Pioneer Work in Nepal and Thailand

(II)

It is noteworthy to mention that the daughter of the Hindu police commander whom we met in Kathmandu, lives in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. She was visiting her parents while we were there, and she took an active interest in our worship services and asked serious questions. Was it coincidental that this young woman chose to visit her home the same time as we did? I believe that God brings people together for a purpose, to unfold the plan of salvation for all sinners. Brother Barnedo, our minister from Denver, intends to get in touch with her.

We made several other encouraging contacts among the Buddhists and Hindus, but now they are in the hands of the Lord. He will touch their hearts and give them further opportunities. After our work came to an enda in the Hindu country of Nepal, we traveled on to the Buddhist country of Thailand.

What do we know about Buddhism?

Quoting Karen Farrington again: "Buddhism is a religion without a god, although its founder, the inspiration for the familiar statues, is venerated. Buddhism is a religion of the interior. Meditation and contemplation are the key for the Buddhist takes an inner journey not to God, but to bliss. It takes time and a not inconsiderable talent to achieve this. Observers define Buddhism as a philosophy and not a faith." -The History of Religion, p. 91.

November 1, we arrived in Bangkok, an over-crowded, smoggy and flagrantly immoral city, leaving much to be desired. As in Nepal, we had to start our work from the bottom up. Not one of us from America or Australia had an interested person's name or address that we could visit. Our prayers went up to heaven to help us find people who would respond to God's call of mercy.

Like the 12 spies who scouted the land of Canaan, we searched the "land of Bangkok" for one week. At an Adventist hospital, we met an American man who served as the vicepresident for finance at the hos-

pital. He was very cordial, and invited all four of us for supper in his home. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to discuss the present truth that we shared in common. As an Adventist, he was curious to know more about the origin and mission of the Reform Church and asked us many questions. To help answer his questions, we showed a DVD on the history of the 20th Century Reformation to him and a group of six other Adventists. The presentation seemed to have a profound impact on them. Some of the group were astonished and could not help but agree with the Reform's teachings. Incidentally, this new DVD will be made available within the next few months through the Religious Liberty Publishing Association.

Unfortunately, the Reform Church is not yet represented in Thailand but the Lord is calling for workers to evangelize this country. Who will respond like Isaiah did: "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." Isaiah 6:8. Won't you answer God's gracious call to service?

I would like to leave you with the following encouraging words from the pen of inspiration:

"But when we give ourselves wholly to God and in our work follow His directions, He makes Himself responsible for its accomplishment. He would not have us conjecture as to the success of our honest endeavors. Not once should we even think of failure. We are to co-operate with One who knows no failure." -Christ Object Lessons, p. 363.

-H. Dering

Genral Conference Evangelization Department Leader

"The canvassing work, properly conducted, is missionary work of the highest order, and it is as good and successful a method as can be employed for placing before the people the important truths for this time. The importance of the work of the ministry is unmistakable; but many who are hungry for the bread of life have not the privilege of hearing the word from God's delegated preachers. For this reason it is essential that our publications be widely circulated. Thus the message will go where the living preacher cannot go, and the attention of many will be called to the important events connected with the closing scenes of this world's history.

"A Work Ordained of God.-God has ordained the canvassing work as a means of presenting before the people the light contained in our books, and canvassers should be impressed with the importance of bringing before the world as fast as possible the books necessary for their spiritual education and enlightenment. This is the very work the Lord would have His people do at this time. All who consecrate themselves to God to work as canvassers are assisting to give the last message of warning to the world. We cannot too highly estimate this work; for were it not for the efforts of the canvasser, many would never hear the warning." -Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 313. (1900)

COLPORTEUR WORK

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased." Daniel 12:4.

We would like to praise God for giving us another year to work for His cause. There is still a great work to be done in the vineyard of the Lord. Everywhere, people are hungering for the Word of the Lord.

We need to remember that God sends us to lighten the dark corners of the world. People are in trouble. They are sick, poor, tired, and discouraged. Often, they feel like outcasts. The world is dying for want of a friendly ear, a sympathetic voice, a tender heart, and a kind face. People's lives are filled with TV, junk food, business and family problems, personal crises, and conflicts of all kinds. We must minister to these people, sharing the love of Jesus and presenting Him as the answer to their needs. As we seek to minister to them, they will sense in our voices and in our prayers the fact that we are in sym-pathy with them and are concerned about them and their souls. We are also placing books in their homes amid an atmosphere of cheerful friendli-

ness, encouraging words, and heartfelt interest. As a result, many will find Jesus as their personal Savior and will be led by the Holy Spirit to search God's Word for His truth.

"The canvasser may find these souls

and minister to them.
There is a line of work in house-to-
house labor which he can accomplish
more successfully than others.
He can become acquainted with the
people and understand their true
necessities;
he can pray with them and can point
them to the Lamb of God that taketh
away the sin of the world."

-Colporteur Ministry, p. 82.

As you knock at their doors, tell them, "I am here to be of help," and mean it with a quiet, calm earnestness as you say it. As you work with the people, dwell on points of agreement, not on points of controversy and disagree-ment. Combine effort with enthu-siasm. Pray with and for them. We want to honor our Savior Jesus Christ for leaving His home in heaven to seek for us.

May all colporteurs in our church fol­low our Savior's example. We all need to become missionaries to our families, friends, and neighbors. In October 2004, Elders Henry Dering and Jerry Eaton and I went to Nepal for a missionary visit. The Lord guid-ed us on this trip. May He bless the seed that was sown there.

I have recently returned from Lima, Peru. There, we conducted a colporteur seminar for 12 days. The Lord blessed us with 57 new active colporteurs. The colporteurs are divided into four groups as fol-lows: Licensed, Credentialed, and Professional colporteurs. The intern begins with selling one book per day for 3-6 months.

The country of Peru has a large membership and there are many more interested persons who are attending the meetings. I had the privilege of conducting a baptism while there.

The seminar was blessed with the presence of Elder Escobar and Elder and Sister Pizarro. We thank the President of the Peruvian Union for inviting us to go to Peru.

-J. Barnedo

General Conference Canvassing Department Leader

"He goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto Him whom He would:

and they came
unto Him.
And He ordained
twelve, that they
should be with Him,
and that He might
send them forth to
preach."

Morir 3-13

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