After months of prayer and preparation, the Asia-Pacific Regional Office has finally “landed” in its new home, Singapore. We have been met with warm welcomes from many friendly and helpful people. One more confirmation of the Lord’s hand upon this move was expressed to us by some complete strangers who I’m sure will become lifelong friends, Pastor Daniel and Hwi Sum.

Several weeks ago we learned that our apartment here in Singapore would not be ready for occupancy until late August. That left us with the task of trying to find temporary housing in a furnished apartment for over a month. We began asking God to provide. At first we thought He was providing through the Salvation Army. They were willing to rent us one of their “flats” (apartments), but the cost was going to be fairly significant (S$1,800). But then to our delight, just days before we left Manila, we received an email from some friends at Transworld Radio. They informed us that their church owns a furnished flat that would be available for exactly the time we needed it. And to make it even better, they are not even charging us anything to stay here. So, of course, we quickly E-mailed back and accepted the offer.

Arrangements were made for us to meet Pastor Sum at the flat on Sunday night when we arrived. After the three-hour flight from Manila, we loaded up a taxi van with all of our luggage and headed to our new temporary home. There at the apartment, awaiting our arrival was Pastor Daniel and his wife Hwi. Not only did they meet us there with the keys to our newly cleaned apartment, but they then also took us out for our first supper at a nearby “hawkers” area (food stalls), where we dined on delicious roast duck and fried rice. By this time it was already 9:00 P.M., but our new friends were still willing to chauffer us to a supermarket. There they blessed us even further by purchasing some brand new pillows for us, and our first load of groceries. Wow, talk about being blessed…and by complete strangers at that! But then again, I guess there really are no strangers in the family of God. We thank God for showering us with His love and provision through the kindness and generosity of Daniel and Hwi and their church, Bethsaida Christian Center. We know God will continue to bless and guide as we establish our office and His church in our new home. Keep us in your prayers.

--A-P Region Office Staff

Fires burned all over the city today, to mark the beginning of the Chinese 7th month, and the onset of the “hungry ghost festival.” Smoke wafted all around us wherever we went from the heaps of spirit money and rows of sweet smelling incense, all intended to appease ancestral spirits. Offering baskets filled with fruits, nuts, vegetables, siopao (pork pies), and other treats lined the sidewalks and entryways.

As curious newcomers, my kids and I wandered around with camera in hand, asking questions for understanding. We were greeted by the friendly Toh family who were more than willing to explain their belief that during the 7th month, departed spirits roam freely seeking solace. The living must make sure they are well fed and blessed with plenty of cash to make their afterlife more pleasant. In turn the ghosts will bless the living with good luck and prosperity.

We must have looked hungry, because their elderly grandmother from Mainland China blessed us with many of the fruits and snacks designated for the hungry ghosts. It was another fine welcome to the cultures and practices of Singapore, and another stark reminder that so many of our friendly, gracious neighbors still live in fear of the spirit world. My missionary colleague, Dave Hane, reflected one morning after their first full week here, “the monotonous sound of drums and flutes from a nearby Buddhist wake… (reminded him) that some things cross all cultural lines. ‘It is appointed unto man once to die, and after that, the judgment.’ People, regardless of their cultural background, need the hope and peace that is only found in Jesus Christ.”

Now that the four families of the Asia-Pacific Regional Office are official with our green cards, bank accounts, cell phones, and internet service, we are anxious to get on with the ministries God has sent us here to do. In a short time span we are becoming aware that there are many hungry souls here, from a variety of cultures and religions. Kevin and Joan Brunk have already had opportunity to be in the homes of two of their neighbors, one an Indian family and the other Singaporean. And just today, as I sat here catching up on E-mail and typing this report, my wife, Angie, and our children were invited to spend the whole afternoon fellowshipping in the home of an Australian-Indian family.

These are only the beginnings of the numerous opportunities for ministry that God wants to open for the Church of the Nazarene. Please pray with us, that we, your missionaries of the Asia-Pacific Regional Office, will burn with the Holy Spirit’s fire and live as fragrant offerings, attracting people to freedom and peace in Christ.

--Doug Flemming for the A-P Region