Julia O'Carey

BASIC JOB DESCRIPTION
I oversee the operations of the organization and follow the direction of the Master Director in setting the vision and the strategic plans. I communicate with our partners in the field and in North America.

SCHOOLING
I graduated from Andrews University with a B.S. and an M.A. in Education.

HOW YOU WERE ORIGINALLY CONNECTED TO ASAP
My connection to Southeast Asia dates way back to when I was eight years old. I packed my little suitcase and headed across the world, Thailand precisely, where I spent seven formative years serving in the refugee camps alongside my parents. I tell people I have an Asian heart within an American body. Because the Director happened to be my mother, I kept intimately connected to her work as the years flew by.

WHEN YOU STARTED WORKING WITH ASAP
In 2005, since I was not teaching, I offered to fill in for the Administrative Assistant who took a leave for a few months. I got hooked! The Lord clearly showed me that ASAP is right where He wanted me. Nothing brings more fulfillment than knowing you are doing the will of God. I am grateful to God for this opportunity to be involved in His rewarding, end-time work of reaching the lost in Southeast Asia.

YOUR FAVORITE ASAP PROJECT
I love providing lunches for the ASAP Feed & Read Program, where children are taken off the streets and given a basic education and one hot, nourishing meal a day. Since my background is in education, it thrills my soul to witness the difference learning how to read and write is making in the lives of these children. I can’t tell you how meaningful it is to witness these children accept Jesus into their hearts. Jesus helps them survive in their harsh conditions. Seng, for instance, can smile today because of her love for Jesus. She lost her parents five years ago and lives with an abusive aunt who treats her like a slave. Yet she has a peace and joy which can only come from God.

WHAT YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK
I enjoy spending time in nature with my family and friends, prayer journaling, reading inspirational books (like the Bible), and cooking food from around the world. Some day I’ll add scrapbooking to the list, but that may be when I retire!

ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE BIBLE TEXTS
Matthew 25:40: "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me.'" I love the fact that every kind and loving word or deed I do is really a gift to Jesus, the one who gave His life for me.

Julia O'Carey

Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (269) 471-3026