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.

Reflections & Resolutions 2019

Here's a link to a pdf of these prompts. I've been doing them for years. So good to look back during this "week in between" and ask the Lord what he wants to do for next year.

LOOKING BACK

This year Iearned to..

I grew most in…A Scripture verse, passage or book that was important to me was…

One of my best adventures was…

I saw/knew God was doing something when…

A real gift from God was…

Something I really enjoyed doing more of was…

I was really brave when…

My thoughts/prayers often turned to...

A Scripture passage that meant a lot to me was…

I’m still trying to learn what God wants to teach me through this hard experience...But I think perhaps, it’s:

The best book I read last year is… (What did you like about it?)

The best word of advice or encouragement I can remember:

One of the happiest memories I’d like to freeze in my mind…

Something I’m looking forward to in this new year…

LOOKING AHEAD

Brainstorming Resolutions I like to use post it notes in a journal with pages labeled for each one of these topics. This way, if I don't end up doing them, I can just pull them off later and throw them away!

Spiritual (Incl Character/Attitudes)

Important Relationships (incl Marriage/Familly/Spiritual Community)

Intellectual (incl. Professional/Leadership)

Health/Physical

Service/Intentional Community Outreach

Financial

NOTE:  In at least one area, push yourself to write something that would be adventurousor mean that you take risks.

Phrase these as “do-able” not just “wishes” that are out of your control, but something you can do to grow or improve. Breaking it down into small steps you need to take to accomplish it, you can't DO a project, but you can do the steps toward accomplishing it!

ie. Personal Development: 

"learn to make toast.

This challenging reality Is better than fear or fantasy.

This was my song for 2018. The first week of January, the name "Sarah Groves" came to mind. I said, “Alexa, shuffle songs by Sarah Groves.” She played this. It was perfect gift from God to start the new year.

Do you have a theme song for the past year? Or motto, or verse?

"This Cup", Sarah Groves

How many hours have I spent
Watching this shining tv
Living adventure in proxy
In another person's dream
How many miles have I traveled
Looking at far away lights
Listening for trains in the distance
In some brilliant other life?

This cup, this cup
I wanna drink it up
To be right here in the middle of it
Right here, right here
This challenging reality
Is better than fear or fantasy

So take up what we've been given
Welcome the edge of our days
Hemmed in by sunrise and sunset
By our youth and by our age
Thank God for our dependence
Here's to our chasm of need
And how it binds us together
In faith and vulnerability

This cup, this cup
I wanna drink it up
To be right here in the middle of it
Right here, right here
This challenging reality
Is better than fear or fantasy

What if my whole world falls apart?
What if my life could be different?
What if I sat right here and took you in
Without the fear and loved you whole
Without the flight and didn't try to pass

This cup, this cup
I wanna drink it up
To be right here in the middle of it
Right here, right here
This beautiful reality
Is better than fear or fantasy
Is better than fear or fantasy
Is better than fear or fantasy

Karin Mitchell. One of my heroes.

It all started when twins were due in 1968.
The Family Lunches after Church.
Vacations.
Babysitting jobs.
Camping @ Doheny Beach.
Biola.
Boyfriends.
Bridesmaids.
Being “cross-town rivals.”
Bearing and bringing children In.

Injuries. Illnesses. Intense issues.

Our lives went in different Circles,
Communities, and then
Countries.

But. If there could be Reconnecting for
A moment.
An Hour.
A day.
Always picking up as if we
Never left off.

More losses have come
...And more Love.
But Mostly Hope:
There is a finish line.
And it’s ALL Gonna be good
On the other side.

From the Bible.
Book of Lamentations:

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. Let him bury his face in the dust— there may yet be hope. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:21-33‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://ift.tt/2zkei7d

WHERE have you been???

Q: Where's Jim? A: Jim's been back in V for the month of September.  He's still equipping and encouraging V pastors and church leaders. He is coaching and mentoring individually, leading small learning groups, and planning for the future of their ministries and how to support them through training and partnership. In November he'll be taking two North American pastors with him for a ministry trip for a few of the groups Jim serves. These pastors are tailor making training about discipleship for the V church context. Q: How is it you ended up "commuting" to Vietnam? A: One day in 2011, I (Jim) was taking one of my regular days of prayer. We were living in Singapore, growing a mentoring ministry to Christian leaders there. Some of the Singaporean pastors had begun to travel with me, or on their own, to nearby countries to mentor other pastors. On that particular day of prayer, I had a strong urging from the Lord to go to Vietnam. That seemed strange, because I knew no one there! Soon after I took an exploratory trip and God miraculously gave me favor with influential leaders. In V there has there been a remarkable openness to the Gospel. Many are coming to Christ through the outreach of local churches. However, in the midst of evangelistic growth, there is a vacuum for leadership development. Pastors struggle to incorporate new believers into the church and help them mature. Over these years, I have been returning to meet with these leaders in V. First I traveled from where we were living in Singapore. During that time, I was also going to Guangzhou, China for the same purpose. Since returning to the US (for what we thought would be a year), I have focused on the opportunities in one country instead of both! Q: Hey Creasmans, you've been quiet for awhile. Where have you been? A: Uhmmm. Besides V______?  ALL OVER THE PLACE! Columbia, SC (Tyler). Omaha (Warren Buffet). Ireland (Bucket List). Austin (Cameron). Houston (Christians in Theatre Arts). Chattanooga & Atlanta (retreat & family). It's been a full year for travel! (Maybe we don't stay home because we're trying to avoid emptying mom's storage units in Fullerton!) In August, we joined 750 others for CRM's Worldwide Conference in Asheville, NC.  Join us when the conference happens again in 2022! You can get the nutshell version of education in our mission in a photo essay of highlights. If you like the bottom line and numbers, here's a link to CRM's "Boldly Go" Ministry Impact Report 2017.   For the numbers we added to that report: Jim works most closely with about 30 pastors and churches in Vietnam, and together they counted around 5,000 conversions last year, praise the Lord! If you need a laugh, one of our colleagues in South Africa created "Fauxmeceutical" ads for Rx meds we need as missionaries. "Autoreproachidol" is our favorite. Q: What's new we can pray for? A: August 10th, Kimberly's mom took a bad fall. Sue spent the rest of the month in the hospital with head trauma, and then skilled nursing after that. Dad has been making some tough decisions. Realizing that with Mom's advancing Alzheimer's and the effects of this fall, she needs care by professionals. For this last week she's been in Memory Care at Brookdale in Yorba Linda.  Lord, we ask you to comfort Sue who is confused, afraid and angry much of the time right now. By your spirit bring peace to her spirit as she cannot control her thoughts and emotions. Comfort Chuck as waits for her to adjust and is asked not to visit. And confidence as he entrusts his sweet wife to the care of others. While she adjusts to a new routine and caregivers we can't visit her. Kimberly & Chuck decided to participate in the WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S.  Saturday, September 29th in Irvine, CA. If you're in OC and can come, join Sue's team. Or make a small donation and show my folks some love! [link] As always, we are grateful for you. Jim & Kimberly  Asia Supervisor Roger sporting a "MAKE AMERICA KIND AGAIN" T-shirt.  Lord, may it be so!

Happy Mother's Day! 💓💖❤🧡💛💐

I'm thinking of all my friends and family who are mothers today....and those who wish they were. And praying.

Here's a wonderful prayer my friend Cheryl in Singapore sent me:

Dear Lord,

Bless every mother and every grandmother with the finest of your spiritual blessings today. Confirm in her heart and spirit the work of her hands and the love that she has so freely given to those children under Your care. Validate her worth daily so she has no reason to doubt whether she is loved, valued, and cherished in the eyes of her Heavenly Father.

Create in her a deep sense of your protection and trust, so that worry and fear will disappear as she places her loved ones into Your care. Let her know that every prayer she has prayed and every encouraging word she has spoken on behalf of her children/grandchildren has been transformed into sweet, fragrant offerings before Your throne.

Whisper deep within her spirit the sweet words she longs to hear from You—that nothing can ever separate her from Your love. Help her to nestle daily into the promises of Your Word, standing with faith on the things You declare are true. Let her know that You reward faithfulness, but that true success doesn't lie in her accomplishments or accolades. Let her rest in the knowledge that she has done all she can—and that she and those she loves—truly belong to you. Bless her with a servant spirit so she can teach her own the joy of hearing one day, "Well done!"

Remove any guilt, false or real, and replace them with Your amazing grace and forgiveness. Help her see her children or grandchildren through Your eyes, knowing that in Your hands is the safest place they can ever be. Calm every doubt, and strengthen her confidence in the Only One who can bring good out of any situation.

Teach her that she cannot meet every need of her child's life, but that You can. Give her wisdom and guidance to train those precious children in Your path, and then to leave the results to You, Lord. Help her to love without limitations, to pray without ceasing, and to live without regrets. Bless her with such a sweet dependency on You that she will acknowledge her inadequacies, yet recognize and accept Your reward of praise—and Your sense of pleasure in having her as Your own beloved child.

Where prayers may still seem unanswered, and dreams are not yet realized, open her eyes to see beyond this world to a Hope that never disappoints, and to a Father who will never leave or abandon her. Give her courage to persevere even in the most difficult moments of her life. Bless her with honesty, integrity, and a playfulness that shows her children she is human, yet unswerving in her desire know You.

Let her joy be contagious; let her passion be pure; and let her life overflow with all the blessings she deserves—on special days, and on every day of her life.

In Jesus's name,

Amen

Written by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

My pitch for Small Groups to Adopt a Missionary.

Today I had a chance to speak at the end of a luncheon to about 35 “Serving Coordinators” who are part of small groups. Missions Conference theme this year is “FINISHING THE TASK.” I was glad for a chance to have a part in the day.

I’d been texted the Local Outreach Director the day before, to see if she could use any last minute help. She wrote back with an invite to the lunchone, and then this spot opened up to share because another speaker had gotten sick. It was my birthday yesterday, so preparing for a little sharing was a gift. It was also a therapeudic gift to write out my thoughts, and then share them the next day. You’ll see when you read why…

She introduced me last, as a long time friend of the church.

This weekend you’ll see some of our missionaries at tables, representing their work around the world.

Not all of them call RHCC their home church. 

Some have good work we’re partnering with, 

Others are Nationals we support.

Their “home church” is somewhere else.

Some of these missionaries grew up here.

They call this church their “home church.”

They are our “sent ones.”

And your small group could have a great "outreach ministry" to them.

On the rare times they back in the USA.

They're feeling a little like foreigners.

It would be so encouraging

If you invited them to your familiar circle of fellowship.

Share a meal with them.

Or two.

Be new friends in their RHCC family.

Be some people who know who they are.

To let you know how important this small thing is,

I'm going to read you a story,

It’s a true story, from one of our "homegrown"

missionaries who left to serve overseas 21 years ago.

It’s story about what it’s like to come home:

Some things haven't changed over the years. 

There’s the friendly parking volunteers waving us in.

That tall bell tower.

The crossroads of people passing between Welcome Booth

donut holes,

and

the 290s.

And that funky kids' drinking fountain.

In the warm lobby, 
Ken Bouma, head usher, is still here shaking hands

and passing out worship folders.

We head through the double doors to the "Sanctuary,"

Into the slightly darkened worship center.

Finishing up a sound check. Must be that new worship leader.
(Probably not so new anymore, but new to me.)

Stage manager Mark Cramer readjusts something on the stage.

And stained-glass-Jesus 

still reaches out

with care.

In the 1980's and '90's we were much, much younger.

This campus had been our ministry training ground.

For 12 years.

A giant family for love, and life, and growing, and serving.

Pastoring.

Singing.

Serving on Commissions.

Planning this Missions Conference.

Christmas programs.

Baptisms.

Weddings 

And Funerals.

And then when kids finally came for us,

Our babies were dedicated right here in this worship center.

This is the community who took a vow to partner with us

in raising these boys “in the ways of the Lord.”

Soon after that dedication, 

We left this home, with those small boys 
(who are now grown men).

This church sent us out.

Financial support was raised in record time.
There were commissioning services.
Farewell parties.
And so much hope and expectation.

But here's the sad reality... 
Our “send off" that was hundreds in 1997,

Had no fanfare two years later in 1999.

The hosts and the one guest who came

Tried to be positive about the uneaten piles of food,

Lamely apologizing that "people are so busy."

We stayed in touch.

Twenty-one years is easily 200 monthly newsletters sent.

And soooo 

Many 

Thank you notes.

But never, never enough.

We came “home” every couple of years.

It helped the grandparents

Who missed us so.

It also helped to try to keep track of all the changes taking place

In the shifting social sands of American transient culture.

And the changes at church.
Just who is it who’s our rep now on the Global Outreach Commission?

But in 21 years how can one not become out of touch with "home"?

We had thrown that same enthusiastic heart for ministry

Into people and churches 

15 time zones away.

Adding to our formally stellar ministry resumes:

Loneliness

Isolation

& what felt like 
Failure.

Plus GRIT.

And deeper, much deeper, love for and dependence upon

Our Savior and provider.

The one who does the work. 
HE does it. 
And we are just his servants to use in finishing the task.

And no matter what has changed at home,

HE is the one who is still cheering us on.

Woah. I know. Kind of depressing. I’m sorry. But I’m glad I got this chance to read it to you….
And tell you...that missionary is me.

Not to make anyone feel guilty about what has been my story, but to tell you that your Small Group can do something to change that experience for our Sent Ones.

As you meet the missionaries here this weekend,

BE INTERESTED IN THEM.

Ask them,

“What has been highlight in recent months?”

Or what they've learned about faith 

By taking the road less traveled.

Try not to let your eyes glaze over

Fifteen seconds into their answer.

Don’t interrupt to tell them

About this one time you went on a mission trip.

Or how you know another missionary

“Who does all this really 

Meaningful 

Stuff.”

No, try to be interested. 

And pray about whether the Lord might be calling you, or your group, 
to adopt one of them into your circle of friends.

It would be AMAZING if as a group 

You all decided to 

subscribe to their updates.

And included praying for their needs 

During those times you pray

for one another.

Invite them in.

Invite them along.

Take a few minutes the week before they come,

to brief yourselves up on the 

nature of their ministry,

And look at a world map,

(Google's made it easy now,)

And do a search for

Mozambique

or Singapore

or Romania

or Turkey.

Find out where exactly it is.

Share some of your love on them

And send them back wherever they are serving

filled up and fueled 

knowing that their home church

Is still their home.