THIRD Quarter, 2008
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
Salt and Light for Southeast Asia
IN THIS ISSUE
6
20
Salt and Light for Vietnam by benjamin D. Schoun
Meet Van Lo
Salt and Light for Southeast Asia by Judy Aitken
LAY PASTOR
Meet Joy Sriyothee lay pastor
Meet Hau An Bao Youth evangelist
10
13 18
Salt and Light for Muslims in Cambodia by khut Chhoeun
Meet Meas Sophy
Jesus had a great and lofty vision for His disciples when He said, “You are the salt of the Earth” and “the light of the world.” What an assignment!
Church planter
Salt and Light for Myanmar by pastor sai*
IN EVERY ISSUE 3 Director’s Update BY Judy Aitken
Salt and Light for Laos by HOUMPHANH KONGSENGPHENGPHET Meet Sadua Lee
4 the inner view BY judy aitken 9 In Loving Memory & honor 16 ASAP Family Connections by kork sihavong 17 Snapshot of ASAP’s Finances by Karen Wade
church planter
22 A Giver’s Heart by Martin Kim 23 P.S. we love hearing from you!
Third 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.
CONTACT US Adventist Southeast Asia Projects PO Box 84 Berrien Springs, MI 49103
ASAP publishes this newsletter quarterly. Please contact the office to receive your complementary subscription, or for additional copies to give to family and friends.
TOLL FREE PHONE FAX EMAIL WEB
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, Jolene Roosenberg 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 This Cambodian brother’s smile reflects the joy and light of God’s love radiating out of his life, as he worships at the Cambodian Campmeeting in February of 2008. Photo by Julia O’Carey
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” (Matthew 5:13-15) This issue of ASAP is packed with examples of individuals in Southeast Asia who are lit up with the Holy Spirit and flavoring the lives of those around them. Did you know salt must be crushed and ground before it can be useful? Like salt, Christians must often be crushed before we can be of much use in God’s kingdom. The persecuted churches in Vietnam and Laos demonstrate the intangible value of pulverization. Having been crushed, courageous Pastor Le Van Hung, featured in the Inner View on page 4, has become salty savor indeed! Can you remember how you felt when your electricity went out and you found yourself groping in the dark for a flashlight or a single candle? What a difference one little candle can make in that situation. Jesus told His disciples in John 8:12, “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Take time to read about our workers (pages 7, 8, 12, 19 and 21). Christ’s light within them is evidenced by their simple faith and influence, bringing warmth and comfort to their entire communities. When Jesus tells you that you are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, what does that mean for your life personally? To me it means that the light of Christ’s love lives in me causing my daily priorities to dissolve like salt into my Father’s heart so that my agenda becomes His agenda. When that surrender takes place, my life will reflect His will and character of light. Your gifts of love sprinkled on the hearts of the needy in Southeast Asia are a preserving power which will help heal the wounds of the suffering. Thank you for being light and salt!
Sincerely,
Judy Aiken, ASAP Director
the inner view
P Le Van Hung* By judy aitken
Discover how one lay pastor in Vietnam brings God’s light to an unreached island community.
Q: Hung, how does a rice and coconut farmer balance that responsibility with being a lay pastor/evangelist leader to the people of Vietnam? A: Other than during harvest time, my fields are low maintenance. When the authorities stop me when I travel, I must have a “cover” occupation. When I tell them I am a simple farmer, they often dismiss me.
Q: Do you work alone? A: Oh no, 100% of everything I do is together with God. I also work very closely with my wife. We
are a team. It wasn’t always that way. At first when I became a Christian, she did not desire to join me. So I daily went out into the coconut orchard and cried to the Lord for her salvation. Then one day she came up to me and asked to be taught about God. I was surprised by the change. She said, “I have followed you to the orchard and your prayers touched my heart and caused me to want to know more about God.” We studied together and she gave her heart to the Lord. Now we work for God in unity.
Q: The area where you live has one of the fastest rates of evangelism growth in Vietnam. Why do you think this is? A: I began serving as a lay pastor/evangelist eight years ago, by starting a small worship group in my home. Today, there are more than one thousand believers who worship in house- churches in my province. The house-church movement is expanding so fast due to the great power of God, prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Q: Tell us about a recent witnessing experience you had. A: When I was praying one evening, the Lord impressed me to get up and go out immediately. I
quickly packed my bag and started out on my moped. After driving about one kilometer, I noticed in my mirror that two men on mopeds were following me. They stopped when I stopped and turned where I turned. I felted impressed to race to the ferry. I arrived just in time to get on before the gate closed, leaving the two spies on the shore. I prayed, “Thank you for protecting me, Lord. Now please work on the hearts of each person on this boat.” I took DVD’s from my pack and began reading the titles off. This caught the interest of the man next to me. After chatting a little, he asked for a DVD. I gladly gave it to him. Others who heard our conversation started hesitantly coming up and one by one asked me for a DVD. I gave out 100 DVDs and even one to the owner of the ferry. (He was so grateful, he told me the next time I came on the ferry he would not charge me.)
PHOTO CAPTIONS TOP: (left to right) Le Van Hung.* A simple home on the island. Prayer guides Pastor Hung. Le Van Hung recharges by praying with Pastor Isah Young at a training. A worship group secretly meets in Vietnam.
4
Third Quarter 2008 Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
Q: Praise the Lord for all those people who received truth for the first time. I’m sorry, was that the end of your story? A: No! Giving the DVDs on the ferry was just the beginning. I prayed asking God to pour out
His Holy Spirit on the people who received DVD sermons and to help me plant a house-church in the area. That night I stayed with a relative who practices herbal medicine. The next morning my relative introduced me to some of his patients and I invited them to sit down and hear a little about God. Because the patients respect their doctor, they felt obligated to listen. I opened my Bible and because of their great interest, ended up teaching them for three hours. One of the men said that he had been searching for the true religion and asked for ten DVD sermons. I gave him and the others more literature before they left. The next morning the man who received the ten DVDs called and invited me to his house. He told me that his heart was touched and he felt impressed that what was preached on the DVDs was truth. I only had ten minutes before catching the ferry boat, but this was enough time to kneel down and lead this man through a prayer to receive Jesus into his life for the first time. When I arrived home and went to bed, I could AS WE PRAYED, The police began not sleep because I kept thinking and praying to leave one by one for the people I witnessed to on the island. God’s urgent voice prompted me to return to the island the following morning. On my way, I received a phone call from another man who had received a DVD. To my surprise, there were twenty-five of his friends and relatives (who had all watched the DVD on the Sabbath), gathered and waiting for me to share more. Each Sabbath for a month, I returned, sharing truth with this group and now I praise God for how they accepted all the teachings and worship faithfully.
Q: Tell us an experience you had where God answered your prayers. A: I recently visited a house-church on Sabbath. As we were worshiping we saw that police officers
had surrounded the house we were in. I immediately stopped preaching and we began to pray earnestly, asking God for help. As we prayed, the police began to leave one by one until there were no police left. We praised God for intervening on our behalf.
Q: What message would you like to share with the family of God? A: Every day I feel that I must bring one more soul to God. I have a strong wish to get the message out about the soon coming of Jesus Christ. Pray for me, my wife and all the believers, that the Holy Spirit will overflow from our lives and give us courage and strength to continue to spread God’s Word. Join me in crying to the Lord for the salvation of the 85 million people of Vietnam.
*Name changed for the safety of God’s faithful servant.
Web: www.asapministries.org | Phone: 1-866-365-3541
5
P
Salt and Light for Vietnam By benjamin d. schoun
It happened again! As on other occasions, unexplainable events that could only have been considered divine miracles, made it possible for brothers and sisters from Vietnam to attend a seminar about Adventist Christianity. I had the privilege to participate in this training experience, and how I enjoyed listening to the enthusiastic singing and testimonies of commitment to Jesus Christ. One brother shared with me how, for several years, he had listened to “Peace and Happiness” radio broadcast in his barn, hiding under a pile of rice straw for fear of being caught.
countries where sensitive conditions exist. The GC and AWR fully support the work being done in Vietnam and they, along with the Southeast Asia Union Mission and ASAP, monitor through a guiding committee the activities that cannot be done through normal organizational structures. Thousands and thousands of radio listeners in Vietnam are now Adventist believers, although not all are yet officially members of the church.
One of the most notable characteristics of the radio/house-church movement is the clear evidence of the Holy Spirit’s intervention in leading people to the hearing of the truth. Miraculous events take place; people Thousands of radio listeners in strong spiritual commitment; vietnam are now adventist believers demonstrate there is confidence in their salvation; they have a joyful and peaceful spirit in spite of Adventist World Radio (AWR) has been trials; the believers are obedient to God’s Word; broadcasting the Adventist hope in Christ to the there is the spirit of deep sacrifice and risk to Vietnamese people for more than twelve years, keep sharing the gospel. and we are pleased to collaborate with ASAP. We each work in different ways to accomplish These qualities were evident once again in the common goal of helping the people of the group I recently met with for the training Vietnam to learn the message of the Scriptures. seminar. When such godly gifts and traits Where it is possible to work together, this appeared among the gentiles in New Testament collaboration enables us to accomplish so much times, Peter recognized it as the work of God. more than when we work separately. While never “So if God gave them the same gift as he gave blurring our organizations’ respective missions, us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who cooperation has undeniably accelerated was I to think that I could oppose God?” (Acts achievement. 11:17 NIV) The brothers of that time accepted the evidence. How should we respond to this The ministry to Vietnam is not without its evidence of God’s work? challenges. Communist ideology has never encouraged the growth of Christianity, which *Names changed for the safety of God’s faithful servants. involves loyalty to Jesus Christ. For us, sharing —————————————————————— bout the Author Christianity has no political motive outside of A —————————————————————— the ideal that people be able to worship God Dr. Benjamin Schoun is the president of according to their convictions. Nevertheless, the Adventist World Radio (AWR), the worldsignificant restrictions imposed upon the work wide mission radio arm of the Seventhof the church can lead to miscommunication and day Adventist Church. He is also a general field secretary of the General Conference. misunderstanding among its local branches. Since he began serving at AWR seven The general leadership of the church, however, affirms both the work accomplished by public churches and the work of house-churches that arise from such outreach methods as radio broadcasting, which are nurtured by ASAP. AWR is a ministry of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (GC). It broadcasts programs in 75 languages, and in many
6
years ago, he has traveled to more than 80 countries of the world and always brings back inspiring mission and miracle stories that have strengthened many people’s faith. AWR has thrived under his leadership. Prior to working with AWR, he served as president of the Atlantic Union Conference and the Northern New England Conference. He also spent 13 years at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, as a professor, program director, and associate dean. His specialty is in church leadership, administration, and conflict management.
Third Quarter 2008 Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
workers
Vietnam
Meet Van Lo* “God is working powerfully as I depend on Him. Every day as I listened I received strength.” Position Lay Pastor Location Vietnam Main Goal To reach the many tribal groups in the mountainous regions. How to Help You can sponsor lay Bible workers like Van Lo for $50 a month enabling them to share the gospel with thousands who have not yet heard of Jesus. *Name has been changed and picture blurred for the safety of the individual.
‘‘
I do nothing on my own…”
A MIRACLE When I was eighteen, I began listening to the Peace and Happiness radio broadcasts regularly. Every day as I listened I received strength. I really wanted to contact Pastor Isah because I wanted to get involved in working for the Lord. I decided to write a letter and prayed that it would reach him. It was a miracle that this letter made it to the U.S. in three months because I am told that many letters do not make it because the government confiscates them. I was so thrilled when one of Pastor Isah’s leaders made a very difficult journey to my village in the mountains to contact me. ON FIRE FOR THE LORD Though I am young (21 years old) and inexperienced, I can see how God is working powerfully as I depend on Him. Counting on my own strength, everything is difficult, but with God nothing is impossible. The work goes forward not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit. I’m so happy to work for the Lord. I feel so thankful to God for who He is and everything He does. Sometimes God allows troubles to come because he wants to build me up, so I can even be thankful for troubles. PRAYER IS THE ANSWER Prayer is so wonderful. I feel that the Lord provides everything I need as I pray. And it almost seems like the Lord blesses everything I touch. I do nothing on my own, but by prayer. As I study the Bible, I pray. As I work for the Lord, I pray. There seems to be some attractive force that draws me to the Lord when I pray.
Christ is Coming ASAP … Reach Asia Now!
7
workers
Vietnam
Meet Hau An Bao* “I am not afraid because I believe in God’s promises that say if I walk through the fire He will be there.” Position Youth Evangelist Location Vietnam Main Goal To actively spread the gospel throughout highly populated areas of Vietnam and lead out in Bible study groups. How to Help Pray and consider a special gift for the Vietnamese youth evangelism program and provide Bibles, DVDs and evangelistic materials for them to share. Prayer R equests Please pray that God gives me more strength to serve Him. Also pray that people’s hearts here in the city and in my parents’ district will have open hearts to receive God when they hear the truth.
‘‘
When I faced the police, I prayed silently.”
*Name has been changed and picture blurred for the safety of the individual.
SECRET TO SUCCESS Before my brother and I go out distributing DVDs and evangelistic
tracts, we always pray. God leads us straight to the people who need these materials. We know the content of these materials well, and have separated them into categories for people of different backgrounds. We know which ones will touch the heart of the Buddhist, the Animist, Catholic and the Protestant. This helps us be successful, but the main reason for our success is prayer.
A NOT-SO-TYPICAL DAY IN THE PARK One afternoon, my brother and I were giving a Bible
study to four friends in the park. Just as I handed some DVDs to them, two park security guards approached us and started firing questions at us. They accused us of being Bible workers and passing out literature without licenses. I told them that we were just students sharing the Bible with our friends. Our answers only made them angrier. Twenty minutes later armed officers came and took us to the police station. We went through another intense interrogation with the police about our activities and the materials we had. When I faced the police, I prayed silently. God put words in my mouth so I was able to answer their questions. They asked me to summarize what was on the DVDs because they did not believe I knew what I was passing out. I eagerly shared about God’s gift of salvation with them. After summarizing two DVDs (giving them mini-sermons), they could not take any more. They went into another room to discuss what to do with us. My brother and I prayed the whole time. When they returned, we were shocked to hear them say that they took the time to listen to the DVDs and did not find anything wrong. Still, they asked us to sign a paper stating we would not teach or pass out materials again. I replied, “I cannot do that because I am a Christian and must do God’s will and work. The Bible teaches me that as a Christian, I am Christ’s disciple.” They left us in the jail cell until nighttime. At the change of shifts, the new police let us go.
8
Third Quarter 2008 Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
In Loving Memory & Honor Thank you for giving gifts that will last eternally. By remembering and honoring your loved ones through giving to ASAP, you give back to God.
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23) In Memory of:
Joyce and Claude Thomas by Delight Fritze Husband, Omar B. Wareham and Marilyn Christian-Gearing by Doris Wareham Esther Krause by Eugene Krause Parents, Melvin and Ruth Rhodes by Gerhard and Maureen Pfandl Catherine Krauss by Gloria Lawson Pearl Keller by Herbert and Phyllis Wrate and by wife, Ruth Keller Father, Urpo Tuori-Kallio by Leila Tuori-Kallio Beth and Linda Habenicht by Leona Running Frank and Jane Crider by Sylvia Johnson Husband, Milton Kesler and Brother, Wesley G. Steele by Yvonne Kesler Ann Marie Dunn by Judy Aitken
In Honor of:
Their 60th Wedding Anniversary by Jim and Dottie Davidson Julie Orellana’s 7th Birthday by Carolyn Hartman Judy Aitken’s Birthday by Cindy Watson Ross and Dianne Kendall by Jo Ann Davis Crofton Blender by Victor Onkoba
Web: www.asapministries.org | Phone: 1-866-365-3541
9
P
Salt and Light for Muslims in Cambodia By KHUT CHHOEUN
The Tonle Sap River, a river bustling with activity all hours of the day and night, runs through the Kandal Province of Cambodia. Shortly after I accepted my new assignment as district pastor of this province, Church Planter Neth Lonh gave me a taste of what river-life is like by introducing me to Mr. Rim. This is what Mr. Rim told us after we bought fish from him on several occasions and became his friend.
day from 4-5 pm, I started giving him and his family Bible studies. They came with seeking, open hearts. They learned to know a personal God (Allah) who loves and cares for them. They learned that God hears and answers prayer. I started teaching them using common ground, such as how both Christians and Muslims believe that God created the world. Step by step, lesson by lesson, the Holy Spirit helped me reveal the truth. Soon a large group was waiting expectantly for me every evening. Sometimes we studied on the banks of the river and other times I was invited into their old, rickety boats. The
“I grew up eating, sleeping and living in a boat. My father, grandfather and great grandfather fished for a living and now I am following in their footsteps. I remember my father warning me when he became too old to fish, ‘You know son, fishing is not as easy as it used to be. I brought in enough fish so that you and your eight sisters and brothers had clothes, food, and a chance to go to elementary school. You are going to have a harder time.’ My father was right. During the past five years, the cost of rice has increased so much, I cannot afford to buy what my six children need. The cost of gasoline to run my boat is so high, some days I wonder if it is worth going Rim Tit and some of his family on the boat they use for a home and fishing. out to fish. People still want to buy my fish for the same price as when boats are tied closely and I stand on the end of my father was selling. I do not know what to do. the middle one, speaking and reading from the Look at my boat! It is falling apart!” Bible as they rock gently (this took me time to get used to). I am reminded of Jesus and all the When we heard Mr. Rim share his desperate time he spent on a boat. These stories are also reality, our hearts went out to him and the other the boat people’s favorites. After several months poor fishermen in that area. Some of the church of study, sixteen people who represented five members and I went back to visit him the next different families were ready to be baptized into week and brought him rice and some clothes for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. his children, who were dressed in rags. Their tears of joy told us they felt so grateful for our After Mr. Rim, his family, and some of his friends help. My visits with Mr. Rim became more accepted Jesus Christ and became Seventh-day regular because he was so interested in the Adventists, they still continued to face a lot of Bible tracts I brought with me one day. So every difficulty. In desperation brought on by hunger, PHOTO CAPTIONS NEXT PAGE: (top to bottom) ASAP donation of rice is shared to former Muslim families during a flood disaster. San Keo (left) and Rim Tit (right) share salvation in Jesus Christ with the Muslim community. Two families who accepted Christ stand with Judy Aitken (right) on the banks of the Tonle Sap River.
10
Third Quarter 2008 Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
Mr. Rim sent his older children to the ferry to beg for coins, but even this was not enough. One day when he was fishing during the monsoon/flooding season, water began to leak into his boat and it slowly started sinking deep into the water. He, his wife, and six children cried to God for help. As the boat sunk the current pulled two of his small children into the river. He cried, “God, save my children.” He quickly looked around and saw other boats trying to get to him, but with the strong current, none could. Just at that moment the boat began to miraculously rise. He quickly thrust his arms out towards his children, one at a time, and pulled them into the boat, rescuing them at the last moment. An unseen power helped his boat arrive safely to shore. All of the family was safe. They praised God for saving their lives. His friends that were unable to help were sure they would all drown and were amazed by their survival. This gave Mr. Rim an opportunity to tell them about the true God who had the power to rescue them in that dangerous situation. Since that time they have been faithfully worshiping God and returning their tithe regularly. Today, Mr. Rim and other Adventist boat people are sharing their faith in God with other Muslims in their community. Please pray for them. Pray also that they will be able to repair their old boats so they can earn enough to support their families. Please pray that ASAP can purchase a boat to use as a place of worship for them. Yes, Muslims have a reputation as being resistant to other religions. Many people questioned me in how I was able to reach them. I tell them that it is not difficult to reach people when you befriend them, help them and pray for them. I believe all people need a chance to know and love God and I am so happy for this faithful group who are lights in their community. I would like to request you to pray for a Feed & Read school in this Muslim community because right now they are too poor to even afford such a luxury dream of going to school. They are living like beggars and trying to earn money in whatever ways they can. They cannot depend on fishing alone. I look forward to sending future reports from Kandal Province, where you will learn that even more Muslim boat people have come to know God and even more villages now have established churches. Stay tuned!
—————————————————————— A bout the Author —————————————————————— Pastor Khut Chhouen has been serving the Lord in Cambodia as district pastor for the past 13 years. Because he has a sympathetic heart, he thinks of ways he can help the poorest of the poor in his districts make a dignified living for themselves. He supervises two church planters and organizes special humanitarian projects, such as sewing schools and small enterprise in his district. He is married to Chan Phirun and has three children.
Christ is Coming ASAP … Reach Asia Now!
11
workers
Cambodia
Meet Meas Sophy “I really thank the Lord for His love to poor families in Cambodia like Mr. Mom.” Position Church Planter Location Cambodia Main Goal To minister to the poor and suffering in my district of Phnom Penh and bring them to a saving relationship with Jesus. How to Help Consider keeping church planters like Meas Sophy in the field, laboring for lost souls. It takes $100 to support one church planter for one month in Cambodia. Visit www.asapministries.org and click on About Us/Testimonies if you are interested in reading the complete story of Mr. Mom’s turn-around.
‘‘
I no longer felt the urge to kill myself.”
FAVORITE BIBLE TEXT AND WHY Matthew 11:28-30 were some of the first words from the
Bible I ever heard. When the church planter read these words to me, I was in great financial debt with eight mouths to feed and no way out. When I heard the words, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” instant relief came over me. I knew I was not alone. Someone understood my difficulty. I no longer felt the urge to kill myself. At that moment I knew I could live with hope. God has not disappointed me from that day until now for now I am free from the heavy burden of debt and full of faith in my heart.
WHAT I ENJOY MOST ABOUT MY WORK I enjoy preaching, giving Bible studies, joining with other church planters to give youth, Bible, health and women seminars, but what I am most interested in doing is praying for and encouraging the poorest people. I pay attention to those who have family problems and who are very hungry, sick and suffering.
MR. MOM’S TURN-AROUND Speaking of the sick, I noticed that some new church members did not come to church one Sabbath. I went to visit them at their place. As I walked down the alley to see Mr. Mom, his wife, Porng Peay and their six-year-old daughter, I heard loud shouting. I was met by an angry landlord, who was in the process of evicting them. Because Mr. Mom had been in the hospital having surgery for lung cancer, they had not paid the rent totaling $30 for the past two months. With tears streaming down her cheeks, Porng Peay was quickly packing her bags. I thank God I was able to help the family find a church member’s home to stay in temporarily. I also prayed with Mr. Mom, who looked like he was dying. Thankfully, I helped him get more medicine and arranged for another surgery for him. Praise God for His healing power for Mr. Mom and help for his family.
12
Third Quarter 2008 Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
P
Salt and Light for Myanmar By Pastor Sai*
Friday Morning, May 16, 2008
s force, killing and destroying Exactly two weeks after Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar with ferociou flight into this disaster zone. everything in its path, I find myself in Bangkok ready to take my heard the TV newscaster say It is raining hard today, and my stomach feels sick because I just hundreds of thousands of another possible cyclone is heading towards Myanmar. I imagine help, in no way capable of homeless people sitting in the rain, cold and hungry, waiting for think of what their future to able being alone let coping with their present helpless situation, tely think of the monsoon immedia I and holds. I’m looking out the airport window at the rain farm and the rain was rice our on rains of my youth. But my situation was different. I worked am sure experiencing I r, actually a blessing for rice farmers like us. For the people of Myanma the deadly storm. For those more rain means one thing, more suffering. Many lost their lives in They now live outdoors at who did survive, many lost their homes and everything they owned. to do what I can as ASAP’s the mercy of the sky. I have mixed feelings about this trip, eager face. will I representative, but anxious about what the sky. My close friend, I arrive in the capital city of Yangon while rain continued to pour from because the streets thing good a is Mr. Muang Tun* meets me at the airport in an SUV, which like crocodiles or swim to have turned into rivers and many cars simply can not cope, unable the water. I hold by ed glide like boats. I solemnly watch as some smaller vehicles are swallow hotel, but I am unable to my breath as our car occasionally drifts. We manage to get to the sleep after hearing the sad accounts of what people are going through. It is hard to believe, but hundreds of thousands of people are lying outside on the damp, bare, cold ground without roofs over their heads. How can they sleep without a drink of water, a bite of rice and the comfort of their family members around them? How can people survive this kind of adversity? Furthermore, I am haunted by the reports that the government is not allowing help to come to its own people. Even though I have lived and worked in Myanmar and know all about the complicated political history and the makeup of the people, I still cannot comprehend how people can be so cruel to other human beings. It continues to rain. On my way to the Seventh-day Adventist Mission the next morning I see devastation everywhere I turn. There are roofless homes, fallen trees still left uncut, debris, and people trying to salvage whatever they can. Two weeks after the cyclone, the wounds caused by Nargis are still open, visible and raw. I cannot allow myself to think about those whose villages were flattened and buried
Web: www.asapministries.org | Phone: 1-866-365-3541
13
are fact that many have lost their loved ones and under the water. I am terribly saddened by the ver they died. The stench of the dead does not not able to bury their dead which are left where ss. wander around looking bewildered, and helple seem to be a concern as the cyclone victims cts Proje Asia east South tist ly realize that Adven As I meet with the Adventist leaders, I quick mar Myan r forme the As ssfully send someone in. (ASA P) is the first organization able to succe Agency (ADR A), I am closely connected to Relief and nt director for the Adventist Developme to be here seriously, for I know that my timely the people and the region. I take the opportunity are family of God right now. Indeed, the leaders visit carries much meaning and hope for the n. I felt their gratitude and desperate appreciatio surprised, elated, and encouraged to see me. how very productive planning session, determining The SDA leaders and I sit down and have a system a ishing establ and P!” “ASA to the victims to form a strong disaster committee to respond way. nsible to deal with funds in a respo
May 25, 2008
I am back at home. I just saw on the internet news 00 that as of today, it is estimated that 128,0 people have died with more than 50,00 0 still unaccounted for. Thousands are still suffering of and dying because of disease and lack it mi, tsuna 2004 the necessities. Compared to could tation devas is surprising that this much take place in just one country and in just one
How Did Cyclone Nargis Impact Your Burmese Brothers and Sisters in Christ? 53 30 40 450 1500
Church members died Church buildings were destroyed and many properties are partially damaged Children are now orphans Adventist families have lost their houses and all that was in them Adventist families were directly affected by the cyclone
area of the country. ma, e I met in the disaster zone. One poor grand I will never forget the dear suffering peopl . Her streaming down her face. She lost everything now in her eighties, looked at me with tears nd husba her and she that land on h that was built husband was a church elder in the SDA churc food, no has She yed. destro ng left – her home was had donated. Now, she told me, she has nothi ed. She has no one to care for her. I know that surviv en childr and none of her children or grand a note to ask ASAP donors if they want to help a hut for grandma will only cost $250. I make put a roof over grandma’s head.
built the devastation, like how one SDA church Nargis left behind some miracles along with village a “Noah’s Ark,” a safe refuge for the whole by funding from Mr. G. McNeilus became for told be will s storie , doubt No . tand the storm when it was the only structure around to withs wind the by up d picke was he d as he told me how generations to come. One man actually smile s. side, landing with only minor cuts and bruise other the to river the and carried from one side of e. chanc a others simply did not have Fortunately, he lives to tell his story while many e simply become equally destitute, naked, and When a storm takes away everything, all peopl e how people in Myanmar live their lives. There desperate. To understand this, one must realiz in So, most people keep their money at home is no credible banking system in Myanmar.
14
Third Quarter 2008 Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
commodities such as gold and jewelr y. There were some who found themselves alive, but witho ut anything, even their clothes. The storm had torn away their clothing and ripped off their skin, leaving them naked and in pain. Like Adam , one man covered himself with leaves and walke d around looking for something tangible to wear. He came across a pregnant woman who had the same thing happen to her but could not even find the energ y to cover herself with leaves . The man became embarrassed and tried to walk away from her, averting his eyes. However, she yelled out to him, “Brother, don’t be ashamed, for we are the same.” The SDA Mission in Myanmar must undertake the formidable task of feeding its members and beginning reconstruction. It was a poor Churc h before the cyclone and now has become even more destitute. It faces all kinds of problems. The aftermath of the cyclone has inflated food prices beyond the reach of ordinary people. Rice, salt, cooking oil, and other necessities have tripled and quadrupled in price. Our churc h workers, who earn only $2 per day, are simpl y unable to survive on this amount of money. The cost of living in Myanmar is at least more than double the cost of living in Thailand where the average monthly income of a church worke r is $500.00 per month. How can people survive even if they lived through the cyclone? The thought keeps haunting me that perha ps, those who died might count themselves more fortunate than the living; for the living are suffering a life that is worse than death. They may have escaped the floods, the winds, and the torren tial rain, but what they now face looms bigge r and crueller than the cyclone. The gover nmen t forces them back to their villages in the middl e of the monsoon season, where they find no homes, no schools, and no seeds for planting their rice fields. Please continue to pray for the people of Myan mar and especially your brothers and sister s in Christ who, at this very moment face a life-th reatening situation. The future of Myanmar and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Myanmar depends very much on your generosity. Givin g to ASAP means that one-hundred percent of your money goes directly to help the people and the projects of your choice. ASAP is grateful for the timely response that donors have alread y made. We trust that God will not let His childr en suffer. Thank you for responding. Thank you for caring. Thank you for finding within your heart, the desire to give food and shelter, and be salt and light to Myanmar. *Names changed for the safety of God’s faithful servants.
Please visit www.asapministries.org for further information, stories, and updates on the situation. You won’t want to miss readin g the story on our website of the miracle Bible in “About Us/Testimonials.”
What Are You Going to Do About It? The wise Prophet Isaiah suggests, “If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness and your darkness shall be as the noonday” (Isaiah 58:10).
Christ is Coming ASAP … Reach Asia Now!
15
asap family
connections
P
Now is the Time to Make a Difference By KORK SIHAVONG
Prior to the big graduation day at Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) in Keene, Texas, the senior class of 2008 did what all senior classes do. We got together to decide what the perfect gift would be to honor our beloved university. This decision was no small task. What gift would be meaningful enough to honor the place we had called home for four long hard-working years of our lives? The place where we poured over textbooks, prayed, and pondered the difficult questions of love and life. Many great ideas surfaced, but the one our class of 2008 prayerfully selected was quite unique to say the least.
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects, we hope to further God’s Kingdom and help bring the good news to these struggling people.
What started as a class gift grew into a community mission project. Professors, friends, and fellow classmates at SWAU, a globalminded university with students from thirty nations around the world, were excited to join in the effort. Offerings were taken at church and even after the graduation ceremonies. Congressman Chet Edwards, along with the Associate Director of Education for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Lisa M. Beardsley, praised the class of What gift would be meaningful enough 2008 for the unprecedented decision which will make a difference in the to honor the place we had called home for four world. We know by the enthusiastic long hard-working years of our lives? involvement, that many at SWAU believe strongly in missions and understand that Jesus is coming soon. By Unlike any other class before us, we decided to give a gift that would last longer than the giving to a meaningful cause, we hope to be an example to our fellow students, families, typical bench or clock. We decided on a gift that and friends and demonstrate by example would make a difference to poor communities in the small Southeast Asian country of Laos. that the time to make a difference is now! Our gift, given in honor of the professors who —————————————————————— A bout the Author instilled in us a passion for missions, went —————————————————————— towards building three churches in Laos. The Kork Sihavong, one of the recent 2008 class recognized the great need for spreading graduates at Southwestern Adventist the Gospel in this country where millions still University, was instrumental in making do not know about God. By working with this missions class project possible. Whenever he is home in Holland, Michigan, he joins the Lao SDA church group in their efforts to spread the gospel to the Lao community. He has accepted a teaching position in South Korea.
Want to learn how your class can make a difference in Southeast Asia? Log onto our website today: http://www.asapministries.org
16
Third Quarter 2008 Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
P Snapshot of ASAP’s Finances By Karen Wade CPA, ASAP Treasurer
ASAP praises God for His blessings and for the wonderful donors who have enabled us to meet most of our on-going needs this past quarter, and also fulfill some of our 2008 special wish list (which was featured in the last newsletter). We say a special thank you to the senior class of Southwestern Adventist University for providing three new churches in Laos as their senior class gift to God’s work. ASAP’s DVD project for Vietnam house-churches and a boat-church for a Vietnamese group in Cambodia have been fully funded. Again, thank you to our donors. We appreciate our donors’ response to the urgent humanitarian needs in Myanmar. We will be sending funds as quickly as possible, in response to their life-threatening situation. ASAP is receiving requests from Cambodia for an increase in the stipends we pay our national workers as they face drastic increases in prices of rice and fuel. We are seriously studying this need.
The four projects featured below need special attention and prayer: The grey area highlights the funds that have come in, the green area indicates our current need.
25%
35%
65% Shine Cambodia Shine This micro-loan project for women needs $26,000 more to launch the $40,000 project.
75% Peace and Happiness Radio This ministry needs $177,000 for one year’s operations, including equipment. We have received $44,828.
14% 46%
54% national missionary stipends We have budgeted $482,000 for this fiscal year, and still need $260,000 to complete our obligations.
86% Phnom Penh Hospice (Sda Center) The Sda Center needs $22,751 to support it for one year; to date we have received $3,231.
Web: www.asapministries.org | Phone: 1-866-365-3541
17
P
Salt and Light for Laos By HOUMPHANH KONGSENGPHENGPHET
Sixteen years ago, as I was conducting a worship service in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Vientiane, Laos, my friend Brian Wilson stepped outside for a moment to get a drink of water and noticed a man at the gate, who had paused to listen to the music. He walked up to him and asked, “Do you like to sing?” He said, “Yes!” “Then why don’t you come in and join us?” The young man smiled and agreed.
ahead. Fear seized his heart because he thought the man may be a thief, waiting to attack him. He called out to God to send someone to help him. Immediately after his plea a pickup stopped and the driver asked where he was going. Since his home was on the way, he was offered a lift. This experience showed him that the words of the Bible are true. God is real and cares deeply for him and his well-being.
I watched this man as he quickly caught on to the tunes and attentively listened to the words from the Bible. He seemed a little puzzled but interested in the topic of the sermon, creation. I could tell he was searching. He told me afterwards, “I learned in college that I came from a monkey. It is interesting that you teach I was purposely created by God.” I remember praying silently for him.
After this man got baptized, he became an active member of the church. Then God impressed him to attend Mission College to prepare to become a pastor. This man returned to Laos and became pastor of the Vientiane SDA Church. This man’s name is Boonpranee Wannadee. Does that sound familiar? Yes, this is the man who is now shouldering the heavy responsibility of President of the Lao Adventist Field. I find it such a privilege to now work together with him to spread the gospel to the people of Laos. I am thankful Brian Wilson seized the opportunity God gave him that day to be a light for Him. I encourage you to respond immediately to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. You may not know who He will take you to or what will transpire, but you can be certain of one thing… your response will always have eternal returns. Editor’s Note:
God answered that prayer. Before the man left that day, he asked for a Bible. I gladly gave one to him and said, “If you would like to study this book with us, please come back.” He did come back, week after week and studied the Bible and the doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with me until he totally surrendered his life over to Jesus. During the time I was studying the Bible with this man, God increased his faith through a personal revelation of his protection and power. After the Bible study one night my Bible student was not able to get a motor taxi, so he decided to walk home. As he passed by a dark area he caught a glimpse of a man hiding in the bushes
18
When Boonpranee Wannadee became the leader of the Lao Adventist Field three years ago, he said, “I cannot do this job on my own.” He puts total trust in God and as a result, God aides him to share the light of Christ's salvation as he preaches and trains workers to spread the gospel. He praises God for the 1,896 church members in Laos. Yet, there are still 6.5 million living in spiritual darkness. He asks for your prayers for his unreached country and the forty-five ASAP church planters working on the front lines.
—————————————————————— A bout the Author —————————————————————— Houmphanh Kongsengphengphet is a pastor of Ban Dongkhamxang SDA Church near Vientiane, Laos. He also is the founder of an elementary school that brings light to his poor community. His passion is to train young adults to become strong Seventh-day Adventist Christian leaders in their church and community. He accomplishes this through conducting a youth evangelism program.
Third Quarter 2008 Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
workers
L aos
Meet Sadua Lee “I knelt by her bed in prayer, asking God to heal her according to His will.”
‘‘
Photo by AJ O'Carey
Position Lay pastor Location Laos Main Goal To win souls for Christ and plant a new church in Vern Kham Village. Vern Kham means lake full of gold. Sadua Lee said that the treasure of God’s love and salvation for the people of Vern Kham Village is worth more than gold. How You Can Help Pray for Sadua Lee as he spreads the gospel to Hmong people in Laos. You can also financially support lay pastors like Sadua Lee working in Laos. ($70 per month is needed)
They call me to pray for them.”
GOD’S POWER REVEALED Three years ago God gave me a burden to reach the people of Vern Kham for Christ. I asked my members in Hong Suphap Village to join me in fervent prayer for the people of this village. One day when I was visiting the village a little six-year-old girl was hit on the road by a pickup. The father called me to come to his house to help his little girl. I could see that she was seriously hurt and may not live. She was not able to walk but could speak softly. I knelt by her bed in prayer, asking God to heal her according to His will. I brought her to the hospital. Now, I thank God for His miraculous healing of this little girl. The incident showed God’s power to her father and the whole village. After her healing, the family believed in God and came to church to learn more. They shared with friends and family and many more people came to church. Now whenever anyone is sick in the village they call me to pray for them. I thank God for more than seventy people who now come to worship God each Sabbath. ONE OF MY FAVORITE BIBLE TEXTS Matthew 6:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Sadua Lee shares, “I have experienced many times in my life where God answers my prayers and gives help and answers.” PRAYER REQUESTS
1.
Join Sadua Lee in praising the Lord for ASAP donors who are financially helping him build a church in Vern Kham Village. 2. Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to continue to bless him as he shares God with more Hmong people. 3. Pray that God will supply all that is needed for this village project. • Bibles and evangelism materials ($350) • A well that is 15 meters deep next to the new church ($300) • A house for the pastor ($3,400) • A fence around the church property ($900)
Christ is Coming ASAP … Reach Asia Now!
19
P
Salt and Light for Southeast Asia By judy aitken
From June 2-4, 2008, sixteen directors of supporting non-profit ministries met with Rick McEdwards, director of Adventist Missions of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, Bill Townend, President of Southeast Asia Union Mission, and Somchai Chuenjit, President of the Thailand Adventist Mission, at the first annual Supporting Ministries Planning Retreat.
I was grateful to receive, on behalf of Adventist Southeast Asia Projects, a plaque presented by Rick McEdwards from the Southern Asia Pacific Division, which recognized the valuable contribution that this ministry has made to God’s work in Southeast Asia over the past twelve years.
Rick McEdwards planned and organized this momentous event. The purpose of gathering was to give an opportunity for the Seventh-day Adventist entities working in this division to interface, to join forces and strategically plan new ways to collaborate to finish God’s work. We discovered God’s special blessings as we prayed and planned together with others who share the same passion to reach the lost in Asia. By networking, we discovered how our time and God’s precious resources can be conserved and how much more can be accomplished in the short time left for earth’s history. Each organization had the opportunity of sharing their special niche and how God is using them to spread the gospel, along with where they are working so coordination can be more natural. Some of the greatest challenges these organizations face were discussed and valuable problem solving took place. The main focus of discussion was how we can “pull together to reach the unreached people groups.”
As I reflect on the progress made, I think of two texts which demonstrate the value of the time we spent. Psalms 133:1, says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” Ephesians 4:4 says, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling.” It was a pleasure to be part of this valuable time.
Some of the key action items we discussed are as follows: 1.
Rick McEdwards will work with Tim Holbrook (AFM) to complete the geographical mapping of the unreached territories.
2. All organizations will share their longterm plans in the following year. 3.
20
SSD will share its strategic plan for reaching unreached people groups when it is completed later in 2008.
4.
All supporting ministries, study centers and the division will share what resources are currently available in Asian languages that will include books, DVDs, training resources, etc.
5.
A strategic plan will be formed for promotion of missions that gives information at the grassroots level on the needs among unreached people groups in SSD. This plan will include the need for missionaries who are tentmakers, volunteers and those needed to work in sensitive areas.
Third Quarter 2008 Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
workers
Thailand
Meet Sriyothee “Becoming a Christian was the biggest miracle I have experienced because I had joy, like my name means, for the first time in my life.” Position Lay pastor Location Northeast Thailand Main Goal To nurture and grow the congregations in Ban Thai Samakkee, Yang Um and Ban Nong Hin Villages, along with starting new groups in this area. How You Can Help Pray and consider a special gift to support lay pastors in Thailand and provide Bibles/materials for them to share.
‘‘
After my baptism I never drank again.”
AMAZING SOUL MAKEOVER Before I knew God I was a good-for-nothing gang leader.
Every time there was a celebration or festival in the villages, I was the first to be there, drinking and causing trouble. One day a Christian came to my village and handed me a tract that told the story of Jesus Christ and how those who believe in Him have love for each other, their neighbors and themselves. Something stirred in my heart from the moment I read those words. I suddenly realized what an evil man I was. Some time later I met another Christian who shared more about Jesus’ love and encouraged me to follow Him and start a new life. After attending meetings, I was baptized. After my baptism I never drank again.
BLESSINGS OF LIVING A CHRISTIAN LIFE Becoming a Christian was the biggest miracle I have experienced because I had joy, like my name means, for the first time in my life. My tapioca and vegetable farm prospered. It was like God’s love and blessings poured out from heaven on me.
A NEW JOURNEY I studied the Bible for five years and then felt called by God to become a lay preacher. About thirteen years later, I met a friend who shared the truth of worshipping on the Sabbath. He took me to a large meeting held by the Thailand Adventist Mission, where we studied this topic. To my surprise, text after text revealed that the seventh day is the holy, true day to worship. I now serve God with joy as an ASAP lay pastor and currently lead three groups. Please pray for my church members and that more villagers will accept Christ.
Web: www.asapministries.org | Phone: 1-866-365-3541
21
A GIVER’S HEART
P Money Can Buy Happiness! By MARTIN KIM
Money can buy happiness! Do you agree with that statement? I do! I spent the first twenty years of my life accepting that premise. I then spent the next ten years of my life believing the opposite. I am now once again a firm believer that money CAN buy happiness. Let me explain.
For as little as $5 you can buy happiness! I have learned from personal experience that spending money on ourselves does not bring lasting happiness or fulfillment, but spending money on others does. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this was also the conclusion of a study appearing in the March 21 issue of Science. Surveys, lab experiments, and research into windfall spending revealed that money can buy happiness as long as it is spent on others or on pro-social causes. The researchers of this study say that most people seemed unaware of this hidden key to happiness. Most research on money and happiness has usually focused on how much people make and how happy they are. In this study they examined what people did with money. A number of experiments were conducted which measured how happy people felt after either spending money on themselves, or giving money to pro-social causes such as buying someone a meal or a charitable donation.
The results of the studies repeatedly showed that those who spent money on others always reported greater happiness. In one of the studies, forty-six participants were given an envelope containing either $5 or $20 and asked to go out and spend it that day. They were told to spend the money on personal items, or on a gift for someone else, including a charitable donation. The participants who spent their money on others reported greater happiness than those who were looking out for themselves. The researches of this study suggest that as little as $5 may be enough to reap a happiness dividend. Wow! Isn’t that absolutely wonderful? For as little as $5, you can buy yourself some happiness today. And do you suppose that because of the spiritual law of sowing and reaping, if you were to spend $50 or $500 on others you would reap even more happiness? The Bible tells us that “he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6). I remember once hearing a pastor ask, “How’s the joy level on your joy barometer? If you want to experience more joy, start giving sacrificially.” Now I ask you, How is the joy level on your joy barometer? Would you like to take it up a few levels? You can do this today by spending your money to help those in need.
MARTIN’s Top 3 Giving Ideas
1 2 3
Give an ASAP Gift Card or Gift Certificate to a friend Join the ASAP Prayer Team and give the gift of time in prayer Choose a special project from ASAP Gift Catalog Follow up with these gift ideas by going to the ASAP website at: www.asapministries.org
22
Third Quarter 2008 Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
P P.S. We Love Hearing from You! myanmar
vietnam LAOS
THailand cambodia
You can read an inspiring story of how God used DVDs to heal by going to our website at: www.asapministries.org/about-testimonials
Thank you so much for the Healing the Brokenhearted in Cambodia DVD. It means so much to me. Truly, my tears are staining the pages as I write this. What a joy it will be to see you in heaven soon! Not only you, but the church planters I support. May our God bless you! JANELLE FROM WASHINGTON
I baptized Corey in 2001. He is still a student and unemployed, but his heart is with God. He just gave $1,000 for the suffering people in Myanmar. After he gave this sacrificial gift, he emailed, “Right now I wouldn’t care if I had to live on banana peels the rest of my life!” He desires to do whatever it takes to move his life in a forward, God-ward direction. DR. KHAMSAY FROM FIJI ISLANDS
Praise the Lord! He has blessed the church planters in my district of Phnom Penh abundantly in the past quarter. Due to the Holy Spirit working on hearts, there are seven new groups worshiping each Sabbath. On top of this growth, there has been an increase in the spirituality of the members and also an increase in the amount of tithe they give to the Lord. Even though they are poor, they give what they can from their hearts. PASTOR HANG DARA FROM CAMBODIA
We have been praying and waiting for funds for DVD players for more than two years. All over Vietnam, I have heard so many testimonies about the effectiveness of the DVD evangelism method. Everyday I receive requests from new groups springing up in different parts of Vietnam. Honestly I was overwhelmed with joy when Judy told me that ASAP received funding for 1,000 DVD players and DVD sermon sets! Halleluiah! Finally! God knows the right time. Thank you so much to the donors and all the glory goes to our Lord.” PASTOR ISAH YOUNG FROM CALIFORNIA
God bless all of you who diligently work for souls and spread the true gospel to our Asian brothers and sisters. God and his angels are watching and we know they have smiles on their heavenly faces as the kingdom of heaven reaps the rewards of your labors! In Christ, TOM & DEBBIE FROM MISSOURI
Congratulations on a fantastic new website! The new website is attractive, easy to use, and packed full of great information and features— it reflects the professionalism of the ASAP organization and staff. The stories and pictures transport me straight into the Southeast Asia mission fields, so I feel like a more intimate part of the ASAP ministry. STEPHAN FROM THE UK
Christ is Coming ASAP … Reach Asia Now!
23
P.O. Box 84, Berrien Springs, MI 49103
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Contact ASAP today at toll-free 1-866-365-3541
PAID
Kalamazoo, MI PERMIT NO. 1679
NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
If you would like your community to be blessed by Jee Wong’s inspirational music contact ASAP to reserve a date for him to come perform an ASAP Benefit Concert in your area.
It will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008 at 7:00 pm At the Howard Performing Arts Center at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan
We invite you to a special concert featuring Jee Wong, pianist, along with other special guest performers
Keep Hope Alive