Safe from Tsunami- reporting from Singapore

It was a normal Sunday for the Creasmans. We didn't even know about the SE Asia tsunamis until 12 hours afterward when we turned on the news (late Sunday night our time). Living in the region, we feel closer to the pain and the grand scale of loss. The island closest to the epicenter, Sumatra, had so much catastrophe, and it took the waves headed for Singapore. Our little island, nestled in between Indonesia and Malaysia, was preserved.

As we prayerfully mourn and flip our TVs between CNN, BBC and Channel News Asia, Christians in Singapore are bustling to figure out how we can respond with help to our Asian neighbors. There was a meeting Monday at Jim's office (The Singapore Centre for Evangelism and Mission). They want to help coordinate efforts and mobilize Singaporean Christians.  The church we attend here had several daughter churches in Sri Lanka that were affected, and our CRM colleagues in Indonesia are sending some evangelists with relief materials to their most affected area which is very Islamic. A dinner guest tonight will be directing Operation Blessing (CBN) aid efforts to the Maldives.

Please pray for wisdom for Christians in the region to find tangible ways to assist and show Jesus' love to the hurting and needy people. Pray that both physical and spiritual healing and salvation will be brought to them in ways that prove God's greatness, goodness and love. Pray for the Lord's miraculous strengthening to those on the front lines offering assistance. And, pray with us to be able to reach out and comfort others around us who are most affected by the tragedy.

We were living in Singapore during 9/11. We know what it's like to hear about tragedy in your homeland and not be able to be home to share with your country in the grieving. After some phone calls yesterday I found out a nearby convalescent home with Sri Lankan staff.  After dinner the 4 of us took over some cards, cookies and Gospels of John. They all came out to meet us and see why we'd come. We stood in front of the building, with security and other staff looking on, and shared with them our sadness over the devastation in their home country and prayed for them and their families and country. They were really sweet and it was a touching experience for all of us. It is such a small thing, but it is one way we can personally give a word and touch of comfort and share the hope we have in Jesus.

Also from Jim:
Hi Patti,

Thanks for checking.  We're ok physically, and didn't even know about the tsunami until 12 hours afterward (late Sunday night our time), but it has hit us emotionally.  Christians in Singapore are trying to figure out how we can respond with some help to our Asian neighbors.  We had a meeting at my office (SCEM) 2 nights ago to try and bring different ministries together and coordinate efforts and mobilize Singaporean Christians.  The church we attend here had several daughter churches in Sri Lanka that were affected, and our CRM colleagues in Indonesia are sending some evangelists with relief materials to the area in northern Sumatra, which is very Islamic.

Please pray for wisdom for Christians in the region to find tangible ways to help out and show Jesus' love to the many hurting and needy people.  And pray for the Lord's emotional strengthening for us to be able to reach out and comfort others in the midst of tragedy.

Last night our family went to a nearby convalescent home where six Sri Lankans work.  After being in Singapore during 9/11, we knew how depressing it is to hear about tragedy in your homeland and not be able to be there to share in the grieving.  We took them some small presents and gospel materials and shared with them our sadness and prayed for them and their families and country.  They were really sweet and seemed very touched by us reaching out to them.  It was a moving experience for our family, and we felt at least we could personally give some comfort and share the hope we have in Jesus.

BTW, I also felt homesick this Christmas, the first time I think since we've been in Asia.  Just missing the friends and all the traditions.  My mom raved about the program at EV Free.

WIth our love and thanks to God for you and prayers for his blessings! 

Jim

 

The Lornie Road Mansion

I drove by with the kids recently and called the realtor's number. This empty house needs a caretaker! It's falling apart and it's brand new. I wonder what the monthly upkeep costs alone are for a house this size. The realtor showed us the house last week and suggested we make an offer to the bank to live in it as caretakers while they continue to try to sell it.

Bank repo of a 99% finished custom home. All 8,000 sq feet interior and 19,200 property has been sitting empty for a year now. Asking $5.5 million! 

A rowdy bunch for Cameron's 8th birthday party. December 14th.

email to Kevin:
We're having a very quiet and reflective Christmas season
HOWEVER
The flurry of activity for Cameron's birthday yesterday made up for the rest of the month. They both were up at 6:15 to follow the (most awesomest) string. Cameron got this great "freedom force" cargo helicopter with a jeep and army guys and rope ladders and guns and and and. That was the biggest hit, I think (TYLER was JEALOUS!!!). The gifts from his little party friends were also pretty good this year. Mostly toys! (ie. he didn't get any Chinese study workbooks from his best buddy like last year! Only one book and one t-shirt!)
We played twister, cranium cadoo, chinese checkers, beyblades and that old race of eating marshmallows tied to the end of a string (what a hoot!).
Ended the all-boy event with a waterballoon war in the garden below our condo. 2 teams each with a bucket full of little bombs. No bombs hitting above the shoulders. No stepping out of bounds. Jim was the judge of which team was the most dry after only 6 minutes of warfare. The Creasman boys were tied for wettest!
Cam was very cute about this birthday, counting the days until it came...
All day today (the day after) we've been making a BIG deal about his age:
"Hey! you are EIGHT years old!"
He rolls his eyes, "I KNOWWWW!"
He loves it.

Viper

Tyler had the blues today and we drove over to the SPCA for him to visit a husky named VIPER there (he's always loved reading about sled dogs and the movie Iron Will). That was a wonderful pick-me-up for him (and for me too).

Survived Vacation Day Camp

My right eyelid is twitching and my body is a bit sore today, but I'm
alive to tell about it!

Singapore Idol, Journey of Desire, Advice to a Friend

I went just for the last 10 minutes of one show and was SO GLAD i didn't do it again. I think now that I'm in my 40's I want to do more dignified performances and leave the cartoon characters to the younger performers!

We had a party last night to watch the finals for Singapore Idol. Your girlfriend was funny - she said she'd rather die than watch. She had the cell group anyway so...we enjoyed the hype and fun of it. Taufik won, so we're happy He's who we were rooting for.

Glad you've enjoyed the book so far. Press on, the 2nd half is better. But even more than reading Journey of Desire, or whether you've found a church, the bottom line is whether you're talking to and listening to Jesus more and more. The other stuff is just the extras to where your heart is with him. As you read the book, or crack open the Word, are you asking him what he wants to tell you? Even in the spear fishing and beach relaxing he's with you and wants you to experience ordinary fun stuff in his presence. Through the beauty, and nature, he wants to speak to you too. Stop asking yourself "I wonder what I'm supposed..." and just turn all those questions over to him.