Tyler's Senior year. It's been a great summer.
Goodbye to the Xbox Controllers...even the DOG looks sad!
8/29/2010
8/28/2010
Neighborhood Strays
I've written about what life is like in the suburbs of urban government housing in Singapore before. So many wonderful things about it once you get over some of the smells, sounds, and sights that could potentially offend. Here's a little article about a new development:
Stray cats.
Every housing estate in Singapore has them. Yeah verily, probably every neighborhood of the world has them. Every neighborhood also has the people who care about animals who loiter around the block. It's easy to spot little piles of cat food set out show signs that someone in the vicinity cares about these homeless. I've known since childhood that giving a little care and affection to a stray is an invitation to have them a regular feature on your doorstep. I've never much liked strays.
But this one I'm beginning to love. We first noticed her 2 years ago when she'd sometimes follow us at a distance. Just observing. Refusing to speak. More than a year ago, because of the irresistible power of our puppy JACK, I discovered she spoke. Only Chinese. A little incoherent.
She'll disappear for months and then we'll see her again. She learned to stop sticking her tongue out at us if she was unhappy with us. Usually when we said it was time to go home.
Last week she was around quite a bit. Even in the middle of a school day. Seemed to be waiting and watching for me to be home. It was her 11th birthday. Developmentally she seems to be about 5. She ate 2 meals in my home. She agreed to go to school the next day. I wonder how can this girl be in 5th grade? School must be torture for her. She told me her parents live in China, and she stays with her grandparents who work until late at night. I'm not absolutely sure that I understand her, or that she's telling me the truth. She doesn't know the difference between a piano and a guitar. She has no friends and I've never seen her with any family as she loiters around our neighborhood, but she LOVES to take Jack for walks, or give him treats; and it seems she's beginning to feel quite at home at apartment #05-277. This week I hope to find her grandparents, or visit her school.
For months at bedtime Cameron and I have prayed for God to give us a way to show God's love to people who don't know him. To give us a larger heart and opportunities to serve the poor. She's one of the answers to this prayer.
I'm keeping track of what transpires: CHRONICLE of interaction with this child:
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1LmzFRRynWUFHxt9kwHRq7_LLHPTFDR0DshnLS2KyYT
8/06/2010
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!
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) Charitable Giving thru CRM 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!) Donation questions (in USA) 1 (800) 777-6658 "Creasman-acct 5651" CRM- 1240 N. Lakeview, Suite 120, Anaheim, CA 92807-1831 |
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