DSOL (Designing for Speakers of Other Languages)

Things have been so busy, sorry I haven't posted much! But, here's some designs I've been working on for the Translation Center. For most, I still need to coordinate with the translators on the actual text for the covers — which means the type will be totally different!

Miracles of Grace is a devotional book dedicated to literature evangelism ministry (think door-to-door), with testimonies and inspiring stories from literature evangelists around the world. It's being translated into Khmer (Cambodian language), which is actually one of the more challenging languages to work because of the unicode font issues (booklet layout in Publisher, maybe even for the cover). Not my favorite program to work in... but I can take it.


Cover for Steps to Christ, being translated in a Southeast Asian language (forgive me if I don't say which due to religious liberty issues). I'm not sure if they're familiar with the poem “Footprints” but it makes for a nice abstract representation of one's walk with God. Personally, I'm pretty reluctant to have illustrations of a Westernized Jesus to reach an Asian audience.

Cover for End Time Countdown, being translated in a Southeast Asian language (again, forgive me if I don't say which due to religious liberty issues). This cover will look TOTALLY different once I get the actual text, as the said language groups itself into phrases, much like Thai. We may even change the title to be something more appropriate for the audience. Anyway, the book shares/compares the Biblical signs of Jesus' coming with world events.... Ok ok, I take it back about how everything gets longer when translated into this language! They changed the title (because the translation doesn't sound as good) to “End of the Road for the World.”




Health book, in editing process for a Southeast Asian language, that's been retitled as “Listen”—which I thought was interesting for a book like this. Below is an inside spread and a screen shot to show how complicated editing the language is. As far as I know, there's no plugin for handling phrases in this language... so that means I have to wait a long time on my edits!

New (Pink) Apartment!

Finally! Here are pictures of our new apartment! It's very pink. I think I am finally getting over the pink-overload trauma of my youth. Anyway, it's a very nice apartment; everything's new! 

It's an interesting layout, because of all sliding glass doors / windows. When you walk inside, there is the living room, then through 1 glass door, there's our bedroom. Then through another glass door, there's the bathroom and kitchen. The kitchen is a little awkward for me; so I usually cook outside in the back. The small half-fridge is in the living room, because there's no where to put it in the kitchen. :) But that's ok, since we eat in the living room. It's about a 5 minute drive from the school and in a neighborhood with a guard, so convenient and safe.

I've been finishing up projects for the Mission, and should package/burn them on a disc soon. I've also been teaching a couple conversational ESL classes at the university, and, helping as a designer/consultant with the Translation Center (again). I'm busy, but scattered. So, it's kind of tough for me, since I really like having a regular daily routine. Seyha's been busy with his classes and this week, he's doing an intensive class. 

With God's help, we're doing our best to support each other during this busy time. Also, we're praying about the future, because I don't know what other work I'll get next month. I'll still have work with the Translation Center, but my teaching contract will finish end of this month. Anyway, I'm trying not to worry, and so far God has provided much for us. 

 
The big blue thing on the right is a cupboard/pantry for food and storage. Straight back, is where we hang our clothes and there's another sink outside (I'm guessing it's for washing clothes or gutting fish?).

It's hard to get a picture of the bathroom, just behind this sliding glass door, by that pink shelf. But it's very modern, and we even have hot water for the shower! Yeah!

Window and sliding glass door into the living room. 

In the living room facing the front porch. 
From the porch, facing into the living room.
View from our porch. Most of the houses in our neighborhood are very colorful. They're building another little house across the lawn from us. It looks so tiny! I think it will only have 1 room.
View to the left (from the stairs going down).

These stairs can be tricky, especially if you've got your arms full. To the right of our apartment, is an identical one (just flipped), but it faces more west-ward, so I didn't want an apartment that would get so hot. It's nicer too, because we have a nice lawn to look out onto, and our back door goes down a side path. I'm so thankful for all the beautiful trees and flowers we have around us! Much nicer than sewage and pollution!

Someone has amazing driving skills. :)

On our way to school/work!

Prison Ministry (from Feb 20)

A couple weeks ago, the other volunteers and I went to help the Bangkok Adventist Hospital team with prison ministries. Through gracious donations of care packages, supplies and time, we were able to help care for and minister to many prisoners. This prison has about 4,000 inmates, and supplies and even beds are scarce. If the prisoner has no family or friends to bring him new flip-flops or toiletries, he goes without. Our church ministry donated 2,000 care packages to those without family or friends. Also, we saw about 400 dental patients that day. There is next to no resource for them when having medical or dental problems, so we were thankful that God could use us to be a blessing. We also had a small worship program with the kids singing songs. We are praying that God would help strengthen our brothers in prison.

Triage for inmates. They are short-staffed, it seems and they help each other with this process.

Setting up tools and pharmacy.


The student missionaries I work with helping assist! Good job you guys!


Part of the sterilization process. The line behind doubled after lunch. Can you imagine *your* waiting room like this? Below, mother and daughter team as assistants. :)


Here we are in one section of the prison, with the piles of care packages. Even though it was quite hot, everyone was in a good mood for this gift giving process.


Many of the prisoners had been without shoes for quite some time. They looked happy to get new flip-flops!

Back at the dental station, here is the old auto-clave. We are praying for a new one, since it so old and we don't know how long it will last. In order to keep visiting prisons and doing this ministry, we must have sterile tools, since we cycle through them constantly — about ever 10 minutes. A replacement auto-clave costs about 2500USD. Please pray that God would touch someone's heart to help us with this need.


The kids cheered some of the prisoners with songs and a short worship service. :)

After lunch I got to help, and learned about the different tools. These guys are tough (and happy to see the dentist), but I still cringed for them every time we had to dig the roots out! :(

Inmates from another section receiving their care packages... I could hardly believe there were 4,000 at this prison. The men sleep in shifts since there aren't enough beds/mats. Please pray that God would comfort their hearts. And pray that we could continue to visit and help.

Rice Donation and Fun with Kids!

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

This last Saturday we had a rice donation to a community in need. I put this picture first, of our prayer during church that morning. I believe when we pray, God truly answers in amazing ways. It is a blessing to, because here, before we have prayer together, we sing “As We Come to You in Prayer”— which is the same song we sing back at my home church! AND when we close the worship program, we sing “We Have this Hope,” that my friends at the Indonesian church always sing as a closing song... so I'm comforted with these little similarities. :) But I'm most thankful, that no matter where I am, God hears and answers prayer.

There was planning beforehand regarding which families were in the most need, family size, etc. Here are some of our church friends discussing with the community leaders how to organize things properly, so there wouldn't be confusion. And my friend documenting the whole event. :)


Getting hydrated to help out and serve!

God faithfully provided more than enough rice, canned foods — and even some goodies for the children! One of our ESL/Spanish teacher's mom and grandma lovingly wrapped small packages for the kids.
It was great to have musical talent too... I'm glad they could sing songs in Thai. I felt the people were greatly calmed and blessed.

One of the community leaders was so happy for this blessing. He was sharing how God used us to answer prayers to provide for the people of this community! I will be praying that God continues to provide for their needs and food — but also that He would provide spiritual food from the Bible too. :)


Are you ready to help out with a kids program?? Of course you are! :) I had a great time singing and playing with my friends – and I learned a new game too! Sorry, no pictures of the games... too busy playing!

“If you're happy and you know it say, ‘Amen!’”


Empty truck in the background.. me and my new friends. :)