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Reaching Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar & Beyond Disciples Walk in Victory BY SCOTT GRISWOLD WHAT'S INSIDE? Find out if sickness was an answer to prayer Enjoy our Merry Christmas Indy Report Join the 1 in a Million project to impact Vietnam with 25 cents FIRST QUARTER 2015 C asi’s* hands trembled as she handed us her cat. “I’m going somewhere for a few months. Please take good care of her.” We could only guess, but we were sure Casi was headed to jail. We found out later she had been selling drugs. We guessed she had been using them too. Four months later Casi came to pick up her cat. We invited her to stay for noodles. After supper, Casi poured out her heart. She wanted to stop drinking alcohol. She wanted to make an honest living. We told her we knew of only one sure way—Jesus’ love and power in her heart. Did she want that? She did. After sharing more from God’s word, we knelt and Casi gave her heart to Jesus. We got up with very happy hearts. She became Jesus’ disciple and went on to help many others be free from alcohol. Jesus made it clear that a true disciple is set free from sin by his Master. He said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). We surely may have wounds and scars from falling down, but we are called to be victorious soldiers who get up again and fight until we win. Then we help new disciples to experience the same. When we meet yearly with the national missionaries in Southeast Asia, the greatest burden on our hearts is to know if each is still walking closely with Jesus. We do not want anyone to miss out on heaven and we do not want any of them to be lost as a worker for God. From experience, we know the enemy attacks any point of weakness. A mighty worker may get pulled down with discouragement. A faithful husband may be tempted to leave his family. A young teacher may be offered a higher salary that requires her to work on the Sabbath. Can you relate? The enemy attacks us all. So when we meet together in Asia we listen, we pray, and we share encouraging words. Mostly, we focus on the power of Jesus’ promises in His word. Jesus said, “If you abide in My word…the truth shall make you free!” That word is incredibly
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ASAP Newsletter, 1st Quarter 2015

Jul 22, 2016

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Page 1: ASAP Newsletter, 1st Quarter 2015

Reaching Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar & Beyond

Disciples Walk in VictoryBY SCOTT GRISWOLD

WHAT'S INSIDE?

Find out if sickness was an answer to prayer

Enjoy our Merry Christmas Indy Report

Join the 1 in a Million project to impact Vietnam with 25 cents

FIR

ST Q

UA

RTE

R 20

15

Casi’s* hands trembled as she handed us her cat. “I’m going somewhere for a few months. Please take good care of her.” We could only guess, but we were sure Casi was headed to jail. We found out later she had been selling drugs. We guessed she had been using them too.

Four months later Casi came to pick up her cat. We invited her to stay for noodles. After supper, Casi poured out her heart. She wanted to stop drinking alcohol. She wanted to make an honest living. We told her we knew of only one sure way—Jesus’ love and power in her heart. Did she want that?

She did. After sharing more from God’s word, we knelt and Casi gave her heart to Jesus. We got up with very happy hearts. She became Jesus’ disciple and went on to help many others be free from alcohol.

Jesus made it clear that a true disciple is set free from sin by his Master. He said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). We surely may have wounds and scars from falling down, but we are called to be victorious soldiers who get up again and fight until we win. Then we help new disciples to experience the same.

When we meet yearly with the national missionaries in Southeast Asia, the greatest burden on our hearts is to know if each is still walking closely with Jesus. We do not want anyone to miss out on heaven and we do not want any of them to be lost as a worker for God.

From experience, we know the enemy attacks any point of weakness. A mighty worker may get pulled down with discouragement. A faithful husband may be tempted to leave his family. A young teacher may be offered a higher salary that requires her to work on the Sabbath. Can you relate? The enemy attacks us all.

So when we meet together in Asia we listen, we pray, and we share encouraging words. Mostly, we focus on the power of Jesus’ promises in His word. Jesus said, “If you abide in My word…the truth shall make you free!” That word is incredibly

Page 2: ASAP Newsletter, 1st Quarter 2015

SCOTT GRISWOLDASAP Associate Director

Thoughts From:

There is nothing that my wife and I want more than to see our children in heaven. That desire motivates us daily to pray, to have family worship, to encourage or challenge as needed. In the past, it even motivated us to turn down a job or to move to a different country.

Making disciples is like having children. Paul described it as giving birth (Galatians 4:19). He spoke of himself like a nursing mother and a determined father. He called his converts sons and daughters (1 Thessalonians 2:7-12). Feel his passion as it bursts forth: “What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” (verse 19). Nothing mattered more than connecting people to God for eternity!

Paul’s love expresses the heart of Jesus regarding every person in the world. That is why our motto at ASAP Ministries is Prayerfully Discipling Nationals, A.S.A.P.! Have you noticed that each feature article in our newsletter for 2014 carried a different aspect of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and make disciples? That emphasis continues in this new year and is our invitation to you to both support the Southeast Asian national disciple-makers and follow Jesus fully right where you are.

Make 2015 your “Year of the Disciple.” Read the Gospels and follow Jesus in every area of your life. You can download the lessons we wrote for this very purpose at http://reachtheworldnextdoor.com/church-planting.html

Jesus can’t wait to welcome His children home! Let’s make disciples A.S.A.P.!

PHOTO: (Cover) Tuk-tuk driver now has a reason to smile—he is free from alcohol. (Inside L-R) Teacher Kalyany beams with joy to see this whole family experience God’s victory.

Tuk-tuk driver Saum Raddy receives Jesus as his Savior

powerful. God spoke and there was light. Jesus said to the leper, “Be clean!” and he was clean. In every command and promise God places His own creative power to make it come true. By faith in that word, victory is ours!

At a recent training in Cambodia we were delighted to here one missionary named Kalyany share the story of a new disciple walking in victory. A man named Saum Raddy had made his family miserable by his drunkenness. He drank away most of the money he made from driving a tuk-tuk taxi. Raddy constantly insulted his wife who was learning the Bible from Kalyany. The youngest son hated to hear his dad yell at his mother. He determined to know God and not be like his dad.

Over and over Kalyany went to this home to care and to teach. She urged Raddy to join them. For a year he promised he would come but never did. When he didn’t have customers, Kalyany would seize the opportunity and teach him Bible in his tuk-tuk.. He began coming to the studies, sitting and listening quietly to God’s word. He came sporadically. Kalyany didn’t give up. She knew God could do anything. To her great joy, she saw Raddy begin to believe and finally stop drinking. He was baptized on the same day as his wife and his son! Now there is a family of disciples.

Disciples are called to make disciples who walk in victory, therefore they must lead the way in their own lives. And of course that is always a struggle. During one of the training meetings, a literacy teacher stood up to give her testimony. She said, “I have known about God and been a member for more than twenty years. However, only recently did I really become a follower of Jesus. My temper was so bad. My tongue was sharp. Now Jesus has that part of me too. I’m so glad.”

That is what Jesus intended when He said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing….By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:5, 8). The only way to be like Jesus is to be connected to Jesus. Daily and moment-by-moment, we must connect our weakness to His strength, our lack of love, joy, peace, and self-control to His amazing abundance.

Jesus calls us all to follow Him. Jesus calls us all to go make disciples. Let us walk in victory and bring the freeing power of His word to everyone we can.

Page 3: ASAP Newsletter, 1st Quarter 2015

Adventist Southeast Asia Projects

Volunteers, Staff, National Missionaries, ASAP Ambassadors, Prayer Partners, Donors, Board Members and Gift Recipients

Notes from our ASAP FamilyVisit our website to see more special projects. www.asapministries.org

Meet Stephen Erich, ASAP’s new Field Projects Collab-orator.

Stephen graduated with honors last spring, holding an international business degree from Andrews University. He possesses a worldwide focus yet at the same time has eyes wide-open to the needs of his local community. For much of his time at Andrews, he devoted himself to Harbor of Hope, a church plant in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

However, it was not Stephen’s credentials or mission focus that motivated ASAP to hire him. Nor was it his cheerful, humble demeanor or his good ideas. We decided to hire Stephen because we heard God’s call to do so. Pastor Scott Griswold and I independently thought of Stephen for this position on the same day. We could see how having him stationed in Cambodia as Field Projects Collaborator would accelerate the special projects we aim to do. These projects include vocational training for our older “at-risk” Feed & Read students, agriculture and micro-lending projects for target audiences.

Our team prayed daily to know God’s will. After an interview with Stephen, a series of events followed to reveal God’s plan. Listen to Stephen share about it himself in his blog (stephenerich.com). He writes:

Before I’d talked with anyone else about the decision, I opened my Bible. I just started skimming through it. In Romans, I read: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how

can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” In America we are kind of spoiled. Our problem is not finding Bibles, but finding the time to read them. In Cambodia, millions have never heard that Christ exists. I began to think a little differently after reading this text.

As the week went on, friends and family all showed support for the idea. My Sunday evening prayer group was particularly excited. All of this had me feeling somewhat favorably toward the opportunity, too, but the one thing that still had me doubting was my current involvement with Harbor of Hope.

During a meeting with our Pastor Taurus there, I brought up this opportunity. I think he was surprised, but he thought for a minute, and said, “I’ll tell you the same thing my conference president told me when I was thinking about moving back to Michigan; I don’t want you to go. But I’m not your leader—God is—and we’re both part of the same cause under His leadership. Go wherever He is calling you.” As we prayed, Pr. Taurus asked God to lead me and once I decided, to give me unmistakable joy as evidence that I had made the right decision. On the drive home, I decided to go to Cambodia. I felt great joy! So why am I leaving my family and moving to Cambodia? Because I think God is taking me there.

Would you like to join Stephen Erich in an exciting collaboration to bring Jesus to Southeast Asia in practical ways? Hiring Stephen is ASAP stepping out in the water, trusting God to make the way. Please email us if you would like to be part of his prayer/support circle or you can donate to gift #421.

SPECIAL PROJECTS FACILITATOR n JULIA O'CAREY

Stephen Erich enjoyed setting up a summer farmer's market and looks forward to new opportunities to serve in Southeast Asia

On the behalf of our church planters who have just started work in 16 unreached provinces in Vietnam, we thank you so, so much for your supports to these workers who are bringing the everlasting gospel of our Lord to the people in these most difficult areas for the gospel in our country.  May God richly bless each one of you! Thank you again.

- Pastor Isah Young

Every week your insightful podcasts light a fire under me. With all my heart I embrace John Wesley's mission statement: "Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can."I understand that is how he lived his life, and it gives me great joy to choose to live my life in this way day by day….With you I wish I had the resources of Bill Gates--so I could give even more to the desperate needs all over this world. I just trust God's assurance that He can multiply all we give in love to the last, the lost, and the least.Maranatha!!!

- Ruthie Flynn

WATCH ALL THE PODCASTS FROM 2014 AT REACHTHEWORLDNEXTDOOR.COM

Page 4: ASAP Newsletter, 1st Quarter 2015

BY MARTIN KIMASAP PRAYER AMBASSADOR

Intercede for Asia

Always Say A Prayer

Have you ever been to a spiritual gifts seminar and been told that intercession was a spiritual gift? I had this experience many years ago, and at the time I thought to

myself, “This explains why I don’t enjoy praying.” I decided to leave the difficult and boring task of praying to those who had the gift. I had more important things to do.

After spending a few years in Christ’s school of prayer, I learned how important and necessary prayer is for everyone. I learned that the idea that intercession was a spiritual gift was unbiblical. The key lists of spiritual gifts in the Bible are Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4. None of these passages mention intercession as a spiritual gift.

Because of this unbiblical teaching, many pray little and are not experiencing the spiritual power that can only be gotten through prayer. There is a direct correlation between our prayer life and our spiritual life. A weak prayer life means a weak spiritual life, and a strong prayer life means a strong spiritual life. The converse is also true. A healthy spiritual life is the result of a healthy prayer life. Take courage. Intercession is not a spiritual gift for a few, but God’s gift to everyone.

DID AN ANGEL MAKE THEM SICK?

Ask us send you an ASAP Priceless Gift Catalog! Share their joy by giving & praying for a specific project.

Call ASAP today! 269-471-3026

www.asapministries.org

n JULIE GRISWOLD

As Josiah and I bumped along the road, we were as excited as could be. We were on an

adventure! We had been given the task of interviewing the teachers and newly baptized students at the ASAP-sponsored school in Takong, Cambodia. With us were our driver friend Caleb, who I had known since he was four years old, our translators, and seventy bags of rice for the students.

At the school, we played with the students, taught a little, and then took pictures of each one. The students happily made special crafts and wrote thank you letters for their sponsors overseas.

A newly-hired teacher named Sok Som Arth told me this thrilling answer to prayer:

One day after school, two of his students, both sisters, came up to him and sadly said, “We will not be in school tomorrow. Our parents are going to Thailand to work in a restaurant. They are forcing us to quit school and go along to wash dishes at the restaurant.”

At that very moment it was time for the united prayer meeting that meets daily after school for any of the teachers and students who want to join. The teacher and the two girls earnestly prayed for God to intervene. For the rest of the year and throughout the summer, this faithful teacher prayed for the girls, asking God to bring them back.

The day before school was to begin, he was at the market buying food. Suddenly, he saw the two sisters running up to him! He couldn't believe they were back! Their story came tumbling out. “We were sick the entire

time we were in Thailand! So sick that we couldn't work! Finally our parents were so frustrated they sent us back. We will be in school tomorrow!”

The teacher joyfully told me, “My prayers were answered! And they haven’t had a trace of sickness since!”

Please pray for the children of Cambodia and Southeast Asia. Pray for our teachers and schools to make a huge impact for God’s kingdom.

Sok Som Arth stands with his two answers to prayer.

Page 5: ASAP Newsletter, 1st Quarter 2015

Advocates Supporting & Assisting the Persecuted

1 in a Million - New Vietnamese DVD Project

Deep Hunger: As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You,

O God (Psalm 42:1).

Deep Desire: And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You

(Psalm 39:7).

I noticed one visitor’s face right before Friday night worship began. She was perhaps thirty years old.

After the worship, everybody left the church except her. I sat next to her. It seemed that she wanted to say something to me. “I escaped from my country…”

I was not surprised to hear that. There are many defectors in this country. I thought, she probably will ask for money or some help to immigrate to another country. “I know you probably are thinking that I came to your church for money or some other help.” I was very surprised. No defector had spoken like that before.

“I have a hunger and a desire,” she continued. “I want to be baptized. This is the only one favor that I’m asking you. No money or food. All I want is to be baptized.”

What could I say? “But I can’t give baptize you without helping you to be prepared for it. Do you know what it means to be baptized in Christ?”

Quietly, she answered, “Yes, I know. I learned about a living God while I have been risking my life living in this country as a defector. One day, I was flipping the radio channels and found something I could understand. It was a Seventh-day Adventist radio program from outside this country. I learned about

God and they talked about being baptized in Christ.”

So we began a secret Bible study. I’ve never met someone who had that kind of burning desire to know the Word of God. Her eyes were like fire. She knew she could easily never have a chance to study again. She told me, “I never know when I may be caught and dragged back to my own country.”

As I taught her, I knew we were in the midst of holy ground. Though my mouth moved, it was not me speaking; it was the Holy Spirit.

Then the day came for her to be baptized. We closed all the church doors and windows. We sang hymns so quietly that no one could hear us, but our hearts were bursting with praises and thanksgiving to God. We cried together, not because we were sad but because our hearts were full of gratefulness to our amazing God.

She went into the water and came back out of it. She was so happy and joyful! Though it was a small and very poor baptismal ceremony, we all knew that God and the holy angels loved to witness it.

After the baptism, she said, “Now I am ready to live or die because Jesus is in my heart.” It didn’t matter any more whether she would be caught or not. She had a life in Christ which no one could take from her.

It was her only desire—to have Jesus. She was searching for Him and He graciously met her. All she wanted was Him only.

ALL I WANT n BY A MISSIONARY IN A GWIDOP AREA

Defectors hunger for the Word of God.

Our Vietnamese missionaries have given us a huge challenge. They want to pass out 1 million sermon DVDs in 2015. There are 93 million people in Vietnam. Maybe nine people will watch one DVD and everyone will hear! It only costs 25 cents for a DVD, so $250,000 is needed. That is a lot of money. Will you help?

This is the 1 in a Million DVD bank that my son and I made. Every quarter we drop in that slides down the DVDs means at least one person gets to hear the good news. Give your quarters by calling 1-866-365-3541 or go online at asapministries.org to give to the 1 in a Million fund (Project #203).

Send a picture of the bank you create to [email protected] and we will place the best ones on our website!

Page 6: ASAP Newsletter, 1st Quarter 2015

Reaching the World Next Door—A.S.A.P.!

Joyful music filled the air. Ladies wore brightly embroidered outfits. Children recited scripture in the Mizo language. Were we in India or Myanmar? No, we were in Indianapolis, USA, the crossroads of America.

On the weekend of December 5-7, workers from ASAP Ministries, seminary students from Andrews University, and various church members, traveled four hours to visit two ethnic church plants that have been birthed at the Southside Seventh-day Adventist Church.

We tried to join in the singing, but we couldn’t understand a word. The leaders graciously translated. Julie Griswold commented, “I felt the spirit of love, acceptance and friendship even though many of them couldn’t understand me. Just to smile and even give a hug was nice.”

The Burmese-speaking and Mizo church groups in Indianapolis are both made up primarily of members that have moved recently to America as refugees from Myanmar. They must quickly learn English, get a job, and be able to pay for housing, transportation, and food. That’s why our group was eager to bring them some Christmas cheer—boxes of gifts the students and church members had collected.

We brought pots and kettles, rice and soy sauce, warm hats and wool socks, and more. We wrapped them as presents to make it more special.

Judy Aitken from ASAP led one of the groups of visitors to some refugee homes. After giving the gifts, a seminarian named Alistair shared how Jesus understood their feelings because He also had been a refugee. Judy said, “The people’s faces lighted up. There was an immediate bond.”

One mother of three girls lifted a blanket and just stared at it. She couldn’t put her gratitude adequately into words. Her eyes filled with tears as they prayed for her husband who was still overseas in the refugee camp. She whispered, “You have given to us. Someday we want to give to others.”

And the people did give! Jeanette Yeboah-Amoako from ASAP described the hospitality of both church plants as “wide open arms with a very tasty kitchen!” She added, “I went to bless others but the blessing I received exceeded that which I gave.”

Stephen Erich, who is preparing to go to Cambodia as an ASAP missionary, was reminded again of the needs that are right here in America. He said, “I was impressed that people might be living next door to me in a similar rough situation as these refugees, hoping that someone will offer help and encouragement to them.”

Now that it is over, is there more we can do? One of the church groups is bursting at the seams. As the visitors crowded in, the women quietly took their children to the Sabbath schools rooms to make space. The pastor is praying for their own church to meet in, hoping and working to double their group from 150 to 300 in a short time.

Julia O’Carey noted, “What impressed me most was the love and care that the Mizo group has for their children. I was amazed by the many children and babies, and even dads holding sleeping little ones. I thought, what a great workforce for the Lord they are nurturing.”

Yes, we can continue to help. With prayers, with encouraging phone calls, with financial gifts, and with love we can continue to partner with these two groups and many others refugee groups in America. You too can pray for the leaders, Pastor Sam Ngala and Pastor Chaung Thu.

I saw real joy and enthusiasm in the eyes of the English-speaking church’s pastor, Brian Yensho. It has not been easy to house two ethnic church plants in their facility. We could tell the halls and bathrooms were crowded. Schedules must be compared carefully and extra repairs made. But the joy comes from seeing new people baptized and knowing that they are part of finishing that sign of the end that the gospel will be preached in every language.

What ethnic groups are around you? Who might you open the doors of your church to? Like Jeanette said after this weekend, you will find that you receive more blessings than you can possibly give.

To learn more how to share God’s love cross-culturally visit ReachTheWorldNextDoor.com. To have resources in their heart language visit MyLanguageMyLife.com.

MERRY CHRISTMAS INDY! n SCOTT GRISWOLD

Page 7: ASAP Newsletter, 1st Quarter 2015

Your Gifts at Work

In Loving Memory & Honor

We are so grateful for each gift, big and small, that you send to ASAP Ministries. We deeply desire to use every penny with efficient responsibility and prayerfulness. We want you to know what is accomplished through your

donations. Here is how we spent the total received in the fiscal year 2013-2014. 100% of your gift goes to what you specify. Administration costs and other needs are covered miraculously by undesignated funds.

KIDS WITH A MISSION!LUKE STARLING

IN MEMORY OF:BOB WARD, MY HUSBAND by Evelyn P. Ward • BOBBIE OETMAN by Adam & Nanette Haley • BRAD BARTON, GLORIA CHRISTIAN, MYRON HUFFMAN, SHARON SANDERFUR WILLIAMS by Jim & Judy Culpepper • BUDDY ANN PRETORIUS by Antonie C. De Bruin • CURTIS GREEN, MY HUSBAND by Darleen Green • DAVID WILLIAMS by Melody Williams • E. JENICKE & J. KRAVIG by Sandy Monette • HARRY OLSON by Ben & Sandra Chilson, Janet Olson, Joyce Jones • HAZEL ALKIRE, RON SQUIRE, & JERRY AITKEN by Carol Squier • JAY CAMRON WASHAM by Clint & Sandy Washam • KATHLEEN NILE by Albert & Joan Inglish • MARIE PRUSIA by Carol Squier, Stan Smith • PAUL W. ESSIG by Karen Bowen • WALTER STRACHAN, MY HUSBAND by Lou Ann Strachan • ZOBEEDA MOHAMMED, MY MOTHER by Aphzal & Vashti Mohammed

IN HONOR & THANKFULNESS OF:LORD JESUS CHRIST by Aily Kraulins • ANN BAUER by Eleanor Howell • ESTHER MARTINEZ, DAUGHTER by Dale & Nancy Wolcott • JULIA, JUDY, & ASAP STAFF & FAMILIES by Carol Squier • LERA, MY DEAR MOTHER by Recarder Luciana Chaudry • MARY APPENZELLER by Cherry Jewell • NORTON FAMILY by Esther N. Zare • RUTH SACKETT by George & Nancy Suelzle • TIM SAXTON, MICHAEL SAXTON, HANNAH SAXTON, SARAH SAXTON, & JESSICA SAXTON by Connie Saxton & James Fly • JERRY SQUIER'S BIRTHDAY by Carol Squier • JERRY SQUIER'S CHRISTMAS by Carol Squier • STAN & JOAN SMITH, THE PROCTOR FAMILY, JUDY AITKEN, RONA & BILL OWENS, JOLENE & JOHN ROOSENBERG, DAVID & SHIRLEY ELLIS, BETTY & JIM LEMOS, LIANA & PAT SMITH, ALEX SARRIAMP, WATSON SITUMORANG, JAY & JILL AITKEN, AJ O'CAREY FAMILY, ARLENE SQUIER, VOILET MYERS, MARILYN & RIK MITCHEL, DARIN LEMOS, DEREK LEMOS, LANCE LEMOS FAMILY, JEFF LEMOS FAMILY, & MARY & BOB GARECHT by Carol Squier • EVA CURRIE (MOM); OSCAR SOULE (DAD); MARK, KRISTI, & BOYS by Duane & Ruth • BEN CHANT, DANIE GOODSON, LILA GOODSON, DAVID & JONATHAN by Grandma Ruth & Grandpa Duane • BEN, AWON NYIRADY & MAE MAE by Ruthie & Duane • ED SOULE, JESSICA & CAITLIN; JOSH & NANCY RILEY by Dad & Ruth • JAMIE MURRAY by Duane & Ruth Soule • KEITH & CHERYL CHANGE, MARK & VIVIENNE MURRAY by Mom & Duane • FLOREEN LELAND by Frieda Lee Blanchard • MY BIRTHDAY by Lawrence E. & Holly S. Joers

Hello! My name is Luke Starling. I had the opportunity over the summer to attend the Reach the World Next Door seminar at my church. On the video, I enjoyed listening to Pastor Scott Griswold speak about how to reach out to people that God has brought from all over the world to our neighborhoods. My family and I have had the chance to teach English to some of the Karen refugees in Akron, Ohio. I have had fun making friends and playing with the refugee and immigrant children. Please pray for me to stand up for Jesus that my light may shine for Him to the world next door.

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Page 8: ASAP Newsletter, 1st Quarter 2015

ASAP Ministries is fueled by mission-minded, faith-filled individuals whom God impresses. Be assured that 100% of your gift will go 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 in the countries ASAP operates. Because ASAP is a §501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your donations are tax-deductible.

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’CareyEDITOR/ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Scott Griswold COPY EDITOR Linda Bauer, Wayne LabinsDESIGN/LAYOUT Sarah Lee www.ambientlightstudios.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair: Bruce Bauer, Judy Aitken, Peter Van Bemmelen, Christopher Carmen, Steve Chang, Chan Sun and Esther Hwang, Denzil McNeilus, Mary Ann McNeilus, Byron and Carol Reynolds, Tom Evans, and Trudi Starlin.

TOLL FREE 1-866-365-3541PHONE 269-471-3026FAX 269-471-3034EMAIL [email protected] www.asapministries.org

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version® copyright ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBERRIEN SPRINGS, MI

PERMIT NO. 42

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDP.O. BOX 84, BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI 49103

PASAP 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.

OVERCOMING SHACKLES Noy became a Seventh-day Adventist in 1998. Just one year later, he was sent to prison for his faith and was held there for two years and three months. His feet were shackled to the ground for nine months and he was tortured for being a Christian. The prison guards constantly tried to get him to renounce his belief in God but he refused. His health grew worse and others thought he would die, but Noy held fast to his Heavenly Father. After the chains were removed, he could not walk for a while. Eventually, the authorities released him. He is thankful for the peace that God gave him each day and he wants to help free others from the imprisonment of sin.

OVERCOMING DEMONS There is a non-Christian man in Noy’s community who was possessed with an evil spirit. Villagers said the evil spirit would come out of his body as a rat and when people tried to hit the rat, it would go back into his body. His parents heard about people who were healed when Seventh-day Adventists prayed. They brought the man to Noy’s church. Members gathered around and prayed for him. Soon he was healed! He became a believer and attends church regularly.

JOIN THE ACTION Would you like to help Noy lead others to the only One who can remove their shackles? It takes $95 a month to sponsor him, or another lay pastor in Laos. You may donate monthly or give a one-time gift of $1,140 to support him for a full year. Please contact us to make a difference for many unreached people in Laos by supporting one of our workers.

POSITION Lay Pastor

LOCATION Laos

PRAYER REQUEST For the parents of the freed demoniac to follow Jesus too.

Meet Noy Phu*N

L115