By Brian Wilson
In culturally inappropriate dress, tourists tromp around snapping shots of humble inhabitants. Insensitive, demanding, unappreciative . . . at least they’re also temporary. Tourists are here today and gone tomorrow. (I’ve been a tourist before, too, but I try not to tell anyone.) When someone is on holiday, often the last thing on their mind is what impact they are having on the local situation. Some of us diehard missionaries occasionally even question the whole concept of the tourist industry. And then it happened—God used a tourist.
After having to spend two months last year cleaning up the muddy mess from three floods, we were eager to get back to business. Jack, my translator, and I worked hard to finish up a set of Bible studies for the Thailand Adventist Mission. Our goal was to have them off the press by New Years in time for the Triennial session in January. As we got ready to do the artwork, my nephew, who is helping us with our art needs, decided to go home for a few months. A deadline loomed, and we had no art for our lessons. When facing difficult situations in the past, we have learned that God is the best source of assistance. He is our ever-present help in time of trouble. We began to pray in earnest, but nothing happened. Just a few weeks before the deadline, we were frantic.
Nineteen-year-old Samantha Mott was touring through Thailand and happened to visit the Chiangmai Seventh-day Adventist Church one Sabbath morning. (There is a whole story behind that word “happened.”) Duang, Mishala, and the kids also happened to attend there instead of going to Chiangmai Academy. I was gone for the weekend visiting Mien villages in Nan. Samantha found Mishala in the crowd, and they made friends. She came and stayed with Mishala. In the process, we learned that she was an artist. An artist! What a coincidence. We explained our situation to Samantha, and she happily agreed to stay three weeks and do our artwork for us. She finished just a day or two before our deadline with the press. Praise God! (As you continue to walk by faith, you may have noticed that God often waits until the last possible moment to answer our prayers. Wait patiently for Him. His timing is best.)
So God can use tourists. But can He use Filipinos in Thailand? I don’t remember the context, but several years ago, I overhead someone here bemoaning the influx of Filipino Adventists into Thailand. The comments were bigoted and inappropriate, especially in a church setting. As I listened, I reflected that it would probably be hard for God to use a Filipino in Thailand because of the racial barriers. Then it happened—God did use a Filipino.
Early last year, I got an e-mail from Jhun Cardeinte saying that he was on his way to Chiangmai to join me in working with the Mien people. I was a little taken aback and not really sure what to do, and then I remembered I’d been praying for help. Maybe this was God’s answer. But a Filipino? How could he overcome Thai prejudice? Now, after more than a year of working with Jhun, I think I can comment a little better on his ministry. Jhun is one of the most hardworking and committed Christians I have ever met. It is an honor to work with him. We have had a family recently give up the spirits partly because of his dedication. The members are also becoming more active in their faith and participating more in church. The youth are strong and more united. When you read about our successes in Chiangrai or in the Mien work in general, remember that Jhun is on the team and is an important contributor toward our success.
Prejudice is a nasty beast that insinuates itself into lives and destroys peace, harmony, and Christian effectiveness wherever it is found. As the world falls apart around us and people think more and more in terms of “us vs. them,” let’s be different. Let’s let Jesus change us from the inside out and help us look for the good in others rather than getting bogged down in the mire of stereotyping.
I am learning that God is not limited by lack of ability or resources. He is not limited by what some consider social, racial, or circumstantial handicaps. He is limited more by attitude. With a willing attitude, even a tourist can be useful to God. And don’t tell anybody, but I have proof that He can even use a Filipino in Thailand! More humbling still, He can even use me. He can use you, too. Just let Him.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
Devastating Filipino Concept of Missionary Call
By; Sulad Jhun Cardeinte
“Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.” Romans 12:1
Sad stories can be heard about many young Filipino Christians here in Thailand who’ve lost their faith along the way…Thinking that their teaching job is a just one among unreligious jobs and businesses in the world. What makes this mind set devastating is the wrong understanding about what it is to be a missionary. I can see this in the campus back in my home country. Where many students, after their hard work for 7 to 9 years to get a teaching, agriculture or business career, decided to go for full time missionary call, which is very far different from their expertise. The sad results, they are misplaced. They went home discouraged, while many others, wasted their talents and diplomas. Thinking that serving God means doing full time missionary job….Still many others have the worse thinking. They believe that doing a full time missionary work means gaining some kind of special level of friendship with God.
I believe that this is one of the potential problems that hinder the spiritual and physical growth of our church today. This sad picture can be easily observed anywhere. There are churches today that can’t do worship services without their pastors. This is especially true here in Thailand. To them, it needs to have special and formal calling to perform the church duties. They think members are to listen to good sermons and entertaining church programs. This is aside from their thinking that they are release from Christian obligations, to share their faith. This is especially true to some of our old church members.
And how about our young people today? Many think that having secular job means far away from being godly. In which they seem feel spiritual cold, unworthy and far away from God. The result of this concept is devastating.
Remember young Daniel, there was no church in the wicked Babylon. He was not affiliated with any missionary organization. Though the world influence was very strong to suppress his faith while working in a secular duty, he became a living witness for God. Another Bible hero was Joseph who did affirm his faith and remain true to God. And you can name yourself the many faithful others in the Bible.
Those faithful were unlike Peter who was supposed to be in his full time missionary duty with Jesus. That when confronted by a scary situation, he had mixed himself up with the bad people around him so know one could identify him. He sinned against God by so doing. But thank God at the end he repented and had become effective witness for Jesus.
To fall into sin like Peter, indicates our humanness that we are truly human that has tendency to fall but to keep on sinning would be a far different story. This means that no matter how great Christian we are in the sight of God, we are still human. That the moment we turn away from Him, we surely fall. But it is not the end of the world. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. At the end, we still become effective missionaries like Peter.
Dedication versus Abandon
In many restricted places, full time missionaries cannot do the normal witnessing task. And by experience, I have discovered that people are suspicious. And having a missionary tag would drive away many friends and neighbors. But having a secular job tag won’t alert anyone around us. This means having a secular work like one of them open many opportunities to witness if a Christian lives up to what he profess. The point is we don’t need to abandon our secular profession but to dedicate it to God. At that time you accepted the status to become a Christian, your calling to be a missionary has been started. You are in the heavenly list of those who are called to witness for Him. And when you are demonstrating your genuine Christianity to your family and friends, that means you are witnessing for God. Apostle Paul gave encouragement, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” Ephesians 4:1
A real Christian is Christian every moment everyday! Whatever you do God will be glorified and that means you are serving God. You are the salt of the earth and by not losing your real Christian flavor somehow in God’s time, those unbelievers around you may able to notice your life-giving saltiness. God can use you in your own situation because God wants to reach out all kinds of people. “For God so love the world.” John 3:16. God does not discriminate. He wants to reach all kinds of people. He loves your house neighbors, your co-workers and friends. He loves all teachers, students, construction workers, businessmen, government workers, politicians, engineers, doctors, nurses and the likes. And so God has a purpose for your life because He wants to assign someone else in every area of specialty, so that He could use you to reveal His plan of salvation.
Look at the Ragui family in Bangkok, how they have affirmed their faith. Many Filipinos will say they are very missionary minded. Though no ability to speak Thai language, they are trying to find chances to witness. Their Christian lives have power to influence others for good.
I have my personal testimony to share, working as a teacher has brought me lots of opportunities to make money. Many have offered me good pay for private classes, but I turned down those because of the Sabbath issue. But this turns out to be an opportunity to witness, because many English speakers and Thais were stirred up and wanted to know what Sabbath really is. This in fact, brought a Bible student for Bible study.
Fear to Loss Bright Opportunities
By nature, we don’t want to let go the good luck we’ve got. Despite of the loyalty testing time God has allowed, when we have come to face the choice; God or job. But oftentimes we do violate our spiritual conviction and chose our job rather than loyalty to God. This is the sin of unbelief we keep on doing. We tend to forget that God can give more than what we think to provide our needs.
For example, here in Thailand, many Adventist teachers attended teacher’s seminar on the Sabbath for fear of losing their opportunities or jobs, thinking that it is not all the time. But the early consequence many have received is that still the school did not renew their visa or didn’t hire them! It is Biblically obvious, “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Mathew 6:33. On top of that, if we can’t be of influence for good then we are on the other side. Again, my point is that you are missionary. Ask God how to surrender yourself and profession to Him. You don’t have to quit your job and join to a missionary organization. God accepts your profession and uniqueness as what you are. And God can use you if you humbly and honestly dedicate your all to Him. "To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power." 2 Thessalonians 1:11.
Well I’m not saying that full time missionaries are doing the wrong thing. But they are not special people. Those missionaries have those God-given gifts that if they refuse to use it for Him, they will consequently accountable in the judgment day. The more light the greater responsibilities. God has just called them for that particular purpose. And they just cooperate to follow the direction God had led them.
All Christians, without exemption, have been reconciled to God. Our acceptance to God’s invitation has made us to be “called.” And our calling has given us the privilege to be chosen by Him. Christ death opens the unlimited calling chances to be part of His kingdom. This means a Christian is a call, an inseparable calling to every Christian as missionary for Him. But as many refuse to follow the will of God along the way of their missionary-Christian life, their own decision disqualify them to be chosen. “For many are called, but few are chosen." Mathew 22:14. No matter where you are, you have been called to live up to the life like Jesus to be a living witness to the world, so that “the earth will be lighten with His glory.” Rev. 18:4. “Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.” 2 Peter 1:10.
“Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.” Romans 12:1
Sad stories can be heard about many young Filipino Christians here in Thailand who’ve lost their faith along the way…Thinking that their teaching job is a just one among unreligious jobs and businesses in the world. What makes this mind set devastating is the wrong understanding about what it is to be a missionary. I can see this in the campus back in my home country. Where many students, after their hard work for 7 to 9 years to get a teaching, agriculture or business career, decided to go for full time missionary call, which is very far different from their expertise. The sad results, they are misplaced. They went home discouraged, while many others, wasted their talents and diplomas. Thinking that serving God means doing full time missionary job….Still many others have the worse thinking. They believe that doing a full time missionary work means gaining some kind of special level of friendship with God.
I believe that this is one of the potential problems that hinder the spiritual and physical growth of our church today. This sad picture can be easily observed anywhere. There are churches today that can’t do worship services without their pastors. This is especially true here in Thailand. To them, it needs to have special and formal calling to perform the church duties. They think members are to listen to good sermons and entertaining church programs. This is aside from their thinking that they are release from Christian obligations, to share their faith. This is especially true to some of our old church members.
And how about our young people today? Many think that having secular job means far away from being godly. In which they seem feel spiritual cold, unworthy and far away from God. The result of this concept is devastating.
Remember young Daniel, there was no church in the wicked Babylon. He was not affiliated with any missionary organization. Though the world influence was very strong to suppress his faith while working in a secular duty, he became a living witness for God. Another Bible hero was Joseph who did affirm his faith and remain true to God. And you can name yourself the many faithful others in the Bible.
Those faithful were unlike Peter who was supposed to be in his full time missionary duty with Jesus. That when confronted by a scary situation, he had mixed himself up with the bad people around him so know one could identify him. He sinned against God by so doing. But thank God at the end he repented and had become effective witness for Jesus.
To fall into sin like Peter, indicates our humanness that we are truly human that has tendency to fall but to keep on sinning would be a far different story. This means that no matter how great Christian we are in the sight of God, we are still human. That the moment we turn away from Him, we surely fall. But it is not the end of the world. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. At the end, we still become effective missionaries like Peter.
Dedication versus Abandon
In many restricted places, full time missionaries cannot do the normal witnessing task. And by experience, I have discovered that people are suspicious. And having a missionary tag would drive away many friends and neighbors. But having a secular job tag won’t alert anyone around us. This means having a secular work like one of them open many opportunities to witness if a Christian lives up to what he profess. The point is we don’t need to abandon our secular profession but to dedicate it to God. At that time you accepted the status to become a Christian, your calling to be a missionary has been started. You are in the heavenly list of those who are called to witness for Him. And when you are demonstrating your genuine Christianity to your family and friends, that means you are witnessing for God. Apostle Paul gave encouragement, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” Ephesians 4:1
A real Christian is Christian every moment everyday! Whatever you do God will be glorified and that means you are serving God. You are the salt of the earth and by not losing your real Christian flavor somehow in God’s time, those unbelievers around you may able to notice your life-giving saltiness. God can use you in your own situation because God wants to reach out all kinds of people. “For God so love the world.” John 3:16. God does not discriminate. He wants to reach all kinds of people. He loves your house neighbors, your co-workers and friends. He loves all teachers, students, construction workers, businessmen, government workers, politicians, engineers, doctors, nurses and the likes. And so God has a purpose for your life because He wants to assign someone else in every area of specialty, so that He could use you to reveal His plan of salvation.
Look at the Ragui family in Bangkok, how they have affirmed their faith. Many Filipinos will say they are very missionary minded. Though no ability to speak Thai language, they are trying to find chances to witness. Their Christian lives have power to influence others for good.
I have my personal testimony to share, working as a teacher has brought me lots of opportunities to make money. Many have offered me good pay for private classes, but I turned down those because of the Sabbath issue. But this turns out to be an opportunity to witness, because many English speakers and Thais were stirred up and wanted to know what Sabbath really is. This in fact, brought a Bible student for Bible study.
Fear to Loss Bright Opportunities
By nature, we don’t want to let go the good luck we’ve got. Despite of the loyalty testing time God has allowed, when we have come to face the choice; God or job. But oftentimes we do violate our spiritual conviction and chose our job rather than loyalty to God. This is the sin of unbelief we keep on doing. We tend to forget that God can give more than what we think to provide our needs.
For example, here in Thailand, many Adventist teachers attended teacher’s seminar on the Sabbath for fear of losing their opportunities or jobs, thinking that it is not all the time. But the early consequence many have received is that still the school did not renew their visa or didn’t hire them! It is Biblically obvious, “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Mathew 6:33. On top of that, if we can’t be of influence for good then we are on the other side. Again, my point is that you are missionary. Ask God how to surrender yourself and profession to Him. You don’t have to quit your job and join to a missionary organization. God accepts your profession and uniqueness as what you are. And God can use you if you humbly and honestly dedicate your all to Him. "To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power." 2 Thessalonians 1:11.
Well I’m not saying that full time missionaries are doing the wrong thing. But they are not special people. Those missionaries have those God-given gifts that if they refuse to use it for Him, they will consequently accountable in the judgment day. The more light the greater responsibilities. God has just called them for that particular purpose. And they just cooperate to follow the direction God had led them.
All Christians, without exemption, have been reconciled to God. Our acceptance to God’s invitation has made us to be “called.” And our calling has given us the privilege to be chosen by Him. Christ death opens the unlimited calling chances to be part of His kingdom. This means a Christian is a call, an inseparable calling to every Christian as missionary for Him. But as many refuse to follow the will of God along the way of their missionary-Christian life, their own decision disqualify them to be chosen. “For many are called, but few are chosen." Mathew 22:14. No matter where you are, you have been called to live up to the life like Jesus to be a living witness to the world, so that “the earth will be lighten with His glory.” Rev. 18:4. “Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.” 2 Peter 1:10.
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