Light at the End of the Tunnel

Dare I say that after years of waiting and all but giving up, the Philippine Bible Society is printing the “Forbidden Book Story” and preparing for a book launch next month, June 2014. How many times have we asked for prayer that it would indeed reach the “finish line” and time after time, delays. When we heard that it was headed to the printer a week or so ago, we tried to keep our expectations in check, fearful that yet another roadblock would emerge. But an email earlier today shattered our doubts…the Director of Marketing said she saw the completed cover at the printing plant and it is “beautiful.”

The story began as a research assignment for a course at Wheaton Grad School back in 1998.  Three Manila Christian publishers turned down the initial idea of a Visualized Missionary Story.  Through the encouragement of friends, both expat and Filipino, in Aug., 2010, I submitted the manuscript to the Philippine Bible Society as a visualized story for upper elementary children and a reply was received that it would be recommended for printing ASAP.  Before Ruth and I left the Philippines in 2012, a publishing contract was signed.  My patience was stretched further as we communicated from three continents in two languages regarding editing, art work, and a glossary.  Copyright infringement issues and a theft of a PBS staff laptop all hindered the project reaching the finish line.  But prayer continued and God has answered.  Praise Him!  May this English/Tagalog story be used of God in lives of precious children and youth in the Philippines for whom the story was written.