TAKING THE MEDICAL BOARD EXAMS
IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1

From a young age, Walter felt a stirring deep within him, a calling that whispered of faroff lands and the spread of God’s word. It was the stories of missionaries in his parents’ books that ignited this passion within him. Even as he pursued his studies to become a doctor, the pull of mission work remained strong.

Taking a leap of faith, Walter became a student missionary for a year during college. This experience solidified his conviction that serving as a missionary was his life’s calling, and the place chosen to be the target of his mission territory was Thailand. Although he was proficient in his mother language, he knew nothing about Thai, and before he could embark on his mission in Thailand, he faced a daunting challenge: the medical board exams, all in Thai, a language he didn’t speak.

Determined, Walter dedicated himself to learning Thai for 18 months, pouring over books and practicing tirelessly. Learning another language is itself challenging, but learning another language, that has a different alphabet with sounds that are not familiar to your mother tongue – this escalates the challenge to another level! Take as an example the following word: ตรวจา งกาย – this means to perform a medical examination. Can you imagine his anxiety on the day of the board exam? The day of the test brought nerves and anticipation, but also a steadfast belief that this was part of God’s plan for him. Accompanied by his wife and two sons, Walter awaited the results with bated breath.

Amidst the anxiety, seeing his name on the passing list felt like a divine affirmation, a sign that he was on the right path. In Thailand, where over 90% of the population practices Buddhism, sharing the gospel can be challenging due to cultural differences. Yet, Walter approaches each encounter in the hospital with unwavering faith. Every conversation with his patients leaves him feeling blessed and closer to God as if he was giving Bible studies to these people.

Despite the obstacles, Walter continues his mission with joy and determination, bringing light and hope to the people of Thailand through the medical ministry. His journey is a testament to the power of faith and the transformative impact of answering a calling greater than oneself.

Please, pray for our missionaries, volunteers, and Global Mission Pioneers. Your faithfulness sustains their ministry.

CHALLENGE FOR THE FAMILY: Did you know that there are 19 hospitals under the Adventist Health Care of Southern Asia-Pacific Division? This healthcare ministry is vital, especially in non-Christian areas. Let’s pray for these facilities and their staff to shine the light of Jesus through healing.