YaYa Seasoned Sisters of Singapore- Amazon Link to What We're Reading This Fall:

I love my group of Seasoned Sisters and look forward each week to Wednesdays. If you're in Singapore, have Wednesdays 1-3PM free, don't yet have a circle of trusted girlfriends, and need a spiritual home, come join us. Author Pam Farrel's a perennial cheerleader with encouraging and mature spiritual insights. THough this book is called The 10 Best Decisions a Woman Can Make, it's really more like The 10 CATEGORIES of Best Decisions a Woman Can Make. That's why my group of YaYas agreed with me to read it over again after we'd tried to make this book our summer reading!

Samples: Cost of Living, Singapore

Once in 1998 we published a list like this; some samples of costs for living in China. 
Someone was wondering recently what costs of living are for us in Singapore. This might be more financial info than my Western friends are comfortable talking about! I've become so Chinese about these things. Hardly a week goes by when I don't have a neighbor ask me how much I pay in rent!

So this morning I did a quick look at my records. I've been using this simple but great little phone app: Moneybook, just have to have the discipline to put the expenses in as we go and it does the calculations and syncing with an account online.

For those who are on our support team, or are considering it, here's a concrete way to think about what you might be supporting. A representation of some ministry & some of our personal expenses.

[US>SG$ calculated in current exchange rate]

Singapore dollars
$80 [US$62] /monthly transportation allowance for Cameron
$175 [US$134] approx cost for hosting last year's Thanksgiving Party/open house for 30 neighbors.
$300 [US$230]  average monthly gas for the car.
(Never a day goes by that I am not immensely thankful to have a car!)
$250-$550 round trip ticket to mentoring w/pastors in neighboring countries (1/4ly)
$834 [US$640] /mo Singapore income tax
$1150 [US$883] food costs in September
$1200 [US$921] gifts sent to current donors at Chinese New Year 2011
$1400-$1800 [US$1047-$1381] one round trip plane ticket SINGAPORE>LA. Or to bring Tyler back for a holiday.
$2400 /mo rent [US$1842]
$4000 [US$3071] TOTAL monthly household expenses
$5,300 [US$5069] Total medical expenses so far this year

(we'll make our $5000 deductible for the first time, so we'll get some back!)

$8,500 [US$6525] Total receipts for our family trip to visit missionaries March 2010.

$16,000 [US$12,283] Annual School expenses for Cameron (blessed w/ 40% discount as an Mkid. With Tyler in a Cal State School, and having managed to maintain residency through home ownership and some California State Tax over the years, college costs less than school in Singapore!)

Weekend Update: I'm on an insulting streak!

Saturday Evening:

I get to the announcer's booth after the first of the three High School football games for my "DJ" gig while Jim announces. Between games this is also where the officials cool off and get some refreshment in the airconditioning. Trying to figure out what time he'll be getting home, one of the refs asks,

"So, how long are these games lasting?"


I answer in jest, "I think it depends on how many yellow flags are thrown on the field."

Later I found out that the first game had an uncommonly large amount of penalties called.

Ooops. It surely sounded to that ref like I was being sarcastic rather than just joking.

Sunday Evening:

I was attending the TCA College graduation. Since 2006 I've been teaching college level theatre courses to those who want to use drama/creative arts in ministry. At the reception, I meet and get into conversation with a Board Member and a Richard Goetz professor of Theology, who comments about the power of the arts, and how Christian Churches are missing out on embracing the arts for worship and outreach. I feel like we're clicking in this conversation, so I make a comment along these lines:

I struggle sometimes with the paradox of generating excitement for practicing arts as ministry, because there will never be any income in it to speak of. I've spent my entire life devoted to exploring how to use arts in ministry, and though the thanks and praise were abundant, only on one hand can I count the years I was remunerated more than $500. That's what some churches will pay a one time guest speaker. And yet, they'll ask me to work longer and harder preparing a sketch for worship that supports his message.... 

Still, God has given me this passion and calling, so I keep having to put such facts at his feet. He has always provided for me, in other ways, but it's harder to have faith in his provision for my students, when I know they are destined to have the same sense of being devalued for the gifts in ministry God has given them and I am fanning into flame.

I went home last night and saw an interview with this faculty member in the Graduation Booklet:

"My passion is for the classroom...I told myself that this was so great that I will do this even if they don't pay me. When you find your passion you know it, because you can honestly say I will do this even if they did not pay me."

Ooops. I now imagine that he thought my comments were in critical response to his interview. Duh. Nope, I was just being guilelessly honest about my experience and what I wrestle with as an artist.

eNews>Praying for the Creasmans in October

Thanks for your prayers with us in September

Jim:

Pastors who are starting CRM in the Philippines have met for their 3rd retreat with individual coaching. One of them is pursuing a call to lead this emerging ministry focused on empowering with this mentoring model. In turn they empower others under their leadership to grow in intimacy with God and live out His unique call on their lives.

Kimberly:  

Loads of emails, and prayers and phone calls have ensued following a blog post I wrote in August. For me it's turning into a season of bridge building and encouraging Sending Churches in what their role can be in Missionary Care. As a case study, this experience is a remarkable model of processing conflict. This communication with my church leaders has built a stronger bridge. I'm really encouraged to know that I am part of a church where we call can respect one another, make apologies where needed and all be humble enough own our sin and move forward stronger in unity and purpose.

CRMS Annual General Meeting 2011: Thank you Lord for the momentum rolling with addition of new staff and expansion into neighboring countries. 

Tyler: 

Loving CPSLO after 2 weeks of classes and the week of orientation. He's training with ROTC and really diving in (which is unusual for TCKs - they tend to stay on the fringe and observe for awhile). Said, "Even though it's a large campus, nearly everywhere I go I see someone I've already met." He had a great 6 weeks with grandparents...getting driver's license, spending some fun time with them alone, helping them with some things around their homes (technical mostly). It's a fun season to see him step into adulthood and manage his time and money on his own (all bills are going to HIM now!)

Cameron:

As always a joy to live with if we ignore the mess! Upon returning to Singapore, a few noticed a change over the summer. He's more confident and stepping up as a leader with his peers. We stay positive that he'll continue to learn how to apply his mind to learning, his body toward strength and fitness, and his heart to following Jesus. 

Prayers for October:

1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Singapore American Football League continues to be the Creasman's Fall pastime (missing only the accompanying cooler weather and marching bands!). Cameron (#54 left tackle) is playing on Tyler's former team in the High School league and we continue to deepen our friendships and influence in the expat community. Pray that we will have opportunities to share God's love and hope - the Gospel - every week of football!

2 

Praise God for the graduates of TCA College! Thank you Lord for Kimberly's role as an occasional lecturer, equipping younger Christian leaders in their use of drama in ministry. Lead her to ways she can continue to use her expertise to inspire other young people who are passionate about the arts and ministry.

3, 10, 17, 24, 31 

Lord, guide us as we spend some time on Mondays making phone calls and connecting with supporters and potential donors to our life and ministry here in Asia. Give us discernment about knowing who to call, and a continued confidence in your faithful provision, as we need to raise an additional $3,000 in monthly donations. 

3-7,31

We host visitors who are coming through Singapore. Lord, we pray through us you offer vision and insight into the strategic role this little island has on the Kingdom of God in this region.

8

CRMS staff, Andy Lim leads the inaugural "Run for the Nation" prayer run across the island. Lord, thank you for calling such inspiring and godly Asian leaders to join us in CRMS & building spiritual leaders, we pray for wisdom as we join potential staff this coming week in seeking your will for joining us in this movement.

15

Count Your Blessings! After meeting a few times this month with Kimberly, thirteen dormitory staff of a Christian High School will perform Playback Theatre for students on the theme of "Thankfulness." Jesus, we pray that this outreach to international students studying and living in a Christian environment will draw them to a personal and lasting relationship with you!

17-19

Jim leads a mentoring network in Manila, and helps these pastors grow as mentors for others.  Please pray for their own growth and for their vision and ability to empower other leaders.

18-19 

Women's Retreat in nearby Johor, Malaysia. God, thank you for making it clear that you wanted K! to pass on the CRM Women's Leadership meetings in Spain (Oct 16-21). Hard to do it, but thank you for your guidance. In this short time away with her Singapore sisters, build us in unity, deepen our roots with you, and give us vision for your future for us as your daughters.

20

Jim teaches a seminar in Singapore on growing in spiritual authority - what it is, where it comes from, how to exercize it, and how to grow in it.  We long for the evidence of God's presence in our lives and ministries. Lord we pray that Jim & Kimberly would continue growing in intimacy with Christ and that his leading and providing for them would be evident to all around them.

22

Handmade #3. K! is participating in an outreach with Grace Assembly of God. Lord we thank you for how you are using the arts to communicate your message! Thank you for Namiko and her gifts in dance and love for you! Bless her as she builds a team using Hawaiian Hula as a worship dance for you.

27-28

Retreat for CRMS staff and board members to evaluate and ideastorm our ministry to help churches and spiritual leaders grow and impact Asia. Lord, we pray that you would raise up godly and gifted men and women to join CRMS as spiritual mentors, and to go as missionaries to other Asian countries.  We pray for love and creativity as a team, and for your guidance and resources to grow in our spiritual impact.

Plus:

Please pray that i would have Joshua's courage and Joseph's dream and vision to pursue the establishment of CRM Phils! - Pastor Nathan, Manila

Mid-Autumn festival "mooncakes" with Yi Hui. 
She continues her frequent visits when Kimberly is home in the afternoons, 
and is slowly getting socialized and learning how to read. 
She's a much happier little "stray" who is taking 
(and most certainly failing) the PSLE this week 
(Primary School Leaving Exam)

How can we be praying

for you? 

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. - 1 Peter 5:10

Jim & Kimberly Creasman

Charitable Giving thru CRM

Thank you for making our work here an extension of your heart for Asia.

We pray that you'd have great joy in these kind of investments, 

whether is it with us or with other good work around the world!

www.crmleaders.org

Donation questions (in USA) 1 (800) 777-6658

you may add "preferenced for Creasman-acct 5651"

CRM- 1240 N. Lakeview, Suite 120, Anaheim, CA 92807-1831

More photo highlights from September:

We're keeping in touch via 21st century technology: