Joe Handley

FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

Stories from Joe Handley, president of Asian Access

Asian Access taps veteran missionary for brand new post in Japan
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It is with great joy and enthusiasm that the Lord has called a new Vice President for Asian Access/Japan. Mary Jo Wilson, a 25-year veteran church multiplication missionary with Asian Access has been appointed to begin her assignment on March 1, 2011. The Lord has clearly gifted Mary Jo for such a time as this, as you will clearly see in this video interview.

Introducing Mary Jo Wilson
(watch video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQvQoEzIaiM)


Background
Mary Jo Wilson started as a 3-year missionary with LIFE Ministries (now Asian Access) in 1983 learning language and teaching English. Soon she became an advisor to our summer and one-year short term missionaries. From there she spent seven years in our U.S. Headquarters, specializing in recruiting and assessing potential missionaries. It was during this time that Mary Jo married Michael L. Wilson, and God blessed them with two children, Stacia and Brandon.


After this home office assignment, the Wilsons sensed God calling them to Japan. They moved to Tokyo in 1994, where Mary Jo served in Church Multiplication through our unique facilitator model of church planting for six years. Most recently, she has served for seven years providing leadership with husband Mike in Okinawa for launching two Church Multiplication Networks and starting a third. During this time she also served as a team leader for the Asian Access/Okinawa mission staff.


Over the course of her career, Mary Jo has achieved the top level of Japanese Language Proficiency. Currently, she is working on an MA in Global Leadership at Fuller Seminary's School of Intercultural Studies. What she has learned over the last 25 years has undoubtedly qualified her for this new post that Asian Access created in order to accelerate its church planting ministry in Japan.


To congratulate and connect with Mary Jo, you can reach her through via her A2 staff profile or on Facebook. Or feel free to leave a comment here.

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All Stories

How Not to Teach Middle School

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A favorite line I like to share in my story is “If you don’t have a firm sense of your identity in Christ, and you don’t have a firm sense of His calling on your life, then you probably shouldn’t try to teach middle school English!”

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Dear Brothers and Sisters at Asbury University

…and beyond: encouragement from a big sister

I first heard about what God was doing on your campus on Friday, February 10. At the SIM USA sending office, we take our motto By Prayer very seriously. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, we come together corporately for a chapel service to pray over each one of our fields and our missionaries. On Mondays and Fridays, we do the same, but this time we gather in smaller groups by our departments. One of my coworkers brought up what God was doing on your campus, and we began to pray for you. 

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New, But Not: Our Journey to Japan

By Linda Koyama

Hi, I’m Linda. Nice to meet you. I’m currently writing from Yamagata, Japan, where my family is partnering with a local church. You’ve probably never heard of Yamagata. Don’t worry, neither did I until it was presented as one of the potential prefectures we’d be serving in. 

So where exactly is Yamagata? Think north of Tokyo about 200 miles (300 kilometers), or a 4 1/2 hour drive by car. It’s in the southern part of the Tohoku region, closer to the Japan Sea side (rather than the Pacific Ocean side). It’s definitely not one of Japan’s hot tourist spots, but this region is known for its ski slopes, onsens, and delicious fruits.

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It's a Different World...

By Tia Blassingame

Okay, if you look like me you probably started singing that song title and know exactly where I got it from. Perfect, because it has been playing in my head all week! This is truly a different world. Right now, I am at a homestay with my onēsan (pronounced ohnay-sahn) and her family. That term right there is already different vocabulary for you I’m assuming. Onēsan is “older sister” and a “homestay” is when you stay overnight (or more than one night) with a family. In basic “Tia terms” (that’s me), I’m at a sleepover with my sis and her fam. Let me backtrack a bit...

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Counting the Cost 3: The Shape of You

Leaving what I’ve found:
You helped me find my true self.
Wishing you were here. 

During one of my first annual Asian Access retreats in Japan, Dr. Sue Takamoto led all of us first-term missionaries through a special training specifically designed for our experience. One of her warm-up exercises had us flexing some of our creative muscles: we were to write haiku that showcased our experiences during our first term. I wrote the above haiku for my church family back home in St. Louis.

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By Kent Muhling

I sometimes pray Psalm 143:8 at the beginning of my morning devotions. It reads, 

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, 
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Make me know the way I should go, 
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International (A3) — Asian Access, known widely as A2, is expanding its ministry into some of the most dangerous and volatile parts of the world.

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And Our New Name is...

February 3, 2023

Friends of Asian Access,

I am thrilled to announce today that Asian Access has a new name. I have been waiting a long time to tell you, and I have simply been bursting to get this out there!

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2023... New Name and Encouraging Developments

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February 3 (2.3.23) is the day we have targeted to share the news of the ministry's expansion which is also driving the moment for a new name for the organization. I think you'll agree it's a wonderful connection to the past and a bridge to the next era of ministry to which we're called. Stay tuned for this exciting news!

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Decision-Making and God's Perspective

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  • "How will I ever decide?!"
  • "I think God and my parents have very different ideas about what's best for my life…"
  • "Urbana still doesn't make sense to me."

Read more...

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