2022 2nd Quarter Newsletter by ASAP Ministries

FRESH NEWS FROM THE FIELD

SECOND QUARTER 2022 NEWSLETTER

Let the Children Come 1

God’s Heart for Refugees BY JOHN PRESS, ASAP ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

eet a poor Buddhist girl from a broken family, displaced in Myanmar. Encounter a Christian refugee family struggling to survive in Thailand after fleeing religious persecution in their home country.

Their stories are very different, yet both reveal God’s heart for refugees and the marginalized, as do the rest of the stories in this quarter’s ASAP newsletter. We pray you’ll be blessed as you read about the life-changing impact of Spirit-filled missionaries and your support for the mission of ASAP Ministries.

“I know that God is with me.”

Thirteen-year-old Paw Nay Say shifted uneasily in her seat as the evangelist invited her and her classmates to commit their lives to Jesus through baptism. She felt convicted to respond, but she was thinking about all the trouble it would cause. For years, she had begged her father to allow her to attend school, but he saw little value in education. He wanted Paw Nay Say and her seven brothers and 2

sisters to help care for the rice and sesame crops on the family farm. Her mother had died when she was an infant, and her father had remarried. His new wife was the only mother she had ever known, but the woman refused to let Paw Nay Say call her “Mom.” She resented her stepchildren and often sent them to live with relatives. Only her two biological children, Naw Pay Nay Say’s half-siblings, were allowed to attend school.

One of Paw Nay Say’s uncles lived in Nei Poe Kee, a village on the Thai-Myanmar border where displaced Karen people have fled to escape the ethnic conflict in their region. “Why don’t you send your daughter to school here?” he asked. But Paw Nay Say’s father didn’t want his daughter to attend a Christian school. “She can stay at my house,” her uncle offered. He and his wife were leaders in the Buddhist temple in Nei Poe Kee. This swayed Paw Nay Say’s father. At least she wouldn’t be staying in the school’s dormitory, where the Christian students and staff would have a greater influence on her. Finally, Paw Nay Say’s dream of attending school came true. At the age of nine, she enrolled in kindergarten at the ASAP-supported Nei Poe Kee Adventist School. Paw Nay Say’s first year of school went well. Her teachers and classmates warmly welcomed her, and she loved learning, but there was trouble at home. Her uncle often invited shamans to the house and cast spells. By her second year of school, it was clear that something was wrong with Paw Nay Say. A demon had taken possession of her.

remained in her seat as others stood in response to the evangelist’s appeal. That night, Paw Nay Say had a dream. “I saw the Second Coming of Jesus,” she remembers, “but I wasn’t part of the group that went to heaven. I tried to see Jesus’ face, but I only saw His back. It made me very sad. As I saw the group going to heaven, a cloud covered the sky, and then I couldn’t see anything anymore.” When she awoke from the dream, Paw Nay Say resolved that she would follow Jesus, no matter the cost. A few months later, she was baptized. Today, she is 17 years old and continues faithfully serving the Lord. Her family has not accepted her decision to become a Christian. Although their opposition and mistreatment make life difficult, sometimes bringing her to tears, Paw Nay Say is at peace. “I know that God is with me,” she says confidently. “He is calling me to be a missionary, maybe a Bible worker, so I can tell people about Jesus.”

Her aunt and uncle and other people in the village beat and kicked Paw Nay Say, trying to cast out the demon. Whenever this happened, the school’s staff intervened and prayed for Paw Nay Say, and the demon left. However, when her father learned what was happening, he ordered Paw Nay Say to come home. The school’s principal and his wife pleaded with Paw Nay Say’s father to let her return and live in the dormitory. He reluctantly agreed. According to Paw Nay Say, the demon never bothered her again after she moved into the dormitory. “The living environment is different [here],” she says. “This is the most consistent home I’ve had.” Paw Nay Say believed that the God she was learning about in school, the One her teachers prayed to on her behalf, had healed her. But now, as she heard the evangelist calling for young people to make a decision to follow Jesus, she hesitated. Her father was a shaman, and the son of a renowned shaman. If his daughter became a Christian it would bring great shame to the family. Paw Nay Say did not want to cause more trouble at home. She did not want to face the abuse and rejection by her family that would surely follow if she got baptized. So she

“When she awoke from the dream, Paw Nay Say resolved that she would follow Jesus, no matter the cost.” 3

“Without God we are nothing.” Tears streamed down Hamza’s* face as he stood at the payphone in the Immigration Detention Center (IDC). He and his family had fled to Thailand five years earlier after he was accused of blasphemy in their home country. They had narrowly escaped with their lives, but life was very difficult in Thailand. After their tourist visas expired, they applied for refugee status and went into hiding. Yet Hamza must provide for his wife and three children, and one day while he was at the store buying milk for his infant son, the Thai immigration police caught and arrested him. Altogether Hamza spent more than three years in the IDC. “Sometimes, 200 people stayed together in one room,” he reports. “There was no room to sleep…. people became mentally disturbed from being there so long. I saw one man die of a heart attack…. [But] I had hope that I would get out. That’s what helped me survive. We prayed a lot.” Outside the IDC, Hamza’s wife, Azrah,* spent much time fasting and praying, too. “It was so hard [here] in Thailand,” she confesses. “Jesus was my only help.” One of the couple’s biggest concerns was how to provide an education for their children. “[After] we came to Thailand, my kids were not able to go to school… All day my kids stayed home; they had no physical activities,” says Azrah. This was a serious problem, but they knew that lack of education would become an even bigger issue in the future when they resettled in a new country and tried to enroll their children in school. “Every day my kids and I prayed together and asked the Lord for help,” she shares. Providentially, another refugee family introduced Azrah to ASAP field supervisor Philip Charoensuk,* who coordinates a project serving the physical and spiritual needs of urban refugees in Thailand. Philip found a safer apartment for the family, provided assistance with basic needs, and helped enroll the two oldest children, Sammy* and Yameena,* in the local Adventist elementary school, with their tuition fees supplied by ASAP donors. On the first day of school, Hamza called Azrah from the IDC, unaware of what had happened. She shared with him the miracle of how God had provided a good school for their children. “When my

husband heard this he started crying and was very joyful and thanking God,” remembers Azrah. “But he was a little sad that he could not see the kids in their uniforms.” Today, nearly three years later, the family has been reunited following Hamza’s release from the IDC, and they are looking forward to beginning a new life in a new country. Recently, Hamza and Azrah rejoiced when Sammy was baptized after completing Bible studies with his favorite teacher. And Hamza, who missed his children’s first day of school in Thailand was thrilled to be there for Sammy’s first day of summer school at the Adventist academy he will attend until the family is resettled. “I have learned that without God we are nothing,” Hamza shares, reflecting on his family’s experiences since they arrived in Thailand. Although they do not know what their future holds, he is certain of one thing. “I will work for the Lord,” he says.

“‘I have learned that without God we are nothing,’ Hamza shares, reflecting on his family’s experiences since they arrived in Thailand. Although they do not know what their future holds, he is certain of one thing. ‘I will work for the Lord,’ he says.”

1 Heart 4 Refugees Ukraine. Afghanistan. Myanmar. Syria.

As the refugee crisis grows, so do the needs of the world’s 84 million forcibly displaced people. How can anyone make a difference amid such enormous suffering? When persecution broke out against the early Christian Church, the Bible says that the believers united in prayer and sacrificial giving to help those suffering displacement and loss. “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had” (Acts 4:32, NIV). On June 1, 2022, ASAP Ministries and 24/7 United Prayer launched the 1 Heart 4 Refugees campaign, a call for believers worldwide to unite in prayer and sacrificial giving on behalf of refugees and displaced people. The campaign started with an inspiring four-night virtual prayer event. Now, it continues with opportunities to support ASAP projects serving the physical and spiritual needs of refugees. To learn more or donate to one of these special projects, visit asapministries.org/1heart4refugees. 5

Syrian Refugees Find Hope at ALC BY LAURA HOKANSON, ASAP DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT AND VOLUNTEER WRITER

“W

hy, God? I am dying, my family is hungry, I cannot work! Why is this happening to me?” Renas,* a Syrian refugee in Lebanon did not consider himself a religious man, but in

his desperation, he cried out to God. Sadly, his story is a common one. The political-economic situation in Lebanon is critical for all nationalities living there, especially the refugees. For instance, electricity is shut off ninety percent of the time. Pharmacies have run out of basic medications. The Lebanese, sometimes frustrated by the number of Syrian refugees in the country, make employment and education nearly inaccessible to them. Most refugee families are two to six months behind on rent and eat only one meal per day. “Renas, don’t be afraid. I will be with you,” a Voice spoke. Renas turned to see a band of shining angels standing in the alley beside him. From that moment he began seeking God. He found help at the Adventist Learning Center (ALC) where his children attended school. Established in 2013 to help meet the needs of Syrian refugee children in Lebanon, ALC shares the gospel through daily devotionals, weekly Sabbath services, an active teen ministry, and Bible study outreach to families. Last year, through miracles of Providence, and through donors like you, the ministry was also able to provide food support for families, rent for families on the verge of eviction, and medical assistance, including two open-heart surgeries. Prior to COVID-19, 300 members were attending church services, and they are still being nurtured through Zoom fellowship and small group meetings. For the last three years, ASAP Ministries has partnered with the General Conference, providing

financial support for two ALC teachers. One teacher reported, “We pray with our students every day and the children are recognizing answers to their prayers.” The Adventist church members, through the ministry of ALC, embraced Renas with love. Within a year he was sharing Jesus with all who would listen, “If you want to know who the real people of God are, they are the Seventh-day Adventists,” he says. “They helped me when no one else would.” God miraculously healed his terminal lung disease, and today, Renas is leading the first Adventist Kurdish fellowship of about 80 members. Each week he conducts Bible studies with over 100 Kurdish people around the globe. His wife, Aska,* is an ASAP Bible worker. Each week she visits six to eight refugee families, giving Bible studies, in addition to leading a youth ministry program. Already three families have been baptized as a result of the couple’s work and more are asking for Bible studies. Please keep these faithful workers in your prayers.

Reaching the Rohingya BY BILL WELLS, ASAP REFUGEE COORDINATOR

n 2017, genocide broke out in the country of Myanmar. Another one, that is. The stories of genocide in this country have multiplied throughout its long history of military rule. Ethnic minorities are

targeted and experience great tragedies.

The military’s genocidal action against the Rohingya in 2017 displaced nearly one million people within a period of three months (August-October). Since then, additional outflows of the Rohingya have continued at a lesser pace. Bangladesh is the sole country harboring and sheltering these refugees. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees states that there are about 1.5 million persons of concern from Myanmar now in Bangladesh, and that number grows as about 250,000 babies are born each year. The Rohingya, who are predominantly Muslim, occupy more than 30 camps concentrated in a small area, where the largest cluster contains one million people. It is akin to a major city or urban center of tent structures and temporary housing spread out on the hills of eastern Bangladesh. The needs here are great! Hidden amid these masses of people seeking safety, freedom, and help are six special families. They live in close proximity and make up one small group of Adventist believers in this large camp. Their story, though understood only in part, is one of great hardship and pain while yet holding on to faith in such a challenging environment. The leader of this small band of believers, whose name is withheld to protect his identity, seeks to gather the group for spiritual nourishment every Sabbath. He and the others became Adventist believers about a year before the 2017 genocide. Their faith journey from Islam to Adventism began with an ASAP church planter in Myanmar who began to work among the Rohingya. His diligent efforts over the course of a couple of years resulted in a small

band of believers numbering about 20. They were expelled from their Muslim community when they became Christians and had to start life over in a new place. Then the war came to them, adding further difficulties and challenges to each family. For the past four years, they had been living in the camp. Their only connection to the Adventist Church was an occasional phone call with the church planter in Myanmar and another pastor who helped start the group. Then, in 2021, ASAP was invited to participate in a trip to Bangladesh to explore refugee ministry possibilities. Space and sensitivity do not allow for describing all the details, but ASAP was able to coordinate with Bangladesh Adventist Union Mission (BAUM) leaders to meet these believers, interview them, and encourage them in their faith journey. Today, we are praising God that they are now connected with BAUM leaders for spiritual support, and ASAP is helping to develop plans to open a creative access point so that this small group of believers can be discipled and become a shining light in a camp that is desperate for hope, help, and a future. 7

All of the presenters except the pastor’s son come from Buddhist homes. Each one in his or her interview declared, “I’m a Christian.” This is the impact of a Christian education from dedicated and loving teachers.

Let the Children Preach! BY PR. SCOTT GRISWOLD, REACH THE WORLD NEXT DOOR DIRECTOR

“T

hat girl is so scared I don’t know if she can do it,” I told my Cambodian assistant, Sophal. We were training the middle grade students at Takong Adventist School to do all the presentations

for a week of evangelism. “The guys aren’t doing much better,” Sophal shot back. “They’re so tied to their scripts I can’t get them to look up. What do we do? The meetings start tonight!” The resources were excellent. Adventist-laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI) had created two large scrolls with beautiful pictures to match 26 simple but comprehensive health and evangelistic topics. ASAP had them translated into Khmer. For our 2022 mission trip we had decided that our group of foreigners would not do the speaking but would equip the locals. Now we weren’t so sure.

I slipped over to another school building where my wife, Julie, and ASAP field supervisor Vicheak were working with a different group of children. I was amazed to see them eagerly sharing their testimonies. Principal Makara had selected boys and girls who had significant answers to their prayers. Some of our mission team members, Jeff, Ruth, Garcia, and Pastor Steve, were interviewing all the school children with their translators, Vannara, Vanny, Jasmine, and Somnang, finding more powerful stories. These testimonies were going to make a great addition to the nightly evangelistic meetings.

“It didn’t just happen,” Julie said. “Vicheak and I have been interrupting them all morning and showing them how to speak clearly and excitedly.”

As a group of children began to sing, more and more people trickled in until 136 had registered, along with many little ones.

“Please help us,” I begged. “We need your training in the Bible story-telling department!” Vicheak came and watched our students trying their best.

For the next seven nights I watched in awe as child after child rose to speak. Sometimes they were nervous, but always they spoke clearly, sharing words of beautiful truth. I saw their family members beam with pride. More importantly I thrilled to see many come forward, first for prayer, then later to accept Jesus as their Savior and to take their stand to keep God’s commandments.

“Put your script aside,” he instructed them. “Now look at the picture and tell me everything you know about it.” One boy started in. “Nice, but louder,” Vicheak encouraged. He smiled as he heard the boy steadily grow in confidence. “Now go back to your script and see what you missed.” The students poured over the words, circling and writing in big letters things they needed to remember. Vicheak assigned the girl that was especially nervous to read the Bible verses. While our son, Josiah, led the other children in games, the evening’s presenters stuck to their preparations. Bit by bit, three hours later they were ready. Meanwhile, Amber and Christian, who had joined us from Canada, were working with local health ministries leader Chouvy to train another group of children for the health presentations. They also struggled to put the long scripts into their own words. This was new for everyone. “It’s almost time to start,” Principal Makara called out. “Let’s pray.” Americans, Canadians, and Cambodians crowded together to ask God to bring the villagers to the meeting in spite of the dark rainclouds threatening to keep everyone home. Teachers and students pleaded for God to speak truth into the hearts of the Buddhist parents and grandparents.

The last night there were 186 registered guests and more than 100 children packed into one classroom. Who was preaching the last sermon about the New Earth? The nervous little girl. What if we had just done all the preaching ourselves instead of letting the little children come and serve their loving Master? I can’t help but wonder what mighty things God will do with these children to prepare the world for Jesus’ soon return.

The ASAP mission empowering team: Josiah Adams, Pr. Steve Toscano, Christian Blixurude, Jeff and Ruth Bradburn, Pr. Scott and Julie Griswold, Garcia Curtis, Josiah Griswold, Jud Wickwire, Amber Andrews

Synergy for the World Next Door BY PR. STEVE TOSCANO, REACH THE WORLD NEXT DOOR COORDINATOR

n Saturday, February 26, 2022, over 100 church members from 15 different local churches gathered at the “Synergy for the World Next Door” event in Houston, Texas.

The event was organized by Pr. Scott Griswold, Director of Reach the World Next Door, and hosted by the Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church. The gathering highlighted the mission service of local members throughout the greater Houston area to the “least of these” in the form of refugees and immigrants who have recently resettled in the United States. From the outset, it was apparent that the goal of the meeting was to highlight, encourage, and promote this special ministry. Unfortunately, Christian ministry to refugees and immigrants is far too often neglected, and it is rarely carried out in such a careful, systematic, and strategic manner. For this reason, learning of the collective work taking place throughout Texas and hearing the testimonies of how people have immersed themselves in different aspects of this work was refreshing and unique. During the testimony time, many volunteers shared experiences of how they have reached out to incoming Afghan refugees. Dr. Emmanuel Abar, pastor of the United African Church, shared his experience of how his failed attempt to minister to the Muslims in his

home country of Nigeria led to frustration, discouragement, and even bias. And yet, after one visit and meal in an Afghan home here in the U.S., his perspective on Muslims and ministry to them totally changed. In short, he realized that by demonstrating love in action and taking time to get to know them personally, his efforts to reach their hearts would be far more fruitful. This experience not only propelled him, but also led to his family and church committing themselves to this ministry. Following the testimonies, attendees collected prayer cards, split into separate groups, and were instructed to pray over their selected cards. Each card highlighted one of the 33 unreached people groups in Houston. These groups include Buddhists, Hindus, Jewish, Muslims, and refugees from all over the world. Afterward attendees were sent to ten different tables to sign up for various volunteer roles. These roles included working with Muslim families, inviting families into homes for a meal, food distribution, children’s ministry, employment assistance, and many other valuable social services. It was a tremendous blessing to witness local members develop such creative ways to help refugees and take up leadership in these areas. Lastly, food, diapers, and other supplies were collected and placed into 30 baskets. Each of these baskets was then delivered to newly arrived refugee families. Various members eagerly took the baskets and were excited to make new friendships for Christ. Please pray for this growing army of workers.

INTRODUCING PASTOR STEVE TOSCANO, RWND COORDINATOR Pastor Steve Toscano joined ASAP Ministries in February as the Coordinator for our Reach the World Next Door (RWND) program. Originally from Southern California, he has served as a Bible worker, missionary, pastor, and the president of a mission-oriented, faith-based nonprofit organization. Recently, he taught at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University and led overseas study tours with Pan de Vida. He holds formal degrees in theology, education, and church history, and has complemented hands-on discipleship and evangelism training at the Northeast Evangelistic Training School (NETS), the International School of Evangelism, and NY13. As RWND Coordinator, he will work alongside Pr. Scott Griswold, RWND Director, in ministry to unreached refugees, immigrants, and international students in the United States. His duties include promoting and facilitating RWND’s cross-cultural missionary training program amongst pastors and laypeople alike throughout the North American Division. In addition, Pr. Scott and Pr. Steve seek to network, organize mission and service projects, and provide pastoral support to and for those ministering to the unreached. Pr. Steve is blessed to be married to his amazing wife, Shylene, a nurse practitioner, and father to two sweet, wonderful children, Annalyn and Joshua.

IN TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF Bern Bliss, by Simon Elloway | Bifern Yangpraprutporn, Paet, Tharnthara Saethao, and Wind Gliangda, by Rachel Ann Perry | Daniel Widarma, by Catherine Widarma | Hung Nguyen, by Thu & Randy Clark | James Rising, by Shelly Crisp | Mother Judy, by Chanvicheak Ung | Phyllis Collins, a committed missionary who told me about ASAP, by Jacqueline Kinsman

IN MEMORY OF

All late missionaries around the world who served multitudes, by Melissa Stair | Betty Roberts, by Malcom Roberts | Bruce Christensen, by Marilyn Christensen | Deewasnari Muddath, by Suzannie

IN THANKFULNESS FOR

Charlotte Park, by Jake Park | God and His faithfulness, forgiveness, mercy, and providence, by Jonathan Barfield, Mary Bell Sison, Beverly George, Uche MeKowulu, and Pauline Takata | Harold French, by Brenda Craig | The Holy Spirit, by Shelly Crisp | Jesus Christ, by Adoracion Aranas, Thu & Randy Clark, Debrah Dorr, Adam Haley, and Caleb Hill | Newborn baby, Jochebed Lutter, by Michael Lutter | Sky Rinrada, by Rachel Ann Perry 11

Bearing Refugees’ Burdens BY NATHALIA SKINNER, ASAP SOCIAL WORK INTERN

he Bible says “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2, KJV). One fall night, Pastor Daniel received a call that granted him the opportunity to do just that,

bear someone else’s burden. It was this call that changed his life and ultimately impacted his view on refugees and ministry forever. did not think he had enough time to help and was considering passing it off to someone else. Additionally, he had only worked with refugees briefly through his sister’s ministry. But the Holy Spirit convicted him, and he said, “Okay,” knowing it was the right thing to do.

It was 10:00 p.m., the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and Pastor Daniel was at home with his family, enjoying a slice of pecan pie, when his phone rang. Confused about who would call him at that time of night, Pastor Daniel answered the phone. Little did he know this call would be the beginning of many weeks helping an Afghanistan family resettle in America. “Are you Pastor Daniel?” the person on the phone asked. It was then he realized it was a professional call. He quickly responded, “Yes.” On the other end of the line was an ASAP donor. “I was wondering if you could help us with an Afghan family that will be arriving in a major urban center near you, tomorrow night.” Pastor Daniel began to cough in complete shock. “Here, let me tell you the story of this family,” the donor continued, and he began to share about the Afghan family. Pastor Daniel 12

After that conversation, Pastor Daniel began lots of hands-on work with the family and involved his two churches, the Woodland SDA church and the Vacaville SDA church, in practical ministry. ASAP helped too, with funding, guidance, and prayer support as he drove the family to appointments, assisted with their immigration status, schooling for the children, and arranging housing, and other tasks. Pastor Daniel said, “ASAP gave guidance in an area where Adventist pastors aren’t typically trained to do so. My heart was there but my skills were not. The ASAP team was incredible.” Through his efforts he formed great relationships with people who helped him on this journey, learned new skills, and witnessed many answered prayers. Within a month, the family had prospective housing and a job for the father. The family was so grateful and felt the love of God. God opened doors where there appeared to be no doors. Through this experience Pastor Daniel “learned that sometimes sharing the love of Jesus can be a little bit inconvenient, but it’s very rewarding.”

EAVS Opens for Summer 2022! BY DR. SHIRLEY FREED, ASAP BOARD MEMBER

fter almost two years of gathering information, assessing needs, writing proposals, listening to expert advice, developing an administrative team, preparing curriculum materials, setting up an office,

acquiring visas, and much more; the Eternity ASAP Virtual School (EAVS) is opening with the target audience being Pakistani refugees in Thailand. ASAP has been aware of the plight of Christian Pakistani refugees for some time. Many of these refugees do not possess valid documents for their stay in Thailand, making it almost impossible for the parents to work or the children to attend school. This is problematic for children who eventually will find themselves in a Western country and who will be substantially academically behind their age group. So, what did it take to get a virtual school ready for operation? First, it takes an absolute trust in God’s leading. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that will prevail” (Prov. 19:21, NIV). Second, it takes the right people at the right time working together. The team, with leadership from ASAP, encountered almost insurmountable challenges. But they kept encouraging one another, and step by step God intervened and answered prayers. Many aspects of the school were established: the mission, vision and philosophy, the school’s name and logo, the webpage set up (eavschool.org), marketing materials, school calendar, school policies, job descriptions, and applications for personnel.

children to our Lord Jesus.” The other teacher, Gracie (Grades 7 – 8), said, “When I saw the post for [EAVS] about hiring a teacher, I felt that was a call from God to answer my dream to become a missionary.” When we interviewed Neil Roque, we were immediately convinced that God had brought him to the school. He was coming with a strong business background as a project coordinator. He says he was “drawn to the EAVS project because it presented a different way of using the corporate experience I’ve gained through the Lord’s leading. I truly believe that the Lord showed me the way to be more fulfilled in this life by serving Him in ministry with a higher purpose than gaining more of this world’s wealth.” While the school will start with only grades 5 – 8, the administrative team already has a vision to include more grades, other refugee groups, and Adventist expatriate children who have no real access to Christian education. This is truly a collaborative approach involving Thailand Adventist Mission, contributions from Buddhist friends, and sponsorships from various individuals.

We received about 40 applications and interviewed 6 individuals. Two teachers were identified as being the right fit for the school. The grades 5 – 6 teacher, Ayessa, said, “I want to be part of this mission and be an instrument of God to inspire and lead more Ayessa Azores

Neil Roque

Naw Gracie

Soe Finds His Calling BY CAROL REYNOLDS, ASAP BOARD MEMBER

SAP is intentional about training young people from refugee backgrounds to minister to their own people. Kyaw Soe Soe, known as “Soe” to his friends, graduated from Ouachita Hills

College this month with a theology degree. He is especially grateful to have received help from ASAP’s Judy Aitken Memorial Refugee Scholarship Fund while studying to become a pastor to the Karen diaspora who have relocated to North America from Myanmar. Soe’s family were brought to Dallas, Texas, in 2008 from a primitive refugee camp on the border of Thailand where Soe spent the first ten years of his life. His Christian parents were teachers who had fled civil war and persecution. Transition to life in America was difficult as they struggled to learn a new language and adapt to a totally different way of life. Soe attended grades 6-12 in public schools where he was often bullied, and the large number of other immigrants made mastering English 14

difficult. But he persevered and after graduation he attended community college with the goal of becoming a nurse and earning a lot of money. However, God worked on his heart, and Soe decided that he really wanted to work for God. The leader of his Karen church in Dallas gave him a brochure about ASAP’s training program, Reach the World Next Door (RWND) in Houston. He attended this program, led by Pastor Scott Griswold, for a year. That was when his life really changed, and a strong

desire to become a pastor grew in his heart. During his time there Soe gained his own experience with God, learned English much better, and was blessed to do outreach to immigrants from Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, and secular backgrounds. RWND prepared Soe to continue his education. Soe was interested in continuing school but lacked finances. He prayed hard. Then he learned that another Karen student was attending Ouachita Hills College (OHC), a small Bible college in Arkansas. He was accepted and provided an opportunity to earn money by canvassing and working at the school. This, along with ASAP’s matching scholarship, helped him pay his tuition. Each year Soe prayed about his financial needs, and God miraculously provided. Selling Christian books door to door greatly increased his confidence and language skills and allowed him the opportunity to experience how real God is.

The opportunity to study theology for the past four years at OHC has taken Soe to another level in his walk with God. He knows that God has led him step by step, and he is eager to begin his life work as a pastor. Soe plays the guitar, sings, and loves the Word of God, especially Job, Psalms and Proverbs because they’re full of praise to God. For a class requirement Soe and a friend preached an evangelistic series in Karen that was recorded and was viewed by hundreds in various countries where the Karen refugees are resettled. He also returns to his home church in Texas frequently where he preaches, works with the youth, visits, and plans to minister once he graduates. Eventually Soe would love to spend time back in his homeland if God opens the way. He says, “I praise God for ASAP’s donors who helped me with my education that has prepared me to serve the Lord as a pastor to my people that are scattered around the world.”

Do you love missions? ASAP is seeking mission-minded individuals to join the team at our home office in Berrien Springs, Michigan. We are hiring experienced candidates for the following positions: Chief Financial Officer Development Director Executive Administrative Assistant Field Director Learn more and apply at asapministries.org/ employment 15

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ease suffering where ASAP operates. Because ASAP is *At times, photos are blurred and names changed to protect the safety of God's workers.

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