ASAP Newsletter, 1st Quarter 2008 by ASAP Ministries

First Quarter, 2008

Adventist Southeast Asia Projects

Christ is Coming ASAP...Reach Asia Now!

IN THIS ISSUE

4 6

ASAP Communication Director Joins the Team by Judy Aitken

Reaching Southeast Asians… Here and Now! by Julia O’Carey Meet Saengthong Saengthip Lao Evangelism Coordinator

Reaching Vietnam Now! by Isah Young

Meet Thanh Vinh District Leader

Reaching Cambodia Now! by Garth Anthony

Meet Peung Sothy

Meet Bui Ngoc Bic

Church Planter

Youth Evangelist

Meet Sean Laiy Seng

Meet Van Tran

Literacy Teacher

Lay Pastor

Reaching Thailand Now! by Pastor Boonrat Moolkeo

Meet Sompong Kunsawat

3 Director’s Update BY Judy Aitken

Medical Missionary

12 16

Columns 5 A Giver’s Heart by Martin Kim

Reaching the Burmese—God’s Deep Desire by Scott Griswold

13 In Loving Memory & honor 14 ASAP Family Connections by David Qualls 15 Snapshot of ASAP’s Finances by Karen Wade

Reaching Laos Now!

by Boonpranee Wannadee

23 P.S. we love hearing from you!

Meet Seng Ly

Church Planter

First Quarter 2008  Adventist Southeast Asia Projects ASAP is a registered 501(c3), non-profit organization and is fueled by faith in God and His provision through individuals’ financial support. Please note that 100% of your gifts go directly to the projects specified. All donations are tax-deductible.

ASAP publishes this newsletter quarterly. Please contact the office to receive your complementary subscription, or for additional copies to give to family and friends.

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ASI MEMBER ASAP 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 Judy Aitken EDITOR/ASSociate DIRECTOR Julia O’Carey COPY EDITORS Linda Bauer, Adrienne Redding DESIGN/LAYOUT Sarah Lee | whyambient.com PHOTOGRAPHY Frank Spangler | worldviewimages.com ASAP BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair: Bruce Bauer, Judy Aitken, Max & Linnea Torkelsen, Mary Ann McNeilus, Ralph & Beatrice Neall, Byron & Carol Reynolds, Robin Riches, Trudi Starlin, Kenneth Straw

1-866-365-3541 269-471-3026 269-471-3034 office@asapministries.org http://www.asapministries.org

ON THE COVER One of the millions of Buddhists in Southeast Asia needing to hear about their loving Savior. Read this issue to find out how ASAP is reaching them.

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7). Have you ever tried to put yourself in the shoes of an ASAP lay pastor working in Vietnam? Can you imagine the challenges of living and working in a communist-run country? Every quarter we struggle with the task of communicating what these dedicated servants of God endure. We find it difficult to adequately describe their situation, one in which we have most likely never been. Recently, I read a book by Paul Hattaway, entitled The Heavenly Man. Tears filled my eyes as I read these familiar words. Familiar, not because I’d read them before, but because in interview with many ASAP lay pastors from Vietnam and Laos I had heard them describe in shocking similarity this same kind of suffering. This is the kind of suffering Jesus understands well. In this first issue of the year, we were impressed to focus your attention on dedicated ASAP national missionaries. God is using them in mighty ways as they joyfully serve Him by following up radio interests, planting church groups, establishing underground house-churches, engaging in Bible studies, providing evangelism materials and baptizing many into God’s Kingdom. Their sole purpose is to guide His lost children into Christ’s loving outstretched arms. They need your support so they can continue this most important work! As you get to know the church planters, lay pastors, literacy teachers, youth evangelists and medical missionaries featured on these pages, please pray for them and the hundreds of other workers whom they represent. We chose to use ASAP’s motto, “Christ is Coming ASAP…Reach Asia Now!” as the theme of the first issue this year. The quick updates from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam included in this issue highlight how God used ASAP to reach Asia in 2007 and what ASAP’s focus will be for 2008. I appreciate that you too, want to reach Asia now. I want to take this opportunity to thank each one of you who generously gave to support the national missionaries proclaiming the message of salvation. You not only supported their stipends, but you provided humanitarian assistance and education as a way of showing Christ’s love and care. Thank you for being partners with us to expand the work of ASAP, the soul-winning work in Southeast Asia.

Sincerely,

Judy Aiken, ASAP Director

ASAP Communication Director Joins the Team By Judy Aitken, ASAP Director

About two years ago, God laid it upon Martin and Liana Kim’s heart to support foreign missions in a greater way. At that time Martin was pastor of the Seattle Central New Life Church in Washington and naturally shared with his members his burden to go beyond the local mission field to spreading the gospel around the world. The Holy Spirit moved on their hearts, prompting them to pray for specific ASAP projects and to collect a special missions offering each month. Jehovah Jireh, God the Provider, poured out His blessings on the church members and ASAP, resulting in increased faith and many more souls saved in His kingdom in Southeast Asia.

He began sharing his faith-building mission experiences with other SDA congregations and had the opportunity to train and serve the lay pastors and church planters in Southeast Asia. After much prayer, the ASAP board felt God’s clear leading to hire Martin for the position of ASAP communication director. God affirmed this decision by financially providing for this position. Working as ASAP communication director, Martin has more time to use his God-given talents to spread the word about God’s work in Southeast Asia. We praise God for Martin and Liana’s dedication to prayer, their passion for missions, and the gift of Martin’s much needed assistance. We are very blessed to have them a part of the ASAP team.

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Maximize Your Mission Dollars…Here’s How! Sponsoring an ASAP national missionary is a great way to maximize and stretch your precious mission dollars. ASAP lay pastors, church planters, literacy teachers, medical missionaries and youth evangelists already know the language, the culture, and the hearts of the people. They are already accustomed to the scorching heat, eating noodles and durian, riding in Tuk Tuks, and sleeping on straw mats under mosquito nets. They can live on little and take no furloughs. While recognizing the unique contributions of Western missionaries, Adventist Southeast Asia Projects is pleased to support the work of nationals in reached areas where an Adventist presence already exists and in unreached areas as well. Through partnership with ASAP national missionaries, you can accomplish a lot more for a lot less. Sponsor a Missionary Today!   

Cambodian Literacy Teacher for $30/month Church Planter for $100/month Vietnamese lay pastor for $600/year

First Quarter 2008  Adventist Southeast Asia Projects

Photo by ROY PALAR

While Martin was in prayer and Bible study about one year ago, God led him to the text in Isaiah 49:6 that reads, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.” As he read this text he felt impressed to be more actively involved in the ministry of ASAP. Immediately following this experience and a series of providential leadings, God started opening up the doors for Martin to partner with ASAP in an even greater way.

A GIVER’S HEART

P Working for Christ 24 Hours a Day By Martin Kim

If you knew that your life would end tomorrow would you have any regrets? I believe that most people who ponder this question may find themselves with a sudden attack of “could of,” “should of” and “would of.”

With this growing sense that we are short on time, ponder with me the inspiring words of John Wesley which encourage us to do all the good that we possibly can (see quote). I was quite thrilled when I recently read in the Spirit of Prophecy how it would be possible to work for Christ twenty-four hours each day. Ellen White writes:

Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). Every day as I go online to read the news I come away reminded “An American businessman who was an earnest that we have just a few minutes of daylight left; Christian, in conversation with a fellow worker the night is just around the corner. At the end remarked that he himself worked for Christ of three and a half years of twenty-four hours of the day. ministry here on earth Jesus “In all my business relations,” was able to say, “I have Do all the good you can. he said, “I try to represent my glorified You on the earth. I Master. As I have opportunity, In all the ways you can. have finished the work which I try to win others to Him. All You have given Me to do,” In all the places you can. day I am working for Christ. (John 17:4). I believe Jesus And at night, while I sleep, I was able to leave this planet At all the times you can. have a man working for Him with no regrets because He in China.” had fully accomplished the By all the means you can work that God gave Him to explanation he added: “In To all the people you can. In do. my youth I determined to go as a missionary. But on the As long as you can. I believe that we are going death of my father I had to John Wesley take up his business in order to be in heaven in the very near future. Oh, what a day to provide for the family. Now, that will be! One day we will no longer have sin instead of going myself, I support a missionary. and temptation knocking on our door. We will In such a town of such a province of China, my experience rest and peace so full and abundant! worker is stationed. And so, even while I sleep, I As I imagine enjoying the glories of heaven, I am, through my representative, still working for often wonder if I will have any regrets. I may Christ” (Testimonies Vol.2, page 29). regret that I did not do more for my Savior who sacrificed His all for me while I had the The next paragraph begins with the following opportunity. I may regret that I did not labor question: “Are there not Seventh-day Adventists more diligently for the lost or regret that I did who will do likewise?” What if we all sponsored not practice more self-denial which would have an ASAP national missionary? Not only would benefited the poor. we be able to labor for Christ 24 hours a day and live a life of no regret, but the message would spread more rapidly so we could hasten the return of our Lord!

Web: www.asapministries.org | Phone: 1-866-365-3541

Reaching Vietnam Now! By Isah Young PRAYER FOCUS

Please pray that nothing will hinder the awesome work of God carried out by Isah Young and the extensive force of national missionaries who are involved in the rapidly expanding underground house-church movement.

The Holy Spirit is at work in a great way in Vietnam. Seeking this power was the focus of our prayers in 2007. As we sought His will and gained His power, great things happened. The leaders of the underground house-church movement remained strong and resolute in their refusal to bend to the communist government’s religious restrictions. God helped focus the eyes of the lay pastors and youth evangelists on Christ and away from those exerting extreme pressure and fierce persecution. Many miracle stories flow out of the country. Each day, new house-churches form as a result of the lay-pastors’ outreach and the Peace & Happiness radio broadcasts. Over fifty-two churches of other denominations have accepted the unique Seventh-day Adventist beliefs and many Buddhists have joined the house-church movement after giving their lives fully over to Jesus. Plans for aggressive evangelism are underway in five specific areas of Vietnam. In one area, 5,000 Bibles were distributed to new members. Reports have come from Vietnam that the police are actively seeking to locate the Bible distributors. Please pray for their continued safety. This past year, I had an opportunity to talk on the phone with a colonel of the national police in Vietnam who was in the midst of fulfilling his duty of interrogating five lay pastors. He told me that the Vietnamese government aims to control all organizations in the country and that the

SDA house-church system is the ONLY one that they have no control of at this time. He strongly stated, “You have no choice other than to register all house-churches and their memberships. To defy this order would be unwise!” When I told him that we do not have a formal structure for our organization in Vietnam and are not able to do that, he asked, “How come your people, your DVDs, your publications are everywhere we turn? If you do not have an organized structure, how can you achieve that result in just a few years?” This colonel does not know that we serve a powerful God who made the earth, who formed it and established it and said, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:2, 3). It would be suicidal for the underground housechurch movement in the communist country of Vietnam to operate in the same manner as the SDA church does in the West. I cannot go into great detail to explain the way of operation, but can say one thing: praise the Lord, the Almighty God gave us wisdom and protection this past year, which allowed us to carry on with His work! This movement has grown much bigger than I ever imagined. As we reflect on the past year and look to the future, we see no possible way of supplying the need for lay pastors, radios, Megavoices, DVDs, Bibles and literature. Yet we feebly cling to His promise, “I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.” Thank you for the important part you have in this work. As this work expands by God’s grace, your financial support and prayers are more crucial than ever before. —————————————————————— A bout the Author —————————————————————— Isah Young continues to serve God as the speaker for Peace & Happiness radio and leader of the underground house-church movement in Vietnam. In 2008 he will be producing programs in Vietnam for a satellite network that will be aired all over the world. Please continue to pray and support him, his wife Mai and the team who works with him.

First Quarter 2008  Adventist Southeast Asia Projects

workers

Vietnam

Meet Thanh Vinh* “There is a family who accepted the Seventh-day Adventist faith and are now witnessing and distributing our materials to their friends.” Position District Leader Location Vietnam Main Goal To encourage the house-churches, facilitate training of the lay pastors and help organize outreach in a large district of Vietnam. How to Help You can invest in supporting the lay pastors, providing Bibles, Megavoices, DVDs and literature for his district. *Name has been changed and picture blurred for the safety of the individual.

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May Jesus come back soon!”

WALKING THROUGH OPEN DOORS I serve as a district leader of 32 lay pastors and over

1,850 members, all of whom worship in house-churches. I spend much of my time training my lay pastors, helping them plan their outreach activities. I am also involved with missionary outreach myself. The Lord has amazingly opened up doors for me to meet with Bible workers and pastors of various Protestant churches and also priests of the Catholic Church to share the truth about the Sabbath. I believe God is giving these opportunities because Jesus is coming back very soon.

A REASON TO REJOICE This year I am very thankful to God because He has given the gospel to the tribal people in the mountains of Vietnam. Tribal groups in the mountainous regions do not have access to the gospel; the government works very hard to keep it that way. I could not believe it when I first heard that a great number of tribal people were listening to Peace & Happiness radio broadcasts and had become believers. This year when ASAP lay pastors secretly visited the area, they discovered whole villages worshiping God on the Sabbath. MY FAVORITE PROMISE My favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” This verse teaches me to stand firm in times of trouble. I know that my life is in God’s hands and He is able to use even mysuffering from beatings, interrogation, and imprisonment to work altogether for good for His glory. I have witnessed this over and over again.

Christ is Coming ASAP … Reach Asia Now!

workers

Vietnam

Meet Bui Ngoc Bic* My father looked at me with anger and said, “I will cut you into a hundred pieces if any more trouble comes to me because of you.” Position Youth Evangelist Location Vietnam Main Goal To spread the gospel in the university and surrounding areas. How to Help Join ASAP as they support the training of teams of youth evangelists around the country and put tools in their hands for their ministry, such as Bibles and sermons on DVD. Please Pray I cannot say the words to you that describe how happy I am to serve such a loving God who hears my prayers! Please pray for my family, other workers and the house-churches, along with all the people who receive the literature and DVDs.

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I fell in love with this amazing God.”

*Name has been changed and picture blurred for the safety of the individual.

THE SAD REALITY You may wonder how a father could say these words to his own daughter,

his flesh and blood. If you understand more about the communist party in Vietnam, it would make sense. You see, my father is a high ranking officer in the communist party and government. He diligently put my siblings and me through elite training programs with the understanding that we would follow in his footsteps. I did not!

FALLING IN LOVE When I went to college I met Abel, a young man who was different than all the other young men I had met. Abel loved God and openly shared about Him and the Bible with me and everyone else he could. I fell in love with this amazing God too, but did not have the courage to tell my family. I received trainings of a different sort and joined Abel as a youth evangelist. THE RISK One night my father got a call from the authorities, notifying him that his daughter

was under arrest. From that point on, my family life turned into a nightmare. My arrest for passing out Seventh-day Adventist evangelistic materials greatly humiliated and disgraced my father. The authorities accused him of being involved with this “cult” also and his position became jeopardized. As a result, my father tried everything he could to convince me to give up this crazy religion business (as he called it). At first he did not want to let me in the house. He yelled at me, beat my hands and legs then locked me in a room for a week. I fasted and prayed the whole time, trusting that God would help me stay strong for Him. Although my mother was afraid, she still had the heart of a mother and finally convinced my dad to “save face” by marrying me off, thankfully to Abel.

First Quarter 2008  Adventist Southeast Asia Projects

workers

Vietnam

Meet Van Tran* “I am thankful to be part of this movement along with my wife and fellow Bible workers.” Position Lay pastor Location Vietnam Main Goal To spread the gospel throughout a certain large, rural unreached area. How to Help You can partner with a lay pastor in Vietnam. Your prayers and gifts will help spread the gospel in even a bigger way. Do not hesitate if God is calling you to help. Please Pray Pray that the Three Angels’ Messages will be preached throughout Vietnam so that the Vietnamese people will come out of Babylon, worship God and have the testimony of Jesus. We need your intercessory prayers. Praise God that our team distributed over 10,000 DVDs and much literature. We continue to need more material to give to others.

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We need your intercessory prayers.”

*Name has been changed and picture blurred for the safety of the individual.

A TYPICAL LAY PASTOR’S SCHEDULE I wake up at 4:30 AM and get ready for the day. From

5:00-6:00 I pray then listen to Peace & Happiness radio broadcasts from 6:00-7:00. I have breakfast from 7:30-8:00. At 8:30 I leave to do God’s work which includes house-church member visitations, Bible training of workers, evangelism planning, literature distribution and more. This takes all day. I have family worship, Bible study and prayer from 7:00-8:00.

GREAT IMPROVEMENTS IN ONE DISTRICT Although I know many areas of Vietnam

where persecution has increased this past year, God softened the hearts of the officers in my area. From 2000-2005, we received many challenges: my wife, who was a preschool teacher, was fired because of her faith; both of us were repeatedly summoned for interrogation; our children were threatened, taunted and beaten at school for being Christian; we were denied bank loans to do farming; and felt isolated from the world but were determined to serve the Lord and expand His work. Because God answered our prayers in 2006-2007, we can now obtain a police permit to travel. This allows us to enter remote areas and encourage the house-church members for fifteen days out of the month.

A UNIQUE REASON TO PRAISE GOD I thank God because last year I was arrested several times as a result of evangelizing. Each time I had the opportunity to tell the officers about Jesus and pass out Bible publications to them. I also challenged them to listen to Peace & Happiness radio. I pray that some day they will accept Jesus.

Web: www.asapministries.org | Phone: 1-866-365-3541

Reaching Thailand Now! By Boonrat Moolkeo PRAYER FOCUS

Pray for an increased outpouring of the Holy Spirit on ASAP lay pastors and medical missionaries in 2008. Pray that social obligations, material comforts and busy lifestyles will not strangle the seeds of truth planted in the hearts of the Thai people.

The ten lay pastors, who are generously supported by ASAP, are still enthusiastically working for the Lord. Although evangelism in Thailand is particularly challenging, due to it being a Buddhist country, all remain faithful to God’s call to serve. For example, Mr. Sao Kaeowsiri splits his time between caring for his rice farm and shepherding a growing group of believers, but he says, “My job as lay pastor is my life!” I have observed that although ASAP lay pastors receive a humble stipend, they are deeply involved with outreach and even more passionate about winning souls than some of the full-time pastors I have worked with in the past. Just in one quarter of 2007, the ASAP lay pastors led forty-seven people to be baptized. Although they do not have a theological education, they have the most important thing necessary for success, the Holy Spirit, who leads them to share their deep and authentic love for God.

in Figi. Thanks to the 2007 ASAP mission trip, new interests are coming to the Korat SDA Church. A new church planting project started in the town of Muak Lek that Mission College students assist with. The Lord is at work throughout Thailand. The Hmong church planting project (now called the Gospel Center SDA Church) in Nongkhaem, is doing well. Over twenty Hmong factory workers who came from North Thailand are now attending and three more were baptized last quarter. Praise the Lord!

He splits his time between caring for his rice farm and serving the Lord, but he says, “My job as a lay pastor is my life!”

The open-handed support from ASAP is beneficial for not only God’s work in church planting, but in health evangelism as well. The yearly training held by Pastor Phamor Phoopichitprai and Dr. Mary Ann McNeilus helped the lay pastors. By using simple natural remedies as tools in proclaiming the Gospel, they are generally accepted, even by those with a high education. In the year 2007, they brought many people to be baptized through this means. The ASAP evangelism projects for Thai and Lao people that Khamsay Phetchareun supervised flourished in 2007. In 2008 they will be passed on to other dedicated, responsible supervisors at Mission College since Khamsay Phetchareun has accepted a call to teach at Fulton College

Exciting news has come from the Wangmuang Village which is one of ASAP’s church plants and literacy projects for Laotians that began in 2005. Visian Seesankeo, the teacher/church planter, did something unconventional when he agreed to teach Buddhist monks English and Lao languages at the local temple. As a result, not only have prejudices and negative feelings toward the Adventists in this village have disappeared, but many of the monks are now considering the Christian faith. Even the temple patrons have noticed his genuine Christian love and are open to hear Christian messages. The Lord has worked in miraculous ways. —————————————————————— A bout the Author —————————————————————— Dr. Boonrat Moolkeo is the director of Sabbath School, Personal Ministries, Stewardship, and Trust Services for the Thailand Adventist Mission. He supervises the ASAP lay pastors and is active in training them.

First Quarter 2008  Adventist Southeast Asia Projects

workers

Thailand

Meet Sompong Kunsawat “I organized a team of ladies from our church to voluntarily help me in my medical missionary work. I pray and believe that the Lord Jesus is blessing our efforts.” Position ASAP Medical Missionary Location Thailand Main Goal To share the love of Christ through outreach and medical missionary work. How to Help You can partner with ASAP to support a medical missionary or help provide the Lampang SDA Church with equipment for their health center.

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When they see results, they get excited!”

A SHINING EXAMPLE Recently we visited Mr. Annan who is suffering with cancer of the

throat. Although he cannot talk to us, he communicates by writing down his questions about health and God. After he started eating the immune strengthening natural foods that we introduced to him, he reported getting sick less frequently. He wrote down, “I am so excited I have more energy and strength now!”

WHAT KEEPS SOMPONG BUSY Three days a week I cook healthy foods with my medical

missionary team. We distribute the food to sell at health food stores and hospitals around the city. We offer free health lectures at these places and make visitations with the sick in the afternoons. God has given us many opportunities to witness. Twice a week I visit the cancer patients in the hospital and those who have returned home. Miraculously, God worked it out for me to lead an organized program at the hospital and I give one-on-one Bible studies and health counseling as well.

GOALS FOR 2008 Our main goal is to witness to those we come in contact with. We would also

like for our health food to be in every hospital and health store in the city next year. We would like our churches’ health center to be better equipped to help people so that many more people will become healthier and have a chance to accept Jesus. Because the health expos and evangelistic meetings we did in Lampang and other cities and villages in Thailand were so successful, we hope to repeat these events as God leads.

Christ is Coming ASAP … Reach Asia Now!

Reaching the Burmese—God’s Deep Desire By Scott Griswold

Our hearts ache for the people of Myanmar, who a few months ago were faced with the painful reality of having no voice. You may have heard in the world news how tens of thousands of people marched in the city of Yangoon, led by processions of Buddhist monks, seeking change. The deep maroon of their robes was matched by their blood as government soldiers claimed many lives. Force and fear remain at the forefront. Pray that the political events will lead millions of Burmese to seek answers from the God who is their Creator and Savior. A few years ago, one of our Seventh-day Adventist pastors was visiting a member’s home. Someone stopped by and asked for a glass of water. They kindly gave him a drink. Within just a few minutes government soldiers showed up and arrested the pastor for having “aided a rebel.” He spent the next seven years in prison under very hard conditions. Occasionally his wife and children were allowed to visit him. His son basically went from age 7 to age 14 without his father. Yet during that time many prisoners came to Christ through the pastor’s love and care. The Burmese not only suffer from political oppression, they suffer in spiritual darkness. Please pray for them. Are there many Christians in the country? If we think about numbers we can rejoice in the approximately 20,000 Seventhday Adventist Church members. However, if we think about unreached people and ethnic groups it is another story. Most of the church members are among certain hill tribes. In fact there are only about 100 actual Burmese Seventh-day Adventist members. Burmese are the largest ethnic group in Myanmar, comprising 35 million people. Only .1% of those are Christians and at least 55% have never had a chance to hear the gospel story. Beyond that group, there are

more than 35 ethnic groups that are considered “Buddhist” ethnic groups in this country of incredible diversity (Peoples of the Buddhist World, Paul Hattaway). Now that is cause for prayer and action! Please pray in particular for the Seventh-day Adventist church president, Elder Mueller Kyaw in his leadership role. Pray that ASAP will have the opportunity and the funds to start evangelistic work in this country. The Lord put it on the hearts of the ASAP board members to include Myanmar in ASAP’s mission statement; a first step in faith towards getting involved in reaching this country for Christ. It is exciting to think of how God will miraculously open the doors for the gospel to spread in a greater way in Myanmar before He comes. Let’s think beyond what we can do with our money and our prayers. There are many Burmese people living outside their country, maybe next to you. God might be able to use you right where you are, to reach out to the approximately 20,000 in the United States and 12,000 in the United Kingdom. There are 62,000 in Thailand and 300,000 in Bangladesh. Let’s press forward and cooperate with the Lord of the Harvest to share His love with these precious people. —————————————————————— A bout the Author ——————————————————————

Scott and Julie Griswold work for Global Mission in Thailand. With twelve years of experience working in Southeast Asia among Buddhists, God is using them to reach the hearts of this special group of people. Scott is the director of the Buddhist Study Center, which helps train workers in Southeast Asia, and is partnering with Thais to plant a church in their city of Ayutthaya. Julie is a close-working partner with Scott and also home-schools their three children, Joelle (14 years), Nathan (11 years), and Josiah (4 years). Please pray for Scott and Julie’s family and ministry.

First Quarter 2008  Adventist Southeast Asia Projects

In Loving Memory & Honor “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27 In Memory of:

Mabel Koenig by Carl and Ruth Colbie Justina Peshka by David Peshka Vera Rusher by David Peshka John “Jacob” Hooper by Irmgard Hooper Gary, Julie, James and David Hammond by parents, Ivan and Alice Hammond Chris Salvage by daughter Marlene Cardey Milton Kesler by Yvonne Kesler Her Husband by Lenora Stackhouse Thu Van Nguyen, and in honor of A. Thi Tran’s dedicated service, by Richard and Geneva Kelps

In Honor of:

Sheri Visani by mother-in-law Eva Visani Lilies Hooi and Bruce Lanway’s marriage, by Max and Cari Hammonds

Web: www.asapministries.org | Phone: 1-866-365-3541

asap family

connections

Not Sitting Idle By David Qualls

The members of the Three Angels SDA ChurchOwasso and I had been looking for a Bible worker to serve in our local congregation. Month after month, we diligently sought someone from various ministries, training schools, and other sources. While there were several interested candidates, nothing seemed to work out. After several months of prayer and searching, one of our elders, Alfonso Orellana, came in contact with ASAP. Alfonso challenged the church to adopt and support a particular ASAP worker in Cambodia. The church agreed. He believed that if we first supported a Bible worker for others, then God would provide what we needed at home. He then asked us to start thanking God for the Bible worker that God had already selected for us.

Another six months passed by with no Bible worker in sight. I remember thinking that we were in good shape now. We had stepped out in faith and publicly put God to the test. Surely, He would supply our needs. Well, more months passed by with us faithfully supporting Mao Say for the Odem church but failing to find a Bible worker for our own Three Angels SDA Church! Another six months passed by with no Bible worker in sight. Unbeknownst to us, our future Bible worker, Alex Cowan, had already arrived. The very Sabbath that the church started collecting offerings for the missionary in Cambodia, Alex visited our church for the first time. Little did we know that this visitor would turn out to become our own Bible worker. Apparently,

although either Alex wasn’t ready or we weren’t ready, God was faithfully working things out in His way and in His timing. A few months after making our commitment to ASAP, our own (still unknown to us) Bible worker came back to our church, this time with his entire family. Interestingly, it was the oneyear anniversary of when our church had voted to hire a local Bible worker. Within a few weeks, it became evident to us that God was leading Alex Cowan and his family to join with us. The Cowans will be attending the Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism (AFCOE) in the spring and will be serving God with us afterwards. We are so glad that we did not sit idle, waiting selfishly for God to meet our needs. We praise God for His providence in supplying our needs as we help to supply the needs of others in far away places. Top Left: Mao Say, Cambodian Church Planter Top Right: Alex, Bible Worker with his wife Lacy Cowan and their two sons Mason and Maddox

—————————————————————— A bout the Author ——————————————————————

David Qualls serves as the head elder and lay pastor of a newly revitalized congregation, the Three Angels Seventh-day Adventist Church-Owasso in Oklahoma. Raised a Seventh-day Adventist by Godly parents, he turned his back on God in his teens, but by the grace of God returned to the faith of his youth with a strong desire to serve God and to help others be grounded in doctrine and prepared for His soon coming. He and his wife, Ruth, have served in several self-supporting ministries. Having earned degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, he currently works in a software consulting firm.

First Quarter 2008  Adventist Southeast Asia Projects

P A Snapshot of ASAP’s Finances By Karen Wade, ASAP Treasurer

September 30 ended a very blessed, productive year for ASAP. Thanks to God’s blessings and your generosity, we were able to provide over one million dollars to assist with needs in Southeast Asia including: 

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$490,000 to support an army of ASAP national missionaries such as lay pastors, church planters, medical missionaries, literacy teachers and youth evangelists. $140,000 for Bibles and other evangelistic materials and activities. $200,000 to support radio ministries to Vietnam and Cambodia. Over $80,000 to provide for various humanitarian needs intimately linked with ASAP church plants such as: disaster relief; poverty relief with food support; wells to provide safe water; small enterprise projects to enable women who have no means of support for themselves and their children; and a hospice where church members with AIDS can find shelter and care.

For the 2008 fiscal year, the ASAP board has set a budget of $1.5 million to cover the existing projects and expanding needs. With God, who is rich in resources and owner of the whole world, on ASAP’s side, we believe this is a possible goal. The main reason for an increased need of funding is because of the large church growth in Vietnam, in spite of persecution and imprisonment. There are still many unreached areas in the country. ASAP desires to support more national missionaries and provide additional specialized materials such as Megavoices, short-wave radios and DVD’s with players that can go where the missionaries cannot travel. Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar also need more missionaries to reach the areas that have not been touched with God’s Word. We thank you for your past support and for your heartfelt prayers for the people of Southeast Asia. We look forward to the miracles and growth of God’s kingdom in 2008 as He leads us in this faith/mission journey together.

$50,000 to help construct places of worship. Another $50,000 in training and other support to various small projects in Southeast Asia. Nearly $50,000 for literacy education. $25,000 in outreach work to Southeast Asians who have resettled in the United States.

ASAP is Audited Yearly Adventist Southeast Asia Projects, Inc. is audited annually by Don Lloyd of Foote and Lloyd, an independent CPA firm located in Battle Creek, Michigan. In his audit of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, we appreciated his evaluation not only of the validity of the accounting processes, but also of policies and internal control procedures. Our independent audit of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 is now in progress. If you would like a copy of the complete audit report for that year, let us know and we will send it as soon as it is available.

Christ is Coming ASAP … Reach Asia Now!

Reaching Laos Now! By Boonpranee Wannadee PRAYER FOCUS

We solicit your prayers for God to grant continued wisdom on the SDA leaders for Loas and increased blessings on the ASAP church planters.

Laos is a very poor country with a population of 5,800,000. There are 68 tribes throughout the country with different beliefs and practices, but predominantly Buddhist. Even though Laos is run by a communist government, I believe that we who are Christians can share God’s compassion and truth among them in ways that draw them to His presence. Above all I would like to thank God for His goodness, for it is because of Him that the gospel ministry in Laos has grown in the past year. As a leader for Christ in my country, I encourage all the pastors, church planters and members to: (1) pray and share their personal testimonies/ be a witness to all they meet, and (2) start a Bible study group. It is exciting to see how these simple strategies are bringing people to Him. Today the Lao Adventist Field has 700 Hmong members, 400 Lao, 200 Kamou and 250 Nget Have. Through God’s blessings, the Vientiane Adventist Church is filled each Sabbath with more than 200 members and has seven elders and an active youth/witnessing group.

2008 Giving Opportunities

I see God’s hand of protection covering me and the believers in Laos. Although we often face challenges, God helps in every difficult situation. For instance, many obstacles arose when we planned to conduct training for the church planters and workers, yet God worked

it out so we were able to provide instruction for them. ASAP supports forty-five church planters throughout Laos. Each one of these workers was trained and currently brings many people to an understanding of the Savior. As president of the Lao Adventist Field, the government ministry of religion called me to have an interview with them. They advised me that if the church is led well it can continue. They asked many questions about the Seventhday Adventist religion. I explained that when people become Seventh-day Adventist, they become good citizens. I explained that the church focuses on: (1) education, which gives the people a better chance in life and teaches them to obey the government and be good citizens, (2) health, providing instruction regarding healthy food and exercise, and (3) helping the poor, generating and supporting humanitarian projects. The government officers seemed very pleased with what they heard. I praise God for giving me the wisdom to explain this to them. —————————————————————— A bout the Author —————————————————————— Boonpranee Wannadee is president of the Lao Adventist Field. He enjoys traveling to remote areas of the country to encourage and unite church groups. When he is not serving God as president, he is spending time in outreach with the Vientiane SDA church members or enjoying time with his wife and fiveyear-old daughter.

Six church buildings ($4,500 each)

The church members will provide the land and labor to build the churches. Each church will hold 150 people. 45 church planters ($70/month each)

Support the spread of the gospel. Vientiane Church Outreach ($6,000)

Help maintain our current outreach Hmong hymn books and Bibles ($3,500)

Reach Loas in their own language

First Quarter 2008  Adventist Southeast Asia Projects

workers

L aos

Meet Seng Ly “I want to thank the people in America who provide for my stipend, making it possible for me to work for God in this village.” Position Church Planter Location Laos Main Goal To spread the gospel to the people of the Saipathana Village and surrounding areas in the Bokeo Province. How to Help Pray and consider a special gift for support of the church planters in Laos and Bibles/materials for them to share. Our Greatest Need My people and I need your prayers. We are praying that God will help us spread the gospel to more people in this village and surrounding areas. We know that God works in mighty ways when His people pray.

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I love the work of God!”

REMAINING FAITHFUL Last year the police came to my village and interrogated me for many hours. They asked me why I believe in God. I replied, “I believe in God because He loves me. He helps me with every need I have in my life. I believe God with all my heart. I will never stop believing in Jesus Christ.” The police then told me that I could believe, but not to persuade others to believe in Jesus. The police interrogation has not stopped me from sharing the good news. A SMALL SACRIFICE It is difficult to travel because my village is in a remote area and is very far away from the city of Vientiane. In order to go to the Bible worker training at the Lao Adventist Field office in Vientiane, I have to travel for three days and two nights. I have to walk 50 km from my village to the town, and then take a boat along the river to Loung Prabang Province which takes one day. Then I take a bus from Loung Prabang to Vientiane which takes another day. Though it is difficult, when I think about the sacrifice that Christ made when He traveled from heaven to earth for me, and I cannot complain. STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS I depend on God at all times. Since I do not have a lot of knowledge, I depend on Him to guide me and give me the words that He wants me to preach. When I face difficulties, I put my trust in God and wait patiently for him to solve my problems. I believe the Lord blesses me as I sincerely serve Him with all my heart. My favorite Bible text is Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Web: www.asapministries.org | Phone: 1-866-365-3541

Reaching Southeast Asians Here and Now! By Julia O’Carey, ASAP Associate Director PRAYER FOCUS

Especially pray that the Karen SDA immigrants get connected to caring SDA church families and that more Southeast Asian churches are planted where there are large concentrations residing.

We are so grateful for those of you who reached out to Southeast Asians in your communities in the past year. You embraced the mission on your doorstep by sharing God with those you came in contact with. ASAP was pleased to assist you by providing resources in Thai, Khmer, Laotian, Vietnamese and Hmong. In 2008, we plan to update and organize these resources, as well as add additional publications, DVDs and website links with the purpose of making them more readily available for you.

with them every other Friday evening. They have been very receptive to the Bible truth, even to the Sabbath. I was honored to be the main speaker at their camp-meeting this year. In time they will be ready to become Seventh-day Adventists.” Presently, Saengthong and his wife, Miliecy, have moved back to Holland, Michigan where he is pastoring the Lao group and working on creating resources for witnessing in the Lao language trhour. At the same time we rejoice in more souls brought to His Kingdom, we reflect on the sobering reality that laborers are few and there are millions of Southeast Asians who have yet to hear and accept God. Thousands of Karen refugees (originally from Myanmar or Laos) recently immigrated to the United States. Many of the Karen people accepted Jesus in the refugee camps in Thailand and need the support and acceptance of loving Adventists here in America. Please pray that God can use you and ASAP to reach Southeast Asian hearts in 2008.

We praise the Lord for providing funds in 2007 so ASAP could act as a catalyst for Southeast Asian church planting groups in Seattle, Orlando, Wisconsin and California. Each group has stories of God’s providential leading and advancements. For instance, God blessed Ko and Terri Saelee to plant two churches among the Hmong in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Bible study groups have begun in Green Bay and La Cross. God led this couple to a Hmong Lutheran pastor in Minnesota who studied the SDA truths and has accepted the Sabbath. He, along with 300 families, now worships each Sabbath. Ko is also working with the pastor of the New Salvation denomination who keeps the seventh day as the Sabbath. He solicits your Holland S.D.A. Lao Church members, active in outreach. prayers. Saengthong Saengthip worked for God this past year in Sacramento, California. He writes in his report, “This past year, it was exciting to be involved with the local Laotian Sunday Church. We used Jesus’ method of ministry and have gained their trust. My wife and I have been studying the 28 Fundamental Doctrines

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Looking for resources on-line? Check out these websites: For Buddhists For Cambodians For Laotians For Vietnamese

www.bridgesforministry.org www.voiceoflove.us www.laochristian.org peaceandhappinessministry.com

First Quarter 2008  Adventist Southeast Asia Projects

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Meet Saengthong Saengthip “Growing up in a Buddhist home, I never heard about God until I was twelve years old.” Position Lao Evangelism Coordinator Location Holland, Michigan Main Goal To facilitate the spread of the gospel to the Lao people in North America and to support the evangelistic efforts within Laos. How to Help Your financial support of LAMP (Lao Adventist Mission Projects, a project within ASAP) will enable Saengthong Saengthip, the only trained Lao pastor in North America, to devote more time in coordinating church planting throughout the country for Laotians and allow him to produce evangelism materials in the Lao language for radio, TV, DVD and publications.

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I heard the name of Jesus for the first time!”

MY PERSONAL TESTIMONY Like many other Laotian families my family had to leave our homeland in search of freedom from oppression. After spending a number of years in a refugee camp in Thailand, we found asylum in the United States. It was here in this country that I heard the name of Jesus for the first time and gave my heart to Him. I was converted to Jesus because of Adventist people who cared enough to reach out to the refugees and foreigners in their neighborhood. After accepting Christ, I committed my life to serve Him. IT BURNS WITHIN ME I have a strong passion to witness to the 1.5 million Laotians who have

resettled in North America where there is freedom to live and to share one’s faith. I also feel a burden to support the evangelistic efforts to reach the people in Laos with the gospel. Please pray for the Laotian people in your neighborhood and around the world.

GOD’S LEADING Recently, my wife, Melicy and I felt impressed to move back to Holland, Michigan. Here I pastor a faithful group of Lao SDA believers who are eager to assist with the ministry. God provided, through the generosity of the Holland SDA Church, office/recording space and ASAP donors have given funds for equipment to begin producing evangelistic DVD and TV programs. I trust that God will continue to open up the doors and provide funds for me to work for the Lao people in greater ways in 2008.

Christ is Coming ASAP … Reach Asia Now!

Reaching Cambodia Now! By garth anthony

The Lord has truly blessed his church here in Cambodia. Not only has there been numerical growth, but there has been spiritual growth in the lives of pastors, church planters and faithful members. In Cambodia, there are now nearly six thousand members.

With the government currently cracking down on religious activity and carrying out dictates forbidding door-to-door evangelism and open evangelistic meetings, humanitarian efforts coupled with evangelism are needed more than ever in order to advance.

Phnom Penh, the capitol city, has grown at an amazing rate in the last ten years, yet the poorest of the poor are still in great need wherever you turn. The rural poor are hit with natural disasters such as floods, drought and pestilences that ravage the rice crops, often all at the same time in different parts of the country. God still finds ways to bless His people amidst their poverty. Tithe from the local churches has grown by over 20% per year each year since 2001, and this year it looks as though the growth might reach 30%.

The church planters supported by ASAP are vital to the work here as they carry most of the load when it comes to outreach and local leadership. This is why we find it of utmost importance to help keep them adequately trained. Thus training continues to play a prominent role in the Cambodia Adventist Mission program.

Through the support that ASAP has been able to provide, many more projects have been started which have greatly enhanced the effectiveness of the church’s outreach. The opening of the Sda Center (AIDS Hospice) in Phnom Penh has been a great blessing not only to those who are immediately affected by this disease but also to the church at large which is now seen as a more caring community and one that is really interested in people’s welfare. The Feed & Read schools have also had a great effect on the lives of youngsters and their parents.

—————————————————————— A bout the Author ——————————————————————

Garth Anthony is the president of the Cambodia Adventist Mission. He and his wife, Sylvia, will be retiring as of April, 2008. Elder Anthony writes, “I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all those with ASAP who have so generously supported, with their time, energy and finances, the work of the Cambodia Mission. It has been a pleasure to work with you just as it has been a pleasure to work here in Cambodia. We have thoroughly enjoyed our service time here and it is with great reluctance that we finally leave our many friends and the work which has brought us so much joy over the last seven and a half years. Once again let me thank you all for your kind support and wish you all of God’s richest blessings.”

First Quarter 2008  Adventist Southeast Asia Projects

workers

Cambodia

Meet Peung Sothy “Peung Sothy serves God everyday without resting. If he is not caring for the 117 church members throughout his district, he is knocking on doors and telling people about salvation in Jesus Christ.” Position Church Planter Location Cambodia Main Goal Shepherd the church groups in Roveng City and Chambakblam villages and rescue more lost sheep. How to Help You can sponsor a church planter for $100 per month. You can also provide the training and tools they need to be effective in their ministry, such as Bibles and health books.

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I often pray and witness the power of God to heal.”

A VISIT WITH GRANDPA SOK CHHIN I had visited a ninety-year-old man quite a few times. He seemed interested in Christianity, but did not fully listen to me. He was struggling to make a commitment. I prayed that the Lord would impress him and change his heart. Several weeks after I prayed this, his granddaughter became very sick with typhoid fever. Grandpa Sok Chhin immediately called me and asked that I pray for his precious granddaughter. I prayed and applied natural treatments to the girl for three days. Each day she showed marked improvement. God was healing her. A TURNING POINT While I gave the treatments, I had an opportunity to talk with Grandpa

Sok Chhin and his relatives. Suddenly the Holy Spirit pierced the heart of Grandpa Sok Chhin and he said, “I understand what you are saying! I believe what you are teaching from the Bible is true! I want to be baptized.”

REASON TO CELEBRATE Right before Grandpa Sok Chhin entered the river to be baptized, he said with a face full of joy, “I am now a child of God. I have found the true church. Praise God!”

Web: www.asapministries.org | Phone: 1-866-365-3541

workers

Cambodia

Meet Sean Layseng “I have fifteen students in my literacy class, ten girls and five boys whose ages range from twelve to fifteen years old.” Position Literacy Teacher Location Phnom Penh, Cambodia Main Goal To introduce the students to God through Christian songs and Bible stories and to teach them the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. How to Help Support one ASAP Literacy teacher for $30 per month or provide funds to help support this program (food for one hot meal a day, desks, books, etc.) Progress I am proud of my students. Many came not even being able to read one word. Next week my students will be done with the first Khmer language textbook and we will start Book Two. I am so glad many of them improved their reading skills.

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I do not tire of teaching these children!”

P.S. I also teach Bible to the youth in my church two times a week. Right now we are using the book The Light of Hope. Please pray for the ten students in this class who are seeking truth. Also pray for my literacy students. Thank you for the time you spent to read about my students and me. May God bless you!

MY STUDENTS’ REALITY Life for my students is hard to describe because it is so poor. Their parents only encourage them to work and find money in any creative way possible. Some beg, some recycle cans, some pick greens from the river to sell at the market. Life is so difficult for them. Many of their parents gamble and drink away the little money they earn.

WHY STUDENTS DO NOT ATTEND “FREE” PUBLIC SCHOOL First of all, my students

do not have time to attend public school. They have worked since they were five or six years old because their families lack food to eat. You would be surprised at all the fees that the students have to pay the teachers. There are mandatory fees for the photocopied papers, they must pay to park a bicycle at school, and they must pay extra for exam prep classes. In order to pass, students must take extra classes outside of regular class hours).

WHY I KEEP ON TEACHING I do not get tired of teaching these children because I love them

and want to share with them the knowledge and love that God has given me. Most of my literacy students now come to attend church on Sabbath. I hope next year many of them will be interested in baptismal classes. Right now I focus on training them to understand what Christians believe and I pray that some day in the future these children will become good Christians and will be good witnesses to many people in this community.

First Quarter 2008  Adventist Southeast Asia Projects

P P.S. We Love Hearing from You! vietnam LAOS

THailand cambodia

A friend of mine gave me $25 for some golf tickets I won in a drawing. I offered them to him but he insisted on giving me money. So I told him that I would give it to ASAP/missions. Alfonso from Oklahoma

Enclosed you’ll find a check for $100 for 20 Bibles for Cambodia. I want them to know God’s word and be able to read it and share with others. Thanks, Pearl from Oklahoma

I am so excited to have heard about this ministry on 3ABN. Please send me information about ways I can help these people in Southeast Asia. We want to be of service any way we can, because Jesus is coming soon. I can’t go over there, but my money can. I just thank God for the work that is being accomplished over there, just sign me up as a prayer warrior for this great cause. Hope to hear from you soon. Randy from Arkansas

The church members in Treng would like to say thank you for the kindness of the donors who provided a church/school building for them. They are almost done building it. They will have a place to worship and have Bible studies. The children will use this place for studying literacy as well. Many in this group have leprosy and it was difficult for them to travel a far distance to worship God. We thank God and ASAP donors for this gift!

May God bless each of you. Keep the good work going until that day when we can all go to heaven.

May God continue blessing your ministry. Knowing the Lord is opening doors so the lay pastors can give the good news of salvation is MORE than a reward for me. I’m so privileged to be part of this. God bless!

Pastor Pen Narith from Cambodia

Pastor Touch Sarith from Cambodia

Mara from Canada

Love, Marge from California

Lim Channa and the people in Tem Chas Village are giving God glory for working a miracle on their behalf. They thank God for performing the impossible, transforming dry ground into a source of plentiful, clean water. They are grateful for an ASAP donor who helped them have a well.

You can read the complete story of Lim Channa’s answered prayer by going to: www.asapministries.org and clicking on PRAY.

Christ is Coming ASAP … Reach Asia Now!

P.O. Box 84, Berrien Springs, MI 49103

Adventist Southeast Asia Projects

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Now that ASAP is a registered non-profit with EBAY, you are able to donate all or a portion of the sale of your items directly to ASAP ministries. Just look for the DONATE button when listing your items on Ebay. We hope this makes it easier for you to get rid of unwanted Christmas gifts or other items throughout the year. Kim Hakeem, ASAP donor and volunteer (pictured) praises the Lord for blessing her Ebay sales for ASAP. He’ll bless you too!

Don’t Re-gift it…Ebay it!