Malaysia was beautiful, but it wasn’t always been easy.

I think sometimes when people hear “missions in Southeast Asia,” they imagine constant joy, amazing food, and life changing moments every day. And while there was so much joy there, I also want to be honest about the hard parts. The last month in Malaysia stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. Being in a new culture, navigating language barriers, and constantly feeling like the outsider was exhausting. Some days the loneliness hits out of nowhere. There were moments when I missed home so deeply my family, my friends, my church, and the familiarity of Georgia life. It’s strange realizing how many little comforts you take for granted until they’re gone. Ministry itself was also challenging. There were days where it feels like you’re pouring everything you have into people and not always seeing fruit right away. There we’re misunderstandings, emotional days, and moments where I questioned if I’m really making a difference, but in the middle of all of that, God has been so kind to meet me in the hard. I got to meet people like Nura and Jess who I can continue to love on and show Jesus to them! I learned that dependence on Him isn’t just a pretty phrase. I had to run to Him in ways I never have before, and honestly, I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Malaysia wasn’t always easy, but it was deeply refining. And I can already see how God used the struggles to grow my faith in ways comfort never could.