Marketing Spin

O.k this post isn't about missions or related to our family but it is amusing. We have basic medical cover with medibank private and I received a letter in the mail today outlining some changes to our cover. This is what they say:-

"The main change is that you'll no longer receive benefits for renal dialysis and most of the services that are currently restricted on your cover. While some restricted services will remain due to Government regulations, this change should give you more certainty about what you are and aren't covered for. (emphasis mine)"

The fund is taking away lots of previously included benefits BUT on the positive side we'll get much more certainty about what I'm covered and not covered for. Gee ... I'd be much happier with the cover than the certainty of knowing what I'm not covered for. Talk about positive marketing spin.

Thai Dictionary on ipod

We bought an Ipod Touch in the post Christmas sales mainly to play music at our home. But almost everyday I hear about this or that new Ipod/Iphone apps ("applications") so I did a search today for some apps. I discovered a free Thai-English, English-Thai dictionary. It doesn't look too bad on a cursory glance. Much easier than carrying around a dictionary everywhere. Unfortunately, the NIV or ESV Bible which you can use offline wasn't free and cost almost $8. I'm sure there are lots of more very useful apps.

Pirate Day

Our son, far right

Our son is really enjoying Kindergarten. So much so it is hard to take him out of school for any medical appointments. It is such a change from his attitude to school in Thailand. We hope and pray that this will change once he has more Thai language.

Thai Tempo

Thai Tempo

OMF Thailand publishes a web prayer letter once a month called the Thai Tempo. Here are some exerpts from the latest update which has encouraging news:-

“My Hope for Thailand” Report The main event took place on December 19, 2009. On this day about 50% of Thai churches participated and more than 41,000 of their members were involved in reaching out to over 200,000 of their friends and neighbors to tell them about Jesus. We now have the responsibility of calling the church leaders to find out what God did during this time. The news is exciting! We have recorded over 6,580 decisions of people who have decided to become Christ followers, from all corners of the country. We anticipate by the time we finish calling all the leaders we will have recorded more than 12,000 new Thai Christians. This is an amazing work of God in a land where only half a percent of Thailand's 65 million people are Christians. This is the first time there has been a national harvest of this size in this country. As we are calling, our staff also has the privilege of documenting miraculous works of God that happened during these meetings. Each of our staff members has recorded dozens of reports of healings, people freed from demon possession, people being freed from addictions and families being reconciled. (taken from “CrossTies Asia” January 2010 newsletter)

And something from Lampang from our Team Leader:

The Bible? No Problem! A few weeks previously, I was asked if I would consider going to the Lampang Cancer Center, located just outside town, to teach English. I explained to the Administrator that whilst I taught English, my purpose was also to expose Thai people to my Christian worldview and that I would be using Bible passages as my English teaching texts. He had no qualms about that and we set a date for me to start early in January. I have been there many times already and its been really awesome! The staff have been given two hours per week off during working hours to study English. So I have a class that ranges from 12 to 24 educated and motivated nurses, doctors, radiologists, IT specialists and clerks who are practicing their English and hearing about Jesus. (Nick Bekker, church planting, Lampang) Pray for God to reveal Himself to these English students as they hear about Jesus Pray for them to make progress in their English so that they feel this is a worthwhile endeavor Pray for English classes throughout the country, which are means of making contacts and helping communities. The English class at the International Church in Bangkok (highlighted in the Thai Tempo a year ago) continues and has over 100 Thai and Burmese each week

Please let me know if you want to be on the email mailout for the Thai Tempo. You won't regret it.

Missionaries in Residence

This week we have been missionaries in residence at SMBC (Sydney Missionary and Bible College) where we studied. We basically live at the Bible college all week giving various seminars, holding suppers, but mostly hanging around and talking with current students who are interested in missions. A good week, but very tiring. Last day there tomorrow. Then more sermon preparation for this Sunday and talk to give on Monday to the Thai Fellowship in Sydney.

Unexcepted catch at Bobbin Head

49cm Flathead Fish

Bobbin Head is not my favourite place to go fishing because I never catch anything that is of legal size to take home to eat. However, it is the closest river to to our house and the most convenient place to take the boys. So I ventured off again, both boys in toe, thinking that I wouldn't catch anything. But surprise, surprise, my first flathead which was 49cm! A guy next to me just arrived as we were leaving and caught a squid. I did go to a different spot in Bobbin Head today (Apple Tree Bay) so that may account for actually catching something!

Hitting the deputation Road

Things have recently heated up on the deputation trail for us. I preached today at all 3 services at Ashfield Presbyterian getting there just before 9am, dropped off the family home at 4pm and then back for the 6pm service and home by 9pm.

This week we are missionaries in residence at SMBC all week followed by the all 3 services at Ashfield Presbyterian next Sunday.

It was good though. This church is one of the most faithful churches which prays for us and it was good to see people we fellowshipped with 10 years ago still serving at Ashfield. Ok. Off to bed...

Behind the Smiles in Thailand

"Thailand is a great country. Tens of thousands of people have also discovered that. It is the “Land of Smiles” with beautiful beaches, pleasant temperature, good food, and friendly people. It is not difficult to fall in love with Thailand and its people. But like every other country, there is a flipside. Prostitution is illegal, but nevertheless it is a billion dollar industry which operates openly. Seven out of ten men who come to Thailand buy sex. About the same proportions apply for Thai men. There are factors in Thai culture and religion which feed this destructive industry. But there are also Christian business people who offer a way out from the sex industry by providing jobs with dignity. (Click here to read the full article from Lausanne World Pulse)

Gunnedah Presbyterian

6 hour train trip but the train was very nice even in economy

On Saturday I have invited to share about Thailand at Gunnedah Presbyterian Church. It is about 5 hours North West of Sydney and the furthest I've traveled on deputation. It was great to meet the minister and family of this church who I'd never met before but who've been faithfully praying for us during our first term.

A Buddhist response to a Christians book on Buddhism

This is an interesting book by a Thai Buddhist who became a Christian and then wrote a book from his perspective critiquing Buddhism and teaching Christians how they can better reach Buddhists. I found the book helpful but Cioccolanti pushes some non-evangelical views which are unhelpful and distracting from the book's main purpose. You can find a more thorough review by a more experienced missionary here. What was interesting though was a comment left by a Buddhist on Karl's blog which gives a Buddhist perspective on the book and Christianity.

"Hi Everyone,
I’m a practising Buddhist but I do learn from the Bible.

All I can say about this book is that I think the author has very superficial understanding of the religion.

I think it’s quite silly of him to go around converting Buddhist to Christians because it is such a waste of time. Considering the fact that there are so many countries living below the poverty line, I feel that Buddhist are the least of his concern. Just look at Mother Theresa. She didn’t go around converting people. All she did was to help people regardless of all religions.

I think the author is very sly, as he got a number of reviews that were quite positive. However, if u look at it carefully, the reviewers are all Christians… Of course, they do not know what’s going on. If a Buddhist said that it is a good book about Buddha, then it will be a true review. Unfortunately it is not..

Sometimes, I think that because of all these “definition” it separates people and that is the cause of all the problems in the world. I have realized long ago that one has to be objective, learn from ALL religions, pick out the best and apply it to one’s own life.

After reading the scriptures and text from both religions, I think that Buddha is more defined. He will define what he says. But he’ll always say that one must practise because words cannot describe the experience that he has experienced.

I think the Jesus’s teaching are more cryptic and more open to interpretation. So one needs to let go of his ego in order to receive his teachings. I could go on for days but I think that’s all for now.

I suggest to all not to take his book so literally. I think there’s a very good book (although it’s not suitable for beginners) titled: In Buddha’s Words edited by Bhikkhu Bodhi. I’ve read this book and I think it’s great.

I think one has to have a certain depth to comment about the different aspects of religion. Unfortuantely, the author doesn't have any depth at all. One must understand that one will only see what he wants to see. So, unless your background is clear, you will not be able to see the truth about things."

This is very typical of how Buddhists view Christianity and why it is so hard for Buddhists to become Christians. They find no issue with taking the good bits out of all religions and believe that Buddhism is superior to Christianity.