yes, we have the little fishies on the cars...the bumper stickers and the t-shirts. Yes, the Lord has given me the gift of being able to often be able to 'feel' where someone is coming from. In actuality, though, we are all pretty homogenized in our religious appearances at home--don't you think?

It is so different here. A Muslim woman wears a headscarf here. Many Muslim men where a hat--called a songkok. A Shiek wears a turban--and he doesn't cut his hair. A Hindu often has white or red smudgings on his forhead--often, often, often. A Chinese Christian here always wears a cross. A Buddist Chinese does not. These are people we see every day, all day. The ethnicity and religion of every taxi driver is evident immediately. He either has a Hindu god, a budha, or a Muslim prayer card hanging from his mirror. (and I'll tell you--I have a preference in the religion of taxi drivers) Religion defines who a person becomes here. Religion defines where a person lives here. Religion defines how one dresses, how one eats, dare I say, how one breathes here.

This religion is not a light thing. Eric and I have experienced very interesting spiritual things here. Our first weekend at a small Christian church here--made up of locals, not ex-pats produced a shock. We watched as every child and every child worker was called up to the front. They were CHARGED in great seriousness with being the next generation--they were expected to grow and strive after the things of God. They were commanded to do it. They were then prayed for...and most of them fell out under the power of the Holy Spirit. My daughters stood in the midst of them--tall, fair headed towers, amongst this next generation of Malaysian Christians. I prayed, then, that this experience would change my daughters forever...but also that these young sons and daughters of Malaysia would be able to make a difference in this land. These humble Christians can not afford to lose even one generation here--or they've lost everything. I suspect that we, at home, cannot afford it either.

I remember in the states when we were searching for a new church. Church, after church, we watched children pushed into the back rooms and the filthy basements. They were the after thought. They were the residual left overs of the church body. They were a problem that had to be dealt with. They were NOT the next generation. They were not the future pastors and teachers and deciples. They were the left overs. What a sad commentary. (and yes, we finally did find a church home that considered children more than after-thoughts) I am so passionate about this generation. I am so energized to make a difference in it. I find myself continually having to refocus, and remind myself that if I lose the two 'next generations' in my own home, I've lost everything. I want to change the world, and I have to remind myself that MY world starts behind my front door. In some ways, this truth is harder to accept than if the Lord told me to go save the world.

At the opposite end of the spectrum...we went to a market the other day to buy presents for family and friends. At this market is a temple. Again--we don't go in to these...but I am comfortable with looking from afar. We decided to climb a huge amount of steps to see what the temple was at the top. Right before we started, I felt that we should pray. (I'm slow--Eric told me later that he had already been praying. *sigh*) So we prayed quickly as a family, and began to climb the stairs. All of a sudden, Eric and I saw a terrible dog. It hadn't any face--or the face was torn off. It was something else though. Without a doubt, it was a spiritual being. We (Eric and I) could feel it--strongly. I can only assume the dog was enveloped in demons. We quickly shot off to the side--the girls confused, because they did not see what we had seen.(thankfully--they would have been terrified!)

When we realized we were at a dead end, Eric went back to see if it was gone. The being had already disspeared. We decided to not pursue walking up the hill any farther.

All things spiritual are so heightened here. I myself am fatigued by it. Eric and I have been Christians long enough to not be concerned about 'losing the faith'. But I personally have had to fight a great fatigue in my relationship with the Lord. I have had to work hard at surrounding myself with things that help pull me towards the presence of the Lord.

I feel so mixed up about leaving here. I see so many needs and so many things to lay my hands to. But I know that I am not called to this place. I feel as sad to leave as I am happy to be going home. I can't wait to see all of you.

Love ya,

Kore

Hocker�s Central: 6th weekend

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 09:17:00 -0500

"No matter what the product or service might be, you can find it somewhere else cheaper!" - E. Scrooge

A weekend full of sight, sounds, and smells. Saturday night we joined the Rajamany�s for dinner in �little India�. As I have never been in India, I have nothing to compare it with. It was full of Indians, crowded streets, and all the hawker�s wares spilling out into the boulevard. There were colorful Christmas lights strung between the buildings like clothes lines. There were no cows here, but some could be counted on to be roaming further up town. Our olfactory senses were assailed by the aromas. Shawn, our host, bought us a beautiful incense burner to ensure we would take some of the smells with us

We traversed many curio shops. The girls really enjoyed shopping for jewelry. We walked until most of the shops were closing down. It remains one of the few places we plan to return to.

Sunday, was our relaxing sleep in day. It was pleasant to not have a �loaded� weekend. After lunch we headed out to the Chinese hocker�s lane. It is steeped in ancient backdrop of the temple and surrounding jungle hillside. There is also a lot of poverty in the area. There is an interesting dichotomy between the ugly of filth and the beauty of the architecture and hillside. We did garner a few trinkets of interest. There is an art to bartering with whose English is limited to wheeling the best deal. The girls would likely have paid a fortune for items that could be found at our local dollar store if left on there own.

As the heat of the day wore on we decided a cool off and dinner at the mall would be a great welcome. Follow this with a kid�s movie and our weekend was complete. We still have a few things we would like to see and do. More than that we realized we are ready to head home. Living for the weekends, long days, cramped quarters, and yes frayed nerves have us all planning a long awaited return. Today marked the 1^st bag to be packed.

Well, we're beginning to go through 'exiting' strategy.

Sat, 22 Apr 2006 01:43:00 -0500

I'm sure there's a proper name for it--the work you begin to do when you're headed home.

There's the logistical work--making sure our bills have been paid at home...examining the shocking hotel bill. Confirming our flight arrangements, and considering baggage.

But there's also the emotional exiting. Ala Veggie Tales, we find ourselves taking the moment to look at what we've learned together. In some ways, we feel as if we've learned nothing.

We're not particularly emotionally tied to this place. Surprisingly, we don't remotely feel a call to these people. We love one of the ethnicities here...but I certainly wouldn't call it a 'call'. We hadn't planned on having one...but we're still surprised at how unattatched we feel.

In some ways, this trip has tied us to home. Kind of like Dorothy in the wizard of Oz, we finally realize that 'there's no place like home'. We miss the Grandparents and Aunts/Uncs. We miss our yard. We miss the dog. We miss our very country--we have a longing for it that we've never felt before.

This has been so good for us to learn. We haven't ever really 'settled down' upon buying our house 2 years ago, and switching churches. We had continued in a partially temporary, partially damaged/hurt mode.

Stepping back from all of that has given us the chance to see what we were missing. We've been able to see how we've created our own lonely reality at home. And we're excited to go home to change that.

Eric and I have learned here that we need more time together. We've become addicted to playing a game of Mancala at exactly 8...and having a glass of wine together. We hope to remploy this at home.

We've had a wonderful opportunity to see eachother work under pressure. Believe me--when things go wrong, this far away from home...you either 'putup,or shutup'. We've learned how each of us do that. We make quite a team, now!

We've learned that two sisters, though best friends, CANNOT sleep in a twin size bed together. They take out all of their natural rivalry towards eachother...while sleeping, once we convince them to sleep! I am so thankful that they didn't ever accidently hurt eachother...and that when we get home, they'll have separate beds again!

I also can't wait to have our own bathrooms again...'nuff said.

I'll miss laundry service. Big time.

I'll miss room service even more.

Anyhow. We have 7 days left. Just long enough to finish shopping, see the last few unseens...and fly home. Viva la home!

We went snorkeling!

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 00:24:00 -0500

paraphrase of Billy Crystal in 'Princess Bride'...

"It was a dweam within a dweam'....

Or as lil Sis says: 'This is like a vacation within a vacation!'

We just returned from our weekend in Pangkor, and I am full content to go home now! (though I know that the girls and I are not finished here...and Eric is *really* not finished at work.)

Pangkor is a small Island about a 2 hr drive, and 1/2 hr ferry from Penang. We left on Friday, and returned Sunday evening.

I loved all of it---every minute! (except when we all became vapor locked--a word that holds new meaning when coupled with heat and humidity--when arriving in Lamut, the port before Pangkor...and trying to decide what direction to go next!)

I loved having Eric drive, while I had the chance to see a country that I will never see again. I loved seeing the rice fields, and the palm oil plantations...the farms, the little homes on stilts...and the beautiful Asian cows.

Then I loved getting on a ferry, and letting the wind blow my hair. I loved how our family seemed to be the only ones crazy enough to prefer the ferry deck to the air conditioned cabin. The ocean breeze, and the lack of staring gave me a sorely missed feeling of freedom!

I loved that my husband pushed himself out of his comfort zone...and let us be driven to an unknown place, on an unknown island, by an unknown driver...and paid his own money to have such an experience. I also love that the aforementioned husband...left his watch in the room.

I loved watching my children play in the sand and ocean. They searched for little crabs and chased them up and down the beach. There is something about beach and ocean that causes children and adults alike to revert to simpler ages.

I loved snorkeling, after I got over my tremendous fear of sea cucumbers. I felt like I watched the entire movie of 'finding Nemo' through my goggles. Minus the whale, thank goodness!

I loved eating dinner at sunset, with my family, on the beach. The storm that was slowly drifting over the hills into the bay only enhanced the sun dipping into the sea. (do you hear the little sizzle?) I didn't recognize my food, once again...but it didn't matter!

I loved watching it rain from our porch...like I've never seen it rain before. The sound of the waves crashing and the rain pouring made me feel so small!

I loved watching my American-born children search for chocolate easter eggs on a Malaysian beach on the other side of the world...and I loved how we all sat on the beach and prayed together as a family. We laughed at the hornbills that swooped down for bread bits, and it was only a slightly holy prayer, because of the humor of it all.

I loved how though we were feeling so alone...longing for just one familiar face...that God's spirit still showed up midst our little family...and reminded us all that He is a great, great God. The palm trees swayed...and the sun beat down...and in some ways, it was a little easier to imagine Jesus living in such a place...and I really wish that He would some day. I really do.

Weekend #4

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 18:50:00 -0500

"One of the joys of travel is visiting new towns and meeting new people." - G. Khan

This weekend we met up with a co-worker and his family for a get together at the local bazaar, Chinese temple, and a mountain top trip. The bazaar was a series of local bartering booths that contained an assortment of tourist �stuff�. The trick to isolate the Wal-mart stuff from the handcraft goods was to locate the �made in china� sticker on the item. If it did not have this and wrapped in the local newspaper odds were that it was local craftsmanship.

The heat was amazing. It was like sharing a crowded steam room with a couple hundred other people, most of whom did not speak English. The point of interest for lil Sis. was the turtles. Her affinity towards all creatures� great and small has only increased since being here. Big sis. is ever on the look out for something to buy for all her friends back home. If her purse was as large as her heart we would likely have needed a U-haul. Kore. enjoyed the idea of coming back on our own and exploring everything when there was more time. My golden moment of culture faux pas came when I removed my t-shirt from under my button shirt, both of which were drenched. Apparently, it was not enough to be the only white people around. The sight of my big, hairy, white chest gave some of the locals something to giggle about. It is always of interest to me that many of the locals take pictures of us as we take of ourselves.

The trip of Penang Hill was a great idea. Apparently half the island population thought so as well because I swear we shared the trolley cart with all of them. So how many Malaysians can fit inside of a phone booth? � I can testify quite a number of them. The trip was about half an hour at ~ a 45 degree angle the whole time. It was like traveling in a gondola. But instead of poles and skis there were just lots of people. Instead of snow, there was an abundance of heat and humidity. The view was incredible. It was at the top that we came to realize the extent of the island and the many places we have visited thus far.

The adults had a leisure dinner while the kids played bad mitten with the locals in the street. The dinner, company, and sunset were superb. All in all another very good weekend excursion.

She came, she saw, she conquered!!

Sat, 8 Apr 2006 07:46:00 -0500

Oh, you would just be so proud of me!

Having finally had my fill of hotel room and pool...

and having decided that I was more than ready to go home...

I petitioned the internationals on my homeschool forum (the sonlight forums...)

and asked for prayer.

They concluded that I had one of two choices--get out, and have that adventure I've been talking about for so long...or GO HOME. Harsh, but correct.

So Thursday, I bit the bullet, and took the shuttle to city center Penang. Now, I've been here before--this was the same location of the hotel we didn't like, the ringget/rat contest, and the scarey taxi ride. But I knew that it was really my only choice to see any of Penang on my own. (and my husband is working continually, and not available to babysit the girls and I!) I had planned on catching a taxi at city center to the Penang museum, and then catch another taxi to Gurney Mall, my comfort zone. *grin*.

However, once arriving, the girls spotted some bike/rickshaw type carts. (I know they have names, but I'm not recalling it at the moment). So I threw up a quick prayer, picked the cleanest...negotiated a price...and we jumped in!

*a sidenote on rickshaw/bike drivers. We initially had great sympathy for our driver... We had a quick math lesson, however, and realized that if he has steady business, he easily makes as much as a first year teacher at the Dalat school. We enjoyed our ride more, after that! (and we had the added bonus of Asian reworked 50's music...haha)

I am so in love with this mode of transportation. It's like walking, without the sweat. (wonder why we don't walk?? Well let me tell ya. Walking in 90/90 weather is unbearable for us!!) We were able to see downtown Penang at street level. I had pseudo comfort of being in the street, but not OF the street.

We stopped at several temples, and peeked throught the windows.

* a side note on temples. We have greatly debated whether or not we should visit temples. They are such a vital part of this multi religious culture--Hindu, Buddist, Chinese/Ancestral, and Muslim temples dot every corner of every street.

Eric and I discussed this at length after Suresh (a Hindu) removed his shoes in our home in the states...we decided that removing one's shoes shows honor in this culture at ALL temples...and that would be our deliniating line as Christians--we would not go farther into a temple than where it was still appropriate to wear our shoes. This has been a great decision for us, and easy to teach our 8 and 10 year old daughters. Incidently--God has whispered to my heart twice now the words: 'Thou Shalt not have any god before me'. (why in King James, I haven't any idea!!) The first time was at Kapitan Mosque, the first mosque built in Penang, I believe. The second time was at a gift shop with some quite ancient looking carvings. I don't believe that God is warning me, as in, that he's afraid I'll 'change sides'...but rather that He is telling me/showing me that He is a GREAT, GREAT God.

Sorry for the long side note!

We suddenly arrived at the museum, not having had any idea of our location, or our destination on the rickshaw. By this time, we were quite hot, and welcomed the air-conditioned coolness of the museum. The rickshaw driver seemed to want us to hurry, and I had a hard time communicating that we wanted to just pay him, and be left there. I finally found someone able to translate, and implied that my husband was coming to pick us up there. For some reason, this works EVERY time!

We toured the museum, but not thoroughly, because the girls were tired and hungry. So we walked out at the same time that the school kids were being released (that was interesting for the girls!) and I hailed my taxi, having been thoroughly coached by a kind museum guide. (stand at the side of the road, and wave your hands wildly! hahaha)

We arrived at the Gurney, headed for Starbucks, and gave eachother high-fives. I had conquered my fear, and ventured out with the girls on my own. Granted, I was charged triple for the taxi...but WE DID IT! *smile*

We finally arrived in TaiPing

Tue, 4 Apr 2006 07:47:00 -0500

and went to Suresh's parents house. It was fun and quite special to go to a local's house. Suresh's Mom cooked us the BEST food that we've had. Prawns...and curry with mutton(goat), cauliflower and carrots, all so good! I wish we could eat there every day!

They were so welcoming and would have given us anything we asked. Though they are middle class (retired) their home was quite humble. (but spotlessly clean!) A main room, a small kitchen, and two small bedrooms. An all-in-one type bathroom--squatty, sink, shower, all tiled, with a cleaning hose for it all. A very small yard, filled to the brim with exotic plants and a koi pond. No central air. But it was HOME!

I realize now why Suresh was so overwhelmed when he ate dinner at our house. (also a middle class home!)

After lunch, we ventured to the Zoo, which was rather uneventful, until a man rode a bicycle by, with an infant orangutan on the handlebars! Lil Sis went running after it, of course, and he stopped. The baby took a strong liking to me, and immediately tried to jump in my arms. Her eyes were huge...and her hands felt like...my Dad's! lol Hairy on the top and smooth on the palms. Unlike my Dad, her feet felt the same way. We had a great time, and on the way out, a family asked to take their picture with us. Our family felt that we were as interesting to people as the Zoo animals...and this proved it!

I'm beginning to conclude that we will be stared at wherever we go, no matter how we behave, all the time...so I might as well make it worth it! Tonight, at the local Indian restoran (where we incidently were charged the 'white guy price'...makes Eric so mad!) I told the family that I felt like singing a little song, dancing a little dance, and ending it with a bow! I controlled myself...but one of these days...

So, we travel over the bridge to meet Suresh...

Mon, 3 Apr 2006 07:10:00 -0500

and realize that we have been living in a very citified area, and hadn't realized it. Malaysia is trully beautiful away from town. We drove by palm tree forests--much like you would see in the States--with trees row after row, in various heights and stages of growth. I'm not sure what they use the palm for. We also saw rice fields--bright green fields, swamped in water. It reminded me of spring, at home--you know, how the wheat or corn looks, just as it begins to launch out of the ground? It was such a relief to be in these wideopen spaces.

We stopped at a rest stop to meet Suresh, and had a chinese bun...called...just asked E, and he can't remember what they're called. They're very white, steamed, and filled with yummy things. Which reminds me to tell you how we eat, now.

We began by only eating at the hotel, because it felt safe, and comfortable. As we've ventured out, we've learned that there is really good food out there. Hotel food is safe...but not very good, we've learned. The food is mainly unrecognizable, and frankly, I am unable to even ask for the same dish twice--we are mainly reduced to pointing and hoping...but almost always find the food tasty after I get over the fact that we're the entertainment in every eating establishment we go to.

The way to choose a restraunt is by volume--the more people there, the better the food. We walk around, and try to pick out what most people have on their plates.

We don't worry about silverware...because most don't use utensils here. We've taken to bringing our own hand wipes too, because most places don't have napkins, either.

We usually pick up breakfast at the local chinese bakery, the night before. Kind of like donuts, without the frying and the sugar. We usually eat pb and J for lunch, on white bread...and lots of yummy fruit...just to help with the whole 'eating something wierd for dinner' syndrome. E eats something wierd for lunch AND dinner, his choice! I'm hoping that he will be utterly sick of foreign food by the time we get home! The girls almost always order a cheese pizza, no sauce from room service at exactly 8pm, if we're home. They've obviously branched out from fruit and rice, eh?

We've also found a great grocery store, and keep our room stocked with water and soda and...chocolate, much to the dissapointment of the individual in charge of restocking the mini bar.

We(as in, the 3 females) usually have to go potty...

Mon, 3 Apr 2006 07:06:00 -0500

because of the interesting bathrooms here. They are ceramic flushable holes, with two ceramic foot grids on either side. We call them squatty potties. Not sure if we're supposed to call them that...but we do. We've all improved in our use of them...now that we've also figured out that we have to bring t.p. with us...ALWAYS. The nicer malls have fairly clean squatties. Most other places, they're pretty bad. Not particularly dangerous(I wrote that for my mom) as your body doesn't touch any surfaces...just gross.

So thus the evolution of the 'full bladder, bridge dread'.

So anyhow...we headed over the bridge for TaiPing...

Second time typing this out!

Mon, 3 Apr 2006 07:00:00 -0500

I was quite discouraged this morning because I typed out all sort of interesting things, and accidently erased it! It is 8 pm right now, and E and the girls are playing 'the Hobbit', a computer game. We're slicing up a snicker's bar for dessert! We plan to work really hard on getting extra sleep this week--our weekends are so full and wonderfully busy...and exhausting. So we're hoping to get caught up a bit on rest.

Saturday was an exciting day for us. Eric's coworker, Suresh, volunteered to take us to his hometown, TeiPing, in mainland Malaysia.

We woke up early, and headed over Penang bridge. Penang bridge is the 3rd longest bridge in the world. We've headed over this bridge twice now. The other times, accidently, with full bladders. It is really easy to accidently take the bridge, and we all live in fear of it! Once you're on this bridge, there is no way to turn back around. We usually drive by it after dinner, at night...and we always have to go potty...