Rob and Elyn Nollan left for Malaysia in July 2006 with their two sons, Michael and Daniel, to teach at Dalat International School, a Christian kindergarten through 12th grade school.
They returned to the United States for six weeks last summer to share their experiences with Toledo First Baptist Church and others who have supported them financially and through prayer.
Theyre really not that much different than we are, Elyn Nollan said. They have the same struggles, the same hopes and wishes, even though theyre on a different side of the planet.
Encouraged by friends to apply at Dalat, the Nollans envisioned living in grass, thatch-roofed huts on stilts, but the Dalat campus, on the gorgeous tropical island of Penang, features palm trees, beaches, tennis courts, and a swimming pool.
After a phone interview, they signed two-year contracts and rented their home in Toledo, where Elyn had been homeschooling their sons. They struggled financially to pay their bills on the missionary wages they earned overseas, but family members, friends, and their church have supported their work.
Rob teaches middle school English at Dalat; Elyn is the music and choir director. Both are involved in Penang Young Life.
More than half of the people in Malaysia are Muslims, but the women prefer sparkly clothing, Elyn said, and only those vacationing from Saudi Arabia wear black. The country tolerates the worship of other religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and even Christianity.
It is illegal in Malaysia to proselytize anyone of the Muslim faith, Elyn said. We can talk about Christianity only if they bring it up and ask.
We desire greatly to reach these people, but its got to be a move of God.
The schools purpose is to provide a caring Christian community where missionaries and expatriates throughout Asia can board and educate their children. Up to 30 percent of the students are children of school staff and missionaries from countries such as the United States, Canada, Sri Lanka, Australia, India, Switzerland, and Colombia.
One of the things thats most exciting is not so much what were doing, but what we enable others to do while were there, Rob said.
Many of their students are children of local Hindu, Buddhist, or Muslim business owners. They want their children to gain a good education and learn English so they can attend American colleges.
Elyn asked for prayer, noting they often feel sick and exhausted.
The main thing we fight is just general spiritual fatigue, she said.
Malaysia is a country of contrasts, with poor squatters living ramshackle tin homes across the street from Chinese-owned mansions with satellite dishes and Mercedes in the driveways.
Over the last two years, however, weve seen amazing changes in both Michael and Daniel, as they adapt to a different culture, make new friends, and grow more mature in their own faith little by little, Rob said.
Despite the challenges, after much prayer and consideration, the Nollans decided last spring to sign up for another two years.
Theyve seen dozens of people persecuted for their faith, especially Christian refugees from Burma who hide out in the hilly jungle. Dalat volunteers hauled school supplies to the families.
Burmese refugees sneaking into Malaysia risk their lives hiding in hot, stuffy cramped crates; some suffocated.
When we look at what weve sacrificed in comparison, its really almost nothing, Rob Nollan said. We moved across the globe, but we didnt give up our lives or our financial security or the hope of seeing our families again.
Julie McDonald is a personal historian and former journalist who lives in Toledo. She owns Chapters of Life, a company dedicated to preserving the past, one familys story at a time. She may be reached at memorybooks@chaptersoflife.com.
