Robert and Diane SIgafoose

50 Monk's Hill Road

#04-50
Singapore 0922
Republic of Singapore
/3ti
Forwarding Agent:
Delmer Rhodebeck
1429 Norwood
Granite City, IL 62040
(618) 877-7120
-
1429 Norwood, Granite City, IL 62040
A LOOK AT SINGAPORE EVENTS
"CHALLENGE FOR 1990"
It has been nearly eight years ago since a
Singaporean friend of ours approached
Diane about teaching an English class to a
student of his. Seems as if our teacher
friend wanted a month holiday and needed a
fill-in. Reluctantly, Diane agreed to
help for a short duration. Consequently,
our friend returned, found he was too busy
to resume the extra hours of teaching,
wished Diane well, and said, "Don't worry,
you'll enjoy it." One thing led to
another, or should we say, one student led
to another until this day. Through these
past years, what has been a small area of
outreach for the gospel has suddenly
turned into a major one for both of us.
Diane had given herself three days a week
to devote to teaching and helping in the
Japanese community. The rest of the time
had to be left for local church work and
serving the Singaporeans. Also, as you
may remember, our home is a hotel, nearly
a full-time operation, to take care of the
needs of those missionaries and Christians
passing through or visiting Singapore;
plus a haven or shelter for the
Singaporean Christians and non-Christians
who need counseling, a quiet place for
refreshment, and encouragement in this
ever so hectic urban environment we live
WORKING AMONG THE JAPANESE
The Japanese are emerging as a dominant
world power. There is a fervent demand
for speaking English among these people.
Most claim to have no religion. Most have
no restrictions about teaching
Christianity to the children.
Through personal contacts, our phone rings
constantly wanting Diane's teaching. A
reputation has been established.
With all of these facts considered, it
seemed as if the Lord had opened wide all
these doors for us to get into this
ministry. We had put off, prolonged,
delayed and shut out His direction.
Finally, after much, much prayer, we
decided to follow and see where and how
the Lord would lead.
On March 3, we began classes in English at
our church. We had decided to move
slowly, slowly (a favorite expression
here) with songs and simple Christian
teaching. As it was near Easter-time, we
informed the mothers that we would like to
bring in a special teacher to tell the
group about the real meaning of Easter.
We had Summie Yokouchi in mind. Sumie
works with the Japanese Church in
Singapore. Having lived here for 26
years, her command of English was superb.
She agreed to come and tell the Easter
Story in English and do her own
translation into Japanese. This was the
wonderful part, as there was a clear
message with no misunderstanding because
of language barriers. One mother asked,
"Can the mothers attend the Easter Story,
too? You know, we mothers have never heard
the real meaning of Easter, either."
Sumie did a fantastic job. She taught two
action songs; Walking With Jesus, and The
Cross. In her message, she highlighted
the creation, Adam and Eve's sin, the
birth of Jesus, the death of Jesus, and
His ascension. After the message she
asked questions to make sure the group
understood. There was quite a lively
response. In her questioning to make them
understand about sin, one small boy said,
"Yes," he understood. He said, "No matter
how much you wash yourself with soap
outside and even if you swallow a lot of
soap to wash and clean yourself inside,
the soap will never be able to reach and
clean your heart."
We had 37 in our Saturday program the day
before Easter Sunday, exactly six weeks
after our classes had begun.
Singapore Canaan Christian Church (where
our colleague Rich Sheeley is ministering)
has supplied teachers for us, along with
those of our congregation. We have eight
teachers at this point. Part of the
teaching includes teaching the
Singaporeans how to teach the Japanese.
It is a real challenge to say the least.
J"
Our future plans for this ministry will be
to build on the foundation we have
established thus far. We want to teach
the Singaporeans to commit themselves to
this ministry, which goes hand-in-hand
with our total leadership training and
mission outreach program for the Singapore
churches. We have worked fervently
towards this end. We are now exposed to
nearly 30 Japanese families. Our churches
must realize that time is not on our side.
Singapore is the last completely open
country tO" thff"Gospel in South- Asia.
Then, bear in mind that during the last
few months, the government here has begun
putting restrictions on Christian
activity. We are not free to openly
proselyte. A prominent Christian
organization has just listed Singapore as
a threatened country for the Gospel. We
must work harder than ever before I
SRI LANKA
Bob went to Sri Lanka on June 12th for two
weeks to teach, encourage, and train
leaders in our three churches he has
helped to establish in Sri Lanka. As you
may remember, because of the civil war in
Sri Lanka, it has been dangerous to travel
in that country. However, there seems to
be a moment of peace at this time, so we
pray it will continue. The churches have
been neglected because of the violence of
fr:
[iinSTQi
the fighting and the dangers of traveling
in the areas where the churches are
located.
NEW WORKERS - GUEST WORKERS
We were very excited that the Doug Priest,
Jr. family was able to be with us here in
July. Our time here for freedom to preach
is short and we need all the help we can
get. Please pray for more laborers!
On June 7-11, Dr. James D. Strauss and
his wife were visiting from Lincoln
Christian College. He held a three day
seminar for our churches in Singapore.
Jim baptized and encouraged Bob to go to
Lincoln Christian College. He also
preached Bob's ordination service. We
were encouraged by his contribution here.
Larry Doggett, Missions professor at St.
Louis Christian College, and Richard and
Josephine Wong (Singaporean students at
St. Louis Christian College) were here
July 3 through 16 working with our
churches. It was a real joy to have them
come, and especially good to have Richard
and Josephine back home for a short time.
They have two more years to finish their
studies at St. Louis Christian College.
They will then be returning to Singapore
to work with the Singaporeans.
Preparations for events of this nature are
hectic, but God has given us strength and
encouragement through these wonderful
people.
STATISTICS TO CONSIDER
Five families working in this area
representing the Christian Church/Churches
of Christ have access to five countries
with a total population of approximately
316 million, which is about 63 million
people per missionary family. In this
region, we have (at the present) two
missionary families in Singapore. Our
immediate outreach is to a population of:
Singapore 2,600,000; Malaysia 17,000,000;
Sri Lanka 17,000,000. A further outreach
to Pakistan of 100,000,000.
Indonesia has presently three missionary
families doing evangelistic work among a
population of 180,000,000. We are 30
minutes by boat from Indonesia.
These figures are staggering. The harvest
is truly passing away. Won't you please
come and see for yourself; walk a
kilometer in our shoes; share our vision
for the lost; help us carry the burden?
Good News
Christian Mission
1429 Norwood
Granite City, IL 62040
MISSION SER(^]CE
BOX 2427
KNOXVILLE
37901
Address Correction Requested
Robert and Diane Sigafoose
50 Monk's Hill Road
#04-05
Singapore 0922
Republic of Singapore
/y2.
ftpAil iViO
Forwarding Agent:
1) Delmer Rhodebeck
13fI
1429 Norwood
Granite City, IL 62040
(618) 877-7120
1429 Norwood, Granite City, IL 62040
Dear Friends In Christ,
Another year has begun and Mhat it holds in
store "for us we do not know. "How can I
repay the Lord -for all his goodness to me?
I will li-ft up the cup o-f salvation and
call on the name o-f the Lord. I will
fuHill my vows to the Lord in the presence
o-f all his people. Precious in the sight
o-f the Lord is the death o-f his saints. 0
Lord, truly I am your servant." (Psalm
116:12-16)
We le-ft Singapore on November 16th and -flew
to the United States to be with our oldest
daughter, Debbie, during a traumatic time.
On November 14th, a baby girl, named
Alicia, was still-born to Debbie. Grave
side rites were conducted on November 18th,
(which we were able to be home -for) by Dale
Bartscher, minister o-f the First Christian
Church o-f Mitchell, South Dakota.
A decision was made to stay with Debbie,
her husband Damon and their three year old
daughter. Amber, -for a -few weeks because o-f
the nearness o-f the holiday season.
Other than the sadness o-f the situation. It
was a real blessing -for us to be together.
Laurie -flew up to South Dakota -from Waco,
Texas. This was the -first time that we
have been in the States together (including
son-in-law and granddaughter) at Christmas
time -for nine years. It was such a
wonderful and dose time for all.
We want to thank those who gave us prayer
support during this time of sadness. It
gives great strength to those in need, and
great peace In the hearts of those who knw
the love of Jesus our Lord.
Upon our return to Singapore on December
27th we found it diffucult to believe that
we had endured minus 50 degree weather in
South Dakota, when we were met with warm
balmy air of 85 degrees or so. Someone
made a passing comment, "Its been cold
since you've been gone." How cold was it?
75."
NEW GUEST FACES
Last year was one busy household for us and
we need to mention a few of our
contrlbutive guests.
Dr. Lewis Foster and wife Betty were here
for ten days. Brother Foster accepted our
invitation to speak in three different
churches. Topics were: Baptism, Coping
with Stress the Christian Way, and a
wonderful exposition of the Book of
Hebrews. Such an encouragement they were
to all of us! You will be Interested to
know Brother Foster was writing a new
commentary on Corinthians while he was
here. A few chapters were written on our
very own "open-air" back porch.
Leonard Thompson, an Indian national
missionary was here for one week. He is
currently evaluating opportunities for
Indian Christians to work among the TA
Indian population of Singapore.
Another American Professor, Dr. Medford
Jones of Pacific Christian College held a
Seminar for a group of 25 Australian
ministers and their wives from the Churches
of Christ in Australia. Bob was asked to
speak one evening to the group. They were
in Singapore for one week.
NEW RECRUITS
Doug and Robyn Priest will be joining us
here In Singapore in July o-f this year.
<They also visited us this past year).
While they are new to Asia, they are not
new to the mission -field. Doug was raised
in A-frica as a missionary child and then
served there as a missionary a-fter his
marr i age.
We look -forward to their
bringing their experience
the Doug and
iters) have agreed
being here and
to our part o-f
R^byn <-arfwl..two
to occupy ^
apartment during our scheduled -furlough in
the -fall and winter o-f 1990.
igh
ie pray God's gr^ your 1 i ves th i s
coming year as you walk more closely with
Him.
PROPOSED ITINERARY
September
1990
Oc tober
November
23
30
7
14
21
28
4
11
18
25
Col 1Insv i11e
Mitchell , SD
Cat 1 In, IL
IL
Southside - Danville, IL
Tulsa, OK - (Convention)
Brookport, IL
Metropolis, IL
Edwardsv i11e, IL
Prospect Heights, IL
MiIwaukee, WI
Enon, OH
December 2 Ashville, OH
9 Mechan i CSV i 11 e, "JA
16 Christmastime with family
23 Christmastime with family
30 Pekin, IL
January 6 Mt. PulaskI, IL
1991 13 Oxford, IN - a.m.
Merr i11v i11e, IN p.m.
FlhifiiNCIAL STATUS
We have experienced an overall increase in
expenses during the past -few years o-f our
ministry. This has been due mainly to
in-flation and the rate o-f exchange here in
Si ngapore.
hcH/jever, the growing needs o-f our ministry
are creating a heavy burden on our Income.
Our income has grown in the past year as we
have expressed our need. However, we are
still in need o-f a minimum additonal income
o-f $850 per month. This amount will enable
us to keep pace with our current expenses
and provide -for a modest amount o-f growth.
We do plan to expand our area o-f support by
presenting our mission work to other
congregations in the States during the
-first part o-f 1990. Pray -for the guidance
of the Holy Spirit in this area of our
endeavors.
HEALTH BULLETIN
Delmer Rhodebeck, Forwarding Agent, has
just learned that Bob has developed a
bleeding ulcer in the intestinal area. He
was diagnosed on January 31st and is now
being treated with medication as advised by
doctors in Singapore in the hopes that
surgery will not be necessary. If
medication is not successful, surgery will
be performed in Singapore. Another
emergency trip back to the States is really
not desired, unless complications make this
necessary. Once again we seek your prayer
support during this time of Bob's illness.
Non-Profit
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Granite City. IL62040
Permit No. 51
Good News
Christian Mission
1429 Norwood
Granite City, IL 62040
MISSION SERVICE
BOX 2427
KNOXVILLE TN 37901
Address Correction Requested