October 24th, 2006, marked the one year anniversary of becoming homeless to spread the book titled “The Great Controversy Between Christ and His Angels, and Satan and His Angels”, originally printed in 1858. It is a time to reflect on what has/hasn’t been accomplished in the last year, and hopefully by looking on the past, renewed confidence and hope will encourage myself and perhaps others to work energetically in spreading this most important book in the world after the Bible.
Accomplishments related to everything with this work of spreading the 1858GC, including coming and meeting personally with people to push forward this book will be listed by country travelled to during this year. Many of the things listed were done by other people, such as selling the books, but all work done in the last year by everyone is listed. 17 countries were personally entered in the last year, with sometimes multiple languages worked on.
Philippines: Tagalog translated and 5,000 printed; Ilocano translated and 5,000 printed; English 2,000 printed. Receipts of sales of books over 2,000usd; Tausug translation 1/4 completed, no current information.
Malaysia: English 2,000 printed; Malay translated and proofread, ready to print.
Thailand: Thai started translation and stopped; Arabic promised to be translated, but no current information.
Cambodia: Khmer translation completed and proofread, ready to print.
Vietnam: Viewed Vietnamese books slowly being distributed.
Burma: Burmese translator found, work in progress with goal of being ready to print by March 2007.
Sri Lanka: Viewed Sinhala books slowly being distributed.
India: Marathi translation completed, but unusable, currently undergoing new translation; Punjabi translation completed, ready for proofreading; Tibetan and Assamese proofreading completed, ready for printing; English 10,000 printed; Tamil undergoing new proofreading in preparation for new printing; Mizo and Khasi and Telegu and Malayalam and Kannada and Gujarati translators found, but no current information.
England: Romanian translator found, work to be completed by April 2007.
Holland: Various contacts made, but no translators found.
Germany: 5,000 printed and around 1,000 sold. Czech and Slovakian translations agreed to be done for free by dedicated layman.
Switzerland: Several hundred copies sold, and interest awakened to translate into Kiswahili and other African languages.
Italy: Pastor contacted who said he will bring up the translation of this book to a group in his church who like to spread the Spirit of Prophecy.
Greece: Mission workers contacted, and agreed to bring up the subject of translation into Greek at their board meeting in November.
Turkey: Book presented, but with very few members, it is hard to find translators.
Georgia: Georgian translation and proofreading completed, ready for printing.
Armenia: Armenian Mission president agreed to translate, work set to start after contacting Union officials.
With the animation, several people were approached, and a firm quote of around 10,000usd received, but was unable to agree to payment terms. Now am considering the possibility of getting it done in drawn cell form like a Disney movie instead of computer Flash format.
The best thing about the whole year, is to see people get on fire to not just promote this book, but to read and study and get distributed more Spirit of Prophecy books to their own people. There are no doubts in my mind that God wanted me to leave beloved Japan last year and get out and get his words he gave his prophet a wider circulation. I am just so thankful that he has used me in this way in his service, and plan to continue upholding the prophet’s books, the Seventh-day Adventist church, and most importantly – want to hasten the coming of our Lord and Saviour – Jesus Christ.
Everyone’s prayers are indispensable, knowing even when everything is new and strange and sometimes nice, many times not, that there are petitions ascending to the throne of God for me. Any advice is very welcome, as tunnel vision is a real concern.
May we repent of our sins, and pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus. Amen.
NOTE: Post written October 25, 2006