Baking on the Mission Field: Malaysia Edition

While we were in Malaysia, the Lord also opened the door for my team to serve in a local bakery that employs special needs adults. Their vision is to give them real world skills in a safe and encouraging environment so that they can earn a living. When we first arrived, I thought this would look like me baking with them pretty often, but instead God showed me new ways that I can apply my skills in the industry for His kingdom. We had the opportunity to write a business plan for them to help organize their ideas and passions on paper. We also helped design the interior of the cafe with the materials on-hand to give it the more warm, welcoming feel of a go-to cafe. A couple of my very talented squad mates even painted a mural! I also drafted some ideas of items they could add to their menu and demonstrated how to make a cake and cupcakes so that they could broaden their menu and reach more customers.

After learning in Thailand that I can bake as ministry, God has even built upon that and shown me that I can use my entrepreneurship degree in ministry. Writing the bakery’s business plan turned out to be so fruitful! We were able to organize the owner’s passion and vision on to paper. She can now use that to apply for more funding and to recruit new volunteers. She was really overjoyed when we presented it to her, such a sweet moment. Her passion for this ministry is so evident and to be invited into that was such an honor.

Baking with their team was a real blessing! God reminded me that as much as I want them to learn the skills well in the time that I have with them, it is really just about loving them well. So when it was time to decorate the cupcakes, I gave a few examples, and then just let them run with it. It was fun and new for them, and not about making the perfect product. Just about the joy that comes out of creating something yummy. That was a nice refresher.

God has shown me in many ways that my background in the food service industry can and will be used for His glory and to further His Gospel. He’s broadened my understanding of ministry from just being involved with my church to intentionally living out my day-to-day with a missional mindset. I thought the World Race was going to be a break from kitchens for me, and that maybe God is calling me in a different direction for my career. But He’s revived my excitement for it and how it connects people, even across cultures and countries, by showing me all these ways He can use it for His glory. I can do ministry in my field with the skills God has already blessed me with, isn’t that just so cool?! He can and will use me where He’s planted me with the desires and passions He’s given me. I absolutely love kitchens and He designed me that way so that I can glorify Him in this niche way that comes so naturally to me. He is so good!

*Sneak peek to the Philippines! Our ministry host here also has a kitchen that I could be plugged into! Not entirely sure what that could look like just yet, so stay tuned! I’m sure God will continue teaching me through it!