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Arts Ministry Leaders & Mentors (SG)
AWA Christian Connection/Monthly Mondays
The Creasman's eNews Monthly Prayer Letter

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January: December in USA & back to Asia

Home Sweet Home...on both sides of the globe. No sooner than we had returned to Singapore from our Christmas in California, we headed out to meet with our mentoring groups in Vietnam. In the new year, Jim will continue going to  nearby countries with Singaporean mentees to facilitate and reproduce the ministry of Building spirotual leaders. Kimberly is also excited about some new projects in Singapore she'll write about soon. But in this email, we just want to say, THANK YOU for your support and prayers and friendship and partnership in our lives and what God wants to do through us as we serve him. We missed out on connecting with many friends, which just means we'll have to come back again soon!  The details on December: This trip was primarily focused on our nuclear families, since our 2 children and four parents all live in the US and we are empty-nesters in Singapore.  We also spent time with Kimberly's brother and family, who came out from Atlanta for some "cousin time."  Through friends at Fullerton EV Free (where we were married and Jim was a pastoral intern so long ago), the Lord provided for all of our needs: A lovely house-sitting gig just between our two sets of grandparents, and a borrowed car (thank you Mc Bees and Walkers!). We went to concerts and church together a couple of times and sang in a Christmas Choir for Christmas Eve. We wore Pajamas to iHop for Christmas morning breakfast. We had a family entourage of 9 travel to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl to see Jim's beloved Bruins. The Living room of Kimberly's parents Chuck & Sue. How thankful we are of their sacrifices required by our obedience to God when he called us to overseas ministry! Theirs has been our USA home address for 16 years, and dad has managed our condo in San Pedro...rented to the same family since 1997! Reunited in Orange County Christmas pageants & concerts, like this one in our home church. Trips to visit the boys at school. Many friends have shown concern for Cameron's adjustment in Military school. On January 6th we traveled with him back to Missisippi to see his school and the small town of Port Gibson. We saw his dorm room, classrooms, and the large property used for adventures like paintball and other outdoor sports. We met teachers and administrators and his best friend & classmate. All were glowing about what a great asset he is to the school and positive influence on the other students. Cameron did a lot of complaining about the school over the holiday, but it was great to see that it boils down to his not liking the 24/7 discipline and structure (which is exactly why he's there, and what accounts for miraculous improvement in his grades!). It's true, he is very homesick, and he really doesn't want to be there. But, when he saw his friends on reporting day, he bound out of the car and into his second semester almost forgetting to say goodbye! The following weekend we took Jim's mom with us to see Tyler at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. She'd not seen the school before and we had a great couple of days driving around the quaint town, seeing his dorm room, dining with his roommates, and worshipping with him in his church, Calvary SLO. He is thriving, and driving. He got a car for his 20th birthday on the 12th. UCLA football @ the Holiday Bowl in San Diego was a disaster, but we were together and enjoyed the experience Both sets of parents join us for worship on Christmas Eve Cousin time over the Scrabble type game called "Take 2" After spending a day in Jackson with Chris Herring, Cameron's former principal in Singapore, we drove down to Chamberlain-Hunt and explored the town. Do you know who this famous UCLA & NBA basketball player is? Cameron was thrilled to meet him at the Holiday Bowl! Back to work! Building Spiritual leaders in Asia. Using the "Focusing Leaders" mentoring workbooks based on the concepts in Dr. Robert Clinton's The Making of a Leader, we facilitate small groups with Christian leaders.  Every couple of months they meet for a few days away to focus on what God has called them to, and how he is shaping them over a lifetime. We believe creating these communities and times of focus, spiritual renewal and hearing from God will safeguard these leaders who work where life is difficult and the harvest is plentiful. May God continue to keep their spiritual passion focused on; abiding in and serving him. Donating to the CRM and our ministry of building Spiritual leaders online: www.crmleaders.org

Ready to go home.

The other night in conversation,

I found myself tuning the person out.

I couldn't listen to the 4th story in a row talking about successful grown children of a friend or neighbor. About this or that person in Orange County who had made millions.

LIfe is so harsh for so many. 

And I'm not speaking of those who are jobless, or have had to walk away from their homes, as hard as that is in the American context. 

I'm thinking of the movie Les Miserables and that it's not a story from a time long ago. 

There are children who died this week from curable disease or starvation, or defending their homes against tyranny and oppressive governments or thugs...or girls who have had to sell their hair or teeth or bodies in the face of poverty, death and disease. 

Healthcare isn't even a part of their discussion.

I don't want to enter another conversation about politics
or Obamacare

or wine 

or how much money so and so has

or entertainment 
or sports

It's time to go back to our little government flat in Asia.
Where I feel a bit lavish for the relative plenty we have compared to my immediate neighbours, and especially our neighboring countries.

And I want to have different conversations.
Conversations with grateful people who know they are blessed beyond measure and want to share.