From: "Loren and Ethel
Price"
Subject: New Update from Soo
Date: May 9, 2006 4:47 PM
Dear Friends,
I have a new update from Soo!! There is much to praise the Lord about and real
plans for the future! Soo called us at 4:00 am Sunday morning (PST) - about 9 pm
her time. We talked for two and a half hours!! She has just returned to
Australia from Laos and I will fill you in on everything!
The purpose of this trip was to secure a government permit for an orphanage.
THAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED!!!!! Praise the Lord!! She said she was impressed
when she went to talk to them to include a school. Now she has IN HAND a WRITTEN
PERMIT for a school and orphanage. She will teach religion for the first hour -
as she learned at Uchee Pines, she says!
Let me bullet the information so I don't forget anything - and my apologies for
it being a little disjointed this way.
* Soo was able to get plans drawn before she left Australia for $300 USD!! She
will be sending us a CD with the plans and also pictures of the land (later
story). The materials list would cost about $160,000 AUD or $140,000 USD (more
on this later).
* She stayed with her sister and brother-in-law while there. Her sister said to
her "you are gone from early morning until late at night!!" Soo did more than
visit while in Laos, I can assure you. :-)
* Soo's brother-in-law who is a builder wants to build the school/orphanage. He
is willing to build up front without money and be paid after. He says he can get
materials at less cost than she was quoted. (Thank the Lord!) It is my
understanding we can get the land prepared/leveled for about $300 USD, which we
will send up front. We would very much like to see Maranatha or a similar effort
to help build this project. Soo also envisions a LifeStyle center such as at
Uchee Pines in the future.
* The Adventist church there is going to set up an account for their church at
the international bank in the capitol city. We will be sure this is a safe and
secure route for money to be transferred to, but hope to be able to send money
from our non-profit directly to the Seventh-day Adventist church there.
* Oh, did I forget? All that could not be built on Soo's little piece of land of
less than an acre about a mile from the capitol, Vientiane. When she went to the
new, trustworthy Seventh-day Adventist pastor, Boonprainee (when she says it, it
sounds like Boon-paw-nee), she said he cried. He said "Now we know what we are
to do with the land." It seems the Lord told the church to buy this land many
years ago, but they did not know why. The church has offered this land for Soo
to build her project on. It is about 50 acres and located about two hours from
the Capitol. She has visited it and taken pictures. When I get them, I will put
them on the website.
* Soo has given "Pastor B" her laptop computer as the church there needed it!!
Pastor B can email and I have (mostly) his address. As soon as I figure out the
correct Yahoo email country code suffix for Laos, I may actually be able to
email Pastor B in Laos. She also left with him CD copies of the translated
Desire of Ages and Great Controversy to proofread. Soo is very
happy to understand more and to be cooperating with the church. Pastor B and
Pastor Sammy and Soo hope to travel together to the Union Conference in
Singapore and present these translations.
* Last year when Soo had printed in Laos the 3,000 copies of The Steps to
Christ, there were some who said she did it all wrong. As I believe God directed
her to this course of action, I have been waiting patiently to see the results.
Here are some of the results:
1. The church was still able to get permission not only to print the Steps to
Christ, but any Christian book, hymnals, and the Bible. Soo left her Bible and
as soon as it can be arranged, the Pastor will copy it to have it reprinted.
(This is what I understand.) She says the government has no concern for the
Christian books printed now.
2. The former pastor is no longer attending the Vientiane church - at least for
the last month or two. He is apparently working for/with the Union Conference in
doing Literature Evangelism and selling the Steps to Christ books that the
church had officially printed. He doesn't particularly like the fact that Soo is
giving her books away, so let's pray that he finds success in getting his books
of truth into the hands of those that can afford to buy them.
3. Soo gave books away at the temple in the city and they were well received.
One woman's husband had died and when she came to the temple and saw these
books, she cried. Soo was able to talk with her.
4. Soo was giving books out on the street by the government offices (!) and a
policeman came up asking what she was doing. She told him and he asked more
questions. There are several religions building churches there now - Baptist,
Ba'Hai, and Catholic that she named. They pay people $10 to $20 USD a month to
get them to come to church. People are flocking to these churches. The policeman
asked if she went to church on Sunday. She told him, NO, that she went on
Saturday, the day the Creator God who made the earth made holy. She told him her
church didn't pay people to come to church, she said they would learn truth. She
also shared her testimony of the angel visit! The policeman ASKED FOR 20 BOOKS!!
Praise God!!!! Pray for many to learn God's truth in this way.
5. The church members are too poor to buy the books, so Soo left hundreds with
them to use and give away. They are so happy. All the books have now been
distributed or left with the church.
* Twenty-eight people were baptized from the hmong mountain people while Soo was
there. She encouraged them to study and learn.
* Soo visited with the Adventist Frontier Mission (AFM) couple there for about
three hours. She encouraged them to cooperate with the local SdA church there
and in their work for the Lord. They are looking to start an English language
school. It's hard to know who to trust, but Soo told them they could trust
Pastor B.
* Soo talked to people who have diabetes and told them some things they
should/should not eat to help their condition. They are interested in coming to
a LifeStyle Center when it is going!! She gave fomentations to someone having
kidney problems. Pray for these simple outreaches to bring glory to God.
* Here is the news we all have been waiting to hear - when the school/orphanage
complex is built, SOO IS RETURNING TO LAOS PERMANENTLY!!! Praise the Lord!! I've
just looked at a website that says the rainy season there is April to November,
so I'm not yet sure when this can be built. We have much more work to do on the
advance planning and funding. But God has said BUILD and He has opened the way -
so build we will!!
* Soo said she is no longer afraid of the former pastor who gave her so many
problems. Now that she has given Steps to Christ books to the Police, she knows
God will take care of everything.
* Soo is hoping that people who have talked about volunteering at such a
facility before, will now be ready to start more solid plans to come help. So
are we!!!
* We want you to pray with us for this entire project, to know if it is God's
will for us to go and oversee the putting together of this project, and for
God's money to be released for all of this!
Soo has truly become a knowledgeable and faithful Seventh-day Adventist
Christian. I cannot imagine any other young woman I know traveling alone to a
communist country/government and coming away with a permit for this
school/orphanage. This is the Power of God at work to quickly take the GOOD NEWS
to this formerly closed nation. We also see Him at work to reach the Native
Indian populations in North America, with one nearby worker already with over
100 Bible studies!
As the Sabbath was begun to be proclaimed "more fully" this weekend - all over
the world - we can expect to see greater POWER and greater persecutions. So many
people turned out in the Philippines that outdoor viewing screens had to be
erected to accommodate the crowds. I understand there were equally many people
in many countries watching. 3ABN servers
received so many hits that they went down. That has never happened before, they
reported.
GOD IS MOVING. Come along and move with Him!
In Christ, Ethel and Loren Price
Bill and Venie Osborne
Sung bok "Max" Seo
www.OmegaProjectMinistries.org
----- Original Message -----
From: Loren and Ethel Price
To: "Undisclosed-Recipient:;"@pisces.web-ster.com
Sent: Sunday, July 03, 2005 11:20 AM
Subject: MAX'S ADVENTURES IN ASIA
Hi,
Before I get into the report from Max, I would like to announce and welcome Sung
bok "Max" Seo of the Atlanta, GA area, and Bill and Venie Osborn of the
Portland, OR area, as the newest members of the Board of Directors for The Omega
Project Ministries! We are excited to have their input and enthusiasm for God's
work, as well as their being great friends. Max has also accepted to be the
Chair of the Asian Mission Committee...and he has done it again, folks...read
on!
God has really laid a burden upon Max's heart to reach the lost in SE Asia. The
first part of June, Max spent 10 days traveling to Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam
to assess the need there! I understand the mosquitoes were particularly vicious,
and we pray for his complete restoration. Changing time zones to half way around
the world is taxing, also.
Max was able to visit with Soo's sister and other family members in Vientiane,
Laos, and meet with others from the church there. Although it is difficult to
know whom to trust in this communist country, he has been able to make solid
contacts with those with good reputation and love for God's cause.
Several exciting things happened while he was there. First, he and Pastor Choi
and another Elder from Korea passed out 1,500 of the Steps to Christ books that
Soo had printed while there!
Max's "taxi" driver (think motorcycle powered) received a book...went home and
stayed up all night reading it! The next day he told Max that it was a wonderful
book...and that he wanted to believe like Max did. He also wanted to pass out
the other 1,500 books! So Max has a local Elder studying with this man every
other day.
He told the Elder... Time is very short! Teach him about Jesus, and when he has
learned enough to understand what he believes and can be baptized, then let him
pass out the remaining books.
Soo's sister was happy to have some of the books given away as they take up one
whole room in her house.
They had a little excitement when a man, probably secret police, told Max he was
going to take him to the Police station.
Max told him "That is fine... let's go! I'm here legally." He said the man kind
of backed off, then after a little more discussion, Max finally said "You go
now, you're no good!"
Then Max quickly found Pastor Choi and the Elder and told them "We must stop
giving out the books now."
The local Elder had been home praying for their safety...and God surely blessed.
Max says he is not afraid to go to prison for the Lord. God has given him a
burden and a holy boldness to reach the people of Laos. Praise the Lord!
Then Max traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia where he talked with church or mission
leaders there. He visited the lake in Cambodia where 2 million refugees from
Vietnam must live their whole lives on houseboats on the water; never coming to
the land. The Cambodian government allowed them to enter from Vietnam, but they
cannot leave the lake.
Max told me he wept for their terrible living conditions. They use the lake for
their sewer...and they drink from the lake. They put the water into a large jar,
let the sediment settle to the bottom, then use the water at the top to drink
and bathe with. He said they live like animals.
There is one Catholic church on the water. That's all. One church. Max would
like to see Seventh-day Adventist churches on the lake, also.
Max asked the leaders in every country...what do you need the most. Over and
over again, they said they needed a way to support the Bible workers that are
being trained by the Singapore Union, and by other means. They need possibly
$100 a month each for living and gas, plus a good used motorcycle to take them
to distant villages. Finally, if there is a church to attend, many more people
come into the church.
Max found that there are not so much orphaned children as orphaned families in
these countries. Very poor people. The rains have not been good, so food is very
scarce.
Loren has done some drafting over the years, and is going to draw up plans for a
modest but sturdy church building, with a community services area and a small
health clinic attached. Max says churches there have a roof and three walls.
Very humble.
We envision beginning a simple service that would make very basic things
available to the neediest people...food, clothes, bedding, mosquito nets. And,
as able, to have someone teach basic hygiene and help meet health needs. Perhaps
visiting medical personnel could have periodic clinics to treat the sick. We
have to coordinate these plans with existing services and programs so we do not
duplicate services.
All three countries could benefit from support for Bible workers, motorcycles,
and churches. Laos is Communist, as is Vietnam--which has even less religious
freedom. (Although the leader of Vietnam signed an agreement with our President
that will hopefully bring more religious freedoms. Let's pray for that!) Laos
needs special prayer to plead with God to remove the "scales" from the eyes of
the people so they can turn from dishonesty and greed and fully live the gospel
of truth. "If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the
god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the
light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine
unto them." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) I am told by the treasurer of the SE Asia
Union that the church is much more organized in Vietnam and Cambodia with a
trustworthy structure to ensure proper use of funds donated.
Cambodia is more open, and a group of 19 college age young adults from Korea
will be going there in July to help with adult and child evangelism. The
treasurer also said the church envisions bringing children from Laos to a school
in Cambodia where they can better learn English and the principles from God's
word. He said there is a great need for houseparents for this school
Max has been instrumental in getting the 19 youth from Korea to Cambodia, in
getting a motorcycle for the local Elder in Vientiane, and in encouraging the
Korean church, along with Pastor Choi, to raise $5,000 toward the purchase of
motorcycles for these countries!
We want to work together with these brothers and sisters of ours in Korea to do
something meaningful in getting the Good News more fully into these three
countries.
Thank you for what you have given for Soo's mission project. She is still
studying with Pastor Sammy in Australia and will, by God's Grace, become a fine
Bible worker herself soon. Please check with us before donating further for
Soo's project, as we need to more fully explore how she will be able to best
work in Laos without losing property and buildings to the government. We want to
include Soo's project in our planning, and help her to have a place in God's
work there in Laos. We are continuing to explore the possibilities of the tiny
piece of land she purchased upon arrival in Laos. It is about an hour from any
major area of need, so we are re-evaluating how it can be used.
May God bless you, encourage you of His soon coming, fill you with His Holy
Spirit Power...and open your heart with compassion and love for those around you
needing the Good News!
Behold the Bridegroom is coming...go out to meet Him!
In Christ, Ethel and Loren, Max, Venie, and Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: "Loren and Ethel Price" <lorendprice@ccwebster.net>
To: <"Undisclosed-Recipient:;"@pisces.web-ster.com>
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 2:37 PM
Subject: What's new with Soo and other UPDATES
Hi...Just had a short talk with Soo this morning. She says she is still strong
in Jesus, praise the Lord! Pastor Sammy is continuing the Bible studies with
her...and she continues working with her Lao people in Australia to bring them
the message of Jesus' love and invite them to church.
Her sister has called her from Laos and told her of the Steps to Christ books
Max passed out while in Laos in early June. I'll have more of that in my report
about Max ... coming soon. Soo also asked her sister to bring some of the books
to Australia when she comes to visit, as some in the Lao community there would
like to have them.
Soo tells me her father decided not to have surgery for his heart. I asked her
about the possibility of him attending a Lifestyle live-in program. At first she
said it was expensive. When I suggested that we could raise the money to send
him, she said "he doesn't want to go." Thanks from those of you suggesting such
a program; I guess the time just isn't right yet.
There is an Adventist pastor from the church she is attending that picks her
father up on Thursday nights to go to hear health talks. Let's pray he will
understand the principles that can help him to regain his health...physically
and spiritually!
Soo has NOT yet received a VISA to visit the United States, so all of you hoping
to hear her in person this summer... I'd say it probably will not happen. She
has notified the airline that she will not be using the ticket on July 21 as
scheduled. It is still good until the end of November, so we shall see.
I asked her clearly about whether she feels led to visit America or go back to
Laos, as she has been praying about, and she wants to go back to Laos. We may be
disappointed short term... but think of the precious ones in heaven to greet us
along with her, if she does go back to Laos!
There has been a question or two about why she did not contact the White Estate
and Roger Coon while she was here. All I can say is, she would not be the first
Christian to miss some of God's appointments. Thankfully He forgives and
continues to work with us, though we may be on "plan B" ... or plan Z.
Continue to pray for Soo, for Laos...and God's work all over the world.
Especially pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our world church
gathering in St. Louis this week. Pray for all to have a willing heart for His
Power.
OTHER UPDATES:
RE: The children in state custody (again...this is NOT Loren and Ethel's
family!): Please continue to lift Derrick and Monica...and their family... up in
prayer.
The case was NOT dismissed as hoped on Friday. The trial will go forward...in
three months. Pray for Monica as she is due with her third child about that same
date. Children's services is trying to reschedule the visits with their children
from an acceptable time after work...to during the work day. Pray that this
attempt to disrupt Derrick's work again will be rebuked, and that Children's
services will not cancel the visits each week.
"But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away,
and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him
that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children." Isaiah 49:26.
Most of all, pray for the salvation of all involved.
THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED...we pray that there will truly be an opening
for us to rapidly spread the Good News in Communist Vietnam!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8294202/
WASHINGTON - As protesters gathered outside to demand that Vietnam respect human
and religious rights, President Bush and Vietnam's prime minister met Tuesday at
the White House where Bush afterwards noted that Vietnam had agreed to ensure
greater religious freedom.
The two leaders talked about Vietnam's desire to join the World Trade
Organization, business issues, human rights and signed an agreement that Bush
said would make it easier for people to worship freely in Vietnam.
"We signed a landmark agreement that will make it easier for people to worship
freely in Vietnam," Bush told reporters, without elaborating.
----- Original Message -----
From: Loren and Ethel Price
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 12:18 AM
Subject: God is opening doors!!
Praise God for already providing the money needed to send the five men from Laos
to South Korea to be taught the Bible and trained to be Bible workers! Thank you
for responding so rapidly. Many feel an urgency to hasten to do God's bidding,
and we praise the Lord for that. Thank you to those that responded so
quickly...even without being asked!
I have received two e-mails yesterday that I am enclosing to you (with
permission.) It is amazing how God is bringing the right people together to "get
the job done!" I know you will rejoice with me for the news of this
"semi-retired Pastor" that God has used so powerfully and that feels God's call
to help teach Soo. Enjoy.
In Christ, Ethel
Dear Ethel and Loren,
I am Pastor Sammy Lee from Sydney. Last Sabbath the 5th of March 2005 I met Soo
at the Cabramatta Church, one of four churches in the Greater Sydney Conference
of SDA, in which I usually preached in the absence of their pastor.
I am a semi-retired minister with honorary credential to serve in this
conference as an ordained minister. Formerly I was an evangelist in Indonesia,
Malaysia, Macao and China.
I was very much impressed when I read your article about Soo. It is midnight in
Sydney now, and I could not sleep, so I wrote this letter to you. I am impressed
by the Lord to give Bible studies to Soo as soon as possible. I think I can
communicate better with her because I have had the experiences working among
southeast asian people, and I have the materials that will equip Soo to become a
powerful missionary with the Holy Spirit's help. Please continue to pray for us.
I read about your daughter's remark: “Mom, our grandparents and their
grandparents all said the same thing!”
That was exactly what I heard from several people, including my former wife.
Forty two years ago when I graduated from the Indonesia Union College
(Indonesian Adventist University), in Bandung and worked as a young evangelist
in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, I was convinced that Jesus would be coming very
soon. I was privileged to witness hundreds of souls every year at that time as
the result of my evangelistic campaigns.
At this moment I am more convinced than ever that Jesus will be coming very,
very soon! Forty two years ago Vatican did not have a diplomatic relation with
the USA! So there was impossible for the Sunday Law to be implemented then!
Forty two years ago we didn't have the equipments that we have now to fulfill
the prophecy of Jesus: "And this gospel shall be preached to all nations and
tongue and people... then shall the end come!". But just in the last few years,
this thing has come into reality. We can now preach the gospel through satelite
relay stations to all the people on this globe with our message simultaneously!
The act of terrorism worldwide, strange weather patterns, increased of natural
disasters, epidemics and the last Tsunami which affected so many nations make it
more convincing than ever that God cannot postpone His coming any longer or
nothing will be left on earth and He would be too cruel!
I am very sure that the day will come, any time now, when God will control the
television stations on earth and they will not be able to broadcast anything
else but the last warning message from our King about His second coming and the
last chance for earthlings to repent!
Praise the Lord. Keep up your courage! Let's unite our funds, force and voices
and shout louder: "The King is coming!"
God bless you, my brother and sister!
Yours with Christian love,
Sammy Lee
Dear Sister Ethel,
Thanks for your speedy reply. I think this is all the wonderful work of our
Merciful Father in heaven. By all means, share my letters to anyone who is
interested and who can be strengthened in their faith as we wait for our King's
soon coming to fetch us home where we will all live as a happy family in a world
where the words war, terrorism, sin, sickness, sorrow, separation, and death
will never be used in our vocabulary forever, let alone the feeling of the
experiences described by those terms!
Before I went to bed last night, I received a phone call from a member of the
Cabramatta church attended by Soo whenever she is in Sydney. Lynette was a bit
annoyed by the fact that the pastor and other members of the Cabramatta church
seem to give a cold shoulder to Soo. She wants me to find out more about the
real truth behind the phenomena.
Since I haven't been able to talk in detail with Soo, I told her to be patient
until I can gather more information. After I read your article and watched the
video, I was still a bit curious to know the reasons why should God has a
particular interest with an ordinary Laotian girl like Soo. Why was she, a
Laotian, singled out by God. Why not a Chinese, or a Moslem for instance. But
then after reading the Bible and meditation, and further searching on the Google
engine, I found out this information:
Lao (or Laotian) in its written form evolved from an ancient Southern Indian
script called Pali. However Lao speech, syntaxes, vocabularly, etc. had already
existed prior to the introdution of a written script. Buddhism entered the
country and became its principle religion hundreds of years ago during the first
reign of the first king of Laos. Theravadan Buddhist texts were written in Pali.
Pali was one of two of the original languages that Buddhism was written in (the
other being Sanskrit).
Moreover, when Buddhism spread throughout Southeast Asia other countries also
adopted Pali, or an extract of it, as their language. And so the language
developed separately through the years in each different country. In some cases
there were deliberate projects to simplify the Pali language for modern and wide
spread use, as seen in Thailand in its early history. In Laos, during the late
1940s, the government along with linguistic and literature scholars simplified
Lao by enforcing a rule that made all words spoken would/should be written
phonetically. Prior to this change, Lao language used a lot of characters, rules
and vocabulary from Pali, creating this new rule not only helped simplify Lao
language but to, in essence, Laotianize it.
Now it is all clear to me. Just for the sake of comparison, if for instance the
Lord would reveal Himself to a group of people who are still using the original
language in which the Bible was originally written, wouldn’t He naturally choose
one of the Jews. Of course we know that the Jews have had the opportunity to
know God and His plan, but rejected it, while some of them are already numbered
among the remnants at the present. But on the other hand, the Laotians were the
first to accept Buddhism and record the teachings in their original scripts
which are still being used until now. Buddhism as you are aware is one of the
biggest, if not the biggest religion in the Far East. Their temples can be seen
every where around the world now. Even the majority of the Chinese people, who
were actually descendants of the first worshippers of God the Creator long
before even the Hebrews came into existence as a nation, are now adherents of
Buddhism. So I concluded that since many among the Buddhists are waiting for
“the Second God” Who will be coming again to earth to set up His Kingdom and
save humanity from total destruction, and whose identifying marks are the five
scars on His hands, feet and side, as mentioned in your article about Soo, it is
only logical that He shows a special interest in this Laotian tribe to be used
as an entering wedge to the Asian and Southeast Asian Nations who are mostly
followers of Buddha.
As to Moslems, there are quite a number of scholars of the Quran, who have been
converted into Christianity and who are now being used mightily by God in
converting the followers of Mohammed to accept Christ as the only Saviour, and
to Whom the Quran also referred as “The Righteous Judge” and
“Great or High Priest”.
That’s why I am so excited about this and have decided to make the study of the
Laotian spoken and written language as my last linguistic enterprise. I have
studied around 16 languages in my life time, and am still able to converse in
half of them, since I seldom had the opportunity of using the other half of it.
I am now preparing myself to teach Soo some of the other essential doctrines
that we as God’s remnant people believe, and with the help of the Holy Spirit
convey it as clearly as possible in her own language.
Your prayers on my behalf will be greatly appreciated.
I am going to send you a printed copy of my pamphlet to your postal address and
you are welcome to share it with as many people as you can. I wish I can scatter
it around me as a witness to the Chinese speaking people both in Australia and
Southeast Asian countries, but I am not financially capable to do that at the
moment. I am glad to know there are so many people who are interested in helping
Soo accomplish her assigned mission, and I will do my best to support her.
Please keep me informed of the latest development of your Omega projects.
God bless you.
Your brother in Christ,
Sammy Lee
From: Loren and Ethel Price
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 5:08 PM
Subject: Max's Report on Soo
The Omega Project Ministries has been in contact with a fine Korean gentleman
for the last several months. Sung bok Seo (Max, as he calls himself) lives in
the Atlanta, Georgia area, and he and his wife had visited with Soo several
times while she was at Uchee Pines.
Feeling a kinship with Soo because of their common backgrounds outside of the
U.S., they developed an interest, not just in Soo’s conversion story, but in
helping to take the gospel to Laos. Max recently arranged transportation for
himself and four other Korean SDA’s to visit Laos. You may recall receiving a
request to pray for them on February 6 when he left on his journey.
Max has returned, and is excited with the experiences he had while there. This
was not an easy trip, as hot weather, primitive housing conditions, and a
genuine need to be careful in sharing the gospel confronted him and his friends.
He has asked me to share his story, as English is not his first language. I
would like to give you a brief overview of this trip “in his own words.”
Ethel: Max, it’s wonderful to have you safely back home. Many were praying for
the success of your trip. Tell us, first, how is Soo?
Max: Soo is doing fine. She is studying the Bible with several people there in
Laos. She has no fear of going to jail for what she is doing! Soo can be very
stubborn, but she is very dedicated to do what the angel told her.
Ethel: I understand going to jail is a real possibility. Did you find others
concerned about the authorities in this communist country?
Max: Yes, I did. The owner of the simple guesthouse where we stayed was greatly
concerned about us holding a Bible study there. He even asked me not to carry my
Bible openly. He said many police are always watching. Not only would I get in
trouble, which I am happy to suffer for Jesus, but he would also be harmed. So I
was careful not to do anything that would bring harm to him.
Ethel: What about the church members there?
Max: Because of the communist presence, there is much fear and distrust among
church members. Soo says she trusts only two people at the church.
Ethel: Is that slowing the work of our church there?
Max: Yes, it is somewhat. But there were people we studied the Bible with while
we were there that want nothing more than to be trained to be Bible workers and
teach people about God.
Ethel: Even with the threat of prison?
Max: Yes, they are hungry for truth. Soo has been studying with one man that is
a supervisor. He invited his nine workers to attend our Bible study. Five of his
“salesmen” (as he called them) came and every one wanted to become a Christian
right then and work for God. Pastor Choi told them his church would bring these
men to Korea for three or four months and teach them about God and how to work
for Him.
Ethel: How can people from Laos learn in Korean?
Max: There are Korean people that can speak Lao. They would work from morning
until night teaching these men about God. The Korean church would provide food
and housing for them. If we could provide only $150-$200 per month, these men
could be trained and supported to do God’s work in Laos. (Many people earn only
about $30 per month, but more highly educated and trained people earn more, as
do these men, who are college educated.)
Ethel: Is this real? Should we be raising money to get these educated men
trained to be Bible workers in Laos?
Max: Yes, yes. They are very hungry for the word of God. We should send them
right away to Korea to be trained. When we sang “Rock of Ages” and “What a
Friend We Have in Jesus” they learned right away. For these five men, it would
cost about $1,100 each for airfare and for three months pay while they are in
Korea learning. We should do this right away.
Ethel: Did you find more people wanting to study the Bible?
Max: Oh, yes! Even the man who drove the motorcycle cab I rode in, wanted to
study religion. I offered to pay his day’s wage if he would not work on Sabbath,
but come to the Bible study. He said “Oh, no! I do not want pay. I would pay you
to learn!”
Ethel: Max, I’ve heard that there are two churches in Laos. I’ve heard that some
do not want to be in the world church. What did you find?
Max: It is very difficult to know in such a short time what the truth is. Two
men have been studying with many people in the North of Laos, and almost 1,000
people are now ready to become Seventh-day Adventists. They were very concerned
that we had heard evil of them, but I assured them we were not there to judge,
only to help.
Ethel: Is this one thousand new people, or does this include those already in
the church?
Max: These are new people. Some have been studying longer, and some are just
coming. The Korean group is going to send their youth group to North Laos in
June, and perhaps in August, to help with the evangelism there.
Ethel: What about the Steps to Christ books? Please give us an update there.
Max: It is difficult. Soo is very anxious to have the books paid for, and I told
her as soon as the printer had the government permit that is required, I would
pay for them. You remember I called you to ask what I should do.
Ethel: Yes, I do remember…it was 2:00 am here! But I didn’t mind. We talked
together and prayed about what to do. Soo was very anxious to have them paid. I
recall we talked about Jesus telling us we should obey our earthly governments
as long as they do not ask us to do anything against God. So, our agreement
together was to not pay the printer until he has the permit he says he has
applied for, is that right?
Max: Yes, that is right. And I asked Pastor Choi, and his wife. I asked Elder
Yoo and Deaconess Park. They all said, “No, do not pay until the printer has the
permit.”
Ethel: Why does the permit make such a big difference?
Max: The books would not be legal, and would put all in unnecessary danger if
they gave them out or received them. Also, no one has actually seen the books
the printer says he has printed. If Soo paid for them without the permit, she
could lose the money and never get the books. There would be no way for the
government to help her, because she couldn’t prove anything.
Ethel: What are the real possibilities that the government will give a permit
for these books?
Max: I do not know. I believe Jesus wants Soo there working for her people. She
is determined that she will do what the angel has told her to do and bring Ellen
White’s books to her country. We need to pray that God will open that door.
Ethel: I had heard of another man there that is working on the translations.
What about his work?
Max: This man says he has been commissioned to do this work and has also
translated this book and applied for a permit. I asked him “why has it taken you
three years to do this work? Why are you waiting?” He and Soo go to church
together, but they need to learn to work together better to get God’s work done.
It is difficult.
Ethel: What about the Bibles needed; can they be bought in Laos? How much do
they cost? Some want to help right now with Bibles.
Max: It was hard to find that out. Soo did not know. As best as I could learn,
the Bibles cost about $5 US, which seems like a lot. Everything there is very,
very cheap. Many people live on $30 a month. We would need to have someone go
over to Laos again, take the money along, and buy them. I would be very
reluctant to send the money just to Soo. She has a hard time with the exchange
rate. It was hard for me to know what I was spending, because of the exchange
rate.
Ethel: Does the government allow Bibles?
Max: There do seem to be Bibles there, although not many. Some are very afraid
to have the authorities see them with Bibles. Others do not care. They need
Bibles very badly. They also need songbooks, and it is possible the government
would have no problem with printing music. There is much more for me to learn
about this.
Ethel: Tell me about Soo’s travel schedule. Is she planning to return to
Australia and the United States?
Max: Yes. Soo is actually a citizen now of Australia, not Laos. She is in Laos
on a permit. She is planning to return to Australia in March, then come back to
the United States after that. She has her belongings in four different places.
She wants to get her things, and talk to churches in America.
Ethel: I was not clear that Soo was no longer a citizen of Laos. Did you have
someone to translate for you there? Could you understand Soo’s English well?
Max: Soo’s English is very poor. There were several there who could translate
for me. That helped. There were some Koreans who could also speak Lao, and that
was good. I also met her adoptive mother and father. They explained more to me
about Soo’s mother. They said Soo’s mother left her when she was 16 days old and
just disappeared. Soo is very bad with numbers.
Ethel: I had noticed that. That is why I have been hopeful that several from
America are being stirred to go to Laos and work for God there. Perhaps they can
help her with her project.
Max: That would be good. Soo is very determined and will do what God tells her
to do. It would be good if someone could work beside her and help with the
finances. She has much to learn.
Ethel: That reminds me. Is Soo learning more of the Bible’s teachings?
Max: Yes. The one who is also working on translating has been studying the
Bible’s teachings with her. He has given her information about what Seventh-day
Adventists believe. She doesn’t have very much to teach others, but she does
what she can.
Max, will you now please sum up this work and add your comments…"in your own
words?” Thank you, and may God bless you for going at your own expense to visit
this far away corner of the world. I pray with you that our church in America,
the Union in Singapore, the Thai Mission, and the church in Laos, will all work
together to take the Good News to Laos. Ethel
“Ethel, I really encourage to S.D.A. people donate Bible and Hymnal books to
Laos.
“When the time to send the money for the Bible in to the Laos, somebody should
go because there are not many workers in there.
“Therefore we should support the disciple project, Korean church in Seoul will
provide room, food and expenses in Korea but airline fee and salary about
$150-200 dollar per person (because family in Laos), donate by in America.
“When donation is ready I deeply ask you and your husband should go make sure
Bible hand to people in the Laos.”
-Max
March 2, 2005
Both Max and I have talked with Soo several times over the last few days. On
Friday, February 25, I was impressed that Satan was still trying to stop the
knowledge of God from going forward in Laos. I had received an e-mail that
indicated some were urging others not to support Soo as she was being very
“stubborn” about moving forward with printing the books. I was very impressed,
and though quite physically ill, called Soo. She was discouraged because the STC
books were already printed and no one would pay for them. I told her if she was
willing to go to prison for the books, that we were willing to pay for them. I
assured her the money would be put into her account that day, which it was.
The Steps to Christ are indeed printed and stacked in her sister’s house. Soo
has given away 100 of them in the last week.
Soo thought she would have to return to Australia to work and earn money to pay
for the books, but that two thousand dollar debt has been taken care of by
generous donors. Soo did return to Australia on Wednesday of this week (March 2)
and will now be applying for a visa to return to America. She does not know if
or when she might be able to obtain such a visa, so I cannot yet schedule her to
speak at any churches. Loren and I have invited her to stay with us in our
humble home so we can teach her more of the Bible, help her to learn some basic
computer skills, and coordinate any speaking schedules. Her English is still
very poor, and several believe it would be very appropriate if I were to travel
with Soo on her trips here in America. Please keep that in mind when considering
scheduling Soo to speak at your church.
In Christ, Ethel Price
503-631-4160
www.OmegaProjectMinistries.org
