Joe Handley

FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

Stories from Joe Handley, president of Asian Access

At Asian Access, we want to recommend a few select giving options. We realize that there are numerous fine choices for directing your financial assistance. There are certainly many excellent organizations doing great relief work.

However, sometimes it can be daunting to decide where to send your donations. So we offer this simple list to our community to help you narrow your choices, if that's helpful. The organizations on this list are particularly focused on the whole gospel in delivering their aid and we can wholeheartedly endorse their work..

These organizations are listed in alphabetical order:

 

Asian Access

http://asianaccess.org/A2-Japan-Tsunami-Relief-Fund.html

Giving to Asian Access' Japan Tsunami Relief Fund will go directly toward two objectives:

  1. Funds are being channeled to our network of local churches (across all denominations) that can distribute aid because they are locally present in these communities hard-hit by this disaster. This is how we saw the Church in Sri Lanka rebuild lives after the tsunami of 2004.
  2. Funds are being channeled through CRASH (see below) and will also enable our missionaries and short-term work teams to go into these areas, bringing assistance and the love of Christ. If interested in being a part of a work team: http://go2japan.org/tsunami-forum

CRASH Japan

http://crashjapan.com/

CRASH Japan is creating partnerships with churches in Japan, so that the relief is locally-based. Asian Access is fully committed to our partnership with CRASH because it is a collaborative effort (of mission organizations and churches) with our shared commitment to the local church as God’s delivery system for ministry. They have tremendous experience in relief work inside and outside of Japan. We personally know the people involved in coordinating this operation. In fact two of leadership team members are Asian Access folks, who work alongside CRASH Director Jonathan Wilson:

  • Rev. Joshua Hari, Coordinator for Containers and Shipping
  • Gary Bauman, Internal Communications Coordinator

Keep in mind that donations to CRASH are not U.S. tax-deductible.

These additional organizations are Lausanneconnections who are working in Japan. They are committed as we are to the 'whole Church bringing the wholegospel to the whole world,' and therefore, we highly recommend them for yourconsideration.

 

Redeemer City to City

http://redeemercitytocity.com/news.jsp?NEWS_param=92

 

Saddleback Peace Relief

http://www.saddleback.com/giving/opportunities/japanrelief/

 

Samaritans Purse

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

 

World Relief

http://worldrelief.org/

 

World Vision

http://www.worldvision.org/#/home/main/japan-earthquake-main-1-1357

 

Keep in mind the this is our "short list." We may add to it, after we learn more about what different organizations are accomplishing.

We continue to thank you for your concern, for your prayers, and for your compassionate giving toward the plight of the Japanese people.

All Stories

How Not to Teach Middle School

Throughout the week, I share the story about my faith journey A LOT. As a mobilizer with SIM, I’m one of the first conversations people have with us as they seek to discern God’s calling for them in His kingdom work around the world. An important part of every conversation is getting to share my journey and inviting the person on the call to share theirs.

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!”

Read more...

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. 

Read more...

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.

Read more...

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...

Read more...

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.

Read more...

Living a "Relevant Life"

Rethinking how God's Word is "relevant" to our lives and ministries

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, 
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go, 
for to you I lift up my soul.” 

Read more...

Asian Access takes new name as ministry expands to the Middle East and beyond

International (A3) — Asian Access, known widely as A2, is expanding its ministry into some of the most dangerous and volatile parts of the world.

Read more...

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!

Read more...

2023... New Name and Encouraging Developments

This week Asian Access will be making a significant announcement and we want you, our friends, to be the first to know.

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!

Read more...

Making sense of Urbana and your own personal journey

Because Urbana '22 has just concluded, we thought it would be especially helpful to repost an article written after a previous Urbana by Asian Access missionary Sue Takamoto, who first attended Urbana '84.

Decision-Making and God's Perspective

  • "Oh no… It's been several weeks since Urbana, but I haven't signed up with a mission agency yet. Am I out of God's will?"
  • "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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