Stay Faithful & Choose Joy - February eNews

"God has brought you to train us, give us tips and courage and passion to start..." The message came unexpectedly. And at a time when I needed it. If you know me (Kimberly) at all, you know that my favorite thing to do IN THE WORLD is to teach how to use drama in outreach/ministry. All you have to do is get me talking on the subject of Applied Theatre. I'll get animated. I will consciously try to gauge my discourse until just before your eyes start to glaze over. My tribe is tiny. I'll admit; it's a niche market. For more than 4 years now, I've had a season in a different role. But, I've often thought about two truly great days for me in September 2014. It was just before we said our goodbyes in Singapore & Malaysia and began waiting on the Lord for our next assignment. I tagged along again with Jim and his mentoring groups in V____. One pastor was so excited to hear that I had a theater background. "We are using drama in our church plant, and we don't have ANY training! We don't know what we are doing, but we love it! Can you help us?" This pastor had also started a growing network of Sunday School leaders. She was training them and helping them create curriculum. So train them I did! And those two days in September 2014, I taught V___ Sunday School leaders how to use drama in ministry. As we debriefed at the end of that training, people were so moved they were crying. CRYING! "I had no idea that we could make Bible lessons be so relevant, fun, and memorable!" Two days. And I'm still riding on the joy it gave me to be "in-the-zone" to do my drama thing. Since then, my one year "sabbatical," became a new normal. Jim got back to work.  I now joke that "Jim has the longest commute of anyone you know."  We've figured out how he can continue his investment in those spiritual leaders in Asia. He goes four times a year for a few weeks. Being here in the US, it's easier to recruit other specialists to go with him to train specific areas. Both of us have been able to stay nearby for our parents in Southern Califonia. For me, I have had a unique mid-career privilege. These four years feel like an extended spiritual retreat. Hyper-active do-er, I've grown to love solitude and silence with the Lord. With tons of "margin" to be available to people, I've loved the surprising and sometimes miraculous ways the Holy Spirit has lead. But occassionally I'm wistful. Will I ever get back to doing my drama thing? A few months ago, I was having one of those "wistful moments,"  [translation: pity party]. Out of the blue, I received a message from the pastor who trains other church leaders for Children's Ministry. These are her words. "...God has brought you to train us, give us tips and courage and passion to start this few years back and now we are seeing a great ministry. We have impacted hundreds of teachers each year through our materials and touched thousands of kids.  Like last summer, we trained 300 teachers and saw 4,000 kids going thru our curriculum. And we started so little. God is so good beyond our understanding.This year we are teaching the Samaritan woman’s story, using your drama skills. And we miss you!  Please come back and teach us because we can commit to apply those skills to the maximum for the Kingdom! Kingdom-gain!" This should encourage you too. Wherever you are, and however you are feeling about your current situation, stay faithful. Keep seeking to be near and know God. Choose joy. Serve him by doing what is needed for the season you are in. Don't worry about the world's definition of success and significance. It's a short life and eternal life will be completely fulfilling and joyfull 100% of the time! From time to time, no matter what the season, he offers amazing opportunities that feel like heaven on earth! Jim heads back to V__ this Sunday, February 24th On this trip, I'll be joining him! While there, I'll meet with that V__ pastor's team, coach them on a drama they have prepared for VBS teacher training. And we'll plan more drama training for later this year. With my mom now in a board and care home near my dad, she remains on hospice. But death does not feel as imminent. The burdens of care are now in a team of professional hands and I feel less anxious for their health and safety. Join us in prayer for... What we do Build spiritual leaders and strengthen churches  Individually mentor leaders for spiritual growth Facilitate small groups for character growth Train large groups for ministry growth Travel (February 25 & March 9). It gets tougher as we get older. It's a 15 hour time difference. And oh, those shared germs on long flights. LORD, we pray that you will help us rest well on the overnight flight, and strengthen our bodies to adjust quickly. Guard our health to serve your Saints in Vietnam without jet lag or getting sick! Retreat with pastors March 5-7 While Jim's away mentoring this group, Kimberly plans to take that time to make a quick visit to Singapore (a 2 hour flight). Thank you LORD for the favor you have given us with the people we have loved for so long. Thank you for the opportunity to encourage these Asian leaders. Bear fruit for your kingdom because of our time face to face with them. Drama skills for Children's Ministry On March 1st & 2nd, VBS leaders will be in training with our pastor friend and her team. LORD, give me supernatural cross-cultural sensitivity & understanding. Inspire the team as we plan another drama-in-education/ministry workshop. Forming Teams for future trips There are many needs as the church in V__ grows up, and multiplies. Thank you LORD for the many gifted American leaders who are considering going to V__ with Jim. Guide them all about timing, funding, content and effective delivery in sharing their knowledge and wisdom. Bridge the cultures and bring our Vietnamese brothers and sisters the insight and knowledge they need. As always, we are grateful for you. Jim & Kimberly NOVO = "Make New" If you get any news directly from CRM, you've already heard that we have a new name. If you are a donor, we've got a new link: https://staff.novo.org/Creasman The old methods still work too. Recurring gifts will transfer automatically. Here's a video explaining our novo name.