Inspiration for the Floundering TCK

THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY ECCUMENTICAL TOURS

I have a new idea almost every day, but some of them mull around awhile, and some of them actually turn out to be something.

This morning I woke up with an idea: a new Sunday/Saturday night family club!
This is how it works: I round up all the friends i have here who are unsatisfied with church,
and together, once a month, we make own church be ROVING.
We all go en mass to visit churches, pray for that local body and the staff while attending worship, and then with the kids go out to eat after to discuss the varied worship styles and pray for one another
(then write an anonymous blog reporting on the churches we visit).

So many of the people I know here (and in USA) are unhappy with their current church. They genuinely love God, want to honor him in their lives and want to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit seeing God use them for good on this planet. They ALSO long for more out of their weekly connection with the body of Christ and want have something more from their worship and fellowship. It seems like for all of us, corporately connecting with God and connecting with others is so impoverished. It seems like an epidemic.

I wonder if this ECCUMENICAL TOURS is going to be one of my bizarre "crazy ideas" or if it's actually something that will become a calling and turned into action...

The People in my Life/Work Here: Why I'm Happy to Be Back

PS. Here's another link to a slide show: The people in my Singapore life and ministry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjlDvba0LMI

Before heading back to Singapore last summer, I made a slide show of what I was looking forward to upon returning. 

The song "GOLD" from Camille Claudel is what I sang for the CRM Donor Retreat in San Francisco last May.

The photos in this slide show are the nuggets of the gold in my life

My February 2009: Egypt, Kids, Singaporean Christians in Theatre

The New Year's Reflections & Resolutions we emailed in January has lead to some interesting developments in February for K!M. 

REFLECTIONS on 2008: 

One of the highlights of my year in USA, was a trip to EGYPT! I was thrilled to introduce Playback Theatre to those who studied with me for that week (Link is to my article on the conference).

I was invited back this year February 21st - March 4. For a number of reasons, I didn't think I could manage going. But after a call to the conference coordinators, support from my Creasman men, and a unanimous "YOU HAVE TO GO!" from my Bible study girlfriends, I bought the ticket with a credit card and faith. Thursday night I learned that a local church is going to write me a check for entire amount of the ticket! 

God has made a way for me to go back to Egypt. 

Thank you Lord for this opportunity to invest in the lives and artistry of enthusiastic young people there who have a passion to share our good news through theatre. I pray this short conference will exponentially fertilize their growth and effectiveness for your glory.

RESOLUTIONS for 2009:

1. My Role in Singapore Theatre & Ministry

It's been brewing in my heart for a long time now and as 2009 got underway, it wasn't hard to put all the pieces together. 

Piece: Christians in theatre and drama ministries here feel alone and need more inspiration and fellowship with one another.

Piece: Churches here could use more training & exposure to a higher standard of what can be done with drama in ministry.

Piece: It's not enough that I teach a class that's an introduction to many forms but don't have a platform to take it to a higher level.

Piece: I needed some kind of a forum where I can regularly encourage performing artists in their faith and art.

Piece: A local church drama ministry leader was looking for a way to branch out and grow, and bless the larger arts community.

Thank you Lord that last Thursday night a collection of 17 talented actors from 8 churches met to start something new with me. 

Weekly on Thursday nights, we'll first meet in small groups, then work together on scenes for a showcase we'll video and present (part of an Exploring Drama as Ministry Workshop later this spring). There was real excitement in the group as we read through the scripts they'll work on in the weeks to come.  I told them, "I'm not exactly sure where this is heading in the long run, but hop on board with me and let's see where God takes us this year!"

Christians in Theatre Arts, Singapore. 

First gathering February 5, 2009.

if you're on Facebook, see more photos from one of the group:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=214492&id=848875135&ref=nf

2. Simplify Life

...While Enjoying the Kids

One of the many "perks" of being a missionary is reduced tuition at the International Community School. My small way of giving back to this school where Tyler and Cameron attend has been to teach the Drama Club. This year so many children signed up we split it into two age groups of about 20 kids each. This past Friday night was INTERNATIONAL NIGHT. The sweet kids stretched and grew through the experience! I enjoy being able to teach Cameron and his friends in the Middle School club and be a part of his development and school life. ("Psalm 100: Shout for Joy!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMKUy_dCmb0 , "It's a Small World" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rra70hwuOe0 )

...In Bible Studies and weekly staff meetings 

As I reflected and made my New Years resolutions, I realized I was trying to do too much last fall. I thought perhaps I needed to drop my Thursday morning Bible study 'cause I couldn't keep up with the homework! They agreed instead to let me combine what I'm learning and applying from our CRM staff meetings. Jim has been teaching staff from Bobby Clinton's Becoming a Bible Centered Leader and helping staff think through a lifelong strategy for mastering the Bible. Because of this, my lady friends, have set aside our printed Bible Study books with the fill-in-the blanks-get-your-homework-done approach with the intent to grow in a deeper hunger, appreciation and love for the word of God. We are expecting to hear from him as we daily read and meditate on Scripture alone. We're exploring different methods for having a daily devotional life, and starting with repeated readings of Psalm 119. This is a long chapter in the center of the Bible which enumerates through the Hebrew alphabet the wonders of the word of God. It's especially exciting because there are a couple gals who've never studied this way, are fairly new believers and are really growing in their walk with Christ!

Elementary Drama Workout backstage at International Night. 

February 6, 2009.

3. Staying Prayerfully Positive and Proactive...

We're thankful for your prayers not only for Godly and powerful ministry, but also for our health, provision, protection and encouragement. Since late December, Cameron, Tyler & Kimberly have been working through some health issues, learning to heal/live with ADHD and a few other difficulties. We're thanking God for exceptional Christian doctors whom we trust, and God's sweet provision of some new family friends for us.

Praying that your February 2009 is blessed as you live out your calling and destiny!

Fondly from Singapore,

K!Mberly 4 the 4