The amazing continent of Asia
00:00:35.53\00:00:37.53
is home to 60% of
planet earth's population.
00:00:37.57\00:00:41.14
Buddhism has
woven into the culture
00:00:41.17\00:00:43.14
of many of the
countries for generations.
00:00:43.17\00:00:45.54
It's such a part of their
life, and almost three fourths
00:00:45.57\00:00:49.14
of all the people
groups have yet to hear
00:00:49.18\00:00:51.71
the gospel message even once.
00:00:51.75\00:00:53.98
What will it take to tell
them before Jesus soon return?
00:00:54.02\00:00:57.55
ASAP Ministries
believes that part of the answer
00:00:57.59\00:01:00.69
is National Missionaries.
00:01:00.72\00:01:02.59
We find local believers
filled with the Holy Spirit,
00:01:02.62\00:01:05.29
people who know the
language and culture,
00:01:05.33\00:01:07.60
and then we train them
to holistically reach out
00:01:07.63\00:01:10.50
to their own people.
00:01:10.53\00:01:11.87
What's the result?
00:01:11.90\00:01:13.23
The miraculous
multiplication of disciples.
00:01:13.27\00:01:15.84
Listen to church
planter Terod Benjamin,
00:01:15.87\00:01:18.37
as he shares his
struggles and triumphs.
00:01:18.41\00:01:23.51
I am so happy to be
here today to share with you
00:01:23.55\00:01:26.98
the amazing power of God.
00:01:27.02\00:01:29.15
As many of you know, I
am part of the Hmong tribe.
00:01:29.18\00:01:32.72
I began working for God
among my people in 2009.
00:01:32.75\00:01:36.73
At that time, there
were only 21 church members.
00:01:36.76\00:01:39.86
But thanks to God's
strength and faithfulness,
00:01:39.89\00:01:42.16
we now have over 200 people
worshiping in small groups
00:01:42.20\00:01:46.47
in the area I am working.
00:01:46.50\00:01:48.67
He is working in so many lives.
00:01:48.70\00:01:50.61
And tonight I wanna
tell you about the miracle
00:01:50.64\00:01:52.97
He has done for me.
00:01:53.01\00:01:57.01
In the last year,
00:01:57.05\00:01:58.38
my walk with God
has deepened greatly.
00:01:58.41\00:02:00.72
I have seen His
tremendous power to heal
00:02:00.75\00:02:03.15
and how He speaks
to us in His Word.
00:02:03.18\00:02:06.19
I'm sure you
remember how sick I became
00:02:06.22\00:02:08.69
last time we
gathered for training,
00:02:08.72\00:02:10.63
everything
seemed to be going well,
00:02:10.66\00:02:12.16
and then suddenly, one evening,
00:02:12.19\00:02:14.60
I found myself an
incredible stomach pain.
00:02:14.63\00:02:17.20
I didn't know the cause.
00:02:17.23\00:02:19.70
Some of the lay
workers massaged my stomach
00:02:19.73\00:02:22.04
and I know all of
you prayed for me.
00:02:22.07\00:02:23.94
But in the
morning, my pain was worse.
00:02:23.97\00:02:26.24
I was taken to an emergency room
00:02:26.27\00:02:27.84
where X-ray showed that my
appendix was about to burst.
00:02:27.88\00:02:31.21
Both the doctors
00:02:31.25\00:02:32.58
and the pastors with me insisted
00:02:32.61\00:02:34.38
that I had to have an
operation immediately.
00:02:34.42\00:02:36.79
But to me, an operation
seemed out of the question.
00:02:36.82\00:02:40.59
Where would I
possibly get the money?
00:02:40.62\00:02:42.99
Even if it was loaned to me,
how would I ever pay it back?
00:02:43.02\00:02:46.66
The pastors assured me
00:02:46.70\00:02:48.03
that the mission
could find money for me,
00:02:48.06\00:02:49.73
but I could not imagine
00:02:49.76\00:02:51.10
using that
precious resource on myself.
00:02:51.13\00:02:54.24
We all work for God.
00:02:54.27\00:02:55.94
We all know how
difficult finances can be.
00:02:55.97\00:02:58.67
I determined in my heart
that the best choice for me
00:02:58.71\00:03:01.84
was to go home.
00:03:01.88\00:03:03.75
I asked for pastor's
permission and blessing.
00:03:03.78\00:03:06.31
At first they
refused, but I persisted.
00:03:06.35\00:03:09.38
Finally, though they
did not agree with me,
00:03:09.42\00:03:12.05
they let me go.
00:03:12.09\00:03:14.69
I left for home with
a battle in my heart.
00:03:14.72\00:03:17.16
On one hand, it
seemed clear that
00:03:17.19\00:03:19.09
if I went home, I would die.
00:03:19.13\00:03:21.10
On the other,
00:03:21.13\00:03:22.46
there was
something inside that said,
00:03:22.50\00:03:23.93
"Jesus will help you
00:03:23.97\00:03:25.30
just like He raised
Lazarus from the dead."
00:03:25.33\00:03:28.34
I was in so much
pain, I could hardly move,
00:03:28.37\00:03:31.44
but I knelt and I prayed to God.
00:03:31.47\00:03:33.38
I told Him, if You
still have work for me,
00:03:33.41\00:03:36.21
please save my life.
00:03:36.24\00:03:37.81
But if I am no
longer useful to you,
00:03:37.85\00:03:40.15
or you see that I am sinful,
00:03:40.18\00:03:41.88
and do not follow
you, then let me die.
00:03:41.92\00:03:45.75
Somehow I made it home.
00:03:45.79\00:03:47.82
The pain was so great
00:03:47.86\00:03:49.19
that I cannot
speak or get out of bed.
00:03:49.22\00:03:51.43
I felt very alone.
00:03:51.46\00:03:53.29
My family tried to
give me herbal medicines,
00:03:53.33\00:03:55.90
but I refused.
00:03:55.93\00:03:57.37
I had promised God
that my life was His
00:03:57.40\00:03:59.50
and so I determined to
put my hope in Him alone.
00:03:59.53\00:04:02.70
Somehow I knew I
was going to get better.
00:04:02.74\00:04:05.27
But my symptoms did not change.
00:04:05.31\00:04:07.54
My family became distraught,
00:04:07.58\00:04:09.74
they began to cry and beg
me again to take medicine.
00:04:09.78\00:04:13.55
I told them, if I
die, I die for God.
00:04:13.58\00:04:16.35
And if I live, I live for
God, but I am not going to die.
00:04:16.38\00:04:19.65
I know that God is
healing me right now.
00:04:19.69\00:04:22.12
Soon you will see
the power of the Lord.
00:04:22.16\00:04:25.59
One day, when I was
feeling especially lonely,
00:04:25.63\00:04:28.73
it was as if someone
was speaking to my heart.
00:04:28.76\00:04:31.50
I felt that this
pain and loneliness
00:04:31.53\00:04:34.44
was given to me as a
test to make me stronger,
00:04:34.47\00:04:37.44
that if I could endure this,
00:04:37.47\00:04:38.97
I could also endure
other times of painful trial.
00:04:39.01\00:04:42.38
I questioned where
00:04:42.41\00:04:43.75
these thoughts were coming from.
00:04:43.78\00:04:45.11
And then I
believe the Holy Spirit
00:04:45.15\00:04:46.61
spoke to my heart
00:04:46.65\00:04:48.05
and told me that I had
to open the Word of God.
00:04:48.08\00:04:51.55
I took my Bible and
knelt down and pray.
00:04:51.59\00:04:54.52
Then I opened the Bible to
the Book of 2 Timothy 3:12.
00:04:54.56\00:04:59.56
The verse said, "All who desire
00:04:59.59\00:05:01.66
to live a godly
life in Christ Jesus
00:05:01.70\00:05:04.23
will suffer persecution."
00:05:04.27\00:05:07.47
When I read this verse, I asked,
00:05:07.50\00:05:09.37
"Is this the reason I had pain?"
00:05:09.40\00:05:11.64
I prayed again, God,
00:05:11.67\00:05:13.54
if this message
really came from you,
00:05:13.58\00:05:16.71
I am going to close my Bible.
00:05:16.75\00:05:18.31
And whatever I
find when I open it,
00:05:18.35\00:05:20.52
I will believe came for You.
00:05:20.55\00:05:23.25
So I closed my
Bible like before,
00:05:23.28\00:05:25.22
and when I opened it,
I read Colossians 1:24,
00:05:25.25\00:05:30.33
which says, "And now I rejoice
00:05:30.36\00:05:32.36
in my sufferings for
you and feel in my flesh
00:05:32.39\00:05:35.20
what is lacking
00:05:35.23\00:05:36.56
in the
affliction of Christ's body,
00:05:36.60\00:05:38.23
which is the church."
00:05:38.27\00:05:40.50
I asked God out loud,
00:05:40.54\00:05:42.20
"Lord, do all
those who work for You
00:05:42.24\00:05:44.24
suffer and feel like this."
00:05:44.27\00:05:46.47
I had experienced
much suffering in my life,
00:05:46.51\00:05:48.64
and now God was
speaking to me about its purpose
00:05:48.68\00:05:51.48
and about rejoicing.
00:05:51.51\00:05:54.15
I continue to
pray and open my Bible
00:05:54.18\00:05:56.32
as God led me in a
better understanding of Him.
00:05:56.35\00:05:59.62
As I read, my
heartfelt inspired.
00:05:59.65\00:06:02.36
Each text came
to me as God's voice
00:06:02.39\00:06:04.46
speaking directly to me.
00:06:04.49\00:06:07.00
I felt that I
needed to know more.
00:06:07.03\00:06:08.90
So I prayed again, "Lord,
00:06:08.93\00:06:10.87
will You give me a verse
00:06:10.90\00:06:12.23
that tells me what
You really want for me?"
00:06:12.27\00:06:15.30
Then I opened the
Bible to Romans 12:1,
00:06:15.34\00:06:18.81
which says, "Present
yourself as a living sacrifice,
00:06:18.84\00:06:22.34
holy and acceptable to God."
00:06:22.38\00:06:25.51
In that moment, so
recently brought back
00:06:25.55\00:06:28.15
from death's door.
00:06:28.18\00:06:29.52
I felt what a gift my life was,
00:06:29.55\00:06:32.19
how could I do anything
but offer back my life to Him?
00:06:32.22\00:06:36.12
Though I am
almost ashamed to say,
00:06:36.16\00:06:38.26
I felt a little
doubt in my heart,
00:06:38.29\00:06:40.00
and I had to be
certain that it was really God
00:06:40.03\00:06:42.36
who was speaking to me.
00:06:42.40\00:06:43.93
I prayed.
00:06:43.97\00:06:45.30
"Is this really
coming from You, God?
00:06:45.33\00:06:47.24
Did You just really
answer me through the Bible?"
00:06:47.27\00:06:50.31
If you are the one
who is speaking to me
00:06:50.34\00:06:52.34
and giving me these verses,
00:06:52.37\00:06:53.91
then I'm going to
close my Bible one last time.
00:06:53.94\00:06:57.78
Please show me one more verse.
00:06:57.81\00:07:00.68
When I opened my eyes,
the verse was John 1:1.
00:07:00.72\00:07:03.92
"In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God,
00:07:03.95\00:07:07.02
and the Word was God."
00:07:07.06\00:07:09.22
My heart felt so happy
and peaceful that I cried.
00:07:09.26\00:07:12.89
I felt humbled that God was near
00:07:12.93\00:07:15.20
and that He was
speaking to me so directly.
00:07:15.23\00:07:18.43
After this experience,
00:07:18.47\00:07:19.80
I began to recover more quickly,
00:07:19.83\00:07:21.40
and my church members and
friends began to visit me.
00:07:21.44\00:07:25.11
Within a month, I
was fully recovered.
00:07:25.14\00:07:28.28
I stand it for
You today a miracle
00:07:28.31\00:07:31.11
and a testimony of
God's healing power.
00:07:31.15\00:07:33.85
I can say for certain
that God is always with us
00:07:33.88\00:07:36.99
and He always prepares
the best for us, eternal life.
00:07:37.02\00:07:41.92
Working for God is not easy,
00:07:41.96\00:07:43.76
and often we face
discouragement and difficulty,
00:07:43.79\00:07:47.00
but I encourage you
to keep trusting in God
00:07:47.03\00:07:49.66
and reading His word.
00:07:49.70\00:07:52.40
Nothing can compare to His love.
00:07:52.43\00:07:54.94
We serve a really merciful God.
00:08:03.75\00:08:06.92
One day, church
planter Benjamin's appendix
00:08:06.95\00:08:09.12
finally did burst.
00:08:09.15\00:08:10.59
We're so thankful that
the Holy Spirit impressed
00:08:10.62\00:08:13.05
the ASI team that was
visiting the week before
00:08:13.09\00:08:15.72
to leave funds for his surgery.
00:08:15.76\00:08:17.76
God saved His life.
00:08:17.79\00:08:19.43
But the trials didn't end there.
00:08:19.46\00:08:20.96
Right after being hospitalized,
00:08:21.00\00:08:22.83
Benjamin got thrown
in prison for his faith.
00:08:22.86\00:08:25.17
His wound became infected,
he was sure he was gonna die.
00:08:25.20\00:08:28.67
Miraculously, God
provided his release
00:08:28.70\00:08:31.81
and his healing two weeks later.
00:08:31.84\00:08:34.44
Hebrews 13:3 says,
00:08:34.48\00:08:35.91
"To remember the prisoners
as if chained with them.
00:08:35.94\00:08:38.88
Those who are
mistreated since you yourselves
00:08:38.91\00:08:40.98
are in the body also."
00:08:41.02\00:08:42.55
Church planter Benjamin,
00:08:42.58\00:08:43.92
all the ASAP
Missionaries need your prayers.
00:08:43.95\00:08:47.59
Please visit ASAPMinistries.org
00:08:47.62\00:08:50.63
where you can join
the online prayer team
00:08:50.66\00:08:53.03
to receive fresh
prayer needs from the field.
00:08:53.06\00:08:55.93
Listen as church
planter Coco from Myanmar
00:08:55.96\00:08:58.87
shares his experience
00:08:58.90\00:09:00.24
with the Word of
God from his heart.
00:09:00.27\00:09:02.20
Medical missionaries need to go
00:09:05.27\00:09:06.78
where they're
called, wherever that is.
00:09:06.81\00:09:09.04
So my work is
spread over many miles.
00:09:09.08\00:09:11.08
Most of my days are
spent on these dusty roads
00:09:14.45\00:09:16.65
in this motorcycle.
00:09:16.69\00:09:18.15
There are hours
to think and pray.
00:09:18.19\00:09:20.06
And sometimes I wonder
how similar these roads
00:09:20.09\00:09:22.32
are to the ones
that Jesus walked.
00:09:22.36\00:09:26.29
As a missionary, I want
to follow His footsteps.
00:09:26.33\00:09:29.16
I want to touch each
person the way He did.
00:09:29.20\00:09:32.30
I've come to
learn that means sharing
00:09:32.33\00:09:34.04
His deep burden
for the tremendous need
00:09:34.07\00:09:35.84
that surrounds me.
00:09:35.87\00:09:37.87
The needs are so great.
00:09:37.91\00:09:39.41
My country Myanmar is
predominantly Buddhist.
00:09:39.44\00:09:42.88
People don't know Jesus.
00:09:42.91\00:09:45.68
They carry stress
and fear and sadness
00:09:45.71\00:09:47.92
in ways that harm their body.
00:09:47.95\00:09:49.38
And in the
villages where I work,
00:09:49.42\00:09:51.15
they also don't know much
about basic health principles.
00:09:51.19\00:09:55.02
Clean drinking water is
limited and toilets are scarce.
00:09:55.06\00:09:58.16
Many people chew betel nut
and poverty is what is normal.
00:09:58.19\00:10:01.96
All around, people
suffer from physical ailments
00:10:02.00\00:10:04.77
caused by the
harsh life they live.
00:10:04.80\00:10:06.63
The need is so great
and each day is determined
00:10:10.31\00:10:12.61
by the needs that come my way.
00:10:12.64\00:10:15.44
I get many requests
and invitations for visits
00:10:15.48\00:10:18.41
from the sick,
the poor, the lonely
00:10:18.45\00:10:20.88
for those who've
heard of someone I can help.
00:10:20.92\00:10:24.02
One visit
usually leads to another
00:10:24.05\00:10:25.99
because God blesses
00:10:26.02\00:10:27.36
when we combined
faith filled prayer
00:10:27.39\00:10:28.89
with His simple
natural remedies.
00:10:28.92\00:10:32.46
I remember my first patient,
00:10:32.49\00:10:34.43
she was suffering
from cancer in her womb,
00:10:34.46\00:10:36.87
and everyone had
given up on the possibility
00:10:36.90\00:10:38.63
that she would live.
00:10:38.67\00:10:41.44
She was in terrible pain
and I felt this pity for her.
00:10:41.47\00:10:44.67
I prayed and claimed
God's promise of healing.
00:10:44.71\00:10:47.98
Then I gave her hydrotherapy,
00:10:48.01\00:10:49.71
massage, and
poultices of charcoal
00:10:49.74\00:10:51.51
and cabbage leaf.
00:10:51.55\00:10:53.15
I taught her about eating
fresh fruits and vegetables
00:10:53.18\00:10:55.45
and had her lay
each day in the sun.
00:10:55.48\00:10:58.45
I also talked to her
about the stress in her life
00:10:58.49\00:11:00.29
and how she could
turn it over to God.
00:11:00.32\00:11:04.83
Each time I visited
I bathed her in prayer
00:11:04.86\00:11:07.00
in God's Word.
00:11:07.03\00:11:08.63
Slowly, she regained
her energy and was healed.
00:11:08.66\00:11:13.54
Because of this woman,
00:11:13.57\00:11:14.90
everyone in the village
respected me and my God.
00:11:14.94\00:11:17.31
They saw God's power to heal.
00:11:17.34\00:11:20.41
That was four years ago,
and the work continues to grow.
00:11:20.44\00:11:23.75
Now I am seen not only
as a medical missionary,
00:11:23.78\00:11:26.78
but as a health
educator and church worker.
00:11:26.82\00:11:29.58
I don't want to
just treat illness,
00:11:29.62\00:11:31.42
I want to prevent it.
00:11:31.45\00:11:32.89
Much of my time is
spent educating the people
00:11:32.92\00:11:34.99
and finding
resources to meet their needs.
00:11:35.02\00:11:38.39
Just this year,
I've expanded my work
00:11:38.43\00:11:40.93
to include helping
with the goat bank.
00:11:40.96\00:11:43.10
A young goat is
given to a family.
00:11:43.13\00:11:45.07
And as the goat grows,
00:11:45.10\00:11:46.43
and it produces
that family gains income.
00:11:46.47\00:11:49.84
One man who received the
goat is now very interested
00:11:49.87\00:11:52.27
in knowing about God.
00:11:52.31\00:11:53.64
So I frequently go visit him
00:11:53.68\00:11:55.01
and we studied
the Bible together.
00:11:55.04\00:11:57.15
People are
hungry for the gospel.
00:11:57.18\00:11:59.05
They want to know.
00:11:59.08\00:12:01.08
I love this work because
00:12:01.12\00:12:02.45
I believe this
is the same method
00:12:02.48\00:12:03.82
Christ used to reach people.
00:12:03.85\00:12:05.29
As we care for
their physical needs,
00:12:05.32\00:12:07.09
God draws their heart to Him.
00:12:07.12\00:12:09.59
It's all about showing
people that you love them.
00:12:09.62\00:12:12.16
And God loves them.
00:12:12.19\00:12:13.53
The massage or hot
and cold treatments,
00:12:13.56\00:12:15.50
the health
education, and the goat project,
00:12:15.53\00:12:17.80
it's all used to
connect with people.
00:12:17.83\00:12:20.40
Love is more
important than anything.
00:12:20.44\00:12:22.57
When we show them love,
it changes their hearts.
00:12:22.60\00:12:27.08
I have seen so many miracles.
00:12:27.11\00:12:29.11
When I began,
00:12:29.14\00:12:30.48
I was the only
Adventist in this area.
00:12:30.51\00:12:32.21
And now there are
four church groups.
00:12:32.25\00:12:34.85
I'm humbled and grateful that
00:12:34.88\00:12:36.22
God is using me,
but I'm only one man.
00:12:36.25\00:12:40.26
As the work increases,
00:12:40.29\00:12:41.62
I have spread
thinner and thinner.
00:12:41.66\00:12:46.19
I love my work,
meeting physical needs,
00:12:46.23\00:12:49.36
talking, laughing,
building relationships,
00:12:49.40\00:12:52.20
the prayers, the Bible
studies, seeing so much change.
00:12:52.23\00:12:56.30
And yet I also can't
express the heavy weight
00:12:56.34\00:12:58.64
of the
tremendous need that presses
00:12:58.67\00:13:00.44
on my heart each day.
00:13:00.48\00:13:02.88
I pour everything of myself out.
00:13:02.91\00:13:04.81
And often I find myself empty
00:13:04.85\00:13:06.41
while the great well of
need is barely half full.
00:13:06.45\00:13:10.05
Without Jesus to
fill me each day,
00:13:10.09\00:13:12.15
I would soon lose the courage
00:13:12.19\00:13:13.59
to spend myself so completely.
00:13:13.62\00:13:16.86
People are
longing to be touched,
00:13:16.89\00:13:18.73
to be listened to, to be healed.
00:13:18.76\00:13:22.36
With all the needs around me,
00:13:22.40\00:13:24.07
my greatest need
is for more workers
00:13:24.10\00:13:25.83
to share my load.
00:13:25.87\00:13:28.20
There are so many
people coming to God,
00:13:28.24\00:13:30.24
but the church is so young.
00:13:30.27\00:13:32.34
They're not enough
people to nurture new Christians
00:13:32.37\00:13:34.34
and help them become disciples.
00:13:34.38\00:13:37.61
Buddhists are
often weak in their faith
00:13:37.65\00:13:39.31
and they need
support and guidance.
00:13:39.35\00:13:41.58
They need one on one mentoring.
00:13:41.62\00:13:44.25
Without it, they
just don't survive.
00:13:44.29\00:13:46.69
And there are so few to
go out to give their contact.
00:13:46.72\00:13:50.53
I would love to
see everyone regularly,
00:13:50.56\00:13:52.43
but now there are
more people in places
00:13:52.46\00:13:54.50
that I can visit in a week.
00:13:54.53\00:13:57.00
I can't see these
needs and turn away,
00:13:57.03\00:13:59.27
but this road I'm
traveling has been difficult.
00:13:59.30\00:14:01.54
I read my Bible constantly
and I remember with gratitude
00:14:01.57\00:14:04.41
how far God has brought me.
00:14:04.44\00:14:07.31
I was a prodigal
and God brought me back.
00:14:07.34\00:14:10.38
He gave me passion
and purpose and joy.
00:14:10.41\00:14:13.82
God has given me
strength to bear all that
00:14:13.85\00:14:15.92
He has called me to do so far,
and I know He will continue.
00:14:15.95\00:14:21.49
And so, I keep
riding these dusty roads.
00:14:21.52\00:14:24.33
Keep following in the footsteps
of Jesus the best I know how,
00:14:24.36\00:14:27.56
and keep leaning on
Him for wisdom and courage.
00:14:27.60\00:14:30.33
He knows my needs.
00:14:30.37\00:14:33.77
I often think
of the Bible verse,
00:14:33.80\00:14:35.70
"The harvest is great,
but the workers are few."
00:14:35.74\00:14:38.67
And I pray to the
God the harvest that
00:14:38.71\00:14:40.28
He will send more workers.
00:14:40.31\00:14:41.94
God did answer Coco's
prayer for more workers.
00:14:47.12\00:14:50.35
In faith ASAP
sent a church planter
00:14:50.39\00:14:52.75
to work with Coco.
00:14:52.79\00:14:54.19
Together, the work
is growing rapidly.
00:14:54.22\00:14:56.59
Now Coco has a little more
time with his two daughters,
00:14:56.62\00:14:59.66
who suffer from thalassemia,
00:14:59.69\00:15:01.46
a blood disease and his precious
00:15:01.50\00:15:03.30
new baby boy.
00:15:03.33\00:15:04.67
You can help
ASAP send workers out
00:15:04.70\00:15:06.90
two by two using Christ method.
00:15:06.94\00:15:09.54
You can donate
towards our greatest need,
00:15:09.57\00:15:11.97
which is stipends for
ASAP National Missionaries.
00:15:12.01\00:15:14.78
It takes an average
00:15:14.81\00:15:16.14
of only $100 to keep a
missionaries' family fed
00:15:16.18\00:15:19.11
and clothed for a month.
00:15:19.15\00:15:22.02
ASAP Medical Missionary Somphong
00:15:22.05\00:15:24.99
has a mighty
ministry in Thailand.
00:15:25.02\00:15:27.52
What's Somphong's
secret to her success?
00:15:27.56\00:15:30.46
As you watch her work,
00:15:30.49\00:15:31.89
you will see the light of Jesus
00:15:31.93\00:15:33.80
shining through her smile
and loving acts of service.
00:15:33.83\00:15:37.20
A missionary in a radio station
00:15:58.32\00:16:00.26
might not be the most
common picture you get
00:16:00.29\00:16:03.02
when you think
about the mission field.
00:16:03.06\00:16:05.33
But I can tell you
it's been an invaluable tool
00:16:05.36\00:16:08.20
in reaching the
people of Thailand.
00:16:08.23\00:16:10.47
New live radio is
one of my passions.
00:16:10.50\00:16:12.87
Broadcasting
live five days a week,
00:16:12.90\00:16:14.90
I get to share with
listeners how God loves, helps,
00:16:14.94\00:16:18.17
and blesses us in
every area of our lives.
00:16:18.21\00:16:20.64
I share personal stories
and insights from the Bible.
00:16:24.61\00:16:27.75
Also, a full hour each day
00:16:27.78\00:16:29.48
is dedicated to
the topic of health
00:16:29.52\00:16:31.55
and disease prevention.
00:16:31.59\00:16:33.59
People call in
and ask questions.
00:16:33.62\00:16:35.82
And if they're interested,
I send them books in the mail.
00:16:35.86\00:16:39.36
With the radio you can reach
00:16:39.39\00:16:40.73
so many people at one time
00:16:40.76\00:16:42.83
and it really
works to break down
00:16:42.86\00:16:44.43
the barriers of class.
00:16:44.47\00:16:46.80
But I don't want to
just talk at people.
00:16:46.84\00:16:49.20
I want to
connect with my listeners
00:16:49.24\00:16:50.97
in as many ways as possible.
00:16:51.01\00:16:53.38
That's why the
radio alone is not enough.
00:16:53.41\00:16:56.14
I often share over the radio.
00:16:56.18\00:16:58.71
If you are burdened
with any problem in your life
00:16:58.75\00:17:01.28
and don't know where to turn,
00:17:01.32\00:17:03.08
come visit the
Seventh-day Adventist Church,
00:17:03.12\00:17:05.95
we are ready to
help and give advice
00:17:05.99\00:17:08.52
or encouragement to
those who are discouraged.
00:17:08.56\00:17:11.79
People respond
to the invitation,
00:17:11.83\00:17:14.20
and we get
visitors on Sabbath mornings
00:17:14.23\00:17:16.43
and throughout the week.
00:17:16.46\00:17:18.63
The radio combined
00:17:18.67\00:17:20.00
with a personal
connection is very powerful.
00:17:20.04\00:17:22.60
We long to build bridges
in as many ways as we can.
00:17:22.64\00:17:27.04
I also teach classes
00:17:27.08\00:17:28.41
on healthy
cooking and lifestyle.
00:17:28.44\00:17:31.71
Because of these programs,
we now have many people
00:17:31.75\00:17:34.75
who are studying
the Bible with us
00:17:34.78\00:17:36.75
and a number have
already been baptized.
00:17:36.79\00:17:40.96
When we care about
their personal problems first,
00:17:40.99\00:17:43.96
health, relationships, finances,
00:17:43.99\00:17:46.70
they become
interested in our God.
00:17:46.73\00:17:50.13
I am not afraid
to meet new people.
00:17:50.17\00:17:52.63
I want to share God's love
00:17:52.67\00:17:54.10
with as many people as possible.
00:17:54.14\00:17:56.40
So I spend much of
my time getting to know
00:17:56.44\00:17:58.71
the people in my community
and volunteering in hospitals.
00:17:58.74\00:18:03.38
Working in the
hospital is very powerful work.
00:18:03.41\00:18:06.51
When I help the patients, I
am helping the whole family.
00:18:06.55\00:18:09.58
When we pray for them,
00:18:13.89\00:18:15.22
take care of the
simplest physical need
00:18:15.26\00:18:17.46
and treat them
with loving kindness,
00:18:17.49\00:18:19.59
we win not just the patients,
00:18:19.63\00:18:21.53
but we win everyone's
heart and they see God.
00:18:21.56\00:18:25.83
I remember one
patient I work with recently.
00:18:25.87\00:18:29.37
I went to the
hospital and asked the nurses
00:18:29.40\00:18:31.94
if they had any patients
00:18:31.97\00:18:33.61
that were in
need of encouragement.
00:18:33.64\00:18:36.28
They showed me to an older woman
00:18:36.31\00:18:38.05
who was very lonely.
00:18:38.08\00:18:40.52
As I began to talk to
her, she opened up and share
00:18:40.55\00:18:43.65
that she was very sick.
00:18:43.69\00:18:45.65
She was sad
because there was no one
00:18:45.69\00:18:47.42
who would care for her at home.
00:18:47.46\00:18:49.72
Her children had brought her
00:18:49.76\00:18:51.09
to the hospital
and left her there.
00:18:51.13\00:18:53.63
They seldom visited.
00:18:53.66\00:18:55.26
She told me that even
money doesn't help you
00:18:55.30\00:18:57.80
when you're sick and
your children are too busy.
00:18:57.83\00:19:01.94
I was so grateful
to be there with her
00:19:01.97\00:19:04.11
to share the good news.
00:19:04.14\00:19:05.81
I told her, I know
your children love you
00:19:05.84\00:19:08.38
even though they let you down.
00:19:08.41\00:19:10.08
But there is one person
who always cares for you.
00:19:10.11\00:19:13.35
Do you know who He is?
00:19:13.38\00:19:16.02
She was interested in
knowing so I continued,
00:19:16.05\00:19:19.22
I told her that this person
is God who loves her very much.
00:19:19.25\00:19:23.53
I told her that God is
not only for Christian people.
00:19:23.56\00:19:27.00
He is the Father
of all human beings.
00:19:27.03\00:19:29.76
And if she asked,
00:19:29.80\00:19:31.17
He will be with
her and help her.
00:19:31.20\00:19:34.30
She asked me to help her
to know how to pray to God.
00:19:34.34\00:19:37.97
I told her that
she could talk to God
00:19:38.01\00:19:39.91
as she talked to her
father or a relative.
00:19:39.94\00:19:43.48
I reminded her
again that He loves her
00:19:43.51\00:19:45.65
and anytime she feels lonely
00:19:45.68\00:19:47.32
or sick or has a
problem, she can pray to Him.
00:19:47.35\00:19:51.35
He always hears her and
will always be with her.
00:19:51.39\00:19:55.36
She told me how happy
she was to have me there.
00:19:55.39\00:19:58.69
Though I had only a
short time to talk to her,
00:19:58.73\00:20:01.83
she opened her
heart and listen to me.
00:20:01.86\00:20:05.67
I know God was leading
and working in a special way
00:20:05.70\00:20:08.84
because it's not
always like this.
00:20:08.87\00:20:11.17
I don't always
get to share my faith.
00:20:11.21\00:20:13.68
But each person I encounter,
I treat with love and respect.
00:20:13.71\00:20:17.48
And God blesses me to
become close to the patients
00:20:17.51\00:20:20.22
and staff at the hospitals.
00:20:20.25\00:20:23.22
Years ago when I first
trained as a lay worker,
00:20:23.25\00:20:26.22
I tried just passing out tracts
00:20:26.25\00:20:27.99
and talking to people
about God's Word directly.
00:20:28.02\00:20:31.13
I found that
people weren't receptive
00:20:31.16\00:20:33.23
to what I had to say.
00:20:33.26\00:20:34.76
And the word was very difficult.
00:20:34.80\00:20:36.87
But then I learned about
the three angels' message
00:20:36.90\00:20:39.30
and how health reform
00:20:39.33\00:20:40.67
is the right hand of the gospel,
00:20:40.70\00:20:42.60
and it changed everything.
00:20:42.64\00:20:45.27
Since then, I
have dedicated my life
00:20:45.31\00:20:47.04
to helping people know
00:20:47.08\00:20:48.41
there is a real healer.
00:20:48.44\00:20:50.75
That was 28 years
ago and looking back,
00:20:50.78\00:20:53.58
it's amazing the
work God has used me
00:20:53.62\00:20:55.85
and my husband
who is a pastor to do.
00:20:55.88\00:20:59.12
We are now invited by
churches all over Thailand
00:20:59.15\00:21:01.96
to do health evangelism.
00:21:01.99\00:21:05.06
The more I learn of
God's healing natural remedies,
00:21:05.09\00:21:08.13
the more I have to share.
00:21:08.16\00:21:11.00
Even though the
work is not always easy,
00:21:11.03\00:21:13.03
I love what I am doing.
00:21:13.07\00:21:16.81
When I see people
regain their health
00:21:16.84\00:21:18.64
and come to know of God,
00:21:18.67\00:21:20.08
it is the best joy that
I can have in this world.
00:21:20.11\00:21:23.11
The government stopped
airing many of the small
00:21:29.32\00:21:31.95
radio programs
including Somphong's,
00:21:31.99\00:21:34.72
but after much
persistent prayer,
00:21:34.76\00:21:37.03
God answered and
worked a miracle.
00:21:37.06\00:21:39.29
Somphong is on the air again.
00:21:39.33\00:21:41.73
You can join Somphong
in bringing the Living Word
00:21:41.76\00:21:45.30
to Thai Buddhists.
00:21:45.33\00:21:46.74
Visit the ASAP
Sponsorship section
00:21:46.77\00:21:49.34
on our online Gift Catalog
to find workers like Somphong
00:21:49.37\00:21:53.21
who need your
prayers and partnership.
00:21:53.24\00:21:57.05
Sometimes do you
feel so shy that you think
00:21:57.08\00:21:59.85
God can't use
you as He can others?
00:21:59.88\00:22:02.48
Do you often
experience hindrances
00:22:02.52\00:22:04.75
to sharing your
faith with others?
00:22:04.79\00:22:06.72
Sometimes I do.
00:22:06.76\00:22:08.36
You'll be able to relate
to the experience of Chenda,
00:22:08.39\00:22:11.69
an ASAP sponsored
literacy teacher in Cambodia.
00:22:11.73\00:22:15.40
In quiet
moments when my students
00:22:20.74\00:22:22.07
are doing their work,
and I have a minute to think,
00:22:22.10\00:22:24.51
I catch myself smiling
in disbelief and wonder,
00:22:24.54\00:22:27.64
how is it that I'm a teacher?
00:22:27.68\00:22:30.41
But, of course, I know.
00:22:30.45\00:22:32.18
I know I serve a great God
00:22:32.21\00:22:33.55
whose strength is
made perfect in weakness.
00:22:33.58\00:22:35.68
He's taught me
that over and over.
00:22:35.72\00:22:39.92
I still remember the fear I felt
00:22:39.95\00:22:41.62
when our church planter asked me
00:22:41.66\00:22:43.16
to become a literacy teacher.
00:22:43.19\00:22:44.93
I was 17, a new
Christian and painfully shy.
00:22:44.96\00:22:48.83
My education
stopped at the sixth grade.
00:22:48.86\00:22:51.70
I was so afraid, I
wouldn't be able to do it.
00:22:51.73\00:22:53.77
But God had different plans,
and He showed me that this was
00:22:53.80\00:22:57.04
what He was calling me to do.
00:22:57.07\00:23:00.61
I started
teaching just five students
00:23:00.64\00:23:02.41
on my parent's porch.
00:23:02.44\00:23:03.95
The numbers grew quickly
00:23:03.98\00:23:05.31
as the children
invited their friends.
00:23:05.35\00:23:06.68
I told them
stories from the Bible
00:23:14.32\00:23:16.02
and taught them songs.
00:23:16.06\00:23:17.59
I couldn't believe how
much the children loved it,
00:23:17.63\00:23:19.79
and how much I loved it.
00:23:19.83\00:23:23.33
Then almost as
suddenly as it had begun,
00:23:23.37\00:23:25.33
my students
stopped coming to class.
00:23:25.37\00:23:29.47
At first, there was
tremendous prejudice
00:23:29.50\00:23:31.04
against the Christian school
00:23:31.07\00:23:32.41
surrounded by
Buddhist neighbors.
00:23:32.44\00:23:34.58
Parents pulled their
children out of the school
00:23:34.61\00:23:36.34
when they found out I
was teaching the Bible.
00:23:36.38\00:23:40.38
Feelings of discouragement
and failure overwhelmed me.
00:23:40.42\00:23:45.02
I wanted to resign.
00:23:45.05\00:23:46.49
But instead of resigning, I
prayed and my church prayed.
00:23:46.52\00:23:50.06
They prayed for our
students and their parents.
00:23:50.09\00:23:52.49
We prayed for the whole village.
00:23:52.53\00:23:55.16
We prayed that their
hearts would be changed.
00:23:55.20\00:23:58.47
God reminded me that I
can do all things through Him
00:23:58.50\00:24:00.67
who gives me strength
and I clung to that promise.
00:24:00.70\00:24:02.80
I chose again to trust Him
and daily prepared my lessons
00:24:06.34\00:24:08.64
to be ready
00:24:08.68\00:24:10.01
whether the
children came or not.
00:24:10.05\00:24:12.18
The obstacles to
regular attendance are many.
00:24:12.21\00:24:14.78
The children in
my village are poor,
00:24:14.82\00:24:16.62
so poor their opportunities
for education are limited.
00:24:16.65\00:24:19.99
Their parents
work in rice fields
00:24:20.02\00:24:21.42
and they are expected
to grow up and do the same.
00:24:21.46\00:24:24.23
They are also
expected to begin helping
00:24:24.26\00:24:25.93
whenever they're needed
and as soon as they're able.
00:24:25.96\00:24:28.96
At other times of the
year, floods disrupt our lives
00:24:29.00\00:24:31.27
and make travel
to school dangerous.
00:24:31.30\00:24:34.40
Despite the obstacles,
God showed His faithfulness.
00:24:34.44\00:24:39.47
I kept on with
prayers of trust and hope
00:24:39.51\00:24:41.71
and watched as God answered.
00:24:41.74\00:24:43.68
Children began
filling our school.
00:24:43.71\00:24:45.35
The numbers grew and grew.
00:24:51.75\00:24:53.99
Now we have new prayer requests.
00:24:54.02\00:24:56.56
We needed a
building and more teachers.
00:24:56.59\00:24:58.83
Again, God answered our prayers.
00:24:58.86\00:25:01.16
Donations came from America
and the new school was built.
00:25:01.20\00:25:04.47
My sister and
others join me as teachers.
00:25:04.50\00:25:08.30
We started as five,
grew to 240 students
00:25:08.34\00:25:11.47
with six of us teaching now.
00:25:11.51\00:25:12.87
Support in the village grew too.
00:25:24.25\00:25:26.62
The parents that had
been weary of our school
00:25:26.65\00:25:28.29
began to thank
us for the changes
00:25:28.32\00:25:29.96
they saw in their children.
00:25:29.99\00:25:31.33
God's Word was
changing their lives
00:25:31.36\00:25:32.89
and it continues
to do so every day.
00:25:32.93\00:25:35.06
I see how it
changes their habits
00:25:35.10\00:25:36.67
and makes them more
kind and respectful.
00:25:36.70\00:25:40.44
The literacy and
education are important.
00:25:40.47\00:25:42.80
The real purpose of our school
is to win souls for eternity.
00:25:42.84\00:25:45.77
And that is what is happening.
00:25:45.81\00:25:48.61
Most of the children come
to church on Sabbaths now.
00:25:48.64\00:25:51.08
They love to learn
especially about the Bible.
00:25:51.11\00:25:53.65
Some have already been baptized
and others are studying.
00:25:53.68\00:25:56.58
They now have different dreams.
00:25:56.62\00:25:58.09
Dreams to work for
God as a church planter
00:25:58.12\00:26:00.06
or a literacy teacher.
00:26:00.09\00:26:02.69
I know God has
great plans for them too
00:26:02.72\00:26:04.39
because here I am,
00:26:04.43\00:26:05.76
a young girl
from a poor village.
00:26:05.79\00:26:07.53
I may be weak,
but my God is strong
00:26:07.56\00:26:09.53
and He's given me
strength to serve Him.
00:26:09.56\00:26:12.03
He's given me faith and
joy I didn't know was possible.
00:26:12.07\00:26:14.67
I thank Him every day
for each of my students
00:26:18.77\00:26:21.11
and for the opportunity
to share His love and hope
00:26:21.14\00:26:23.35
with each of them.
00:26:23.38\00:26:24.71
Nothing thrills my soul
more than receiving the news
00:26:28.92\00:26:32.02
that children have
given their lives in baptism
00:26:32.05\00:26:34.86
and decided to
become His disciples.
00:26:34.89\00:26:37.66
Chelna is an
eight-year-old student
00:26:37.69\00:26:39.69
from this ASAP literacy school.
00:26:39.73\00:26:42.16
She was known
as a fortune teller
00:26:42.20\00:26:43.93
in her community.
00:26:43.97\00:26:45.40
Chelna started attending
the ASAP literacy school
00:26:45.43\00:26:48.47
because her
friends kept inviting her
00:26:48.50\00:26:50.71
even though it
made her uncomfortable.
00:26:50.74\00:26:53.04
She learned how
to pray and sing.
00:26:53.07\00:26:55.94
And after hearing
the story of Jesus,
00:26:55.98\00:26:58.18
she decided to
stop fortune telling.
00:26:58.21\00:27:00.92
She is so happy to be free.
00:27:00.95\00:27:04.19
Her parents are upset though
00:27:04.22\00:27:05.69
because now they
do not receive income
00:27:05.72\00:27:07.86
from their daughter's
formative lucrative career.
00:27:07.89\00:27:10.76
Chenda is so
happy God can use her
00:27:10.79\00:27:13.06
to help set Chelna free.
00:27:13.09\00:27:15.10
She claimed 2 Corinthians
12:9, "And he said to me,
00:27:15.13\00:27:19.13
'My grace is sufficient for you,
00:27:19.17\00:27:21.34
for my strength is
made perfect in weakness.'"
00:27:21.37\00:27:24.74
Chenda and the other teachers
rely completely on Jesus.
00:27:24.77\00:27:28.88
This village and
heaven will never be the same.
00:27:28.91\00:27:32.98
So what do you think?
00:27:33.01\00:27:34.38
You just caught a glimpse
of Benjamin, Somphong, Coco,
00:27:34.42\00:27:37.72
and Chenda's ministries.
00:27:37.75\00:27:39.39
Does your heart
rejoice with their victories
00:27:39.42\00:27:41.52
and ache with their struggles?
00:27:41.56\00:27:43.36
Aren't you excited
about what Jesus is doing?
00:27:43.39\00:27:45.79
ASAP stands for Advocates
00:27:45.83\00:27:48.00
for Southeast
Asians and the Persecuted.
00:27:48.03\00:27:50.30
We invite you to become
an advocate with us today,
00:27:50.33\00:27:53.17
so that many more precious souls
00:27:53.20\00:27:54.94
can see Jesus face-to-face.
00:27:54.97\00:27:57.44
If you enjoyed
these mission stories,
00:27:57.47\00:27:59.17
why not share them.
00:27:59.21\00:28:00.54
Visit asapministries.org
00:28:00.58\00:28:02.58
to subscribe to
our weekly mission
00:28:02.61\00:28:04.41
video podcasts.
00:28:04.45\00:28:05.81
You can also
like us on Facebook,
00:28:05.85\00:28:07.52
and follow us on Twitter.
00:28:07.55\00:28:09.08
May God bless you as
you advocate for Him.
00:28:09.12\00:28:12.25