The Wanderer

                       Vientiane is the capital of Laos. It is one of the 16 provinces of Laos. It is also the largest city in Laos. The estimated population of this city is 754,000. Sri Sattanak, or Sisattanak is a former name of Vientiane. Sisattanak is now one of the five districts in Vientiane. The original meaning of the city is "royal sandalwood grove" or "city of sandalwood."




















                           This is the flag of Laos. I tried to search in google if Vientiane has a flag. Sadly, i could not find one. The red stripes represent the blood shed for the country's fight for independence. The blue symbolizes the country's wealth and prosperity. The white means unity and justice. Another interpretation of the white circle is that it symbolizes the full moon over the blue mekong river.





                         Vientiane features a tropical wet and dry climate. This is the same climate that we have in the Philippines. The difference is that it has a distinct monsoon season and a dry season. Laos is a Buddhist country but like Myanmar, they are a open to other religions too. There are 67% of Buddhists. There are 1.5% of Christians. The remaining 31.5% are unknown. This means that more missionaries need to be sent. I researched in google and found in websites that the government would only allow two types. Its either they are adventists or evangelical. It is great for missionaries since they would not have a hard time sharing the gospel and helping out the pastors there. The missionaries need our help though, they need our prayers...























Sources: http://www.nsc.gov.la/Products/Populationcensus2005/PopulationCensus2005_chapter2.htm
               http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/Laotian+capital
               http://www.geohive.com/cntry/laos.aspx
               http://www.worldflags101.com/l/laos-flag.aspx
               http://www.lonelyplanet.com/laos/northern-laos/vientiane-province/history

                           Myanmar is located between India and China. Since it is located beside those countries, it is influenced by their culture. It was also a British colony from 1885-1937. Most of the country's culture is influenced by Buddhism. A good thing though is that Myanmar is open to other religions. In Myanmar, there are 88% of Buddhists. There are 7% of Christians There are 3% of Muslims. There are 0.5% of Hindus.















                         This is Myanmar's flag. The blue symbolizes peace and endurance. The red represents courage and gallantry. The white means purity and honor. The cogwheel and ears of the rice represents the country's industry and culture, as well as the union of the workers and peasant class. The 14 stars are the 14 states that form the Union of Myanmar.





               The countries in Southeast Asia are almost all the same, so living in Myanmar is not too far off from living in the Philippines. It is mountainous in this country. There are also lots of jungles also. Missionaries would not have a hard time staying. They would need our support. The biggest support we can give them are our prayers.



Sources: http://www.world66.com/asia/southeastasia/myanmar/culture
               http://www.yangonow.com/eng/culture/
               http://www.worldflags101.com/m/myanmar-flag.aspx

            Bangkok is one the 76 provinces of Thailand. Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit is the full ceremonial name given by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke but it was edited by King Mongkut. This means "the city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarma." 




                   
                      This is the flag of Bangkok. I tried searching on google if the flag has meaning. Sadly, i did not find the meaning or symbolism of the flag. What I found out is the meaning of the emblem in the middle of the flag. The emblem shows Phra Indr, the keeper of Amarawadee in Dawa Doeng. He is carrying his three-bladed weapon, Vajira while seated on a white elephant whose four ivory tusks denote celestial status.








                   Bangkok has a tropical wet and dry climate. This means that is the same as the Philippines. Bangkok is a big province because it has 50 districts in it. Bangkok though is considered by others as a city since it is the largest urban area in Thailand. Missionaries who would go here wont have a hard time adjusting to this province or city if they are from Southeast Asia. We need to pray for the missionaries since the country's religion is Buddhism. The missionaries cannot directly share the gospel to them. They can only pray for them if the Thais are okay with it. We should pray for the missionaries there and the future missionaries. 







Source:  http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/th-10.html

        
                Sabah is one of the thirteen states in Malaysia. Its capital is Kota Kinabalu. Sabah  is known as "Sabah, negeri di bawah bayu", which means "Sabah, the land below the wind." That is the name because it is located at the south of the typhoon belt. 




               
              This the flag of Sabah. The first one represents "a silhoutte of Mount Kinabalu represents Sabah State."The second one which is zircon blue, represents peace and calmness. The third one which is icicle blue represents unity and prosperity. The fourth one which is royal blue represents strength and harmony. The fifth one which is pure white represents purity and justice. The last one which is chili red represents courage and determination. 






             Staying in Sabah is just like staying in the Philippines (though this land is really ours). This place is mountainous and it also has the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia which is Mount Kinabalu. The mountain and hills are covered with rainforest. There are also parks and jungles in this state. Missionaries who would go here wont have a hard time adjusting to this state if they are from Southeast Asia. If the missionaries are filipinos, we need to pray for them since filipinos are abused and not treated by others well. Nevertheless, we should pray for all missionaries there. God has a plan for them. We must support them by praying for them. 
         


Sources:
http://www.sabah.gov.my/pd.nbw/dcm/English/engdoc/flag.html
http://www.borneo-hotels.com/sabah/history.htm

Singapore's culture, like many other, is a diverse of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European. It was once under the British empire. The Malays, Chinese and Indians are immigrants. The lesson we had broke down the people in Singapore. The biggest percent of course are the Chinese with 76.8 %. The percent of Malays in the country are 13.9%. The percent of Indians in the country are 7.9%. The smallest percent are Eurasians and others with 1.4%.





While I was looking for pictures to put in this blog, I found this intriguing picture. When I first read this, I thought of two meanings. First, it is "fine," meaning that its great. Another is that it is "fine," meaning that there are lots of fines. When I was in high school, when we talk about Singapore what always comes into our minds is that you cannot chew gum and litter which is true. After reading all the "no's" in this picture. I had a vision which is that one day this would happen in our country. That every countrymen would be disciplined.







Before I end, i want to share a few words that i saw in one of the shirts that i have at home, it says:


Source: http://www.mapsofworld.com/singapore/culture.html