It is in giving that we receive

Jireh Home is the main project of the Jireh Community Service Soceity (JCSS).   Various churches and companies across the region support and/or sponsor Jireh Home in some way, whether it be monetary, food or other donations.  And through incredible connections, God always provides. 

This Christmas season, Jireh Home brought back 17 kids from their Kampungs (rural villages) in order to receive donations and be involved in various Christmas activities.  Everyday for a week, we met with a group of visitors.  

There was the Chinese congregation who brought their Sunday School students to give presents and play games with out kids.   I sat on the bench at the edge of the crowd, trying to fade into the white wall behind me, which is possibly the only place I could remain unnoticed.   But as the Sunday School kids handed out their wrapped presents, I received at least four, that I latter redistributed for the kids to take home to their friends and family in rural Malaysia.  It is in giving that we receive. 

There was a group of people from a local restaurant who brought the kids each a new personalized, embroidered Jireh Home shirt in an unfortunately see through yellow.   The kids pulled the shirts on with smiles and sang songs as a thank you.  After handing out some snacks, the visitors mostly talked amongst themselves, until they asked me to come over and take pictures with each of them individually.   They didn’t talk to most of the wardens, or interact with the kids.  But it is in giving that we receive.

There was the group from a hotel in a well-known mall.  The employees came in a large charter bus and wheeled in boxes and boxes of donations, including the best study books, a Christmas tree and classy decorations.   Then the orang putih (white person) CEO showed up in a fancy car.   They helped the kids put up and decorate the tree together and recorded the kids singing with their IPhones.   They were very friendly and excited to be a part of Jireh Home.  In a little speech, the CEO said with his nice French accent, I do believe it is in giving that we receive.

There was the night we spent at Ming Garden Hotel.  We were welcome at the door by Santa and Mrs. Claus and treated to a Christmas feast, complete with turkey and baked potatoes.  I excitedly taught the kids how to eat both foods that remind me so much of the States.  After our feast, the kids and hotel staff decorated cupcakes together with delicious white chocolate frosting.  We took hundreds of pictures together before lighting the Hotel’s Christmas tree and listening to carolers dressed as Mrs. Claus.  The kids each got to take at least three cupcakes home and a bag full of incredibly nice gifts.  It is in giving that we receive. 

In the States, this is common in our churches, in our lives.   Its something I have never questioned.  Of course I need to be generous.  I have.  I am one of the Chinese Sunday School students who brought at least three gifts to give to the unfortunate children.  I am one of the restaurant employees who has handed out food to someone without engaging or interacting.  I am one of the hotel employees with a fancy phone.  One of the Ming Garden staff who knows how to eat the food the kids had never tried, who knows all the words to the popular Christmas carols in English.

I have.

But here, I am someone who is receiving.  Someone who doesn't have.  I have received so many little gifts from so many generous, kind and well-intentioned visitors.  I have received delicious, huge meals of Western food, food that makes me think of Christmas dinner with my family.  I have received extra attention -for being white- and awe for being here in Tuaran, teaching English to the kids. 

And I’m learning that most times, receiving is hard.  Sometimes, its hard to genuinely welcome another group of people to this place with so many unseen things to give.   Sometimes its hard to take pictures with strangers, to talk with people who think they know how to raise our kids, to watch as our kids sing and clap while the visitors talk on.  But the kids and staff happily and gracefully receive regardless of the visitors, regardless of the donation.   In this season of giving, I am learning to receive humbly in ways I could never imagine.