1st Quarter 2017 Newsletter

NEWS FROM ASAP MINISTRIES—ADVOCATES FOR SOUTHEAST ASIANS AND THE PERSECUTED

FIRST QUARTER 2017

REACH THE

WORLD

ASAP

Reach the World Next Door—

Missionary Field Training

FEATURE STORY

Reach the World Next Door— Missionary Field Training

S

o many refugees come each year to Houston, Texas, that if it were its own country it would be the fourth largest resettlement nation in the world. There are thousands of Buddhists from Vietnam, Muslims from Pakistan, and Hindus from India just to name three. In fact almost every other house in the Houston metro area speaks another language besides English.

ASAP Ministries has heard God’s call to do something more for the immigrants, refugees, and international students that God has sent next door from completely unreached countries. In partnership with the Texas Conference, ASAP is starting a cross-cultural missionary training center called Reach the World Next Door.

The center will bring together 12-16 young people for training. Experienced missionaries will take the students out to learn by doing. The initial course will last nine months starting in August 2017. This will be followed by a full year of internship, building on the cross-cultural relationships already started. Pastor Scott Griswold, present associate director of ASAP, will move to Houston to direct the center.

Jesus modeled His plan for training missionaries. ASAP wants to come as close as possible to His model in this new training center. Jesus trained the disciples, not in the classroom, but primarily while serving. They learned how to heal the sick, cast out spirits, and preach to the poor while watching Jesus do those very things. After awhile, Jesus sent them out by twos to do their best and return to learn more.

At Reach the World Next Door the trainers will take the students out to help refugees who have just arrived settle into their new homes and environment. Together they will do medical ministry among immigrants and start campus ministries among international students. Through various methods they will connect with the unreached.

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As those in this training encounter different cultures and religions, questions will continuously arise. Jesus often gave His instruction to the disciples in response to their questions. In the quiet of the evening or in the countryside they talked, prayed, and applied God’s word.

The students and trainers of Reach the World Next Door will live on a country property outside of Houston. There will be classes, small groups, and individual study on crosscultural methods and discipleship.

They will learn to care wholistically for people through agriculture and vocational training. Jesus taught His followers to depend on God and their own hard work for their needs. Paul later provided for himself by making tents.

For several years Jesus earnestly prayed and worked with each disciple to move him towards a deep relationship with Himself, a thorough conversion and a Spirit-filled life.

By God’s grace, the Reach the World Next Door training program will help the trainees grow in the same way.

This new program builds in adequate time for reaching immigrants, refugees, and international students. Most of them have never had any serious exposure to the Bible and God. It takes significant time to build relationships of trust that give room for the Holy Spirit and conversion.

Because students of Reach the World Next Door will stay nine months plus another year, they will be able to focus their time and energy long enough to see real results.

After evangelism and baptism, they will be able to help disciple the new international Christians. Beyond that, they will seek to empower them to reach out to family and friends of their own nationality, even back in their home countries.

This is a huge step of faith for ASAP Ministries, the Texas Conference and the Griswold family. Money still needs to be raised for operational expenses and a property needs to be found. ASAP is asking its readers to commit to praying for Reach the World Next Door—Missionary Field Training.

ASAP Ministries has heard God’s call to do something more for the immigrants, refugees, and international students that God has sent next door from completely unreached countries.

If you would like to receive updates, please write to scott@reachtheworldnextdoor.com. To contribute to the operational expenses you can give online at asapministries.org or call 1-269471-3026.

Students who would like to apply can find more information and an application at reachtheworldnextdoor.com. For those who are called to serve in their current neighborhoods they can find a short version of this training in the 16-part curriculum by the same name. Currently various churches are using this successfully to help them reach out cross-culturally.

This strategy for reaching the world can be seen in what happened at Pentecost when people of “every nation under heaven” heard the good news in his or her own language. It can also be clearly seen in Ellen White’s words, “We should be able to see in the multiplying opportunities to reach many foreigners in America a divinely appointed means of rapidly extending the third angel’s message into all the nations of earth. God in His providence has brought men to our very doors and thrust them, as it were, into our arms, that they might learn the truth, and be qualified to do a work we could not do in getting the light before men of other tongues” (Evangelism 570).

ASAP invites its readers to consider this important question and answer: “Why has the Lord so long delayed His coming?...It is because the few who profess to have the oil of grace in their vessels with their lamps, have not becoming burning and shining lights in the world. It is because missionaries are few” (Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, March 27, 1894).

Goals of the Reach the World Next Door Missionary Field Training HELP DISCIPLE TRAINEES TO:

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Grow a deeply connected relationship between Jesus and His follower

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Be skilled at wholistic ministry that shows God really cares

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Be sensitive and effective in sharing the Gospel crossculturally

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Create relationships that are kind, humble, forgiving, and sacrificial

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Crave core conversion and daily growth leading to entire transformation of life

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Determine a strategic movement so that every tribe and person can hear

Speak Spirit-filled words and stories that leads people to Christ

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SHARE THIS STORY

The Miracle Bible

BY JULIA O’CAREY

H

ow would you describe the Bible? Living?

Precious? Amazing? Powerful? It’s God’s very own words. Mr. Elmer Myaing describes the Bible as faithful. Here’s why.

Mr. Myaing and his wife Molly had decided to make the move from Myanmar to America. Though life was really tough and they could not speak English well, they committed to following God’s words in every detail of their lives. They lived by the word. Mr. Myaing faithfully paid tithe even though it was hard to earn enough for food. He worked two full-time jobs to give his six children a Christian education.

One day Mr. Myaing’s son was driving to Florida with a friend when the car suddenly caught on fire in the middle of a freeway. He jumped out just in time to watch it go up in flames. God protected him, but everything else in the car burned. Well, almost everything else.

When his son went back to salvage anything he could, the only thing left was his father’s Bible. The edges were burned and black, but he could still read the words.

It was a miracle! Just as God preserved his Word for generations, He kept that Bible safe in the flames.

Mr. Myaing asked his son if he could keep that miracle Bible. It was his treasure. Later, Mr. and Mrs. Myaing also got in a car accident and had to be hospitalized.

Soon they realized they would no longer be able to

return to their home, but would have to stay elsewhere for ongoing therapy. In the process of relocating, the miracle Bible was accidently thrown away.

After Mr. Myaing’s recovery, he journeyed back to Thailand and Myanmar to visit the churches. He wanted nothing more than to encourage the young believers to treasure the Word of God and hide it in their hearts.

He shared the miracle Bible story with them. Silently he prayed, “Lord, I really wish that Bible hadn’t been thrown out. I would love to show it to my Karen brothers and sisters in Christ!”

God loves to give us the desires of our hearts. When Mr. Myaing returned back to the United States, that Bible was sitting on his bedside table in a small plastic bag. It was another miracle! No one could explain how it got there.

How can you treasure the Word of God in your life?

Would you like to commit today to memorizing a verse a week? How about reading it every morning and then sharing what you read with at least one person throughout the day? Let’s thank God for His miraculous word today!

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NEWS UPDATE

New Frontiers

BY SCOTT GRISWOLD

B

ecause of the recent refugee crisis, the ASAP Ministries’ board members recently made a special vote to partner with others and expand our refugee ministry. We will start helping the suffering from not only Southeast Asia, but other refugees from the 10/40 window.

In particular ASAP is raising funds to help four projects in the Middle East North Africa Union, specifically in Lebanon and an unnamed restricted access country. We want to help three separate start-up schools that are helping refugee children who have fled ISIS in Syria. The teachers need stipends, classroom supplies, and repairs on the room. We can even help them have one new classroom to let more students come to school. We also want to help a brave man, Kasa,* who has endured persecution, serve totally unreached refugees who speak Farsi.

ASAP also voted to help Pakistani refugees who are in Bangkok. Pakistanis in Thailand? Yes many Christians and others have fled persecution, landing in this big city. They have waited years for resettlement and their children suffer without an opportunity to learn. Bangkok Adventist International School, which was established to help missionary’s children, has opened its doors to five refugee children. They did it in faith trusting ASAP would help find the funds to sponsor them.

3 Ways to Make a Lifetime of Difference!

Build a classroom in a Syrian refugee camp.

Support a teacher serving refugee students.

Put a refugee child in school for $160/month.

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EXCITING EVANGELISM

Gospel Advances in Vietnam

BY SCOTT GRISWOLD

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ow would you like to bump along on a motorcycle hour after hour? How would you like to itch from bedbugs on a different bed night after night? More than all that, How would like to have policeman hassle you for witnessing day after day? This is the constant experience of a Vietnamese pastoral couple that ASAP readers have frequently heard about. Than Ban Bai* and Nguyen Thi Dung* continue to travel all over a large region of Vietnam spreading the good news.

Here’s a very small summary of a recent report primarily from newly entered areas: DISTRICT #1: One ASAP Church Planter has been sharing the truth of the Adventist message with a Sunday Church.

Eighteen large families that total more than 100 people have been converted and are now worshiping on the seventh day Sabbath.

DISTRICT #2: We have been visiting and giving Bible studies to ethnic people of the San Riu tribe. There are 12 families of about 70 people who we are giving Bible studies to.

DISTRICT #3: Hmong people are eagerly studying the Bible with us in this area. We have ten families there with about 50 people which includes their leader.

DISTRICT #4: We are actively evangelizing this unreached district. Youth evangelists pass out DVDs every day. The people are so open to receiving the DVDs and publications in this area. We are planting seeds of truth as we talk to the people of the unreached tribes here. Even the village chief is studying with us!

DISTRICT #5. In this province we are studying the Bible with Binh*, the leader of a Sunday church of seven families, 40 people. They now believe the Adventist truth and preparing to be baptized.

DISTRICT #6: We now have 13 people worshipping on the Sabbath. They speak the language of Tay and are eager to learn the truth of the everlasting gospel.

DISTRICT #7: We are studying the Bible with four leaders of Sunday Churches in this area. There are a lot of Sunday Church members in this area. who are open. It’s just a matter of time before there is a big reaping here!

Read further to hear testimonies from two believers in Vietnam: 6

I FOUND THE LIGHT OF THE LORD JESUS

HEAVENLY LIGHT CAME TO MY FAMILY

It was about two years ago when my great uncle passed away. During his funeral someone gave my family several DVDs. This person talked about Jesus Christ and His gift of eternal life. He said God gives us a future beyond the certainty of death. We received the DVDs and thanked him for his condolences.

One day, someone stopped by my house and offered me two DVDS with the titles: “Blessed are the Merciful” and “God’s True Church.” I thanked that person and took the DVDs to watch right away. My family and I watched the DVDs several times.

Testimony by Thien Tran Do*

After that I was busy with final tests at my college. When my tests were finished I had time to relax. My mother then played the DVDs we received at the funeral. I have never had any personal interest in religion. All I have learned from school was evolution, literature, and the writings of Karl Marx. However, when my mother turned on the DVD player the house filled with the sound of preaching and it caught my attention. I then walked toward the TV screen and watched the preacher. I stood in front of the TV screen for 15 minutes, completely motionless and lost to my surroundings. My mind became full of new light. Something woke up the spiritual dimension of my mind. I felt full of happiness.

His sermon was about “Authentic Repentance.” I felt the love of God for mankind and for me personally. From that moment I began to believe in the Lord Jesus. The Word of God and the Holy Spirit convicted my heart that He is the greatest God and the everlasting treasure from heaven.

I then began to watch all the DVDs that we received from Peace & Happiness Radio. The Word of God and the Holy Spirit changed my life completely. I also received new strength to overcome temptations.

My mother also believed in the Lord Jesus. She and I then began giving these DVDs to our family’s members, our relatives, and friends. My father and my sisters became believers and we have many relatives and friends who are interested in having Bible studies. We are praying to start a house-church in my location.

However, my house is in a unique setting with the police station and police officers’ houses surrounding it. Any gathering is noticed immediately by the police. We are praying to start the home-church in another location.

Please pray for the need for millions of DVDs that can be used to evangelize the Vietnamese people everywhere.

We are so thankful for the sacrifice of God’s people in other countries to help us to produce more DVDs.

Testimony by Y Nhon*

The more we watched and listened, the more we felt like a river was flowing into our souls. We realized that we have been in the desert for so long. We felt that we had found what we have been looking for. We then began to talk to other friends in the village about the DVDs. My church leaders and friends warned us. They said, “Be careful with those DVDs. They have evil magic in them.

Don’t watch them.”

The more we watched and listened, the more we felt like a river was flowing into our souls.

My family and I continued to quietly watch those two DVDs again and again. We asked God if this was the right way. We said, “Please guide and lead us and separate us from the two DVDs if this is not truth.”

I contacted the phone number on those two DVDs and asked the pastor of Peace & Happiness Ministry to give us more DVDs. We then continued to quietly study the Bible, comparing the preaching on the DVDs with the Bible. One day I had a feeling that enough was enough.

I could not ignore God’s truth any longer. After six years of studying God’s word through the DVDs my heart was melted by the truth of the His Word as shown on Peace & Happiness Ministry. The Holy Spirit led my family and me to join God’s Sabbath-keeping church.

I made that decision for myself first, then I talked to my wife, my children, my sisters, my brothers, my mother.

Our whole family is now Sabbath-keeping Adventists.

We praise the Lord and give thanks to Him for His compassion to our family. We are continuing to share God’s Word through these DVDs with our friends.

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HELPING HANDS

Better Than the World Series

BY SCOTT GRISWOLD

ASAP: Arti, you just came back from a three-week trip to Southeast Asia. Why did you decide to go over there?

ARTI HAMMAN: I just felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to do something special for people I had known there in the past. I called up Judy Aitken and she helped me with an itinerary.

ASAP: What is your connection with Southeast Asia?

ARTI HAMMAN: In 1992 I worked for AFM Refugee Projects with Judy Aitken and helped in the Site 2 and Kao I Dang refugee camps on the Thailand and Cambodian border.

ASAP: So what keeps taking you back there?

ARTI HAMMAN: Wherever people are, they are our brothers and sisters. God has given me a love especially for the Cambodians. I love to see the pastors that I worked with in the camps. I just feel it is God moving me to go back and care.

We prayed a lot. One student at KAA tracked me down to ask Bible questions. I found out he was planning to get baptized the very next Sabbath.

The people were very kind. It shows me that wherever you go when you both have Jesus in your hearts, the barriers are broken down. Even if you can’t speak the same language, you feel really close because they are our Christian brothers and sisters. It’s kind of like meeting up with another Cubs fan, only it’s so much better.

One young volunteer church worker I met was still carrying the pain and bitterness towards the people who killed his father during the war. I shared with him the pain I have gone through in my life. I told him, “You’ve got to get this bitterness out.” I just really felt the Holy Spirit urging me to tell him he would be bondage to his father’s murderers if he didn’t.

Everyone, everywhere has something they are dealing with. We all need Jesus.

ASAP: What most impressed you?

ASAP: So where did you visit?

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ARTI HAMMAN: My main goal was to visit the schools, mostly the ones ASAP sponsors, the Cambodian and Vietnamese Feed and Read schools, the Takong project, and the Karen Adventist Academy in Thailand.

ARTI HAMMAN: I was so impressed with the amount of work ASAP is doing. To see what God is doing in the schools and the faithfulness of the students is so inspiring!

When you ask the kids, “What’s your favorite class?” And they say “Bible class,” it’s just wonderful.”

I also stopped by ASAP’s Sda Center, the hospice place for those with AIDS. That really moved my heart.

I see the teachers working so hard, all day long. The children are learning order and discipline. They are

IN GRATITUDE

IN MEMORY OF:

learning love. The atmosphere in the schools was neither sad nor neutral. They were happy!

ASAP: How did God surprise you?

ARTI HAMMAN: I wasn’t planning to do any fundraising, but I felt the Holy Spirit encouraging me, “Why aren’t you?” And the money just came in.

I was able to help the schools and some desperately poor people, including a student’s family who had no money to take the mother to the hospital.

ASAP: So now that you’re back, how do you think God may continue to use you to be a blessing?

ARTI HAMMAN: I want to do more short-term mission projects. I have a continued burden for the schools for our young people. They have the energy and rightly trained they will finish the work.

When I was young I went to hundreds of Cubs games as a kid. All I wanted to be was a baseball coach. Now I want to be cheering for Jesus’ return more than anything else. Being in Southeast Asia was better than being in America when the Cubs won the World Series!

If you serve God, you will never be the same.

WHITNEY WATSON by James & Marilene Watson, Penny Sieben • CINDY WATSON by Penny Sieben • CINDY WATSON & ART FELESKY by Lu Anne Felesky • JACK PENNER by Laurie Meservia • CURTIS GREEN by Darleen Green • PAUL W ESSIG

by Karen Bowen • DAY OF ATONEMENT FAST by Aphzal & Vashti Mohammed • SYLVIA OSTEEN by Carolyn Osteen • MELISSA by Jane Taylor • ESTHER COPLEY by Ernest & Anna Copley • BARBARA HANSEN by Lenore & Dell Wagner • BOYD & ELIZABETH OLSON by Dieter & Ruby Hain • EDNA ABRAMS

by Paul Abrams • GOLDIE by Harley Hollis & Carol Reid

IN HONOR OF: CALEB & MEGAN REXIN’S MARRIAGE by Joseph & Pamela Mann • JOSEPH KIM by Ronald Kim • JILL CHARLES’ BIRTHDAY

by John F & Mercy Samuel, Alex & Ponnamma David, Betty Ng • DON AMADOR & INDUCTION INTO OHV SPORTS HALL OF FAME by Donald & Ellen Amador • AMY CLARK, KERRY & LINDA NEALL, CAROL & BYRON REYNOLDS, KEVIN & SHELLY POWELL, CHESTER & HARRIET CLARK, JANE CANTRELL, CHESTER & JANE CLARK, KAREN by Robert & Christine Neall • ST. HELENA’S MAINTENANCE DEPT. by Christian & Betty Christianson • VERNON SHAFER by Emily Heagy • DR CALVIN KIM by Scott Rowley • JACK & BETHENE GRISWOLD by Garrett Speyer Shelley & Geoff Hayton • MRS ANN NG by Philip & Phi Goh • WINSTON CRAIG by Kyle Craig • RUTH & DUANE SOULE

by Stephen & Laura Nyirady

IN THANKFULNESS OF: GOD by Rosa Miller • OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST

by Mike Raj Timothy & Pamela Perenich • GOD’S POWER IN SAVING SOULS HIS PROVIDING AND GOODNESS by Stanley Lira Dawn Johnson, John & Susan Fleming, John & Joyce Marter • GOD’S LOVE TOWARD ME AND MY FAMILY

by Shirley Garnica • GOD’S FAITHFUL LOVING CARE FOR ME

by Ruthie Flynn • GOD’S WATCHCARE by Renee Sanabria • GOD’S BLESSINGS by Lawrence & Miriam Wolcott Thomas & Linda Sanders • GOD’S FAITHFULNESS by Nadele Bertas • THE FATHER’S GOODNESS by Letitia Bishop • ALL THAT GOD HAS DONE FOR ME by Jeenly Louis • STANLEY HALL by Richard “Dick” & Jean Hall • SHANA ERSKIN by Michelle Thao • MC & ABBY SHIN by Jucheol (Jooch) Nam • BRENDA KIŠ by Joshua Lewis • HEALTH AND LIFE by Irene Hill-Jacob

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MEET OUR WORKERS

LONG NGUYEN* From Persecutor to Persecuted POSITION: District Leader LOCATION: Vietnam Long Nguyen and his wife were once police officers. Together they confiscated Bibles and other Christian publications. They persecuted the Christians by putting them in jail or beating them. But because they saw that these Christians were courageous people, Long Nguyen and his wife decided to learn more.

They began to read the very materials that they had confiscated and started believing in God. They visited the people who they had once arrested and encouraged the believers to start worshipping in groups again. Long Nguyen and his wife removed the idols from their house and placed their faith in God. When other officers found out, Long Nguyen and his wife were reassigned their jobs as police officers. Now, Long Nguyen is a pastor. He is the one who is persecuted.

Long Nguyen recently attended an evangelistic birthday party where he had been invited to preach. Seven police officers showed up to inform the host and Long Nguyen that they could not throw this type of party. The host replied, “It’s my birthday and this is my entertainment.” Nguyen added, “I am happy to come to the police office when my talk is finished.”

The officers waited patiently outside while Long Nguyen preached. The host invited them to join the guests for the meal, but they waited outside instead. Long Nguyen then traveled with them to the station where they continued their questioning. True to God’s calling, Long Nguyen took the opportunity while he was there to talk to the officers about the basic doctrines of the Bible.

While it is sometimes difficult to be a preacher instead of a police officer, Long Nguyen would never go back to his former life. He considers it his greatest joy to watch someone accept Jesus as his or her Savior. So, Long Nguyen will continue to spread the love of God to everyone he meets, including the police officers who arrest him.

Take Action Now:

There are many workers like Long Nguyen who could use your prayers and financial support. For $95 a month, you can sponsor a church planter like Long Nguyen and help reach out and share the love of God to the unreached in this closed country.

Share this story in greater detail through the podcast “While You Were Sleeping.”

Scan this QR code or visit our podcast archives at www.asapministries.org/videos.

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OPEN YOUR HOME TO A REFUGEE ORPHAN

MUCH OF CAMBODIA IS STILL UNREACHED!

Thousands of children have lost their parents to war. These orphans sit in refugee camps daring to dream of a good future, while agencies in America are waiting for families to say “Yes!” to foster care.

Did you know that there are 30 distinct people groups in Cambodia that are less than 2% Christian? Some live in the forests that are quickly disappearing. Many have moved to the cities.

Though most know some of the major language of Khmer, they still need to hear the gospel in their heart language.

Visit www.asapministries.org to learn more under “Take Action, Refugee Children Foster Care.”

You can give to help ASAP Ministries support national missionaries who will venture into these groups. Scan this QR code to view and pray for the unreached.

Scan this QR code to watch and share Ingrid Slikker’s heart-warming podcast.

GO ONLINE AND STAY CONNECTED

HELP FOR THOSE WITH AIDS

TIPS FOR WITNESSING

Your brothers and sisters in our Cambodia AIDS hospice found themselves knee high in water last month because of dirty water flowing in from surrounding properties that have built up.

The new place costs $450 to rent, $50 more than the former place. Any bit of love and support for this project will be much appreciated.

You can make a Facebook page to witness to an unreached people group! How can you when you don’t speak their language? Call your page “Englishspeaking friends of Nepali” (or another ethnic group). State that you want to get acquainted with their culture and learn to speak a few words. Post some nice pictures of Nepal. Carry on conversations with your new friends online and share about Jesus. Become aware of good links in Nepali at MyLanguageMyLife.com and share them with your new friends.

Have questions? Give us a call today: 269-471-3026

ASAP Ministries is fueled by mission-minded, faith-filled individuals whom God impresses. Be assured that 100% of your gift goes directly to the projects you specify. However, in the blessed event that the project you chose is fully funded, ASAP will use your gift for a similar project or where most needed to help spread the gospel and ease suffering where ASAP operates. Because ASAP is a §501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your donations are tax-deductible, in the USA. ASI MEMBER ASAP Ministries has been a member of ASI (Adventist-layman’s Services and Industries) since 1996 and is grateful to be an ASI grant recipient.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR/DIRECTOR Julia O’Carey EDITOR/ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Scott Griswold COPY EDITOR Wayne Labins, John Simon DESIGN/LAYOUT Sarah Lee www.sarahlee.design PHOTOS Tim de la Torre, Josiah & Scott Griswold, AJ O’Carey BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair: Tom Evans, Judy Aitken, Christopher Carmen, Steve Chang, Dean Coridan, Chan and Esther Hwang, Julia O’Carey, Denzil McNeilus, Mary Ann McNeilus, Carmelo Mercado, Byron and Carol Reynolds, Saengthong Saengthip, Trudi Starlin

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TOLL FREE 1-866-365-3541 PHONE 269-471-3026 FAX 269-471-3034 EMAIL office@asapministries.org WEB www.asapministries.org

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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version® copyright ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ASAP serves people from the countries of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Beyond! *At times, photos are blurred and names changed to protect the safety of God's workers.

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