malaysia

Josh Yeoh: In That Day

by andrewkooman on December 6, 2011

I first met Josh Yeoh a number of years ago while living in Malaysia, but didn’t get to know the man until a recent trip (when I returned to the country to work on this project).  I had never spent much time before in a House of Prayer, but because of my friendship with Josh [...]

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Peace + Literacy Event at RDPL

by andrewkooman on September 12, 2011

I had the privilege to speak at a Peace + Literacy event at the Dawe branch of the Red Deer Public Library last week. As I prepared to speak, I was reminded of my grandparents who immigrated to Canada after the Second World War.  I was grateful I could share some of their story, including the [...]

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Robert Reid – God Doesn’t Want You to Eat Grass

by andrewkooman on November 15, 2010

As YWAM celebrates its 50th year, Andrew wanted to catch up with people who’ve experienced the global organization’s flagship training program, the Discipleship Training School, and see what life and faith has been like since. View other interviews in the on-going series here. Andrew Kooman: Why did you pack your bags, get on a plane, [...]

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A Better Country – A Ticket Home

by andrewkooman on November 3, 2010

The next group of Vietnamese detainees were more fortunate.  Ellen had tickets for ten of the eleven.  Seven men and three women.  The lone unfortunate was a few weeks away from being given the same good news.  Ellen tenderly touched his cheek and told him to be strong as he waited patiently for release.  A [...]

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A Better Country – The Horrible Drudgery of Detention

by andrewkooman on October 27, 2010

The first group of Vietnamese men marched from their block two by two.  Handcuffed in pairs, free arms holding the shoulder of the detainee in front of them, heads down.  They entered the small building, sat in two neat rows, cross legged, leaning against each other.  Seven in total.  They were all young.  Haggard and [...]

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The Detention Centre we visited is tucked away in a small town, about an hour and a half drive from the main city where we met.  We drove through the rain, a down pour of tremendous rain drops that threw themselves against the windshield with incredible force.  Ellen drove her small Proton at a casual [...]

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A Better Country – The Impossible Choices of Refugees

by andrewkooman on October 13, 2010

Change Noor’s name – he has done so himself – to another.  Make it Hashim, or Ishmael.  The names change but the stories have similar strands.  Yet the threads that tie the stories together are not rich in hue: golds, emeralds, reds, weaving together a beautiful coat of colour.  They are more like the clear [...]

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He had no reason to lie to us.  The tears on his face said it all.  They appeared suddenly, streamed clear lines on his dark skin.  The first, the only tears I saw during my time meeting with refugees in Malaysia, listening to their stories of survival, of exile, of suffering and displacement.  Tears precious [...]

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