future work

What should i be doing?  My visa in Thailand is good until June 11, then…..?

My first plan last year when i came was that i would teach until May, then soon after that the 1858 Great Controversy book would be translated into Thai, and i could spend most of the last half of the year in Thailand spreading that book.  But now the school where i was teaching is not following God, so i cannot return there until they do, and the Thai 1858gc will not be ready for printing until later, so what to do, where to go?

Options as i see them now, in order of probability/feasibility – of course i’m always open to the Holy Spirit’s leading 🙂

1. Go to Myanmar and help spread the 1858gc there.  PROS- Book will be hot off the press and needs promotion. CONS- May not be ready by then.

2. Go to Malaysia and help the Chinese translator there.  PROS- Being directly with the translator would help the work go faster, and be more faithful to the original.  CONS- Don’t know if the translator even wants help.

3. Go to Cambodia and help spread the book there.  PROS- Book is already printed and languishing.  CONS- Need someone who can go around to the churches with me and be my interpreter, plus i need a lot of physical and moral stamina to enter this country.

4. Try to extend visa for Thailand to help translator there.  PROS- Can help get book done, loving atmosphere.  CONS- Feel like time and talents better used elsewhere until book gets translated.

5. Go to Indonesia and introduce book there.  PROS- Book has not yet been introduced there, and there are many SDAs.  CONS- Have zero contacts there.  NOTE- Book is in Malay which is probably acceptable in Indonesia too, but not sure.

6. Go to India and work on distribution and especially animated movie of book.  PROS- Really, really want to get this book into animated form, and have 2 really great friends there to work with.  CONS- India just doesn’t seem to be calling me at all at present, and takes even more physical stamina than Cambodia.

7. Go to Japan.  haha.  Must wait a while longer, but have promised (Lord willing) to make it back there before the end of this year 🙂

Around the end of the year i hope to go back to Japan after a 3 year absence, then over to Korea for a few weeks, then go see America again after almost a 5 year absence.  In Japan i have many friends and want to encourage the Brothers and Sisters there, and also entreat the non-Christians to accept Jesus before it is forever too late.  Korea has many strong SDAs, and while 5,000 of these 1858gc books were printed there around 4 years ago, i have not heard a peep about distribution, so want to go there and promote this book.  Then in America of course i want to see my relatives, especially my brother and his new family.  There are also some people i wish to introduce this book to, and try to carry on deep studies of this book with those who have already shown an interest.  Hopefully some self-supporting places will be interested in allowing me to come and study this book in earnest with them.

Aaaaaaah, just the thot of going back to Japan again refreshes me. Just think, perfect food, people who do what they say, no translators, understand everything around you – those who have not been for extended periods in a place where you could not speak the language cannot understand how belittling it feels to not be able to read anything or speak to people you meet.  Thankfully (yes, i know, it is God’s long-range plan) i have been able to find English speakers most everywhere i’ve gone, so have been helped tremendously, but still, it is humbling (maybe that’s why God sent me?!) to not even be able to give a witness for Jesus or have any idea about what is in the food. 

Father, please look on me tenderly.  Forgive my sins of pride, lust of the eyes, and impatience.  Mold me, shape me, give me trials, but please remember that sometimes i need rest too….or should i just fix my eyes on the heavenly rest?  Bless especially those who have helped me, and may they all have a stronger desire to follow the words in this 2nd greatest book in the world: The Great Controversy Between Christ and His Angels, and Satan and His Angels.  Your words will not return to you void.  I want to continue having a part in making that prophecy come true.  I love you Jesus, tremendously.  I thank you and praise your name for choosing me.  Show me when to use the rest of my dwindling money to advance your cause.  Use me in any way, absolutely any way you see best.  Please correct me when you see me going astray.  I want to serve you, worship you, talk like you, walk like you, be like you.  Direct me to others who have similar desires.  Please save me.  Amen.