May/June, 2006
Cover: Daniel Chotal Santay, filled with the Holy Spirit, preaches to hundreds of Cambodian children about his Father in heaven.
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Director’s Update
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Young Flames Burn Brightly in Vietnam; Youth Evangelists Risk All For Christ
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
Judy Aitken highlights young flames burning brightly; youth who are filled with the Holy Spirit and spreading God’s love like wildfire.
Pastor Isah Young reports on the exciting progress made in reaching the youth in Vietnam and lets you in on a new project.
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Interview with a Young Vietnamese Pastor
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Young Flames Burn Brightly in Cambodia; Eager to See Both Fathers in Heaven
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Judy Aitken talks with Huynh Van Hanh about how it is possible to share his burning passion for Christ in Vietnam today.
Young Flames Burn Brightly in North America Martin Kim, the pastor of the Seattle Central Korean New Life group, shares an amazing story of faith and generosity.
Fascinating ASAP Facts to Share with Friends Do you want to share this exciting ministry with your friends and family but don’t know where to start? These ASAP facts are sure to inform and inspire! Also, hear what some of our young members of the ASAP family have to say about giving.
Ten year old Daniel Chotal Santay shares his heart warming story.
Tools for Survival Tim Scott writes an informative report, giving details on the literacy school program ASAP donors help support.
The Blessed One Find out what keeps twenty-four year old Bovireak Both going as he teaches in a literacy school in Cambodia.
A Container Full of Joy—Update Do you remember hearing about this project or participating in it yourself last year? Read to find out the rest of the story.
Fanning the Flames Are you passionate about bringing the message of salvation to Southeast Asians but do not know what to do? Start by reading this summary.
Director/Editor Judy Aitken Assistant Editor Julia O’Carey Copy Editors Jolene Roosenberg Linda Bauer Shari Pottinger Hayli Davis Design/Layout Son Praises/ Margie Mitchell 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: office@asapministries.org 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
“Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire and one sat upon each of them… and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:1).
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HE EVIDENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT on the disciples was not only seen on the adults but also on the young. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your young men shall see visions.” Acts 2:17 NIV. There are times during my personal devotions when I light a candle. As I spend quiet moments with God, the flame often reminds me of the reality of the Holy Spirit’s presence with me. Every day that I serve the Lord in this ministry I can see clear evidence of how this special gift of the Holy Spirit that came on those in the early church is igniting the lives of people throughout Southeast Asia today. In the following pages you will be introduced to children and youth across our globe who are on fire for Christ. Be it the church group in Seattle, who pray faith-filled prayers and give generously to the monthly offerings for ASAP projects (page 8), or the youth in Vietnam who fan the flames of evangelism despite risks of imprisonment and torture. These flames of the Holy Spirit are often evi-
ASAP
denced unexpectedly, such as through the witness of ten year old Daniel who passionately preaches to his peers (page 14). Although this issue focuses on the youth, ASAP national workers are immensely diverse in age, which range from the college age youth to church pastors, who are in their seventies. Both male and female, they vary in talents and abilities. But the one thing they all have in common is their burning desire to be a light for Christ. It is a humble honor to be privy to the remarkable ways God is working in these lives. And it is a joy to share these anecdotes with you. As partners with ASAP, your support ensures that the flame continues to burn bright for all those who seek to know the Lord. If you feel impressed to slip something into the enclosed envelope, please do so with a prayer that your gift may be a spark that erupts into a roaring fire for Jesus. It is my prayer that the words to that old, familiar camp-fire song will serve as a reminder of the impact you have in reaching others for Christ: it only takes a spark to get a fire going . . . that’s how it is with God’s love. ASAP 3
Youth Evangelists Risk All For Christ by Pastor Isah Young*
College students conducting a small group Bible study near their university.
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HE PASTORS AND B IBLE WORKERS whom ASAP supports in Vietnam are driven to win people to Christ. With every ounce of energy inside them, they share Jesus with others. Last year when I met with the pastors to strategize on how we could be even more effective for Christ in Vietnam, we realized that some of the most courageous work was being done by Vietnamese Seventh-day Adventist youth. We formed a plan to further develop the work by young people and for young people (especially high school and college age).The Lord has blessed this effort. The district underground house church leaders selected the best of our youth, those who love the Lord and are willing to serve Him despite the high risks involved. We then planned to sponsor these youth in their col-
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lege or university studies. While going to school, rather than focusing on earning their tuition, these young people put their energy into witnessing to their peer group. They invite classmates to join Bible study groups and conduct prayer groups across campuses. As a result, we have met many young people yearning to fill the void in their lives. They are searching for spiritual answers. We now have several large congregations of university students throughout Vietnam and many small groups meeting. These young people are on fire for the Lord. They are not only busy with school, but spend time actively sharing the truth and reaching out to the surrounding community. They have begun regular Bible studies for witnessing purposes within the community. They participate in distributing literature, showing DVD sermons in meetings and Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
Sponsor a Youth Evangelist By giving $35 a month, or $420 per year you enable a college student to work as an evangelist while taking classes! This amount supports their schooling and evangelism projects.
Youth evangelists (as the one pictured here) conduct secret meetings in the jungle to avoid the police.
ASAP
holding secret church services as well. I have been thrilled to receive e-mails from university students all across Vietnam, asking questions to Bible truths they encounter during their studies. It is a blessing and always a joy when I receive these questions. I sense their sincerity and deep hunger for spiritual truth. These young people are willing to sacrifice their future to be youth evangelists for Christ. If the authorities discover they are Christians and know what they are doing they could be kicked out of the university, or not allowed to take the final exam needed to graduate. To be labeled a Christian in Vietnam is to receive a black mark on your government record making it unlikely that the government would employ you (they are the primary means of employment in Vietnam). The youth are well aware of these risks, yet conduct Bible study groups for other university students and assist with house church activities with no reservation. The work in Vietnam continues to grow under the leadership and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. News reports arrive daily from our leaders and members, telling of many Peace and Happiness radio broadcast listeners that contact them to learn more about the Seventhday Adventist Church in order that they may join. I give all the glory and praise to God for His wonderful work and guidance. If the Lord touches you, these dedicated youth need your financial support. Our goal is to form five additional teams of youth evangelists. They will be trained periodically and sent out to the communities to plant churches. The plan is to prepare a total of seventy-five students over the next four years to witness in this capacity. They will be the driving force for evangelism among the youth in Vietnam, and by working under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they could be the future core leaders of the house church movement in Vietnam. ASAP *Name changed for security reasons. 5
Interview With a Young Vietnamese Pastor Judy Aitken talks with Huynh Van Hanh*
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OR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, ASAP HAS REPORTED ON THE OUTSTANDING INCREASE
of Seventh-day Adventist believers in Vietnam. This is largely due to the SDA radio program, Peace and Happiness whose listening audience continues to rise sharply. This program brings the message of salvation into the private homes of listeners. As a result, thousands have come to know God. From its onset, ASAP has played a critical role in evangelism via this radio ministry, primarily through the support of Vietnamese pastors and workers. These courageous men and women of God work tirelessly to encourage and strengthen the large network of Adventist underground believers. They range in age from eighteen to sixty-five. Just as many of the Waldenses were mere youth, so, too, are many of the Vietnamese pastors who risk their lives for God. Huynh Van Hanh is no exception. At only twenty-three years old, he stands strong and tall for the Lord. Judy: How did you become an Adventist? Huynh: I was born into a devout Buddhist family. Five years ago my Christian cousin visited my home. He talked about a man named Jesus Christ. He showed me from a big book how Jesus sacrificed His life for my sins. I was interested and believed a little. My cousin suggested that I listen to the Peace and Happiness radio broadcast, which I did at six o’clock every morning and also in the evening. As I listened to the words of Pastor Isah Young I fell in love with God. I wanted to know more from this book of Jesus. I received a Bible and loved reading every word. I decided to become a Christian because in my old Buddhist beliefs there was no satisfaction or hope of salvation. 6
Judy: You were only eighteen years old and still living with your family. What did they say? Huynh: After I had a strong belief in Jesus Christ, I shared the story of salvation with my whole family. I thank the Lord that my father, mother, two sisters and three brothers also turned from Buddhism and followed Jesus Christ. Judy: You recently were asked to go to a province of Vietnam far from home, to work as a missionary volunteer. We understand that you have been very successful in reaching the youth, locating radio listeners and providing them with materials. What has this experience been like? Huynh: There is a lot of persecution. The Vietnamese constitution guarantees freedom Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
of religion, but this is not actually true. Local government officials try to restrict and even destroy Christianity; they force Bible workers and pastors to leave many villages and towns where they are working. Recently, one of our team pastors was arrested by the police and thrown into prison. He was tortured severely and beaten without mercy. He remains in prison. We ask for your prayers for him. Judy: How is it possible to be effective in evangelism considering these restrictions and fears? Huynh: We are only more determined to witness with every challenge put before us. God is with us in every step and gives us wisdom to work smart. Our team of four workers has to keep everything secret as we train and teach others. Right now we work with the ethnic people from the highlands. Since I know the local dialect and am close to the age of many of the youth I am responsible to teach the youth group. Sometimes we walk at night many kilometers to a secluded place in the mountains where we worship God without harassment from the police. It is then that I play my guitar and we sing songs of praise to God. The songs are ones that I have composed with Bible themes.
My favorite song is about the Sabbath. Huynh: I do evangelism in the villages by studying the Bible with small groups of youth, so as not to be detected by the police. It is exciting to teach the youth because they have much energy and strong belief. When they are ready, they go two by two and teach other youth in small groups. We have many of these teams working with us in our efforts for God. In this way the gospel is spreading very fast. There are now more than 10,000 people who worship on the Sabbath in house churches in this area. Judy: What are your most pressing needs? Huynh: We do not have enough Vietnamese Bibles for the many house church members in my district. We need short-wave radios so that our members can listen to the Peace and Happiness radio broadcast. We also need DVD players to spread the message of salvation through tapes of “New Beginnings,” (ASI evangelistic sermons) and Pastor Isah Young’s sermons. This would especially be effective with the youth who I work with. *Name changed for security reasons.
ASAP
Please pray for the courageous Vietnamese men and women pastors and consider sponsoring one by sending $50.00 today!
Huynh Van Hanh sits down to enjoy one of his favorite past-times; composing Bible songs. ASAP
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Moving Forward in Faith by Martin Kim, pastor of the Seattle Central New Life Church (English ministry at the Seattle Central Korean SDA Church), Washington
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S EATTLE Central New Life Church is to fulfill the Great Commission. To me and the church members, this means reaching out to not only people in our work places and our PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE
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community but touching those in need of a Savior around the world. On the first and third Sabbath of each month the Seattle Central New Life church group, which con-
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
sists mostly of youth and young adults, collects an offering for the church budget to support the local church activities. In December we decided to begin giving all the loose offering we collected on the third Sabbath to ASAP. After our second collection in January, I listened to a message on tape by David Gates, a missionary pilot. He said, (in paraphrase) “We will never have enough money to finish the work. How much will be enough? A million? Ten million? A hundred million? We need to go forward in faith and do the work that God has called us to do and believe that our God of infinite resources will provide.” After hearing that message I was inspired and prayed, “Lord, I want to step forward in faith. I want to see you do the kinds of things David Gates is talking about.” I prayed, “Lord, what do you want us to do?” I thought about our special offering for ASAP. I wanted to challenge our church to pray for a $500 offering, but then thought that did not require much faith at all. Then I thought about a $700 dollar offering. But quickly realized that amount didn’t require much faith either. It struck me, though, that it would definitely require a LOT of faith to ask for a $1,000 offering. Our last offering collected in January had gone to provide rice for the people of Vietnam, so our group de-
cided to provide Bibles for the Vietnamese in February. I put this challenge to our members, asking them to pray for an offering of $1,000 so we could provide two hundred Bibles to the people of Vietnam. Every Sabbath and through the weekly church announcements via e-mail our members were reminded to pray for this special gift. I reminded them that when we pray, God moves and does that which only He can do. I encouraged my members to pray for this offering more than encouraging them to give, telling them that “God will do mighty things here if we would move forward in faith.” We prayed for a whole month. God blessed us with an offering of $4,382. It was amazing! We had one visitor who came to our church one week before the offering was collected. He heard that we were praying for a $1000 offering. He left a check for $1,500. On the Sabbath that the offering was being collected, we had another visitor from California. He gave us a check for $500. And the rest of our members also gave generously. Well, what do you do after you witness the power of prayer and you see God move in a mighty way? To pray for the same amount would show no faith. We decided to round up the last amount we received and pray that God would bless us with a $4,500 offering in March. This was certainly a test in faith! (Continued on next page)
“We need to go forward in faith and do the work that God has called us to do and believe that our God of infinite resources will provide.”
ASAP
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We prayed we would be able to support the building of eight churches in Cambodia ($550 for a church). God blessed us with an offering of $6,684. Once again we witnessed God’s power and grace! Many of our members who gave generously in February gave twice as much. On top of that, it so happened that on this same Sabbath, the leaders of New Life went to the Korean speaking Sabbath School program where one of our leaders shared about our special monthly mission offering. At the end of her talk she made an appeal inviting people to join us in giving towards this special offering. One member gave $2,000. The total given to us by the members of the Korean Church was $2,740. This is nothing less than “the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Mk 12:11). A week and a half prior to this Sabbath when we were preparing for the Sabbath School program, one of my leaders shared with me that she did not think it was a coincidence that this Sabbath School program at the Korean church fell on the same day as our special offering for ASAP. We prayed that our April offering would exceed $7,000. We praise the Lord that $8,470 came in to support the pastors in Vietnam. As we have continued to witness God’s faithfulness and goodness, and as we think about the vast needs in Southeast Asia, we decided it was time to “launch out into the deep” (Luke
5:4). We will be praying for $15,000 to support the Cambodian and Vietnamese radio ministries and to provide radios. As we continue monthly with this special offering, it is my desire, as the pastor of New Life, that our members experience God. We need to experience Him personally in our own lives and together as a church body. We need to go beyond just hearing about Him. I want our members to know that the God who parted the Red Sea, the God who multiplied the loaves and fishes, the God who is active in the foreign mission fields today, desires to be active in our lives and in our churches today. ASAP
“God’s people are not to cease their labors until they shall encircle the world,” Testimonies 6:23.
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About the Author Pastor Martin Kim has been ministering to the Seattle Central New Life Church in Washington since 2004. He grew up in the church spending most of his life in Sacramento, California. God radically redirected his plans from dental school to ministry after he spent a year in Korea. His wife, Liana Kim, was born in Korea and became an Adventist during her fourth year of college as she was introduced to Christ through the missionaries at the Seoul S.D.A. Language Institute. They were married in 2000. Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
ASAP
Photo by Frank Spangler
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. . . of this country are joining the ASAP family in response to their burning desire to share Jesus with those around the world.
Monica Kim, Member of Seattle Central New Life Church in Washington “Ever since our church decided to give to ASAP, I have thought twice about how I spend the money I have been entrusted with. The other day I got a haircut that cost $25. That equals five Bibles and possibly five souls added to the kingdom of heaven!”
Alisha Lynn and Kara Joy Seaman, Twins in North Carolina “All people need to hear the news, Of God and Jesus His Son, And we should help in some way, Until the work is done.” —Poem by Alisha Seaman
“I like giving to ASAP because it makes me feel very good inside when I know I am helping others!” Kara Seaman Alisha and Kara Seaman
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Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
Photo by Frank Spangler
How has your life been impacted by being a member of the ASAP family? We love to hear from you!
Abigail and Addison Kelly, Sister and Brother in Michigan Abigail and Addison Kelly pooled together $150 of their savings and gave it to ASAP to support the digging of a well. Their gift will provide clean water to a poor village in Cambodia. “I pray for the people in Cambodia every day!� says Abigail. ASAP
Addison and Abigail Kelly
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Eager to See Both Fathers in Heaven by Daniel Chotal Santay, age 10
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ELLO! MY NAME IS DANIEL. I WILL BE
years old on June 13, 2006. Ever since I can remember, I loved Jesus. This is because my father was a church leader. He was a wonderful preacher for God. When I was very young, I told my dad I wanted to be like him and preach someday. He told me, “You can start now.” I was seven years old. He told me to preach to my little friends at the same time he is preaching to adult people. So I began to copy my dad and tell all the children about God. I felt the power of the Lord our God with me. He sends the Holy Spirit to work in my heart and helps me to share with other children. I like to preach to other people because I love God. Since that day when I first started to preach for God, I did not stop. I traveled with my dad every place and taught the children my age, younger, and even older. One day, two years ago, my father stopped traveling and preaching. He also resigned from his work as a government officer in Koh Kong province. This was because he had cancer in his throat. He died on July 3, 2004. I still remember my father telling my brothers and sisters and me, to keep God close to our hearts and share God’s love with everyone we meet. Then my father promised us that we will all meet him and live together in 14
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heaven when Jesus comes again. In heaven no one will have to say good bye and no one will die like my dear dad. Some days I miss him so much. But every day I have hope that I will see him soon in heaven. I will enjoy telling my dad that I followed the words he said before he died. I never stopped preaching. I feel closer to my dad
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
when I preach. I am so glad when I see my friend’s faces look interested to hear what I tell them about God. Now I live with my three siblings and my mother. My mother works very hard for us. My siblings and I are fortunate that we can go to an Adventist school even after my dad passed away. I am in grade five. When I have free time I like to read my Bible and do my homework. I also do a list of jobs each day to help my mother. Someday I will be a pastor of a church like my father was, because I want to continue his desire to help people know Christ. I remember when I asked my dad when God will come. He told me, “When everyone knows about Him.” I will always work hard to tell everyone about God so the time will come quickly when I can see my heavenly Father and also my earthly father. Here are Bible verses in Scripture that I like to read again and again. And now I remember these verses from memory: John 3:16, Genesis 1:1, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 3:5 and Joshua 1:9.
A note from Horng Sopheap, the Cambodia Adventist Mission Family Ministries Director: All who hear little Daniel preach are impressed with his God-given talent, his Bible wisdom and the sincerity in which he appeals to people. The Lord shines through this boy’s heart, through his love for others and passion for the gospel. Last Sabbath we invited Daniel to give the sermon. It was outstanding. Before he ended his sermon he encouraged the congregation to remain strong and true in God. This ten year old challenged the people to be ready for God’s salvation that will last forever and to share this happiness with other people. Daniel’s four year old sister closed the service with a beautiful special music. His other two siblings helped in greeting. Understandably, all four children are eager to hasten the soon coming of Christ by spreading the gospel. ASAP
Daniel Chotal Santay praying before his sermon and asking for the Holy Spirit to speak to each heart through his message.
ASAP
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Tools for Survival by Tim Scott, Educational Director of Cambodia Adventist Mission
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S THE SUPERVISOR FOR THE CAMBODIAN
Adventist Mission literacy program, I was very excited to encounter eighty-eight enthusiastic and eager teachers at our recent week-long training session. The literacy teachers told amazing stories of the priceless impact literacy schools have on the women and children who attend. It would take a book to tell the many stories of how God works through these nurturing, dedicated teachers in their efforts to reach out and provide underprivileged women and children with reading and writing skills, allowing them to better survive their
Photo by Frank Spangler
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Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
harsh environments. It is the poorest of the poor who attend our classes: children who are unable to afford the minimal costs of public education and women who were never given the opportunity to learn how to read and write. To date, this literacy program services 1,256 students. Of this number,730 students are children and 526 are adults, with an average class size of twenty. Over 90 percent of these students are female. A staggering sixtyfive percent of the Cambodian population is unable to read their own language. This severely hampers their occupational opportunities, limiting them to manual labor jobs such as construction and farming. For women, it is even gloomier as their opportunities are even more limited. Recognizing the immense problem that illiteracy represents for Cambodia, the government is extremely supportive of our literacy school programs taking place all over the country. Students in the program will learn to read and write and perform basic math skills in less than a year. They meet for two hours a day, five days a week. As soon as they are able to read, students take a test that allows them to transition into public school with children their own age. The Lord knows and cares for each and every woman and child who is handicapped by their poverty and lack of opportunity. Through those who give to ASAP, the Cambodia Adventist Mission is able to send teach-
ers into remote villages as His witnesses to share His love. But wait! How do our teachers share Jesus when their job is to teach reading and writing? The answer lies in one of the supplementary textbooks used: the Bible. Step-by-step during workshops, the students are taken through the Bible, which they are taught to read. Because the stories are so riveting, students naturally desire to quickly improve their skills so they are able to read more of this fascinating textbook. Our records indicate that over sixty percent of these students fall in love with the Jesus they learn of through the Bible. The Holy Spirit works in their lives as they learn to read His words, one word at a time. This miracle would be impossible to achieve if it were not for our vibrant teachers. A literacy teacher recieves an average of $30 a month/$360 per year for salary and travel expenses. Sixteen teachers are currently holding classes as volunteers, and the Cambodia Adventist Mission has on file many more eager teachers waiting for hire. We know that there continues to be a pressing need for additional teachers and literacy schools. The only thing missing is you! By sponsoring a literacy school teacher, you will be providing women and children in Cambodia with hope, not only for the present life but also for the life to come. Pray for the literacy school program in Cambodia, and ask God to help you become a part of this lifechanging movement. ASAP
But wait! How do our teachers share
Jesus when their job is to teach
reading and writing?
ASAP
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The Blessed One by Horng Sopheap, Cambodia Adventist Mission Director of Family Ministries
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Literacy Teacher, Bovireak Both, is a changed man in Jesus Christ.
WENTY-FOUR YEAR OLD BOVIREAK BOTH (pronounced like bought) is a literacy teacher who gently and patiently works with his students. He loves his job. The pay is not the best, however not a single day passes where Both does not remember to praise God for his fortunes. Indeed, to talk to Both, you
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would walk away convinced that he is the most fortunate man on earth. Why? Both considers himself one of the blessed ones because he knows Jesus. And Jesus has transformed Both’s life. The words softly tumble from his mouth as he excitedly explains how he was once a very shy, dejected child. Born into poverty and missing an arm and a leg, placed Both at the bottom of the social scale in Cambodia. He grew up on the sympathies of those around him, at the mercy of other’s scraps and extras. He felt his existence was a cruel joke and wondered why he was born. He endured years of being mocked in school for his differences. With few, if any friends, he kept to himself and withdrew into his own quiet world of misery. Both’s mother loved her boy dearly, however she was burdened with her other children and in desperate financial need. Both went through life trying to be invisible, to stay out of people’s way. As he grew, he worked hard to help where he could and he listened. Because he often went unnoticed, Both picked up on all kinds of information. His mother knew that Both would know the latest about everyone. One day, she asked her teenage son what he knew about all the talk of the evangelistic meetings. True to form, Both had been following the hub of excitement regarding these meetings. He reported to his mother that foreigners would come to Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
town and hundreds of people planned to listen to the foreign people talk about their God. For the first time ever, Both’s mother saw an excitement in her son’s eyes. “Please go,” she encouraged. “Could I?” Both wondered. He wondered if he would be able to maneuver through the crowds with his standing stick (crutch). As the days passed, he listened carefully for tidbits of information about the meetings. On the streets, when relatives stopped by, in the store, after school—-Both listened with growing anticipation. On the big day, Both made his way to the meeting site early. He cautiously sat on the fringe, ready to leave if asked. He listened to beautiful music that filled the air. He watched what looked like a white angel read from a black book in a language he knew was English but then was translated. After that first day, Both was smitten. He could think of nothing else besides the amazing man they talked about. He was told all sorts of new things in this meeting, like Jesus’ love for him and His constant care over him. He watched the story of Jesus from an LCD projector show. He saw this gentle, caring man heal those who had the same challenges he did. Jesus made the lame walk, the blind man see. Both was desperate to meet this man Jesus. He felt that he, more than anyone there at those meetings, needed to know this man. During the meetings, Both was introduced to some Christian guys about his age. They looked into Both’s eyes and befriended him for who he was. Together, they talked about Jesus. Both eagerly asked his friends where he could meet this Jesus man. It is then that Both learned of heaven and the promise of “all things new”. For the first time in his life, Both dared to imagine his life with two healthy arms and two legs. He could allow himself to dream of jumping and running.
“When?” Both asked. “When can we go there?” “When everyone knows about Him,” Both was told. “Then lets tell people,” Both said. And he has been doing just that, since that very day. Jesus is Both’s new best friend. They go everywhere together, and Both is sure to introduce his friend to all he meets. No longer does Both stick to the shadows, going unnoticed. Still quiet, still gentle and sensitive, still a great listener, Both remains the same person but now a person with a big purpose. “At first I wanted to tell everyone about Christ for selfish reasons, so I could get to heaven quickly. But as I prepared for baptism and studied the Bible, I realized what a gift Jesus is to all people. I see how Jesus changes the heart because He changed mine. I want to share this with others.” One way Both tells others about Jesus is through his daily instruction to children who attend his literacy class (his students are from the slums of Phnom Penh and unable to afford public schooling). Recently, three of Both’s students were baptized—-an event that gave Both indescribable joy. By giving his students the skills to read and write, Both is preparing them for life in this world. But more importantly, Both strives to give his students skills to prepare them for eternal life, so they, too, will consider themselves blessed children of God.
Both eagerly asked his friends where he could meet this Jesus man.
ASAP
Editor’s note: Though Both was born physically challenged, Cambodia has one of the highest number of amputees per capita than any other country in the world, due to landmines. Both joins other ASAP sponsored national workers who do an amazing work for God where physical differences have little, if any significance, in their work except to act as a little extra motivation to get to heaven! ASAP 19
A Container Full of Joy - Update by Julia O’Carey, ASAP Development Director
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HE DAY FINALLY ARRIVED WHEN THE
11,797 pound container, stuffed full of much needed goods for Cambodian children pulled in to the Phnom Penh port. It was a time for celebration when the Cambodia Adventist Mission personnel carefully sorted through the container taking out the clothes, toys, and assortment of children’s necessities then immediately distributing them to the neediest areas around the country. The
boxes designated to International Children’s Care and the salt center, along with some marked for the Cambodian Adventist School were received with grateful hearts. Garth Anthony, the president of the Cambodia Adventist Mission, said that Khan, the director of the SDA Vietnamese School for Street Children “was highly delighted with these supplies and has already put them to good use.”
Cambodian Sabbath school leaders pose behind the footlockers, feeling grateful for the materials and training they received. 20
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
One Sabbath school teacher named Sam Bat Teeda in action, putting the materials to good use.
At last year’s Adventist Laymen Services and Industries (ASI) Convention, the Juniors and their leaders prepared 127 plastic containers (footlockers) that went in the shipment. Each footlocker contained enough Branch Sabbath School materials to teach fifty children! In March, Horng Sopheap, Cambodia Adventist Mission Director of Family Ministries, organized a training for the sixty-seven Sabbath school leaders. Sopheap also translated all the instructions into Khmer. Mrs. Sim Sew Moi, Director of Children Ministries from the Southeast Asia Union Mission
taught these leaders how to use all the supplies. The materials, such as felt sets, pictures, art accessories and more, will give Cambodian children the same opportunities to learn of Jesus in an interesting way as children receive here in the United States. The children and their leaders in Cambodia want to say a big “THANK YOU” to each member of the ASAP family and the friends from ASI who made this project possible. The gifts that were given were of the best quality and communicated to the children how very important they are to us and to God. ASAP
Khan, the director of the SDA Vietnamese School for Street Children “was highly delighted with these supplies and has already put them to good use.”
ASAP
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Here is how you can get involved with the youth in Southeast Asia!
Give illiterate children a future in this world and for eternity by sponsoring one of the ninety-one literacy teachers in Cambodia. Monthly Support for One Teacher (Includes salary and help towards training): $30 Total Amount Needed: $32,760 Help build one of twenty literacy schools (including desks). Total Amount Needed: $15,000 at $750 each Make it possible for a child of an ASAP national worker to receive a Seventh-day Adventist education by assisting with tuition for Cambodia Adventist School. Total Amount Needed: $8,800
May the Spirit of Jesus who loves children impress you as you plan to give a special gift for His precious ones in Southeast Asia. 22
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
Increase the quality of education by assisting with the Cambodian Adventist School building project. ASAP’s Contribution Goal For This Project: $10,000 Ease hunger, prevent malnutrition and starvation by providing emergency food for babies and children. Food for one child for a month: $20 Give disadvantaged Cambodian youth a chance to attend Mission College in Thailand by assisting with their tuition. Estimated Need: $5,000 Provide evangelism materials such as Bibles, children’s Bible lessons and teaching materials. Estimated Need: $36,000 at $5 each Sponsor one of seventy-five youth evangelists in Vietnam by providing them with educational assistance and evangelistic materials. Yearly Support Needed: $420 per student. Total Amount Needed: $31,500
Photo by Frank Spangler
ASAP
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P.O. Box 84, Berrien Springs, 49103
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Your gift of $20 buys one 50 kg sack of rice which will feed about fifteen children for a week. Help prevent hunger, malnutrition, and starvation today!
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI PERMIT NO. 42
Photo by Frank Spangler