Thursday: Day Four in Singapore

This week in Singapore seems to pass so quickly! I am still all new to this CI and teaching stuff, and I believe most of us on the team are. I thank God for my team in Singapore, as well as my assistant Emily! She has such a sweet spirit with a heart that truly wants to serve the kids! Honestly, I was a little taken aback when I was told that I was going to be the leader for the Singapore week. I am so grateful that the kids are so responsive, enthusiastic, and genuinely interested in what we are teaching them.

Today we taught on Patience and Suffering. I shared the story of how the butterfly had to be patient while it emerges from the cocoon and this boy on my team named Reuben corrected me by saying that cocoons are for moths while the pupa was for the butterfly. I was like, ok, good to know! :D Emily did a great job on the suffering lesson by sharing her personal testimony of how she broke her ankle while jumping on the trampoline and all the kids were like "oooh.." and getting all into the story. I believe we got the point across, by the grace of God. Both Emily and I make it a point to pray before each CI session (we forgot about it on tuesday though!) that the kids will have a spirit of understanding and be able to apply it to their own lives. After all, truth does not change lives. Only truth applied changes lives. I am very much teaching and preaching to myself whenever I lead a class. God is working in my life as much as He is in every other team member. We are not a perfect team and I do not intend to portray it that way, albeit it is tempting to do so. We sincerely covet your prayers for a spirit of one accord and for strength for the two weeks ahead in Indonesia! We are unworthy but willing vessels for the Lord...

" But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of your mercy; in fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple."
Psalm 5:7

Bernita

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Wednesday: Day Three in Singapore

It's been awesome serving the Lord here in Singapore!

Starting the day out worshiping the Lord as a team, making Him our focus is crucial for serving Him whole heartily!

For lunch the team enjoyed the experience of cooking, eating, enjoying, and savoring pepper lunches. Pepper lunches usually consist of rice and a raw meet that cooks on your hot skillet. After lunch the team enjoyed the leisure of browsing the mall for souvenirs and keepsakes to bring home.

Wednesday night is always a big night for CI. We taught on Responsibility, Truthfulness, and the importance of having a clear conscience. The teams did an fun object lesson demonstrating how lies don't just effect one person but actually entangle the ones the lie is shared with. By the end of the object lesson, my team was entangled and trapped in a yarn web of untruth. I was able to share with the team how I had entangled others in lies I had told and how the Lord gave me the courage to go back to the people I had wronged to ask for their forgiveness. I was able to share with my team the joy and freedom there is in having a clear conscience. I was encouraged when I saw the kids grasping the importance of a clear conscience and going home with a person in mind with whom they needed to make things right with.

Large Group was a highlight of the night for me. For the story, I narrated the Miss Hockenstock skit and taught my four special students (Margret, Joey, Bucky, and Susie) about the four different ways of telling a lie: Telling a lie to hurt someone else, taking the blame for something you didn't do, making up a story that's not the truth, or just not saying anything when we do know the truth. These may seem harmless, but in reality, all of them are lies and sin that separates us from God.

I thank the Lord for bringing each one of us on this trip to serve the Lord and grow in our walks with Him. I can't wait to see how the Lord will use us during the rest of the trip! Thank you all for your prayers. They are needed and appreciated!

- Elizabeth Shoemaker

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Tuesday: Day Two in Singapore

So, this is the first CI I have attended (as a teacher or student) and the first blog post I have written, so hang with me. The first week is over, and now we are in Singapore with a much larger group. My very capable assistant is Julie Shoemaker. I don't know what I would do without her, probably play duck duck goose the whole time or something to that effect. The day (Tuesday the 7th) started out well, with being able to sleep till 9:00, which ultimately ended up with me missing breakfast....oh well. :) Then we had team devos and teachers prep, and then we went to this huge mall on Orchard street and had some super good food for lunch. After that we did a little bit of shopping and went to the church for CI.

After some frantic preparation, the kids started arriving. We greeted them, and got them prepared as best we could for another awesome day at CI. After some playing around to get rid of some energy, I taught the lesson on authority. The kids were fairly receptive, and understood most of what I was trying to get across.

Then we had a large group, and I participated in the skit. Put me in front of a bunch of kids, and I say pretty much whatever comes to my mind (and sometimes it bypasses my mind). At least the kids think it's funny. :) Then we had another small group, where Julie taught on obedience. Again the kids listened (I love my team), and we did some crafts. Then it was time for another large group. This was a very special large group for me. So far on the trip I have had the opportunity of getting a hair treatment by Konner twice--as in he tells a story about the Ten Commandments using ten eggs, and then proceeds to smash them on my person.The kids loved it, and this week the kids began a chant about smashing one on my face. Thankfully Konner didn't do that. :) He just dripped it in my face instead. At least this week there was a shower I could use, and I didn't have to lean over a squat toilet to use a faucet....not the most pleasant thing I've ever done....:)

This trip has been awesome so far. The opportunities and friends God has given me is amazing. I look forward to the rest of the trip, and the things God has planned for all of us. Thank you all for the prayers.:)

For the team, Josiah Povich

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Monday: Day One in Singapore

Ruthann here, writing from Singapore! I think I'm still a bit in shock when I think about the fact that my home is on the other side of the planet and I'm HERE in SOUTHEAST ASIA!! God is just kind of amazing like that. I wouldn't have imagined myself coming on this trip but following God takes you on the biggest adventures of life, right? I'm loving Asia and the people here. And the food too, lah!

Today, after getting to sleep wayyy in (thank you Konner and Eunice!), we started the first night of CI in Singapore. Have to confess I was rather intimidated by the stories of past seminars in Singapore! I think we were all a little nervous! But the first night went really well overall. It was so much different than last week's full-day seminars in Malaysia. The three hours went by so fast and the energy and excitement of the kids was contagious! It's been 10 years since I've done a CI and I forgot how much fun it is. :-D Please be praying for all of the kids attending the Singapore CI. Our goal is to communicate the love of God to them and our prayer is that God would change their perspective on life from self-focused, achievement and status-driven perfection to truly desiring to know and love God for the rest of their lives.

This morning God blew me away with a glimpse of my underlying mission and passion for this trip, and not only for this trip but I think also for my whole life and that is THAT IN ALL THINGS CHRIST MIGHT BE PREEMINENT. Underneath the principles and character, the stories and crafts and [very] funny skits, I want Jesus Christ to be glorified, lifted high, given His rightful place of first.

That keeps me on my knees.

"And he [CHRIST] is before all things, and in him all things hold together...he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." Colossians 1:17-20

Signing off in Singapore...

Ruthann

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Week One: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

You might be wondering why this is week two and you still
haven't seen anything on the blog. Well, firstly we had three
full days of CI and two full days of preparation, secondly we highly
valued our sleep, and thirdly we simply ran out of time. So here is a
quick summary of the week in Malaysia.

Week one: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Monday and Tuesday were spent getting to know each person on the
team through devotions, games, and teacher training lead by Eunice and
Rosalee. One point that Eunice made during the teacher training really
struck me. She said, "There are three different outcomes of a seminar.
The first one is survival, where you are struggling to get everything
done; the second is success, where you get all of the lessons taught, crafts
done, and had fun; and the third is significant, where you do more than just
teach kids and get crafts done, it is a life-changing CI, one where
they will never be the same again." Our aim for this trip is to lead
significant CIs that honor God above all.

Wednesday, we headed out early to the church. Though the seminar
didn't start till 9:00AM most of the teams had children arriving at
8:30. The whole day was filled with great teaching, hilarious skits,
and sweet singing still most of the teams fought survival. Even though the day seemed pretty successful, we felt that something was missing. Yes, we
could use the excuse of, "It is the first day of the first seminar,"
but we all realized there was something else that was missing: the
Spirit of the Lord. At the end of "cool down" Konner encouraged each of us
to go spend some time with the Lord and examine our hearts to see if
there is anything that might need to be taken care of. After that
time with the Lord we had a changed team. Wow!

Thursday went so much better and we all felt that the kids
grasped what we were trying to teach them. Friday was the last day of
CI. When I thought of about it being the last day I thought, "Wow,
this will probably be the last time I see these kids during my time on
earth. What do I want them to remember when they leave?" That thought
really motivated me throughout the day to keep my focus right. After a
wonderful dinner of McDonald's we played some games, had our last
"cool down" for Malaysia, and went to bed exhausted.

Bright and early on Saturday morning we headed out to the
elephant sanctuary where we fed and rode the elephants. We also were
able to walk through part of the jungle where tigers and black
panthers live. After spending all of the morning and some of the
afternoon there, we went to Central Market and did some shopping before then moving on to "China Town". Many of us bargained for the first time
and bought, as Konner says, "Real genuine imitations".

Having a good testimony is something that the team is striving
for; since there are seventeen Americans, seven Malaysians, and three
Singaporeans it really makes quite a big group going down the street
or coming into the hotel. The hotel in Malaysia wanted to get a
picture of the team so they could say that we had been there. It was
really good to know that we had been a team that was showing the love
of God and a good testimony.

Sunday we rode the bus the thirty minutes to the airport and
flew back to Singapore. The flight was just a little longer than the
bus ride. :D After arriving back in Singapore we had a wonderful
"pepper lunch." It was so good! For church we had thirty minutes alone
with the Lord and reading Psalms. Then everyone shared what the Lord
had showed them. It really was an AMAZING time.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers. Please continue for
the health of the team, we have several team members who are loosing
their voices and others who are not feeling the best. Goodnight!!!

Julie S.

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Ready...Set...GO!

After numerous weather-related flight changes, delays, and cancellations, all of our American teammates arrived safely in Singapore by Friday evening. There they have been spending the past few days resting and recovering from jet lag.

The staff team (Eunice, Konner, Andrew, and Rosalee) have already been in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the past week planning and preparing. The teammates from America and Singapore will be flying into Kuala Lumpur today, and our Malaysian teammates will join us tomorrow morning to complete our team.

Tomorrow our South East Asia Children's Institute Trip of 2011 will begin!

This 1st week will be 3 full days of CI here in KL. We will spend Monday and Tuesday doing teacher training and preparing for CI. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will be FULL days of CI from 9am-5pm.

Please join us in prayer:

PRAY for the team-

-to be united to serve God together in one accord

-as they experience the unfamiliar aspects of culture here

-to fill up on God's Word and love so that it would naturally overflow out to others

-as they teach the children and show God's love through example

-to know and experience God more

PRAY for the leaders-

-for wisdom and discernment as we lead the team

-for strength and protection against the attacks of the enemy

-that ultimately, God would be the leader of our team, not us

PRAY for the children-

-to come to CI with a willing and listening heart

-to know and experience God more through CI and the teachers

-to put their faith in Jesus Christ and become His followers

As we are serving God here, we know that we are fighting in a spiritual battleground. We NEED your prayers, because most of the battle is won while we are on our knees in prayer. As we pray and serve in Asia, please join us in the fight by praying with us! Thank you for your prayers!

OUR SEA CI 2011 TEAM:

1. Konner Felber
2. Andrew Fredrickson
3. Eunice Peh
4. Rosalee Chan
5. Elizabeth Joy Shoemaker
6. Julia Elizabeth Beachy
7. RP
8. Timothy Christian Allison
9. Bryce Landon Felber
10. Marie Peh Eu May
11. Tracey Peh Eu Quin
12. Jaedon Sia
13. Debbie Lim
14. Elizabeth Lim
15. Ling Qiu Lin
16. Julie Grace Shoemaker
17. Faith Ho
18. Grace Ho
19. Nancy Rhondell Kinsel
20. Charissa Koh
21. Rebekah Mae Miles
22. Emily Kathryn Tuuk
23. Angelyn Peh
24. Nathan Burkhalter
25. Bernita Yeo
26. Josiah Donald Povich
27. Alicia Gomes

OUR MEMORY VERSES:

"²Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. ³Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ⁴Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. ⁵Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

~Phil 2:2-11

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Something is brewing in 2011...

And guess what that is? If you said "my daily hot coffee", I am afraid you are off the mark for what is brewing is

SOUTHEAST ASIA CI 2011!!!!

So much prayer and effort has been going on for the team and we want to open it up to all of you, our dear prayer partners around the world so you can share in our joy and excitement as we prepare ourselves spiritually and mentally for this missions trip!

God has been providing the people to come and we're very nearly settled! It will be announced in the next few updates. But for now, we'll get the ball rolling for 2011!

We will be going to 4 cities this year namely:

• Kuala Lumpur
• Singapore
• Jakarta
• Bandung

Returning to the team this year are Konner Felber & Eunice Peh as leader and co-leader respectively! (totally humbled by these positions!!) And we sincerely ask for your co-partnering in prayer as it is not us who do the work, but the LORD and we are merely HIS willing vessels! Being made willing every day ;-)

With that, I'll be signing off to take care of some other CI things. This year is going to be different, and I can't WAIT to see it unravel!

In Christ our Lord!

Eunice Peh

2011

(love getting started for this trip! Only 25 more days!!!!)

Do pray for our land here in Southeast Asia!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!

~ Ephesians 3:20-21

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