2022 3rd Quarter Newsletter by ASAP Ministries

FRESH NEWS FROM THE FIELD

THIRD QUARTER 2022 NEWSLETTER

The Three-Year Miracle 1

The Three-Year Miracle BY PASTOR SCOTT GRISWOLD

“T

his will be the third year we’ve put in a proposal to ASAP Ministries for a church planter to help us among the Afghans,” I told Julie. “We

can’t give up praying for someone,” she quickly answered. “We’ve

done our best with children’s programs and helping the refugees get settled. But we need someone who can take it to the next level spiritually.” “I’ve wondered many times why God had us reach out to Muslims here in Houston,” I added. “After spending 20 years in ministry to Buddhists it’s not what I expected.”

I was so excited I was almost speechless. In all our years of ministry, I had not heard of any Afghans becoming Seventh-day Adventists. Who was this man? “Tell me more,” I managed to say.

“It’s because there are so many unreached Muslim groups here,” Julie passionately reminded me. “The church has to do something!”

“Well, my son and I came down from Washington and we’re visiting Waco, Texas, looking for God to open a door for us. I’ve been working for FedEx for the last year and I want to get back into full-time ministry. Yesterday I almost left for a Bible worker job in Connecticut, but we were delayed. Do you really work with refugees and immigrants?”

Nine months later I got a call from a Washington State area code. “This is Pastor Shahbaz,” the voice said. “I got your number from the local pastor. I’ve worked with Afghans in Sweden and Turkey. By God’s grace, I’ve been able to lead Muslims to Christ.” 2

I briefly explained about Reach the World Next Door and our ministry with the Chinese, Cambodians, Lao-

tians, and Afghans in Houston. “I can’t believe I’ve never heard about this,” Pastor Shahbaz exclaimed. “I started an organization called Advent Lighthouse Ministries because I know God wants to finish taking the gospel to the world through those He has sent here to the United States!” “Can you come over tomorrow?” I asked. I had to meet this man who shared our vision. “Of course,” he quickly replied. The next day we talked for six hours straight, sharing stories and discussing ministry among Muslims. Pastor Shahbaz had been born in Iran, immigrated to California, and met Jesus when He appeared to him in several dreams. I was fascinated to hear about his journey, learning how God led him to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and brought in almost his whole family through dreams, as well. He then met a lady from Sweden named Sara, fell in love, got married, and eventually had five children, while serving together in ministry around the world. “So, why Texas?” I finally asked. “You’re a long way from Washington.”

Conroe and United African Seventh-day Adventist churches, Pastor Shahbaz and I made friends with a newly arrived refugee. “This is a picture of my family,” the man said, holding up his phone. “They are stuck in Afghanistan.” “Oh no!” we both exclaimed. “What happened?” “I had to flee suddenly or I would have been killed,” the man explained, his face sober. “But my 12-year old son got out with me.” That sounded like good news to us, but he went on. “Every day he sits at home while I work. He’s so depressed. I’m really worried about him.” “I will do everything I can to connect you with our congressman for help,” Pastor Shahbaz pledged earnestly. I could see he was visibly moved. He also has been separated from family in Iran for decades. He could understand the man’s pain. And so began Pastor Shahbaz’s ministry. ASAP Ministries’ board of directors voted, in faith, to hire him as Muslim Ministry Coordinator, trusting that God would raise up enough monthly supporters and one-time gifts to provide.

“There are only three Iranians where I live and one of them is me!” Pastor Shahbaz laughed. “I need to be serving where there are many Iranians and Afghans. Most of the Afghans speak Dari which is almost identical to Farsi, or Persian as we call it, so I can communicate with them.” I was thrilled to see God moving. “We’ve been praying for God to send someone here for three years!” I told him. “Three years!” he exclaimed. “That’s how long Sara and I have felt a strong impression that we should move to Texas!” We both stared in amazement and then earnestly prayed for God to lead. Sara, true to her name, gathered their children and belongings, and together they headed out to a land not yet seen, knowing it would be much hotter and more humid than the Washington and Sweden she loved. Pastor Shahbaz and Sara trusted that God would provide because the call was clearly from Him. While getting settled, Pastor Shahbaz joined Julie and me on visits to Houston, where we introduced him to our Afghan friends. One day, while distributing furniture and clothing to the refugees with the

Now, through a miracle three years in the making, God has sent Pr. Shahbaz and his family to help carry forward this special work of sharing the gospel with [Muslims]. 3

A few days later Julie got a text from an Afghan friend we will call Abel.* “I need a dentist that can help me. Bad toothache.” Julie checked around for an inexpensive place, then got busy finding church members who would help pay for it, since Abel could not afford the $500 charge. Pastor Shahbaz offered to take him to his appointment, and on the way the two quickly connected. They even discussed spiritual things briefly. Later, Pastor Shahbaz picked him up for a second appointment. “Happiness to you during the Great Festival,” Pastor Shahbaz greeted him, knowing it was the time of Eid Ul-Adha, the celebration of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. “The same also to you,” Abel smiled back. “Do you understand the significance of the sacrifices made on that day?” Pastor Shahbaz asked. “I guess so we can have a good omen, to protect us from evil eyes,” Abel responded. “It certainly is about protection and so much more,” Pastor Shahbaz was excited to share. “Like what?” Abel wanted to know. Pastor Shahbaz began at the Garden of Eden. “Did you know that God offered the very first sacrifice?” Abel was surprised. Pastor Shahbaz explained about Adam and Eve’s sin and God’s gracious mercy. He went on to show how all the children of those first parents were contaminated by sin. “We each need a Savior. But Moses could not do it.

He was contaminated, too. Even our father, Abraham, could not. No prophet could because they each have an earthly mother and father.” Abel was listening closely, following everything. “Only one person was born who did not have an earthly Father, and that was Jesus.” Abel’s eyes grew wide. He knew from Islam that Jesus had been born through a miraculous birth. “He’s the Savior that God sent,” Pastor Shahbaz continued. “All those sacrifices pointed to him.” He went on to describe Jesus’ death on the cross. Tears filled Abel’s eyes. He saw the love of God clearly for the first time, but Pastor Shahbaz was not done. “It’s not enough that you know. You have to accept this gift. You have to accept that Jesus died for you and took the penalty for your sin.” The men prayed together, with Abel praying a prayer receiving Jesus as his Savior. Tears flowed. As I heard the story, I was moved by the simplicity of it all. I had struggled to say anything to my Muslim friends, fearful I would offend, not knowing how to share. But now I had found a boldness and a compassionate heart in the missionary God had sent. It was going to help me share Jesus with Muslims, too. Later Julie and I were able to visit Abel’s home with Pastor Shahbaz. Abel’s wife and her friends fed us amazingly delicious bolani, a stuffed flatbread with either potatoes or spinach. We see deep hunger in them for spiritual understanding, and we know there are many more like them. Now, through a miracle three years in the making, God has sent Pr. Shahbaz and his family to help carry forward this special work of sharing the gospel with them.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PR. SHAHBAZ AND SUPPORT PROJECT CYRUS ASAP is pleased to introduce Pastor Shahbaz as our new Muslim Ministry Coordinator! Visit the “News and Stories” section at asapministries.org to check out his interview with ASAP’s CEO, Julia O’Carey. There you can learn more about him and Project Cyrus, ASAP’s growing outreach to Muslims, and read more of Pastor Shahbaz’s experience sharing the gospel with Abel and his family. You will also find a link to Pr. Shahbaz’s interview with 3ABN, where he tells his amazing conversion story. Please consider supporting Pastor Shahbaz and Project Cyrus through your prayers and financial gifts. If you become a monthly supporter, we will send you a copy of Pastor Shahbaz’s book, Two Sacrifices One Destiny, as our thank you. When giving, please indicate that your gift is for Project Cyrus. 4

Esther’s Discipleship Paradigm BY LAURA HOKANSON

“

want you to be in heaven someday. I want to see you there. The journey will not be easy. So be careful.” The plaintive words struck Esther’s* heart like an arrow.

For the last three years, she had watched her parents grow spiritually after being introduced to Bible truth through an Adventist radio ministry in a closed country. Although she had followed her parents as they began to worship on Sabbath and accept other Bible truths, she had never accepted Seventh-day Adventism as her own faith. Now her father lay dying. His parting words challenged her to grip the truth for herself. “Right then,” Esther says, “I made the decision to love the Lord and never forsake Him.” When her dad passed away, Esther lost a great mentor in her life. “There was no one to help me study the Bible in depth or to understand it well enough to teach others,” Esther reflects. “Then in 2014 an ASAP Bible worker, Sister Lydia,* came to our area to teach the Bible to young people.”

Esther was a diligent Bible student. Soon she was accompanying Sister Lydia in personal evangelism ministry. “Sister Lydia taught me the fundamental beliefs,” Esther explains. “She had me memorize them, repeating them again and again until they were in my heart.” Sister Lydia taught Esther how to share the gospel, how to distribute literature, and how to survey an environment before sharing gospel-related material. “Before learning these skills, I shared literature at a policeman’s house and was arrested,” Esther says. “But with Sister Lydia’s instruction, I learned to work smarter under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Her patient mentorship was such a gift to my life and ministry.”

friendship evangelism, visiting homes regularly to encourage others with prayer and Bible stories. One teenage girl so valued Esther’s visits that she invited her to keep sharing the Bible stories with her, despite the abuse she suffered from her parents after each visit. Esther had no idea of the persecution this girl was suffering because the parents were always hospitable when she visited. “Whatever our daughter wants to do is fine,” they told Esther. However, she later learned that the girl’s family often beat her, forbade her to eat food, and threatened her life in an effort to discourage her from accepting the Bible teachings she was learning from Esther. Today this teenage girl is married and safe from her abusers. Her husband is taking baptismal studies, and she is leading a Bible study group using My Bible First lessons under Esther’s mentorship. Just as Esther was taught by Sister Lydia, now she is teaching another young disciple to share the gospel of Jesus. This story illustrates how ASAP missionaries are trained not only to share the gospel but also to disciple others in successful ministry. Please pray for these faithful workers as they carry the gospel forward under difficulty and persecution.

Today Esther is married with a young son and another baby boy on the way. She remains active in 5

The French Fry Beetles BY RUTH BRADBURN

“W

ould you like to try a bug?” The translator held out a shiny black beetle, oil glistening on its spindly legs. “It tastes just like French fries!”

We were interviewing students at one of ASAP’s schools in Cambodia when, during a break, our translator offered to take us to visit the home of Sor Rueb (pictured), one of the school’s students. In a tiny, three-sided bamboo shack located right behind the school’s back wall we met Mr. and Mrs. Rueb, a hard-working couple with three children. Their two oldest children were students at the school, and the translator visited them often.

Mrs. Rueb showed us her husband’s latest catch as the translator explained that the family is very poor. To provide for the family Mr. Rueb wakes up while it’s still dark and travels many miles along bumpy roads on a borrowed motorbike, balancing a five-gallon bucket between his knees. He is in search of black water beetles, considered a delicacy in Cambodia, which reside in remote rivers and lakes. Using a handmade wooden net, he scoops the bugs out of

the water to catch them in his bucket. It’s extremely hard work. At home, Mrs. Rueb deep-fries the insects in oil, scoops them up two cups at a time into small plastic bags, and sells them for a dollar each. The kids at the school love to eat the oily treats as a snack. We watched several of them eagerly crunching away through the tough exoskeletons like they were sunflower seeds! Looking at the swimming, shimmering, mass of live beetles filling the five-gallon bucket, our insides began to feel a little squirmy. We couldn’t imagine the courage it takes to wade through murky streams, sifting through mud and leaves to catch the insects, some of which can give you a painful bite! It was humbling to witness the sacrifices this family makes continually to ensure their children have access to a Christian education. Sor Rueb, the eldest daughter of the Rueb family, is 10 years old and in fourth grade at the school. Sor loves coming to church and learning about Jesus and the Bible in school. One day she wants to be an English teacher, because she wants to help people communicate with foreigners. When Sor was in second grade, she began to suffer from diabetes. The whole

church started praying for her, and she had to make several trips to the hospital in Siem Riep. This was very expensive, especially for her family. When we met Sor’s parents they were praising God that their daughter had been healed about six months ago and continues to be well. Now that they have learned more about the health message, Sor has been careful to avoid eating certain foods so she can be healthier and make sure the diabetes doesn’t come back. Like many other students at her school, Sor is able to enjoy a Christian education thanks in part to the sponsorship of donors like you! Her parents rely on the scholarship she recieves to cover the remaining cost of tuition that they are unable to pay. Each time you sponsor a student at one of ASAP’s schools, you help children like Sor to learn more about Jesus. As the translator purchased a bag of beetles and continued offering them to our group, the adventurous among us decided it would be polite to at least try one little crunchy nibble. Although we wouldn’t advise consuming deep fried water beetles as part of a health-conscious diet, we can confirm that they do, indeed, taste like French fries.

Jim Hardy, Johnny Ellison, and Lonnie Alexander, by Denise Bowman | Mattie Pugh, by Sylvester Morton | Virginia Francis Casey, by Geri Casey | Wan Kim Young, by Fwo Yi Tee

IN THANKFULNESS FOR

Conception of Joel Kim, by David & Esther Kim | God’s goodness, by Victor Swayze | Jesus, by Robert Korter and Brian & Marcia Schick | Nubia de Palacio, by Ricardo Henao | Our daughter, Charlotte Park, by Jake Park | Willcox SDA Youth, by Miguel & Amanda Caldera

Why Camp Meetings for Refugees are a Must BY JULIA O’CAREY

hen you think of evangelism, does a Daniel and Revelation series come to mind? You may not link evangelism to camp meetings, but let me tell you, much evangelism happened

during two special camp meetings that took place this summer for the people of Myanmar now living in the United States. Over 380 Karen (pronounced Kah-REN) young people and their youth leaders gathered at Camp Wagner in Michigan from July 5-9. Pr. Stephen Po, one of the event’s coordinators shared, “Our purpose for the Karen SDA Youth Camp this year was to lift up those who have fallen and bring peace to their hearts and minds.” He knows the challenging circumstances the youth face, such as domestic problems, peer pressure, relationship issues, health challenges, depression, and more. As the Holy Spirit worked through the speakers’ messages, personal interactions and sharing of Scripture, prayers, games, and songs, these young people experienced true revival and strength to keep moving forward in faith! When I walked into the large gymnasium on Sabbath a middle-aged woman shyly smiled and came up to me. In broken English she shared, “My daughter, she attend [sic] your class at Karen Camp Meeting six years ago. She said it was there that she let Jesus into her heart for the first time. Today she get baptize [sic].” Nothing compares to the joy I felt in my heart while seeing her go under the water, committing herself as Christ’s disciple. (I also loved how her friends and church family stood beside her in the water to show their support.) Many made great sacrifices to attend these camp meetings. Thaw Htoo sensed the Lord’s presence so strongly when attending camp meeting in 2019 that he vividly remembers feeling like it was only him, the 8

Top to bottom: Julia O’Carey with her young friend who was baptized at Karen Youth Camp; Karen young people share the gift of music.

“

I would rather have peace and joy with God than stay home and make money, because money never fills the void in my heart that only God can fill.

” ASAP social work intern Nathalia Skinner (left) and others shared presentations on mental health and spirituality at the Karen Youth Camp.

THANK YOU, ANDREWS UNIVERSITY TEAM!

Pr. Stephen Po offers a prayer of dedication

speaker, and God in that large auditorium during the sessions. He knew he couldn’t miss this one, but his boss would not give him the time off, even after he told him that it was for religious purposes. He writes, “I would rather have peace and joy with God than stay home and make money, because money never fills the void in my heart that only God can fill.” Raymond wrote, “Our family drove for twenty-three hours to get to the NAD Myanmar Convention. My brother saved his money for a long time so that all our family could attend. We longed for the kind of Christian fellowship in our own language that we experienced at the convention. We were all so blessed.” At the North American Division (NAD) Myanmar Convention held in Florida, Elder Jose Cortes, Jr. and Pastor Sam Ngala issued a call to Burmese-speaking attendees who want to go into ministry. Four lay members immediately stood up and were dedicated to the Lord. These refugees see the urgency in reaching out to the many refugees across North America who don’t yet know their Savior and Creator. Please pray for their deep desire to plant churches. God willing, they would like to send 16 people to study for Master of Divinity degrees at Andrews University in the next three years. God was definitely moving in their midst!

We want to give a “shout out” to Professor Ingrid Slikkers and her team of mental health professionals from the International Center for Trauma Education and Care at Andrews University. They not only gave practical presentations on mental health and spirituality, but personally connected with the young people at the Karen Youth Camp in an impactful way. ASAP Refuge Coordinator Bill Wells said, “These seminars were a great encouragement to many who mentioned that they had been struggling with a wide range of personal difficulties. The presenters connected all the attendees into a deeper relationship with Jesus.” If you are interested in having a trauma team come speak to your group, want to join a trauma education course, or just have some questions, send them a message at traumacare@ andrews.edu. If you would like to support interns from the University’s Social Work Department who are working with ASAP to continue reaching refugees, consider donating to the STEPs (Sensory Trauma Education Programs) project.

HELP RESCUE STRUGGLING SCHOOLS IN A WAR ZONE! During the NAD Myanmar Convention, a special offering was collected to help six Seventh-day Adventist schools in Myanmar that are located in war zones. Due to the military coup and COVID-19 lockdowns, these schools are struggling to stay open. Convention attendees raised a total of $2,000 to support the schools, and they need your help to match this amount. Would you like to help your suffering brothers and sisters continue getting a quality Christian education? Your support will supply very basic needs like food for the students, pencils and paper! Every penny will help. When donating, indicate “Myanmar Special School Match,” and 100% will go toward this special initiative. 9

Your Gifts in Action BY JOHN PRESS

SAP Ministries is thrilled to share the following reports, which represent a small sam-

pling of how your prayers and financial support are helping break new ground — figuratively and literally — and accelerating the spread of the everlasting gospel in Southeast Asia.

Seekers in a Closed Country Find Truth In a closed country where all public evangelism must receive prior approval from the communist government, ASAP missionaries are sharing unfiltered Bible truth through media and literature evangelism. “Sometimes one piece of literature can lead a whole family or village to the gospel truth,” explains the ASAP field supervisor. This year alone, it is estimated that ASAP missionaries will discreetly distribute 35,000 pieces of literature, including Bibles, copies of Steps to Christ, and booklets about health and the Sabbath. Even other Adventist mission organizations in the country are sharing reports on the impact of this literature, which is translated and printed with funding from ASAP donors. “The Spirit is doing something,” says one missionary. “In the past few months, we have been just getting people coming into the church … who say they started reading the Bible on their own … No one brought these people in. And now [they] are bringing others in.”

Tentmaker Training Center Expansion Nears Completion Following the graduation of the first cohort of students, Covid-19 lockdowns forced the temporary closure of ASAP’s tentmaker missionary training center in Ayutthaya, Thailand. However, with your gifts and support from Thailand Adventist Mission, the delay afforded time to make several much-needed upgrades to the training center campus. Earlier this year a groundbreaking ceremony (pictured) marked the start of a major building project, including the construction of a dormitory, a multipurpose building, a new kitchen and bathroom facilities, and a perimeter wall. Beginning in 2023, these improvements will make it possible to accommodate twice as many students during each training cycle and allow the center to generate rental income to support the training program when it is not in session.

Training Events Empower Local Missionaries Earlier this year, nearly 140 Cambodian church planters, medical missionaries, and teachers gathered in Siem Reap for three days of training and fellowship. They received hands-on instruction in the use of ASI New Beginnings picture rolls and other evangelistic resources, the Growing Safe curriculum for those working with at-risk children at ASAP schools, as well as training on healthful living, health ministry, and deliverance ministry for those dealing with demonic oppression. With support from ASAP donors, partner ministries, and volunteers, similar training events were also held in Thailand, on the Thai-Myanmar border, and in a closed country for ASAP missionaries serving in those regions. “I really thank God that He allowed me to be here and take part in this training,” said a teacher who attended the Cambodian training. “And I am determined, when I go back, I will share what I learned with my community.

New Church Plant and Well Dedicated in Myanmar Thanks to the generosity of ASAP donors, the migrant workers living on the outskirts of Aung Chan Thar, in southern Myanmar, now have access to clean water and Living Water. In July, Ayeyarwady Mission leaders joined ASAP church planter Abraham Min* for the dedication of a newly renovated house church building. In less than a year, the group that meets there has grown to 20 members, and more are studying the Bible with Abraham. “He is known by the whole village, and everybody loves him because of his perseverance and unselfish service,” ASAP field supervisor Timothy Cho* says of Abraham. The new 100-foot-deep well on the property has also created goodwill between the church plant and the community. It is the only well in the entire village that continues to flow throughout the dry season. “We really thank ASAP Ministries for making this happen,” says Timothy. “We hope and believe we will be able to bring many people [in] this community to where the Living Water flows, as we provide them [clean] water.”

ASAP Ministries empowers local missionaries to restore and disciple the marginalized with the wholistic gospel. 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. Canadian Donors: You can now give tax-deductible gifts to ASAP Ministries through Charitable Impact. Scan the QR code or visit asapministries.org/give/

EXECUTIVE EDITOR/ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR John Press ASSOCIATE EDITOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Julia O’Carey COPY EDITORS Ruth Bradburn, John Press GRAPHIC DESIGNER Robert Mason PHOTO CREDITS Josiah Adams, Timothy Cho,* Josiah Griswold, Soe Nay Hsee, Pr. Benjamin Kip, Jasmine Moo, Julia O’Carey, Bill Wells

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Journey with Jasmine and Soe Soe Could you endure stuck trucks, swarms of mosquitoes, and tiring days and nights far from home? In ASAP’s new video series, “Journeys,” travel with refugee student missionaries Jasmine and Soe Soe to distant villages where throngs are responding to the gospel! Scan the QR code to watch “Journeys.” 12

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