Creasmans: What's New(s) August 2010

Around the World in quite a blur! There's never enough time back in USA, and this trip June 9-July 12 only afforded one week at our home church, and a few precious days with our families.

This time back was focused on a whirlwind College Road Trip. We returned to Asia mid July to attend CRM's Worldwide Conference in Langkawi, Malaysia. Along the way this summer spent time with friends we don't normally see when we return only to Southern California. Thanks to all who helped and hosted along the way as we drove both West and East Coasts! We even made some new friends, and continued to see God's had of provision and leading along the way. 

Hope you're enjoying the dog days of summer, and we pray that God is providing for you in all your needs and you are making the world a better place wherever you are! We'd love to hear how we can be praying for you. 

Here's what's on our hearts for life here when we spend time with God this month: 

Prayer This Month:

Getting back into routines. Lord thank you for a full and enriching summer. We pray for Kimberly and the boys on the homefront, that they'll be "GAME ON" for a new school year. We pray for Jim's ministry too. Mentoring and Coaching and Friday Staff meetings for our growing CRMS staff. Vision. Leadership. Authority. Wisdom. Not by power, not by might, but by your Spirit Lord!

Men's, Women's and Couples Bible Study and mentoring groups are getting back underway upon our return. Bob and Shirley Trott, senior members of CRM US are here to serve Christian leaders in offering a good listening ear and wise mentoring for the month. Staff member Andy Lim has a big hand in many of the coordinated Youth Olympic Outreach events (see below). We look to you Lord for using us in building others up.

9  NATIONAL DAY Thank you Lord for your work in this Nation and how you have used Singapore to be a blessing to other nations as well. As we celebrate our 45th Birthday, we pray that you would continue to bless this nation. Raise up Godly leaders in all aspects of Society. Thank you for the many years of favor you've given Christians in this society. We pray that you will stand against those who are seeking to bring dishonor to your church and your name through the government and media. 

10-13  GoFest Conference + various outreaches going on with different groups. (YWAM is hosting the GoFest Conference for equipping, working with YMTG=Youth More Than Gold is the name of the umbrella organization of Youth Pastors and Para-Church groups who are working together to have outreaches in Singapore during the Olympics.

14-24 Youth Olympic Games.  A new initiative of the International Olympic Committee and the first ever are being hosted in Singapore. Jim and Kimberly, volunteering with SYOG as Liason Officers. They will be assigned to accompany a foreign dignitary coming to the Olympic Games. Lord, shine your light of love, grace, hope and kindness through your servants J&K as they mix with whomever it is you will assign them to serve during the Games.

16  Football starts. Woohoo. Another season of American Football in Singapore! Lord, give us favor and grace among the expat community as we volunteer and cheer for our boys! There are needs among expats and their kids with their unique challenges of overseas living. We crave opportunities to support them and share with them the hope and help we've found in knowing you.

17  School Starts! Boys first day of 8th and 12th Grade. Everyone starts the school year as an "A" student. Lord we pray for our boys as they grow in grace, maturity, godiness, knowledge, and leadership. It's going to be a challenging fall. They've given their hearts to you. Inspire them to be good role models and provide Godly mentors to help them continue to grow.

21 Edge Games - Community Outreach hosted by Campus Crus for Christ. We've pulled together a team of teenagers from the boys international school to assist CCC with the event targeted for youth 17-21. Lord, we pray for this event and the many other outreaches hosted by Christians during the Olympic Games this month. We pray for you to guide those who are planning and executing, for the people you will bring to participate, and through great fun together, people will all experience your presence and learn about running this race of life with you as our coach!

More Updates on Summer:

Tyler will soon be submitting 8-10 applications and see how the Lord leads and provides from there. He's undecided in what he'll major in, but after the many college tours, he knows that it's pretty typical for a 17 year old to not be sure what he wants to do for the rest of his life. He is also now pretty set on doing ROTC which seems to suit his personality and interests. (BTW: The grand Finale College Tour was one Jim insisted on: UCLA!). Photos on Flickr.

CRM Worldwide Conference  

It was a taste of heaven on earth. Honestly, it could not have been any more perfect. Idyllic location, inspiring people and sessions, impeccable service. The personalities, languages, genders who added their touch to the programming joined with the Lord in giving all of us sweet refreshment and empowering to get back to ministry in our countries of calling.

My dream is that the next time around some of you would be able to join us wherever it is! President Sam Metcalf wrote a great pre-conference article for staff on the theme: Leadership in Word+Power+Deed. Be INSPIRED HERE:  The Dimensions of the Gospel

Tyler and Cameron have grown up in CRM and it was a delight to watch them mingle and have meals with other MKs and CRM staff. They felt comfortable to be their own persons and take advantage of the opportunity to meet other missionaries. I think their favorite activity was the dance party on two of the evenings! That was suprisinglyl when Jim and I were most proud to be a part of CRM: Our boys can experience a group of Godly people that are also seriously having fun!

"Leadership in Word+Power+Deed" 3 short theme videos which were shown at the conference. Click on the link if you want a taste of having been there.

Singapore Immersions

CRM staff & friends coming through before and after the conference in Malaysia had a chance to learn about the diversity of cultures, history, and wonder of this wonderful city/state. It was exciting to plan a walking/public transportation tour of Arab Street, Little India, Chinatown and the Commercial District. Full and fun days to show off and pray for our city! 

Photos on Shutterfly

Let us know how we can be praying for you too! Fondly, The Creasmans What We've Enjoyed Reading Recently:  (Though Not the Newest of Publications!) Kimberly - Blue Like Jazz: Non Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality, Donald Miller and Have a New Kid by Friday, Kevin Lehman James - Sub-merge: Living Deep in a Shallow World: Service, Justice and Contemplation Among the World's Poor, John Hayes Tyler - Hamlet (for AP Lit summer homework)  Cameron - Seen Habits of Highly Effective Teens, Sean Covey *This is copied from letter sent by email. 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 "Creasman-acct 5651" CRM- 1240 N. Lakeview, Suite 120, Anaheim, CA 92807-1831

College Road Trip: DC to New York

We're finally safe in Newburg, NY. It's a town near the Military Academy at Westpoint (took a few detours - including a serendipity to drive thru Rutgers NJ - unexpected to see where my borther Kevin went to Law School a million years ago!) this was quite a day! We are ready to hit the hay after fighting some other little fires in Singapore or making plans for RHCC the 11th (nothing nearly as dramatic as credit card and identity theft which is what we dealt with by phone all afternoon on the road)


Tomorrow Tyler has his meeting at Westpoint. Wish we'd had time to get him a hair cut but we rolled into town via the catskills at 9:30 PM. Wish he had better shoes than tennis shoes.

We hear that the Hankins and Cameron are also back safe and sound in Fullerton. I'm sure Lynn and Howard are exhausted. What troopers! We did Arlington Cemetery in over 100 degrees... The 3 days was an awful lot of walking for a 48 year old. So I can only imagine what it did to this dear couple well into their 80s. God give them them strength as they recover from this adventure in the capitol for their grandson Cameron!

Samoan Cookhouse 180degree

Samoan Cookhouse 180
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly

The boys loved the nature today, but I was really into the homemade bread and butter in tonight's dinner.

Creasmans: What's New(s)! May 2010

Family Trip to Turkey in March

"The intent of our visit was to be able to spend time with some of our heros. It was an honor and joy to be with these families! What a treat to witness first hand who they have become over their 13 years together. We've known this team since the 1980’s and their days at Rolling Hills Covenant Church where my husband served as their missions pastor. Like many of you, we have followed their journey. If you have not, here’s the short form of their adventurous and arduous 13 years..." [Read More on my recent reflections of the trip in the unsolicited letter I wrote to their supporters.]

Asia Sports Coalition 

Andy Lim, one of our CRMS staff members is the chairman of the Asia Sports Coalition. Jim joined Andy in Seoul last month when this group held their annual meeting with sports ministry people from every country in Asia. It was a great opportunity for Jim to meet ministry leaders from across the continent, and gain a deeper understanding of the church in Korea because every meeting of the week was scheduled in a different mega-church.

Broadcast Ministry Exposure Tour 

Recently, talking with an intern who is interested in broadcasting/media ministry, I thought: Hey! I know a few folks who do that sort of thing! ....So, in my spontaneous "oK!-let's-make-it-a-party-style," I started setting up appointments to visit a some local offices and studios located in Singapore..... [Read More! Articles about what happened last week]

Personal News. The things we've been praying about.

Tyler took a break from his studies for AP and Finals and SAT exam prep to shoot part of an episode for Discovery Channel with Ian Wright. More opportunities falling in his lap because of his unusual gifts: Singlish and a quit wit. The show will be aired sometime in December. 

Cameron and his parents are spending a lot of time working on getting the grades up so that he can enjoy life without restrictions (nuf said?). He is enjoying the rare freedom he has in his 2 outlets of basketball and youth group, and we all have hope. More or less.
Jim
"Don't we all go around thinking that the "old ticker" is a walking time bomb? None of us really know if and when it's going to go off." [Read more about Jim's day at the hospital that turned out with sober relief]

Kimberly's enjoyed more free time with 2 semesters off from teaching the drama club and theatre courses for TCA college. More time to invest in individuals and their personal and spiritual growth. Kids. CRMS. Artists. Women. It's been nice.

Coming Up. Pray with us for these things. 

6 May National Day of Prayer observed in Singapore in the Colonial Room of the American Club. 7:30PM No charge, but advance registration requested by the Club. Let Kimberly know if you're interested in attending. This was always an important day in our year when we were at RHCC in California, now we have the honor of helping host it here. Oh Lord, the needs are great! We ask that you not only hear our prayers for America, but you teach us to pray in faith and to truly believe you are Sovereign in the affairs of men.

6, 13, 18, 27, 31 Jim leads mentoring networks.  J & K also hope to start a new mentoring group together this month for four young couples.

In all these opportunities, plus personal mentoring appointments and other meetings, Lord we ask that you speak through Jim to bring real spiritual growth.

7,11 Tyler takes AP tests and gets ready for finals and SAT in Singapore on June 5th. We are exploring colleges in the US this June, then will be in SoCal July 3-11 before flying back to Singapore.

Lord thank you for what you've taught Tyler this year in his challenging courses. Continue to guide him as he looks to you for his college years. Its a big decision and a big world. For Tyler and all teenagers who have the blessing of being able to go on to university studies, we pray your divine guidance and inspiration and provision.

8, 15, 16  Jim teaches two seminars at churches on the Bible and Mentoring, and preaches in a church on discipleship.

10 CRMS says goodbye to The Webb family who've been CRM colleagues with us here for the past 5 years (and in Asia for 15). It's been a delight to see their Core Coaching Skills program really take off while they've been based here. Many mission organizations are adopting it and sending senior staff through the training. Lord, thank you for your provision of sweet friendship for us through the Webbs. We're eager to see where God leads after their year in Seattle. Refresh them and inspire them while they settle in US and bless their families and friends in this gift of being able to catch up and benefit from having them nearby for a season.

14 May Focused Living Seminar full day intro to the mentoring process of helping pastors hear from God, rediscover new passion for their calling, finish well. Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit, that as we mentor others they will not see our sinfulness and shortcomings, but that they will see you in us. We pray that we will have your wisdom in encouraging, exhorting, training and empowering others to live wholeheartedly and whole for you.

Ever thankful for your friendship! Let us know how we can be praying for you too!

What I'm Reading:

Kimberly - When Godly People Do Ungodly Things, Beth Moore. Matthew, and Wee Sing Bible Songs (I'm trying to learn how to play the piano!)

Jim - Bill Hybels, Axiom and Psalms

Tyler - US History and Psych Textbooks

Cameron - 100 Wonders of the World: The Finest Treasures of Civilization and Nature on Five Continents

PS And Finally...

18-24 July CRM Worldwide Conference, Lankawi, Malaysia

Still debating on your summer vacation plans? Have the resources to travel? Consider joining us in Malaysia for this! I believe there's still space available, though not so sure about flights! But check it out!

If you've read the Lenten Devotions, you know what kind of folks we serve with around the world. Here's a chance for you to learn first hand about the movement and feel a vital part of it through your informed prayers and financial giving. And it's in a beautiful location so it makes it a vacation with a purpose! Also, 2010 will be the first time CRM Singapore staff and partners will be participating. The Creasmans and CRMS are also holding ministry exposure tours of Singapore before and after the conference for people who want to make their travel plans through Singapore.

Unusual Shooting Chest Pains

A little health excitement that happened here late Thursday night and Friday.

But before you start to worry:

at the end of the day on Friday,

the last doctor we talked with told Jim that he could confidently say that, 

"The chances of him having any kind of heart disease in the next 5 years is ZERO."

ZERO.

Everything about his heart is normal, and there is not the least bit of blockage in any arteries.

Who over 50 gets the privilege of knowing such a thing?!!?

Don't we all go around thinking that the "old ticker" is a walking time bomb and we don't really know if and when it's going to go off?

For me it started after his announcement about these strange shooting pains, into his shoulder, under his arm... I was more than a little concerned that the warm hand I held as we went to sleep at bedtime would be attached to a dead man who didn't think he should go in to A&E the night before. 

Jim said, "Well, you didn't lose any sleep over it..." (I didn't! slept like a rock! But so did he!)

Then we had a day filled with 2 doctors and 5 tests and a remarkable sober calm that ended with huge relief that our lives didn't drastically change with the news of the day. We couldn't help thinking all day, and since then, of so many friends we know, or others who shared the Cardiologist's or CT Scan waiting room with us on Friday. You just never know the turns life's going to take. 

Prayer for the Arts May 10th Touch Community Theatre

this came today from...

 lovesingapore

A moving song, an inspiring film, a captivating dance. 

The Arts have an amazing capacity to influence our thinking, touch our hearts, and lift our spirits. But where you find a great potential for good, you will also find the same great capacity for evil. God knows. He is in the picture and He longs to create masterpieces through us that will reflect His character and fulfill His mission! Do you see what He sees? Is He already stirring your heart?

Don’t miss lovesingapore’s inaugural prayer encounter for the Arts and Entertainment Gate. 

Especially if you are someone in Arts and Entertainment! Or perhaps you are just someone with an interest in or a burden for this Gate. Please come. We need you there. Pastor Lawrence Khong will be leading us. Our dream is to build a critical mass of visionaries and warriors to effect Kingdom transformation within the Arts and Entertainment Gate of Singapore. Bring your friends.

• Monday 10 May 2010 
• 7.30 pm
• TOUCH Community Theatre Auditorium (3615 Jalan Bukit Merah) 

PS: Please help us spread the word. Forward this email to church members and Christian friends in your sphere of influence. Post on your web. Announce in this week's church bulletin. Thank You so much. All for the Kingdom!

Thurs May 6 DAY OF PRAYER - Free Eve Event in Singapore

If you're in Singapore and want to join us for a time of praying for USA please come! James and I are helping host and would love to pray with you for this nation. Note the phone number to RSVP below. -K!

National Day

of Prayer

Thursday, May 6

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

The American Club

Colonial Room

Light Refreshments

No Charge to Attend

Free Will Offering at Door

Advanced registration requested by The American Club.  Please REPLY to this

e-mail with your name and any other names who will attend with you.

For additional information: 

Paula McCarvel 9325-4195 or   pdmccarvel@gmail.com

Family Picture from Turkey

oh those crazy creasmans
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly

my friend says "jim looks normal, tyler looks a little strange, cameron looks like a lunatic, and you look like your high."

yep. that about sums it up.

Soon to Fly from Turkey to Singapore

The Halls of the Library
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly

Only a few more hours in istanbul and we'll be heading for the airport and back to normal life. What a wonderful holiday, learning experience and time with dear friends. (this is a photo of Tyler at the ancient library of Ephesus)

Between the Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Between the Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly

Having a great time exploring. Praying for a quick recovery to a head cold. Classmate to Cameron to Kimberly to James...it's not slowing us down too much. I stayed in one day and let the boys go explore some ruins while I rested. Tonight we're in a medieval castle turned hotel. Sleepy village town near Ephesus that's probably hopping during the summer months when the weather is warmer!

Turkey Trip - Day ONE March 17th

Here are a few photos of our travel day. Got up early and our

friends Franklin and Sally took us to the airport. 8 hours to Dubai,

a couple hours in the airport there, then 5 hours to Istanbul.

COLD! And charming. Beautiful old streets and buildings and

everyone seems so outgoing and friendly. A little walking around the

neighborhhod, ate kebabs at a restaurant, bought a beanie and gloves

from a street vendor. Now heading to bed and hope to get a long

night's sleep. 10pm here is 4am Singapore time!

Love, Jim

Drawing attention to ourselves

Tyler Leap Frogs over Cameron
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly

You'd think it was enough that we stand out as the only white American family in our quiet, subdued, highly populated neighborhood. No, the Creasman boys start shenanigans like this on the way to dinner.

JUST DOWNSTAIRS: A Hardware Store & MORE!

JUST DOWNSTAIRS: Hardware Store
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly

More neighborhood photos from my iphone while walking from the where we park our car for the night:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spicetolife/

Chinese New Year Helpers

CNY Helpers
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly

Okay, let it be known. I'm not waiting for grandchildren for the chance to have daughters. I'm actively recruiting and investing in my neighbor girls and the daughters of my friends. Send in suggestions for girls who need a doting auntie. Boys need not apply.

Creasman Challenge 2010. Week NINE.

28/02/2010
Originally uploaded by asiabruin

Went to an exhibit at the National Museum on Sunday afternoon. Gotta love this city for how high tech we are, even when seeing a visit of antiquity: Quest for Immortality in Ancient Egypt.

Lunch at our spiffy new GIANT labyrinth of a mall: Ion. Food court is at B2...well the boys had lunch. I went and spent my birthday money from my mother-in-law on expensive make-up at Sephora and met up with the boys at Ion's DUNKIN DONUTS (the Americans are happier in Singapore now that we got ourselves a dunkin donuts shop...well, at least THESE Americans.)

A short Testimony about Weakness

This short new video is a work in progress with Andrew Silk. Interview w/me during a CRM Asia Staff Cofnerence in July 2009.

My New Year’s Story About Contentment

Chinese New Year, February 14, 2010

Heaven's home, life's a field trip

When we moved back to Singapore in July 2008, we found our new apartment. It suited our two important criteria: 1. Within our budget in a ballooned housing market and 2. Walking distance to amenities and the boys’ school. For weeks we had scouted all the neighborhoods and looked at many options, and had determined that Block 356 Clementi Avenue 2 was the exact building that was the best. When we discovered that unit #277 (a rare rental in government housing) was in good condition with tasteful décor, we prayed for it even though someone else had already made a deposit. We weren’t all that surprised when that first offer fell through. It was even on the perfect floor: high enough to have a view of both the sky and the green of the treetops. It was clearly a gift from God.

However, after we’d moved in, I felt that the neighborhood, though convenient, was a bit creepy. I took to grousing about this gift, and it took a long time to get motivated to get all the boxes emptied, or frames up on the walls.

My husband Jim liked the rustic charm of the gritty stalls of fresh foods in the wet market (an open air daily market yards from our apartment), and that the Malay Barber would cut his hair for only $6. In the first few months of finding my way around for banking and shopping and the post office I wrestled yet again with my sinful sense of entitlement. I didn’t like the way the old men sitting around the shops stared through their cigarette smoke as I walked past on my way to do marketing (an effort of going to multiple stores to get everything on my list). I didn’t like the rats and the roaches on the sidewalks or in the children’s playground, or the way neighbors piled trash in the lobby. I developed a black ungrateful heart about this gift.

Early in January 2009, I truly repented. I resolved to find things to be thankful for every day and to love this new home & neighborhood. I knew from settling in our 3 other previous neighborhoods since 1999, that Singaporeans are not cold, they are just shy city dwellers. I need to resolve to be the one to take the first step in greeting them, and they almost always light up and are pleasant and friendly. I stopped brewing my beloved morning coffee at home and took to going downstairs every day to practice my Chinese with the Kopitiam staff. I started chatting with the checkers in the grocery and hardware stores. I’d sometimes get my hair washed & blow dried for $8 at the beauty salon next to the Malay Barber.

I even realized that the 3 male Creasmans don’t mind eating cafeteria-style Chinese food called Mixed Rice. Since it’s 1/3 the cost of making dinner at home (and I’m not a great cook), we started heading downstairs at 6PM every night. I pretty much stopped cooking and started getting to know the Chinese immigrant stall owners, fruit sellers and bakery girls.

We got a puppy, and Jack Bauser (we love the TV show 24) soon opened up friendly chatting with all of the dog owning neighbors, and pram pushing grandmas. One of the cigarette smoking men in a wheelchair even began holding Jack on his leash every morning as I went to buy my coffee.*

By mid-November, as a last minute decision, I decided to have an open house for Thanksgiving. We wanted to introduce our favorite holiday to as many neighbors and friends as could come.

We had 52 that night. Somehow it was still comfortable in our 1,050 square foot apartment. The guests all brought dessert or drinks, and got a taste of turkey and candied yams, the warmth of Christian hospitality and a bit of reflecting on the things we have to thank God for. Stuffing was popular! It was the only thing that we ran out of. It was truly like the loaves and the fishes and Jesus feeding the 5000. Instead of 12 baskets full, I only had enough leftovers to make a modest lunch!

Today as I put these little Chinese New Year’s

“coffee-to-go” gifts together, there are 6 neighbor girls helping me. We had our own little tea party before setting up the production-line. Honestly I’m loving my home. It finally has some color on the walls, and joy and laughter in the atmosphere.

Lately I’ve been thinking of this small flat as our island vacation home.** Living in our crowded city suburb among Singaporean heartlanders may not be the 5 Star atmosphere I admit I prefer, but I grew up camping for family vacations. I actually do like roughing it, too. As long as it’s not forever!

So, this gift & story is sent to you with a loving prayer as we start the Year of the Tiger:

Heavenly Father, as my friends in the USA try out

this Taste of Singapore, may they know how loved they are by you, and how appreciated they are by us. I pray that through their prayers and giving, they’ll feel a part of what you’re doing here.

We know that our common enemy the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion (or Tiger!), but we pray we will have the strength to stand firm in Jesus and resist his tailor-made temptations. If there is a spirit of discontentment or sin of entitlement taking root in their heart, I pray that you’ll gently help them to remove it, and replace it with a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving.

Lord, no matter what awaits them in 2010, I pray that this will be their best year yet. AMEN.

Life is but a breath. Breath deeply!

Blessing and joy,

K!Mberly Creasman

Church Resource Ministries

http://charminfullbloom.blogspot.com

*Mr Ng in the wheelchair got sicker last month. Yesterday, one of the other men passed me the address of his Convalescent Home. Jack and I will go visit him soon!

**Wait till you see the permanent homes we have waiting for us in heaven! I look forward to having you over to tea many, many times!