January/February, 2006
Cover: This Cambodian literacy student has discovered two of the most powerful tools for Christian growth; her Bible and prayer. (Photo by Frank Spangler)
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Adventist Southeast Asia Projects Editor’s Update Judy Aitken shares how she went from a nurse to director of Adventist Southeast Asia Projects. See how God reveals His power when we pray and follow His purpose for our lives.
Purpose, Prayer, Power For the Vietnamese Why is prayer especially needed for those living in the communist country of Vietnam?
The Ultimate Source Pastor Isah Young reveals his deepest passion and the keys to obtaining power for his ministry.
Purpose, Prayer, Power For the Khmer Pray for the Khmer people as you read why they are in need of a Savior.
Prayers of Healing In Cambodia Experience Mrs. Chanthy’s joy and awe as Jesus worked a miracle in her life.
Purpose, Prayer, Power For the Thai Read about the “Land of the Free” where Christians can worship openly. Discover specific ways to pray for these precious people.
Gifts in Praise and Memory ASAP welcomes donors to give in honor of those who are dear to them.
Purpose, Prayer, Power For the Laotians After learning about this communist country, join the ASAP staff in praying specifically for their needs.
Purpose, Prayer, Power For ASAP and North American Projects Did you know ASAP supports church planting projects among Southeast Asians in North America? Read to find out whom to pray for.
From Pests to Power Witness the amazing power of God evident in the life of Thai lay pastor, Suthee Kajonson, as he shares his personal testimony.
Editor Judy Aitken Assistant Editor Julia O’Carey Copy Editor Linda Bauer Design/Layout Son Praises/ Margie Mitchell Photographer Frank Spangler Adventist Southeast Asia Project's purpose is to support the preaching of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ through church planting and evangelism endeavors for Southeast Asian people throughout the world. As a privately funded, nonprofit organization we work as a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. As an unaffiliated, independent ministry, we are dependent upon God to move people to support this work. Please contact us: ASAP PO Box 84 Berrien Springs, MI 49103 Phone: 269-471-3026 Fax: 269-471-3034 Email: asap84@cs.com Web address: http://www.ASAPministries.org We would love to hear from you. (Tax-deductible contributions may be sent with the enclosed envelope.)
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
“While engaged in our daily work we should lift the soul to heaven in prayer. These silent petitions rise like incense before the throne of grace; and the enemy is baffled. The Christian whose heart is thus stayed upon God cannot be overcome. No evil darts can destroy his peace” (Gospel Workers, p. 254).
Prayer
Have you felt the Holy Spirit prompting you to pray for a stranger, a neighborhood, a city or a country? This happened to me one day in 1979 when my eyes caught a glimpse of a news magazine cover. On it I saw a starving Cambodian mother holding her emaciated child. The look of suffering on her face broke my heart. At that moment I received a strong impression to help these people! I prayed, “Lord, please bring physical and spiritual healing to the Cambodian people suffering in this appalling genocide.” Only a few weeks later, God miraculously threw the doors open for me to be a bigger part of the answer when I was asked to work for SAWS (Seventh-day Adventist World Service, now called ADRA) as a nurse in the Cambodian refugee camps on the border of Thailand. Twenty-six years later, although I have witnessed thousands of Cambodians come to know Christ, there are still millions who need to hear His life-saving message. We invite you to become an ASAP prayer warrior. Simply ask the Holy Spirit to impress you what country or countries you should adopt and then join in earnestly seeking salvation for the people in that country. In this issue you will learn more about these predominantly Buddhist countries and the projects ASAP supports so you can pray specifically for them.
Purpose At the time I accepted that temporary volunteer nursing assignment, I had no idea God’s purpose for my life involved working with SouthASAP
east Asians long term. As I reflect on this amazing journey, God’s purpose for me and for this organization is clear. We are to bring the message of salvation to these people. Whether they lived in a refugee camp, immigrated to the United States or returned to their homeland, the purpose remains the same, to bring them Jesus and the gift of salvation. Barnabas, “a good man full of the Holy Spirit” encouraged the believers “to continue with the Lord with purpose of heart” (Acts 11:23).
Power With a clear purpose and the Holy Spirit’s power unleashed through prayer, “a great many people were added to the Lord” in the early church (Acts 11:24) and in Southeast Asia. It has been exciting for all workers here in the ASAP office to see the results of the powerful working of the Holy Spirit as hundreds of thousands of precious people have accepted Jesus as their Savior and joined God’s remnant church. Read Isah Young’s report on page 6 to see evidence of the Holy Spirit’s power at work in one of the Vietnamese house churches. As we celebrate the ten-year anniversary of ASAP, we can truly say that the great work of God in Southeast Asia has just begun. There are millions more living in darkness who are crying out to know the true God. We invite you to join us in praying for God to use us to fulfill His purpose of saving every person who will listen and accept Him. ASAP 3
IETNAMESE ARE HARD WORKING AND FAMILY ORIENTED. THEY HAVE A FASCINATING
culture and live in a lovely tropical country. Unfortunately, they are currently the second highest persecuted people in the world when accepting Christianity. According to Johnstone and Mandryk in Operation World, constitutional guarantees of religious freedom are meaningless because the government is communist. Actual government policy is to control all religious groups. Persecution of Christians, especially our SDA house church members and leaders, along with other non-registered minority groups, continues to be harsh. Yet, the message of salvation is being spread on a large scale. Twelve years ago, when Vietnamese Pastor Isah Young began producing Peace and Happiness radio broadcasts into Vietnam, there were no SDA house churches and only a handful of registered SDA churches. Today the church is growing rapidly with over 300,000 Sabbath keeping listeners and a strong team of national pastors working under Pastor Young’s leadership in an underground movement. God is blessing in a mighty way. ASAP donors support 250 pastors who serve throughout Vietnam. This year, the national pastors report that there is a tremendous increase in requests for Bibles and evangelistic materials. The demand for Bible studies and requests for baptisms have become much more than they can keep up with.
Population: Below Poverty Line: Religions: SDA Members: SDA House Church Members: Sabbath Keepers: 4
83,305,000 50% of the Population Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim Less than 500 More than 23,600 baptized Over 370,000 Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
PLEASE Lift up Vietnam PRAY for Pastor Isah Young and his wife, along with his assistants, as they produce the SDA Peace and Happiness radio broadcasts and direct the house church movement. Praise the Lord that the radio signals remain clear and this ministry continues to be an effective means of outreach.
PRAY for courage and protection of national pastors and believers who are suffering persecution for their faith in God. Pray for funding to support the 250 district pastors and their training, transportation, house church repairs, and for God to help ASAP meet the extreme demand for Bibles and evangelistic materials.
Photo by Frank Spangler
PRAY that those in central Vietnam, who recently went through a heavy hurricane season, will have adequate food for their families.
PRAY for God to open a way for pastors to reach over 300,000 Sabbath keeping listeners in a closed area of the country. The security condition makes it unsuitable for mass baptisms everywhere in Vietnam. Pastors have to take baptismal candidates to a secluded area and baptize in small groups between 1:00-5:00 in the morning because it is so dangerous. PRAY that government leaders will allow religious freedom in their country and rule fairly. Pray that the local government will treat Sabbath keeping Christians with fairness in many provinces. The Sabbath keeping Christians receive more severe persecution than other Christians. Praise the Lord for answered prayer regarding government leaders in several provinces of Vietnam who stopped persecuting the SDA believers and started listening to Pastor Isah Young’s DVD sermons. It is a miraculous answer to prayer that officials in this area are not forcing the Adventist pastors and members to register their house churches. PRAY for parents to have enough food to feed their children since over 50% of the people live below the poverty line. PRAY for the 100,000 infected AIDS victims. Pray that the Vietnamese pastors will be able to reach these people with the love of Jesus. ASAP
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by Pastor Isah Young
P
RAYER IS POWERFUL! TO ME, IT IS ASKING
God to fill my heart and soul with His presence and grace. When He does, it is like a fresh, cold stream of water rushing into every cell of my body and springing out creating a positive and refreshing affect on everyone around me. Prayer is not an item on my agenda that is checked off when completed; it is a constant connection to the ultimate source of power–God and the Holy
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Spirit. Each morning as I pray, my request is that the presence of the Lord will penetrate my life and that Christ will be exemplified in all that I do. God’s power is unleashed in my life each time I pour my heart out in prayer and listen for His message. After my intimate encounter with God, I know I am ready to tackle the day’s work with the joy and confidence of knowing I am doing His will.
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
I love sharing my passion for prayer with the radio listeners and the Vietnamese pastors. As I encourage the district pastors in Vietnam and the assistants that work with me to saturate their lives and activities with prayer, I see strong evidence of God’s power at work in the many answered prayers. For example, Van Hung, our district pastor in a highly policed area of Vietnam, shared with how God gave house church members power to deal with the police. On Christmas day, a group of heavily armed police officers stormed into the worship place midway through the special church service. The church members, inspired by the Holy Spirit, continued the celebration, singing and performing the story of Jesus’ birth as planned. Amazingly, the police waited until the end of the program to arrest twenty-two of the members. Because of prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit, our members not only took full responsibility for the program, but also consistently and boldly shared their belief in God with the police, despite being beaten and interrogated on two separate occasions. Van Hung says, “I thought that some of our new members would break down during the investigation or avoid coming to church after this happened, but they stood firm and became more committed to the Lord!” Although the police and members of other Christian denominations are persecuting many of our pastors and house church mem-
“I see strong evidences of God’s power at work…”
Opposite page: Pastor Isah Young, director of Peace and Happiness radio broadcast and leader of the house church movement, kneels in prayer with one of the Vietnamese pastors and Judy Aitken, director of ASAP. ASAP
Pastor Isah Young
bers, the redeeming message of salvation is traveling faster than I ever imagined. The pastors and I share a collective vision of reaching all eighty-four million people in Vietnam with God’s love. We daily pray and claim Jesus’ promise from Acts 1:8: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We are experiencing the great joy that comes from praying with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength. As a result, the Lord is enabling us to accomplish His work on earth faster, so we can go home sooner. Each prayer from you, our ASAP family of donors, unleashes God’s power in the lives of those involved in this ministry. Each dollar you place in the envelope enables these spiritual pastors to fulfill their God-given purpose. Thank you for sharing our vision to bring all our Vietnamese friends to Christ. Thank you for celebrating with us when we see God’s power at work in a mighty way! ASAP 7
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AMBODIA IS AMONG THE POOREST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD. THE PEOPLE HAVE SUF-
fered some of the worst atrocities in human history. In an attempt to alleviate the pain caused by poverty, hunger and disease, ASAP sponsored national workers compassionately reach out to many Cambodians. They fervently share the gospel’s hope to whoever will listen. The Lord greatly blessed the evangelistic endeavors last year, resulting in the baptism of 2,100 people and many new churches planted. ASAP’s purpose this year is to support the Cambodia Adventist Mission in their efforts to increase the number of national church planters and lay Bible workers as they spread the gospel to a larger number of people in Phnom Penh, the capital city, and several other surrounding districts. ASAP has been asked to continue supporting literacy schools, provide evangelism materials, church buildings and humanitarian needs such as food. Your prayers and support nurture this work through God’s power. Thank you for your support in reaching out to Cambodia!
Population: 13,607,069 Below Poverty Line: 40% of the Population Religion: Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5% SDA Members: 5,648
Photo by Frank Spangler
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Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
PLEASE
Lift up Cambodia PRAY that the Holy Spirit’s power be poured out on the Cambodia Adventist Mission leaders along with the national workers, many of whom are supported by ASAP donors. PRAY for the many new church members that received baptism following the evangelistic meetings this year (2005) and all current members. PRAY for the members and their neighbors affected by the terrible flooding which destroyed over 70% of the rice crops. PRAY for funds needed to support ASAP’s current and new projects for 2006 which includes funding for 40 church planters, 60 lay Bible workers, literacy teachers, Bibles, Bible lessons, hymn books, transportation, bamboo and thatch church buildings and humanitarian needs.
PRAY for parents to have enough food to feed their little ones in this poverty stricken country. PRAY for education regarding health safety and prevention of the Bird Flu. Pray for those infected with HIV. Due to the large sex industry, there are 100 new HIV cases a day.
PRAY for Prime Minister Hun Sen as he leads the country amid all the government corruption and dishonesty. Pray that he will treat his people with fairness and promulgate religious freedom, especially in the unreached areas.
PRAY for the many children who labor in jobs such as recycling garbage and working in sweat shops instead of going to school. They sacrifice to help make a living for their families.
ASAP
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Testimony of Mrs. Chanty, written by Pastor Soum Sovanny
I
WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A BEAUTIFUL TESTIMONY
that happened one year ago to Mrs. Chanthy. She was born in 1960 and has four children (two sons and two daughters). Her husband is a boat worker who carries things up and down the river. They live in Orisey village, Kratie province in Cambodia. Mrs. Chanthy had a big problem. After she gave birth to her youngest child, she could not move anywhere, could not walk, stand up, bend her body or do anything. She shut down and only slept on the bed. She wasn’t able to nurse her baby so the family had to spend money for formula. Her husband tried to find doctors to help and he purchased medicine, but her condition did not improve. It became more and more difficult. Her family became more and more poor. Mrs. Chanthy seemed to loose all hope and waited for her death time. One day I had heard somebody talking about this woman. The next day I went to visit her at her home. I asked about her condition. She talked with tears dropping from her eyes. After I listened to her, I told her about the true God and His power. I said that God could treat all sicknesses. I gave the important examples when God healed a Jewish officer’s daughter who had just died and also the example of the woman who had suffered from severe bleeding for twelve years (Matt 9:18-22). I told her that if she believed in God, He could heal her. If you believe in Him, then your faith has made you well.
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Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
Mrs. Chanthy listened carefully. She liked When the elders and I visited her again, to hear that God loves us so much that He we asked her, “How is your condition? How has created us. She listened to me tell her do you feel?” She said, “I am better, now. I how God made us in His image, according can move, I can stand up and hold on to someto His likeness. She listened to the story of thing. I feel stronger and happy in my life. It how God came to the earth and died on the is like I can start living again. It is like Jesus cross to save our sins. She lisgave me reason to live and I feel tened about how God has known my body stronger.” us so clearly from before we We encouraged her and inwere born. I told her that God vited her to pray with us all tohas the power to heal if she begether. After that day, she kept lieves in Him. gaining strength and was better. Mrs. Chanthy said, “I have Soon she could stand and do evnever known and heard of this erything she needed to do to care Jesus. Is he an American or for her family. Today she is very French person’s God? I am a well and strong and has much joy. Cambodian. Can I believe Him?” When Mrs. Chanthy was bapI was so happy to answer, “Yes, tized, she said, “I have decided yes!” Mrs. Chanthy seemed surto follow the Lord God who is prised. She asked me to pray for Jesus Christ. I’ll follow Him my Mark 16:17,18 her condition that God would whole life. I pray to God for my help her improve. After we whole family, too. Today, I am livprayed, I looked at Mrs. Chanthy and saw ing a happy life. I deeply love Jesus. And I something different about her. “What hap- pray for all sick people in hospitals or at pened?” I asked. She said, “When I closed home. May they believe in Jesus, also, bemy eyes during prayer. I seemed to see a man cause He can heal and give eternal life. I know who was wearing the white clothes. He must He did this for me.” ASAP be this Jesus you talk of. He was standing in front of my face and passed his hand to me to help me stand up. He spoke to me like he About the Author Soum Sovanny and his wife Doung did to that girl in your story. He said, “Please Sovanlida have been sponsored by ASAP stand up and walk.” donors to plant churches in Kratie Province Mrs. Chanthy told me this with tears dropfor the past four years. The Lord has blessed ping from her eyes. I encouraged her. And I him to not only plant ten congregations but taught her to pray by her own self. I told her, also to pastor and nurture these people to be“You pray to God in the morning, in the afcome strong believers in God. Under his leadternoon and in the evening. You pray three ership, thirty of his members have moved out or four times in a day as much as you feel to plant churches in you need to.” I encouraged her to pray to other provinces. He God by her own self. has many students studying in his Bible classes, preparing for baptism. Please pray for him and the rest of Opposite page: Mrs. Chanthy stands with the Cambodian church Pastor Soum Sovanny, both with thankful planters. hearts for God’s healing power.
“And these signs will follow those who believe. They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.”
ASAP
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HAILAND MEANS LAND OF THE FREE AND HAS SUCCESSFULLY RETAINED
its political freedom when surrounding countries were colonized by Western powers. For many Thai, their nationality and religion are inextricably linked. The land is in bondage to a complex web of culture, spirit appeasement, occult practices and Buddhism, with a social cohesiveness out of which few have dared to deviate from. The friendly Thai people have much more economic comfort and education then their neighboring Southeast Asian countries, yet poor rural and tribal groups exist throughout the country. In the last three years, the Lord opened doors for ASAP to work in the northeast of Thailand. The lay pastors ASAP supports are making a big difference for Christ. Yet there are millions of Thai people who still need to hear God’s message of Salvation.
Population: 65,002,000 Below Poverty Line: 10% of the Population Religions: Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christians 0.7% SDA Members: 10,190 12
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
PLEASE Lift up Thailand PRAY for God’s blessings on the ten ASAP supported lay preachers and their churches in northeast Thailand.
PRAY for Pastor Khamsay Phetchareun’s evangelism program for Mission College students.
PRAY for the leaders and pastors of the Thailand Adventist Mission.
PRAY that God will open doors for ASAP to establish new evangelism projects to reach the Thai people for Christ.
PRAY for Pastor Phamor as he trains many tribal people and teaches health evangelism to Thailand Adventist Mission pastors.
PRAY for all the efforts of missionaries in reaching Buddhists for Christ, particularly Scott and Julie Griswold and their family who operate the Seventh-day Adventist Buddhist Study Center in Thailand.
PRAY that God will lead Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to treat his people with fairness and continue allowing religious freedom amid government corruption and dishonesty.
PRAY for spiritual and physical healing for the oppressed. Due to the booming sex trade, the AIDS population continues to increase, with estimations of over 2,000,000 infected. More than 20% of girls between the ages of 11 and 17 are kidnapped and sold into prostitution.
PRAY for the Thai children. More than five million of them are involved in child labor and over 35,000 are street children. Pray they will learn of a loving Savior who gives hope of a brighter future and secure home. ASAP
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AOS IS A COMMUNIST COUNTRY, CURRENTLY RANKED AS
the third highest for persecution of Christians in the world. Since the 1990s, the government has become intent on the complete elimination of any Christian presence in the country. There are restrictions on public evangelism, building of churches and links with foreign organizations. During the past three years, the Lord blessed the house church movement in the Vientiane district through the leadership of Pastor Houmphanh Kongsengphengphet. Currently there are eight growing congregations with 179 members worshipping on Sabbath. Exciting reports have come to ASAP from southern Laos. Because of answers to prayer, the provincial government gave permission for ASAP sponsored Adventist pastors to work in this area under the leadership of Pastor Khamsay Phetchareun, professor of religion at Mission College. In this area, ten growing congregations meet. There are 150 baptized members and 537 who attend church regularly. They are in the process of building a church. The 2006 ASAP goal for Laos is to respond to the need of support for five pastors and thirty lay Bible workers. There is anticipation for God to open opportunities for new projects in this highly unreached area of the world.
Population: 6,217,141 Below Poverty Line: 40% of the Population Religion: Buddhist 60%, Christian 1.5%, Animist SDA Members: 677 14
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
PLEASE Lift up Laos PRAY for the national leaders and pastors of the Lao Adventist Mission. Pray that their work will honor the Lord by reaping much fruit for Christ’s Kingdom.
PRAY for the SDA workers in Laos, that God will give them courage and strength in a communist country where darkness and the worship of spirits is prevalent. Pray for revival and unity among all the SDA groups and for the planting of new congregations.
PRAY that God sends more national workers to plant new churches and reach out to their people in many more areas of Laos.
PRAY for political leaders and the continued lifting of restrictions on religious freedom.
PRAY for the specific tribal groups that are Buddhist and unreached—Khuen, Lu, Myen, Phuan, Samtao, You, Tai He, Tai Kaleun, Tai Pao, Tai Yuan, and Viet.
PRAY for the need of support for five pastors and thirty lay Bible workers in central and southern Laos and also in Lao villages in Cambodia. Pray also for the need for Lao Bibles, Bible lessons, songbooks and transportation.
PRAY for the poor who make up about 40% of the total population of the country. Support is needed to help desperately poor people have clean drinking water from wells and sewing machines to assist them in making a living. ASAP
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“While we are to labor earnestly for the salvation of the lost, we must also take time for meditation, for prayer, and for the study of the Word of God. Only the work accomplished with much prayer, and sanctified by the merit of Christ, will in the end prove to have been efficient for good” (The Desire of Ages, p. 362).
T
HE ASAP STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS PRAISE THE
LORD
FOR THIS
organization’s growth in the past ten years. ASAP supports many projects that all lead toward one purpose—to share Jesus’ gift of eternal life with Southeast Asians. As Judy Aitken, the director, and national workers travel and minister in dangerous territory, God’s protection has continually been with them. The natural disasters occurring in this world during the last twelve months are strong evidences that earth’s end is near. ASAP is increasing its staff and preparing for even more growth as God’s coming fast approaches. Ministry opportunities are increasing in North America and Southeast Asia at an astounding rate. Through the kind support of the ASAP donor family, this organization is able to accomplish the work according to God’s plan. Right: ASAP board members, Drs. Ralph and Beatrice Neall and Dr. William and Yvonne Dysinger, pray together. 16
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
PLEASE
Lift up ASAP Staff & Projects in North America PRAY for continued wisdom, efficiency, good communication and unity of all ASAP staff, board members and volunteers. Pray that each person will follow God’s will in every matter of this ministry.
PRAY for God’s special blessings on all those associated with ASAP. Praise the Lord for the dedicated service Linda Bauer and Ken Straw gave to ASAP. They will be missed. Praise the Lord for recently sending Julia O’Carey, Shari Pottinger and Karen Wade to work with ASAP. Praise God for all the generous members of ASAP’s donor family.
PRAY for Vietnamese church planting projects in Seattle, Washington and Orlando, Florida. PRAY for Pastor Ko and Terri Saelee and their family as they begin to plant Hmong churches in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
PRAY for Laotian church planting projects in Holland, Michigan; San Diego, Sacramento; and San Jose, California.
PRAY
for Cambodian church planting projects in Loma Linda and Stockton, California; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Tacoma, Washington.
PRAY
for the Cambodian radio ministry production by Pastors Sereivudh Ly and Sophat Sorn. Pray for adequate funding of this ministry.
PRAY for support needed for all the pastors and lay pastors in North America who receive stipends from ASAP that enables them to have more time to evangelize their people. Pray for funds needed for evangelism materials.
We extend our sincere condolences and prayers to our family and friends who lost their loved ones. We also celebrate God’s miracles in the lives of our ASAP family. We send our best wishes to… —Jo Ann Davis for her gift given in thanksgiving to God for the ministry of Pastor Reinhold Tilstra and his wife, Connie, in the Arcata Church, California. —Marilyn Justesen for her gift in celebration of Joe and Diane Justesen’s marriage. —Robert Doerffel, Lottie Ziprick and Edna Samarza for their gift given in loving memory of Boyd and Elizabeth Olson, Judy Aitken’s father and mother. —Steve and Lori Nelson for their gift given in memory of Don and Loretta Plamondon. —Drs. Bud and Lois Ritter for their gift given in loving memory of Bud’s sister, Joyce Ritchie, who passed away in June, 2005. We rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn, as we await the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. ASAP
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by Lay Pastor Suthee Kajonson Laharnsai, Burirum Province, Thailand
B EFORE
I BECAME A CHRISTIAN I WAS A
Buddhist monk for many years. I became very good at teaching people how to be good Buddhists. When I was forty years old, living in northern Thailand, I started to secretly question what I was teaching. This doubt was awakened in me by the constant talk of my blind friend about the true God who created heaven and earth. One day, I opened the Thai Bible he gave me and my eyes fell on the story of Jesus Christ dying to save sinners. This teaching touched my heart like no other story ever has. It amazed me how someone would suffer in order to offer me salvation as a free gift. Unlike Buddhist teachings that say each 18
person has to suffer and receive salvation through self-denial, Jesus’ story touched me like no other story had. I started believing in God from this point on. During the next nineteen years, I hopped from one church to another, searching for the true church and my purpose in life. I grew tired of my search, so I prayed and fasted, asking God for direction. God impressed my wife and me to sell our house and move our family to the province of Buriram where we bought six acres of land. I planted many fruit trees and rose bushes. God blessed and we had a bountiful harvest of fruit. Even though this seemed like my dream retirement, I did not feel like I was living out God’s purpose for my life, nor did I have a church family to worship with.
FINDING PURPOSE About four years ago at a friend’s wedding, Pastor Supachai sat at the same table with my family. He invited me to his home to study some exciting new truths with him. When I went to his house I was unaware that he had recently become a Seventh-day Adventist. He led me through many texts in the Bible, showing that the Ten Commandments Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
had not been done away with and are still important today, including the fourth commandment about keeping the seventh day holy. I felt sorry that I had been worshipping on the wrong day for many years. When I started following God’s truth I felt a peace, a sense of purpose and a desire to share this truth with others. I shared the Sabbath message with my wife and four adult children who embraced the truth with me. After that we gave tithe and offerings to God. I donate a lot of my money and fruit to help the poor in my village and I thank God for this opportunity to witness for Him.
God has done for us. When they taste the delicious fruit, I tell them about my close friend Jesus and how powerful He is. I also visit with those who are sick and having problems in their lives. It gives me great joy to give Bible studies to people, because I finally feel like I am living the life God planned for me. Now there are about thirty-five people who worship God in my small house every Sabbath day. Everyone knows that I was, at one time, a Buddhist monk. They like to discuss the differences between Christianity and Buddhism with me. It is my delight to give other people the joy and peace that can only be found by living a life in Jesus. ASAP
“It amazed me how someone would suffer in order to offer me salvation as a free gift.”
POWERFUL ANSWERS TO PRAYER Last year the insects began eating and destroying my fruit trees. I prayed earnestly, asking God to bless my trees so they would produce. Fifteen days later God answered my prayers. The insects completely left the fruit trees and they began to produce a lot of fruit again. Everyone knew about the insect problem and thought I had no hope to save the trees. Now all of my family and friends like to go out to see the trees to witness what
Opposite page: Pastor Suthee Kajonson on his property in Thailand shows pest free fruit as evidence of answered prayer. Right: Pastor Suthee Kajonson, doing what he loves best, preaching the Word of God to one of his church groups.
ASAP
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P.O. Box 84, Berrien Springs, 49103
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Join ASAP sponsored national workers of Southeast Asia in praying for the people in their countries. Check out how God’s power is being manifested and see how YOU can get involved.
Photo by Frank Spangler
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