Last fall, Clear and Simple Media received an invitation to participate in the EDMC meetings in Southeast Asia. The Eurasia Media & Distribution Consultation, scheduled for late March, is a multi-agency gathering. The conference was created to be secure venue “where minority language workers, translators, literacy workers, language development, trauma healing, and refugee workers in the greater Eurasia region, can meet with media specialists (including radio, TV, internet, mobile, social media), IT technicians, recording specialists, digital publishers, graphic artists, specialists in Ethnomusicology/ Ethno-Arts (arts, drama, dance), specialists in hand-held technology, and specialists in oral societies and storytelling.”

Although we are not members of EDMC, one of the conference directors heard about our material and felt that we would be an asset to this convention. “Your material is exactly what we are looking for. We are always looking for good content.”

The conference is to be attended by over 800 participants from more than 90 organizations and agencies. But, as we were informed this week, some of the agencies will not be participating as announced. Because of concerns over the Coronavirus, several of the participants have canceled their registrations.

Although the virus is not yet impacting Thailand as it has China, Thailand has more tourists from China each year (11 million) than from any other country. The location where the conference is being held can accommodate several thousand people. One concern is that if one individual does contract the virus during the meetings, the Thai Government may place the entire facility under quarantine, effectively closing the conference. At this current time, the conference directors are monitoring the situation.

Please pray that God will provide clarity and wisdom to those in charge. Please pray that we will have wisdom as we decide whether or not this substantial opportunity outweighs the potential cost.