3rd Quarter 2017 Newsletter

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

THIRD QUARTER 2017

REACH THE

WORLD

ASAP

Feature Story:

ASAP Mission Trip 2017

FEATURE STORY

ASAP Mission Trip 2017

BY MISSION TRIP ATTENDEES, LISA AND KATHERINE ISENSEE

Lisa and her daughter Katherine, along with 22 others, bravely entered a communist country to share the light and love of Jesus on ASAP’s 2017 mission trip. Would they be successful? Would this trip impact their lives? Read their testimonies below.

Katherine (age 15): I expected culture shock and major differences, but everything was so much crazier and more foreign than I had been expecting. I went around in awe of everything I saw: stray dogs roaming the streets, strange smells, friendly big smiles on people who didn’t tower over me ;), rolling mountains and fast-flowing rivers. At times things were confusing or hard to deal with, but ultimately the trip was a powerful, fun-filled time! I also loved going with my best friend Merissa and getting to laugh through things and be touched by miracles and experiences together.

I loved meeting and serving with our mission team, some of the most genuine and sweet people I’ve ever met. I loved having worship morning and night with the team, praying and chatting about the coming day and what we had seen.

We had incredible speakers on the trip whose thoughts, sermons, and stories really struck home. Serving on this mission trip, I felt so close to God. One of the things that impacted me the most was the happiness of the people around me. They were so sweet and sharing even though they had so little. Yet it struck me that the people there weren’t really missing out on much.

The Christians there had a strong relationship with God, their families, and friends. Lacking money and things didn’t seem to be ruining their quality of life. Interestingly, they didn’t seem to be searching for fulfillment or contentment.

They were happy. In fact, they didn’t seem to be focused on themselves at all.

I loved the children, full of curiosity and this mischievous hope to connect with you and become friends! The language barrier was so big. When our tri-lingual translators weren’t around, I learned that showing you care through a smile, laugh, or soft-spoken word is so important. I loved spending time outside with the kids and English students. Even falling into our extremely hard beds—some nights utterly 2

exhausted from the long day—I was happy and felt so fulfilled. Leaving was hard. A piece of my heart stayed with the people and that gorgeous land. I hope to go back again!

Lisa: Katherine and Merissa were both very impacted by this trip; it was their first time traveling in a developing country and we saw a lot of poverty and need. The three of us volunteered to be in charge of the vacation Bible school. We had been told that we would be ministering in three villages to approximately 150 children from animist or Buddhist families.

We prayed for 200 children and brought supplies and crafts to match our prayers. But God decided to give us more. Our ASAP team ministered in a total of five villages to more than 370 children!

God’s guiding was so evident. We had been told we could buy paper when we arrived, but I could not shake the feeling that we should bring the cardstock needed for the crafts. We weighed and re-weighed our suitcases, removing personal items. Then we snuck through the airports just within weight limits; with a sigh of relief, I watched the digital scale register 49.8, 49.9, or even exactly 50.0 lbs! And sure enough, in all my searching through local stores for the other needed supplies, I did not see cardstock anywhere. God knows the people and the places! Somehow we had not only enough crafts but even enough gifts to give each child something! One family had brought leftover crafts that hadn’t been used on a previous mission trip. We improvised and turned pencils and extra pipe-cleaners into an additional craft. Homemade playdoh was made and was such a hit with the hundreds of kids (think 30 pounds of salt and flour hauled from a local store).

God cared about the big things, too. And sometimes He surprised us with who He ministered through and to. I could tell that the children weren’t “getting it” when we told our first Bible story. So we prayed and were led to enlist a nonChristian translator, Keng, who did amazingly well. He had told me on his first outing with us, “I’m not a Christian, but I’m interested in Christianity.” Keng turned out to be our best translator, telling stories with both accuracy and drama. But more than that, God was also ministering to him through our group. He chose to come with us to translate even in his free time. I asked him one time, “Keng, tell me what you know about

Christianity.” His response was revealing. It was obvious that he’d read and studied much. Still living at home, he’s concerned about offending his family, but I believe Keng is closer to following Christ than even he thinks.

Someone asked me before we left, “Don’t you think it would be better just to send the money rather than spend the money to go?” That’s a legitimate question. Yes, we enjoyed this serving-adventure. But I have to say that in this situation, I know it was better to go. There are close to 400 children who have now heard the salvation story! And our team was able

to be the “draw” (interesting foreigners with amusing accents and caring hearts) that brought people in night after night to hear the story of Jesus. We miss those dear people—adults and children—but are praying that we’ll see them again in heaven, if not before.

Thank you, ASAP, for helping to make this trip happen. I believe strongly that there will be more people in heaven because of it, and I pray it will be many, many more.

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SHARE THIS STORY

He Saved My Life

BY CHEN JA SAI

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ne afternoon I went to weed the bok choy and other vegetables growing in my garden. Some of my friends worked alongside me in their garden plots. We chatted now and then as we worked. The sun beat down on my head but I didn’t mind. Being outside with the birds chirping and the fresh air gave me new life. It seemed like a normal day in the leper colony.

I stood up to get a drink of water, but suddenly everything around me started to spin. I grasped the air, trying to catch my balance. I started falling, down, down. My arms and legs scraped against the sharp concrete. I landed in a painful heap at the bottom of a dry well that is next to my plot. Pain ripped through my arms. I could not move. My friends slowly made their way over and looked down. They knew that with their handicapped hands and feet there was nothing they could do. But wait, Brother Wu and Sister Fan could help!

One friend hobbled to his wheelchair and headed to the dormitory to call them. Quickly, the missionary couple ran to the site. Brother Wu jumped into the well without hesitation.

Carefully, he hoisted me over his shoulders and managed to carry me out. Both of them carefully transported me to the hospital. They waited with me all night, reading passages from the Bible to encourage me. Finally in the morning the doctor operated on my broken arm. Four operations later, I was on the road to recovery. Words cannot tell you how grateful I am for their help.

Before Brother Wu and Sister Fan came to our leper colony, I had never heard the name of Jesus. They

showed me who Jesus is through their love. I know God sent them here, not only to save my life but to give me a special gift—a new life as a Christian. Brother Wu and Sister Fan’s love did not stop at rescuing me from the well. Every day they serve me and the other lepers, feeding us, bathing us, cutting our hair, and teaching us from the Bible. Anytime we ask for help, they are willing. They treat everyone equally, no matter what their background is or how severe their condition. They never ask us to repay anything. I know that without them, we could not live long. We would be in such a pitiful, hopeless state. We are despised by society, the lowest of the low. Yet, I feel the happiness and joy of the Lord through Brother Wu and Sister Fan. No longer are we alone. We have friends and we have Jesus. In Christ, we are one family. This passage sums up what I want to say: “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:10–11).

“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.” —Mother Teresa 4

PROJECT UPDATE

The Amazing Journey of Faith

BY TIM MADDOCKS

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hank you, ASAP donors, for your support for the twenty boarding students here at Wat Preah Yesu SALT Center. We currently have seventy-five young people in the dormitory and only about one third of these have sponsors. Most can afford to pay between $50 and $100 per year of tuition and board. The fee is $450, so we depend on God for the rest. This support makes a huge difference. It means students like twentyyear-old Thammai Chhoeun can attend our school.

“In my whole life, the Lord, He is the one that leads me into His wonderful ways, and He has a thousand ways for me.

Even when I fail, Jesus and the Father strengthen me. I will not drown because I have God in my journey.” Thammai also says that the SALT teachers, staff, church members, and other students are her encouragers who show her the relevance of God and his love.

This God works miracles. Usually we give weekly funds to the dorm cook at the beginning of the week, but last week we had to dole out the money on hand day by day. God made sure we had enough and the students did not go hungry. What a great God we serve!

This walk of faith is an amazing journey. From one week to the next, we wait in faith on God’s provision to advance the work in new areas here. By the world’s standards, what we do is insane, but for us children of God, it is all about trusting our heavenly Father to come through like He always does.

So you can’t get enough of inspiring MISSION STORIES? That’s good because we just published the perfect Volume 7 for you!

We printed enough for you and for you to give these special gifts to your friends and relatives!

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OUR OUR

FROM ASAP MINIS TRIES

EXCITING EVANGELISM

Victory of the Gospel

BY JULIA O’CAREY AND LISA ISENSEE

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very year, ASAP focuses time and energy into training the ethnic missionaries we sponsor (in addition to other frontline workers in the field).

Every dollar spent and minute invested is worth it because these training sessions act as the fuel that keeps our workers going. These events serve as the camp meetings, ASI meetings, or GYC meetings for ethnic missionaries.

It’s their time to fellowship and pray with like-minded brothers and sisters and helps them feel connected to the family of God instead of swimming alone in a sharkinfested sea of unbelievers. This year, Pr. Scott Griswold’s lessons on end-time events and the second coming of Christ resonated in hearts like no other messages. Workers intently listened, earnestly took notes, and asked many questions. Lisa Isensee, coordinator for church planting for the Wisconsin Conference, joined us for the last training.

She shares her impressions below: I was powerfully impacted by meeting and talking with fellow believers in a country where sharing Jesus might mean prison time. The first pastor I interviewed had been in prison three times for being a follower of Jesus.

Once, he was imprisoned for four and a half years. He had an unusually long last name, so I asked him through his pastor-son if that was typical in his culture. His son smiled and said, “Oh, he has a very beautiful story about his name.” After being released from prison, the father changed his last name to include the words, in his language, “Victory of the Gospel.” People mocked him, “What? You are still a Christian, after being in prison for your faith? You’re a fool!” But he kept living and working for Jesus. I asked him about those people, “Do they still mock you?” He thought about it for a little while, probably running through his mind each person. “No,” he said, seeming a bit surprised, “Those who mocked me have either died or become Christians!” Still others asked, “What kind of a god do you serve that you would serve him even after being imprisoned?” To which he responded, “Well, He is your God, too!” And starting at Creation he shared with them about our wonderful Creator and Savior. It’s not surprising to me that this man is one of the top soul-winners in this communist country.

His face truly glowed as he told me stories of answered prayer. One man he brought to Christ, now a pastor, also

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impressed me. He is just one fruit of many this man has reaped through the power of God. It was spiritually sobering to speak to these dear people.

Yes, I have things to share of what Jesus is doing in Wisconsin and in my own life; I have a testimony. But to serve among those who cannot openly work for God without the risk of recrimination sent me home with a new perspective on the spiritually privileged times (yes, really) that we have in America. It was a great blessing to be able to strengthen and minister to and with the people of this country.

HELPING HANDS

Not Just Doors—God Opens Floodgates

BY HANNAH CHOI

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ast school year I served as a student missionary in Southeast Asia. As I prepared to return to Andrews University to complete my undergraduate degree, I prayed that God would help me find a part-time job where the staff are focused on ministry and intentional about prayer.

Through unrelated events, I discovered ASAP Ministries had an open position that seemed to be custom-made for my skill set. Soon after, I got hired as an ASAP office assistant. This job was a direct answer to prayer. Open door number one.

When I began working at ASAP Ministries, I did not anticipate that God would call me to new territories.

As an honors student at Andrews, I am required to complete a senior thesis. As I searched for a topic that was personal and important to me, I prayed that God would reveal an opportunity I would be passionate about and that would inspire all those who hear of my project.

I also prayed for an opportunity to serve in another country for the summer, as a way to remind myself that my overarching goal was to eventually serve Christ overseas again. Sometime later, I attended a chapel service in which the speaker shared about her work with Syrian refugees. That day, God put Syrian refugees on my heart and I asked Him to use me to lighten their loads.

Not long after, I met with our director, Julia O’Carey.

Knowing nothing about ASAP’s new involvement with MENA (Middle East North Africa Union), I asked if she knew someone I could contact to volunteer with Syrian refugees.

That’s when I learned that just the night before, ASAP’s executive board had approved four projects in MENA for

Syrian and Afghani refugees! “Maybe we could send you,” Julia said. Open door number two.

I realized that if I was going to MENA to work with Syrian refugees, I could possibly pair my honors thesis with this opportunity. Yet none of the options explored gave my heart peace. And then I remembered a professor who takes Andrews students to MENA every year on a mission trip. The next day, I attended my final chapel, and to my surprise, that very professor spoke about Syrian refugee children from the school I was planning to visit!

That afternoon, I went to his office and we began brainstorming. “What if you write a book?” he asked. “All of these children have stories, and most of these stories are lost when they resettle.”

I then met with my thesis advisers, worked out the details, and presented the plan to ASAP, who agreed to take on my project.

I will now spend the fall semester in MENA collecting stories from Syrian refugees, retelling them, and speaking up for these people. The proceeds from my book will go to help Syrian refugees through ASAP Ministries. Open floodgates of blessings!

God opened these doors for a project that is much bigger than I can accomplish alone and I would like to ask for your help. We are fundraising through the ASAP online gift catalog and YouCaring, a website dedicated to raise money for a cause. We would greatly appreciate any support you can give!

And more importantly, I ask for your prayers. God has poured down His blessings and I trust that He will continue to do so.

Thank you for your partnership.

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REACH THE WORLD NEXT DOOR

Reach the World Next Door Training Center Introducing Our Team

BY SCOTT GRISWOLD

I

am so excited to introduce you to the team at our new Reach the World Next Door missionary training center.

Many of you have followed our decision to move to Houston, Texas, and have been praying for property and a team for this special ministry among refugees, immigrants, and international students. Those prayers have been answered! You can hear the miracle about the property from a podcast or in the Our 10 Favorites, Vol. 7 booklet. The miracle about our team is answered in the pictures and description here of whom God graciously sent.

SANDIE GROSS loves to inspire young people to greatness. She has devoted her life to teaching history, Bible and English in an integrated way that inspires commitment to Christian values. Sandie has led her honor students in many service projects. She is excited to join the Reach the World Next Door team as the administrator of the program because she wants to see young people equipped for a life of ministry.

JOEL AND JOYCE MEYER come with a rich experience in cross-cultural missions. Along with their three children, they spent eight years in Nepal doing community development work among the primarily Hindu people. They also opened a medical clinic. During the last eight years, they lived among the Native Americans in Monument Valley, Utah, where they developed a lifestyle center to address the health challenges of the Navajos. Joel is excited to join Reach the World Next

Sandie Gross 8

Joella Meyer

Door because of his passion for agriculture and training young people to become self-reliant missionaries. Joyce has an inclusive heart, drawing people through her hospitality.

She loves to teach children and is constantly active in helping people practically and evangelistically.

The Meyer’s daughter, JOELLA, will be joining the team as a volunteer. She has honed her skills in medical ministry and has been intimately involved in ministry. God has given her a deep love for refugees and she enjoys making friends with people of any culture.

DAVID SKAU has a heart for Muslims. His most recent adventure was in Egypt where he has been teaching Math at the Niles Adventist Academy and leading a team in literature evangelism. Previously he was actively involved in medical missions (with Amor in Peru) where he learned to speak Spanish fluently. David studied international rescue and relief at the undergraduate level and received his Masters in non-profit leadership. He looks forward to mobilizing young people for effective evangelism with Reach the World Next Door.

So that is why I am excited to invite our readers to give generously to this project as ASAP Ministries is raising funds for the operating expenses and the support staff. We are depending on God, who works through faithful and generous people like you.

Joel and Joyce Meyer

Are you a committed young person wanting to reach Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and more?

IN GRATITUDE

Do you want to learn through active ministry with experienced missionaries how to be a cross-cultural missionary?

We are accepting only 16 applicants.

Sign up today!

IN MEMORY OF: BOB MINESINGER, BONNIE GRUNDY NORTON, DELBERT GENNETEN, by James and Judith Culpepper • BAY SAVARY,

by Teresa Jacobs • JACK AND IRENE RIDDLE, by Jimmy Riddle • E JANICKE AND J KRAVIG, by Sandy Monette • VICTOR J QUIROS-DIAZ, by Kimberly Crider • MIROSLAV KIŠ, by Boris and Rachel Vrbeta • ANNE DAVIS, by Christina Davis • TOM WATSON, MY HUSBAND’S 3RD ANNIVERSARY OF HIS PASSING MAY 18TH, by wife Mary Watson and daughter Joann Watson, • NATHAN STOLL, by Cherilyn Typaldos • LANGDON ELMORE (1918-2015), by Ronald A Morris • ALLEN ISEMINGER, MY DAD, by Karen E Iseminger • JACK PENNER, MY FATHER WHO LOVED MISSION WORK, by Laurie Meservia

Join us this August 30, for a nine-month, exciting, practical outreach experience (with the option of a one-year internship following) APPLY AT REACHTHEWORLD NEXTDOOR.COM (LOOK UNDER “TRAINING”)

IN HONOR OF: JESUS, by Michael Miller • MARK REGAZZI’S 70TH BIRTHDAY,

by Joelle and Paul Scalliet, Mark Regazzi Jr, Joe and Stella Greig, Jim and Lorie Kraus • JOSEPH KIM, by Ronald Kim • ESTHER ZIMMERMAN, MY MOTHER’S 91ST BIRTHDAY,

by Donald and Ellen Amador • VICTORIA ANDRAKIN, by Patrick Andrakin • LEONIE GOERTZEN, by Shelby and Leonie Goertzen

IN THANKFULNESS FOR: GOD’S LOVE, GRACE, GOODNESS AND MERCY, by Adina Smith, Andrew Coelho, Ben Lovera, Michelle and Lee Parks, Rosa L Miller, John E and Joyce B Marter, Joseph and Ruthie Reeves • BLESSINGS OF JESUS CHRIST, by Marilyn Baumgartner • JESUS (JOHN 5:23), by Wyman Kingsley • THE LORD, by Pam Blaedow • GOD’S WORK, by Ruth Rivera • RUTHIE REEVES, by Joseph Reeves • PETER ANDREW WOLCOTT, OUR GRANDSON, by Dale and Nancy Wolcott • LUTHER AND JANET KENNER, by Erik and Janae Smith • JUDY AITKEN, my sister, by Jon Olson and Cheryl Glenn • GRADUATION FROM A TRAINING ACADEMY, by Marc S Black

David Skau 9

MEET OUR WORKERS

PHALLY PREAK: Man on a Mission POSITION: Church Planter LOCATION: Cambodia

MISSIONARY: Growing up Buddhist and now a strong missionary for Jesus, Phally knows the spiritual warfare that takes place. “I used to see Satan face to face. I know God is more powerful.” These are the words of a man deemed mentally unfit by his doctor because he believes in Jesus. But Phally Preak is not deterred by the opinion of those around him. He is a man on a mission! Since last year, a new Sunday-keeping group has joined his church in Svay Rieng province. Two hundred adults and about 150 children are now believers in the nine Bible study groups and big city church that he oversees.

MENTOR: In addition, Phally is excited because of the spiritual growth in his church members who spend their money and energy to spread the Good News. Phally knows how to mentor them into active disciples. They shared their testimony of how they used to worship on Sunday and why they changed. As a result, another small group of ten adults and fifteen children are now worshipping on Sabbath. By involving the church members in missionary activities, he builds capacity and extends the reach of the Gospel. But this is not a man who neglects his family for outside activities. His neighbors have seen that he is the head of a happy family, and this witness impacts their lives as well.

PRAYER WARRIOR: Phally has also seen angels. When Satan attacked him and he was sick for several years, he kept praying for healing and deliverance. One night, a man with long white hair came into his room and prayed for him, reassuring him that Jesus would heal him. After that, Phally sat up and felt strong again. He believes in the power of prayer—for challenging situations, for his family, for protection, for the ministry, and for the people he serves.

TAKE ACTION NOW: Sponsor this church planter for just $160 a month. Visit asapministries.org/give or call us at 269-471-3026 to get started.

Your church can help them build their church. They are in need of $20,000 more for the construction. Thank you for joining Phally Preak in this ministry!

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SUPPORT A MISSIONARY

MEGAVOICES

How heaven rejoices when young people choose to respond to the call to serve as missionaries in foreign lands!

Pictured below is Aiyana Ybarra being baptized during a recent mission trip. The dynamic energy of the youth add spiritual flavor that only they can bring to the mission work. Let us not allow financial limitations to restrain them from responding to a life-changing opportunity. You can be the channel through which the Lord works to make ASAP mission trips possible for young people.

Do animals talk? Yes! And some even share the story of Jesus. Now vulnerable and victimized children will hear about the security found in Jesus through the comfort of a stuffed tiger or elephant toy that has a Wildlife Storyteller placed in its pocket. This MegaVoice player contains songs, Bible stories, memory verses, “I Believe� statements and more, all to reinforce the curriculum being taught in our schools to keep kids safe from abuse and trafficking.

The goal is to distribute 2,000 by Christmas.

$3,800 (FOR AN AVERAGE SHORT-TERM ASAP

$30 EACH ($60,000 NEEDED)

Send a Young Person on a Mission Trip

Give Some Cuddly Comfort

MISSION TRIP, INCLUDING TICKETS)

GO ONLINE TO VIEW NEW PROJECTS

EVANGELISTIC MATERIALS

REACH THE WORLD NEXT DOOR

Evangelistic materials such as Bridge of Life, Steps to Christ and Ministry of Healing are effective tools in encouraging a walk with the Lord in countries like Cambodia and Laos. Recently the Laotian government asked for Ministry of Healing and Steps to Christ to be distributed to students in fifteen public schools. This is a miracle! God is opening the doors for His message to get into places we never dreamed it could go.

Through the Reach the World Next Door Training Center in Texas, missionaries will be provided with a wholistic training that equips them to reach out to immigrants, refugees and international students here in the USA, some of whom have never heard of Jesus.

William and Rachel Teng, students from Taiwan, would like to attend the August training. Would you sponsor Rachel? (They can afford just one tuition.)

$5 PER BOOK ($106,000 NEEDED)

$7,000 TO SUPPORT A RWND STUDENT

Help buy Bibles and Evangelistic Supplies to Share

Sponsor a Cross-cultural Missionary Student

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

EXECUTIVE EDITOR/DIRECTOR Julia O’Carey COPY EDITOR Brenda Kiš, Wayne Labins DESIGN/LAYOUT Robert Mason PHOTOS Tim de la Torre, Josiah & Scott Griswold, AJ O’Carey BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair: Tom Evans, Judy Aitken, Christopher Carmen, Steve Chang, Dean Coridan, Chan and Esther Hwang, Julia O’Carey, Denzil McNeilus, Mary Ann McNeilus, Byron and Carol Reynolds, Saengthong Saengthip, Trudi Starlin

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

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(Robert Moffat, who inspired David Livingstone)

In the vast plain to the north I have sometimes seen in the morning sun, the smoke of a thousand villages where no missionary has ever been.