I just wanted to write a little something to you. I've wanted to do it for a while, but I've been lazy & stuff.

I know I've told you bits & pieces of how things were growing up for me, and my less than stellar opinions on religion. I still held many of those thoughts when I joined DA. This may sound corny, but through you, I have seen the goodness in Christianity. I have seen selflessness. I have seen grace. I have seen acceptance. I no longer believe the things I thought growing up, and you've been a HUGE part in that.

There have been times where our views have clashed on issues, yet you've always been respectful to me, and that's hard to find on here. For that, and many other reasons, I hold a lot of respect & admiration for you.

I hope that you receive many blessings in your life, because you deserve them.

I suppose I could've PM'd you with this, but I thought if I wanted to add more later, or if anyone else wanted to post, a thread would be better.

Stay safe & well, and hope to see you around again soon

*hugs*

Wow! Your post just made me cry. (in a good way!) :p Thank you so much, you have no idea how much that uplifts me right now, because today is my very last day in Malaysia and this outreach has not been easy... there have been ups and downs, and I was feeling a bit emotional and sad today.

So what you said really means a lot to me, and I'm really happy that your heart has been changing and your view of Christianity has changed. I want to say something... You mentioned that you've seen goodness and grace and selflessness. I have to tell you that it's not me... I'm a flawed and broken person like everyone, and definitely a work in progress. Any good that you have seen is God. God is all those things and more, and the more I know Him the more I realize how good and amazing He is.

I have to say that when I first went to Kona to take the Crossroads discipleship training class, I was blown away by the campus there. I had never been around so many people who were genuine, Spirit-filled, passionate followers of Jesus, and amazingly they were so cool and normal and down to earth. I can't even put into words how great that was, but that was one of the things that brought me closer to God and grew my faith, I could see Jesus there... I knew that when people get saved they receive God's Spirit, but now I could see how true that was. Not to mention that i've seen so many examples of people lives completely turning around, and their character changing drastically.

Thank you again, Beatle, you've been supportive and encouraging all along, and that is so appreciated, and thank you for having faith in me with this whole thing! :cool: I also want you to know that I've prayed for you, and I will keep doing that.... I know and can strongly feel that God loves you so much and He is 'knocking at your door', so to speak. (revelation 3:20)

Another scripture I feel led to give you is Matthew 11:28-30.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."


(((hug)))

Love,
cindy

btw... to anyone who is interested


I'm in Kuala Lumpur and it's my last day here. We leave here at 7 PM, and we have one stop in Tokyo then we arrive in Kona Hawaii tomorrow (i guess?)

Once I get back to the states I'll be online a bit more, but like i said on another thread, i'm going to be in Maui for 3 weeks on vacation (staying with a friend who lives there, along with my friend Carrie and possibly another friend who was a roommate in Kona) So I'm really excited about having time to just relax and go to the beach and all that! :w00t:

I'll have more time then to put my thoughts in order, and maybe write about some things I learned on this missions trip.

Take care you guys and I'll see ya soon!

Oh, I also want to try to post some pics and hopefully a link to the PowerPoint presentation that I made for anyone who wants to see it.

I'm glad you got to see this thread right away, Cindy. :)

I have to say that when I first went to Kona to take the Crossroads discipleship training class, I was blown away by the campus there. I had never been around so many people who were genuine, Spirit-filled, passionate followers of Jesus, and amazingly they were so cool and normal and down to earth. I can't even put into words how great that was, but that was one of the things that brought me closer to God and grew my faith, I could see Jesus there... I knew that when people get saved they receive God's Spirit, but now I could see how true that was.

I'll vouch for Cindy here while I'm at it. It's something very positive that should be experienced and I am glad I got a taste of it while I was there visiting.


staying with a friend who lives there, along with my friend Carrie and possibly another friend who was a roommate in Kona

Give Carrie my best and that I've been thinking about her as well your other friends/roommates.

Have a safe trip back to Hawaii and God bless.

~ Alan

After all those jokes just using it as a funny name, I can now say I know someone that's actually been to Kuala Lumpur!