Recently I had an opportunity to visit some of our members and GN subscribers in Asia. I arrived in Bangkok on Friday, March 14th and spent the Sabbath with our member, Fil Olimpo, and his two children, Abby and Toby. The following day I flew to Vientiane to visit a Good News subscriber, Ming Oukeobounheuang. We had a very enjoyable visit discussing the situation in Laos, considering ways to preach the gospel in his country and discussing many questions regarding the Bible and the teachings of UCG. In 1981-82 I had the opportunity of working with Laotian refugees in Thailand. I was baptized in the Mekong River which serves as the border between northern Thailand and Laos. In the aftermath of the Vietnam War the country of Laos endured incredible upheaval. I can remember sitting on the banks of the Mekong River praying that one day I might be permitted to visit Laos and help its people. So having the opportunity to share the gospel inside Laos is a tremendous privilege.

On Tuesday, March 18th I flew from Vientiane to Yangon, Myanmar and the following morning took an early morning flight to Mandalay. I traveled to Mandalay to visit a Good News subscriber and his family. I returned to Yangon Friday evening and as I watched the full moon over the city of Yangon, I was reminded that Passover was only one month away. On the Sabbath and Sunday I spent time with some of our Good News subscribers in Yangon. I was able to conduct a Bible study and facilitate several Q&A sessions. It was interesting being back in Myanmar since the recent crackdown by the military. On the surface things look pretty much the same as they did before, but when one talks with the people many are worried about the future.

Monday, March 24th I flew from Yangon to Bangkok and then the following day flew from Bangkok to Calcutta. While in Calcutta I was able to spend the afternoon with our member, Tarun Ghosh. This was my first time to visit with Tarun since his baptism in January. We had a very enjoyable time discussing the Bible and some of the challenges he has faced since baptism. Late the same evening I flew from Calcutta to Chennai.

On Wednesday, March 26th I met with our member and a couple of prospective members in Chennai. Our member, Simon Daniel, and I discussed possible options for a small FOT site in India. India is such a large country and the members are scattered over much of the country so determining an affordable FOT site presents many challenges. We hope to finalize a site by early summer. While in Chennai Simon and I visited some of the places traditionally associated with the apostle Thomas. Some traditions record that Thomas was martyred and buried in the area of Chennai in A.D. 72.

Early Friday morning I flew from Chennai to Calcutta and then on to Aizaal. I was met at the airport by P.C. Lalvuana and other members of the Church of God-Israel. The COG-Israel has been in contact with UCG for several years and has requested to become a part of UCG. I have had the opportunity to visit them several times and each time I have been very impressed with their knowledge of the Bible and the sincerity of their beliefs. From the Lengpui airport we drove for approximately one hour to Mualkhang village to visit one of the congregations of the COG-Israel. Mualkhang is a small village perched atop a mountain and several of the villagers are members of the Church of God-Israel. After a short visit with the members we continued our journey to Kolasib. On the Sabbath I had the opportunity of speaking to the congregation in the morning and afternoon. In the evening we were able to have a Q&A session with the members as well as other Sabbath observers. Sunday morning I bid farewell to members in Kolasib and returned to Calcutta. The members of the Church of God-Israel are so friendly and hospitable saying goodbye is like bidding farewell to a member of your family.

Monday, March 31st I visited with Tarun Ghosh at his home. Tarun is a school teacher and his school was on break so we were able to spend the day discussing many of the things typically discussed by new members at Sabbath services. We discussed questions such as; how do I answer this question, how do I handle requests for time off for the feast days, is it permissible to…? After spending several visits with new members in Asia, I really appreciate the educational benefit of fellowship at Sabbath services. But unfortunately some of our members have no brethren to fellowship with on the Sabbath because they live hundreds and even thousands of kilometers apart.
Monday evening I flew to Delhi and the following morning I travelled by car to Agra. Shortly after arriving in Agra I met our member George Samuel and his wife, Shobha. Later in the day I had the privilege of baptizing Shobha. After the baptism we travelled to Mr. Samuel’s home and I conducted a Bible study for several people who meet with George on Sabbath.

On Wednesday, April 2nd I returned to Delhi to catch my flight to Singapore. After flying through the night I arrived in Singapore Thursday morning. After checking in at the hotel I visited the US Embassy to add additional pages to my passport. My passport is at least four times its original thickness and it is valid for two more years. After returning to the hotel, I promptly got sick and spent the next 24 hours with a very upset stomach. My visit to Singapore coincided with a visit by Mr. Jeff Caudle and Mr. and Mrs. Leon Walker. It was a wonderful opportunity to spend time with the Singapore brethren, Mr. Caudle and Mr. and Mrs. Walker. We were also joined by one of our members from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Victoria Moses. Friday evening the members gathered at the home of Rosalind Young for a delightful dinner. On the Sabbath we had morning services and an afternoon Bible study both of which were conducted by Mr. Leon Walker. After the service the members presented a gift to the Walkers as a token of their appreciation for his visit, a fan signed by all the members. Sunday we continued our fellowship with some of the brethren until late in the evening. This visit also gave Mr. Caudle and me an opportunity to discuss future plans for Asia. Jeff has spent many years working in Asia and his input is most valuable.

Monday, April 7th I returned home to my family. During this trip to Asia, I was reminded of the great value of Sabbath fellowship. I have attended Sabbath services for the past 45 years. Sometimes it is easy to take for granted the fellowship that we enjoy on a weekly basis year after year. Having the pleasure of working with new members in Asia who rarely have an opportunity to fellowship with someone who shares the same faith helps me appreciate the blessing of fellowshipping with someone of like-mind. Please pray that God will call more people in the area where some of our brethren in Asia live so they can also share in this wonderful blessing on a regular basis.

© 2008 United Church of God, AIA - Pilipinas