Anonymity

On Sundays at the JTDB we take a Sabbath of sorts. The office is only open for a few hours. The women only work a half-day. Dinner isn't served, so we must go outside the resort. It's a great day to travel with guests and get away from everyday life. I was able to take a tourist day with some guests that are ministering to the deaf community in some very hard places around the world. I had so much fun with these guests, eating super touristy food at markets, taking "selfies" all day, and laughing hard at ourselves for being soooo American.

While getting to know them, I discovered that they could not share where they were serving in Asia. They had to keep this a secret given their security level was very high. In addition to learning about deaf missions all over the world, they got me thinking of the many guests at the JTDB that must choose anonymity in many situations. We have people here living in some tough situations. It is really the grace of God that they were even given visas to be there.

I have definitely taken the ease of being in a country like Thailand, let alone America, for granted. In Thailand, it is accepted to be a believer, share the Gospel with whoever you may like, and go to the church of your choice. This doesn't mean that every Thai will be open to the Gospel, by any means. Sometimes it is even harder to preach to a Thai person because they will be so "understanding" of your beliefs. When they do believe, however, they sell out to Jesus, and it is beautiful thing to behold.

So to all those living in places where the name of Jesus cannot be spoken or written out right, I'm praying for you and loving your kin here at the Juniper Tree this week. Thank you for all you are doing for the Kingdom and may our God bless you infinitely on this earth and the next.