Gratitude

I believe that of all the virtues, gratitude is probably the most neglected and least expressed. Too many people are like the son of the immigrant shopkeeper who came to his father, complaining "Dad, I don't understand how you run this store. You keep accounts payable in a cigar box. You accounts receivable are on spindle. All your cash is in the register. You never know what your profits are."

"Son," answered the shopkeeper, " let me tell you something. When I arrived in this land, all I owned was the pants that I was wearing. Now your sister is an art teacher. Your brother is a doctor. You are a CPA. Your mother and I own a house and a car and this little store. Add all that up and subtract the pants and there is your profit."

Excerpt from John Maxwell's book "Everyone Communicates Few Connect".

House Churches

There is a very strong and influential Christian Community in Singapore. The key to the growth and success of the churches here has been through House Churches, also called Cell Groups. There is freedom of worship and religion in Singapore but there are strict restrictions on open evangelizing. As a result most evangelism happens through one on one relationships. Friends and colleagues are often invited to these house groups and touched by the love and care of Christians. Relationships are built and pastoral care begins through the house church leaders and pastors. On any given night you can walk through the high rise government housing and condos and you will hear Christian praises being sung and Bible teaching and preaching being taught. You can also usually find a one of these Christian home groups by all the shoes sitting outside the door. Religious activities are not the only part of the house church. Food and fellowship alway follow. There are numerous large church buildings and large congregations throughout Singapore but all of them will tell you that they grew bigger because they grew smaller.

Rainy Days and Mondays Never Get Me Down

The rain is always welcome! Singapore is in the tropics which means it is always hot and humid. In other words it is three showers a day, sticky! They say there is a rainy season here, but I cannot tell you when that is? It does rain frequently, but to me it seems like almost everyday. Lately Singapore has experienced the heaviest rains ever. The main shopping road, Orchard Road, has been flooded twice in the last month. This has never happened before according to memory of everyone we know. We do not mind the rain as it keeps the sun from adding to the heat and humidity.

Landed!

I looked up at the arrivals screen at Singapore's Changi Airport. Flight 252 Eva Airlines from Taipei has landed! My wife, Debra, has landed safely and now there is a wait as she checks through immigration. Belt 21 is behind the glass walls. People are trickling in and gathering around the luggage belt. Finally! There she is! What a welcome site as we both peer through the glass with big smiles. Five to ten minutes later she pushes her cart loaded with three bags past the security guards and through the sliding glass doors. Welcome home! A kiss and a hug and much conversation about our lives over the last three weeks. The taxi drive loads the three bags into the trunk of the car (or "boot" as they call it here) and off we go to our new home.

Every flight that comes in and out of Singapore is an international flight. It is very large and beautiful airport with three regular terminals and one budget terminal. The airport is always full of people from everywhere! Every race and language you could imagine is present. People in their traditional clothes fill the airport. I love coming so I can "people watch." It is so wonderful to see people unite in so many ways. Joy fills the air as the glass doors open and families re-unite.

A Friend from Home

Living in a new country is exciting as you build new international relationships, but a visit from a friend from home is so refreshing! James McGee, a long time friend, spent last evening with me as we went to a nice Indian restaurant for dinner and after had coffee together. I performed the marriage vows for James and his wife, Grace, some years ago. James is a pilot for UPS will be coming through Singapore occasionally. I look forward to our time together. Debra and I have always enjoyed and looked forward to friends and visitors from the USA. If any of you are coming "to" or "through" Singapore, please contact us. We would enjoy hosting you. You would bring refreshment to us.

Sometimes You Eat The Fish & Sometimes The Fish Eat You!

Yes! It is what you are seeing! I came off the escalator and asked myself, "Why do those people have their feet in the aquariums at the pet store?" Then I thought those must be fake feet for some kind of attraction or promotion. Neither! This was a massage and relaxation store. I guess this is some kind of treatment that either tickles you when the minnows nibble or some weird cleansing technique. This is a first for me. I must share this with all my fishing buddies back in the States. After a long hard day of bass fishing make sure that you do not use up all the bait. Stick your feet in the bait bucket and relax!

Perfect Oatmeal. NOT!

I said that I would share the joys, adventures and challenges of living in a country that is not your own. Well, here goes a minor challenge. I rushed off to Starbucks to get on the internet to handle some business on Skype back in the USA. I do not have a internet connection at our apartment yet (I have been using a weak signal from someone else). I noticed that the Starbucks had oatmeal like in the states. I ordered Oatmeal with all the fixins'. Normally that means in the States, hot oatmeal with raisins, nuts and brown sugar. Normally the Starbucks people are super nice but I got a look that is normally foreign from Starbucks' workers. Obviously oatmeal is not a normal breakfast here. He then asked if I wanted hot milk or cold milk on my oatmeal. I said cold, thinking that the cold milk would cool down the hot oatmeal. He served it to me and immediately I knew something was wrong! I cautiously picked up the normally too hot oatmeal and it was cold! I proceeded to open it to find cold milk poured onto dry, uncooked oatmeal. YUK!

People Of Every Race and Color

This picture, taken on Orchard Road, represents a true picture of the streets of Singapore. Singapore has become a melting pot for every race, color and creed. It is predominantly Chinese but there are multitudes of many Asian races, Europeans, and Africans. I was sitting on the MRT (subway) and watching people communicate in at least four different languages. Thank God for me that English is the first language. Most people here speak two to four languages. The Singapore government promotes racial and religious harmony, in fact they legislate it with a religious harmony code. All religions are embraced but are discouraged to openly proselytize. It has forced the Christian church to build through relationships which is how it should be. Our communities have become "global" and it is quite evident as you observe all the people on the streets of Singapore.

Lost

What do you do when you get in the taxi and tell the driver your destination and he either can not understand your English or he doesn't have a clue where he is going or both? Another option is that he may be pretending to be dumb so as to take the long route, which means more fare. That is my experience today. I actually think this one was really lost. He seemed like a nice guy although his English was not so good.

Check out his dashboard! It is for real! I should have counted all the bobble heads and little japanese anime cats. Surely this has to be a world record. In his broken singlish he told me the story. I pretended to understand but had no clue what he was saying. Twenty minutes later under by directions we made it to where I needed to be. Singapore taxis are relatively cheap and always an adventure.

World Cup Mania

I got off the subway (MRT) last night at about 10:45Pm. I came up the escaltor to Orchard Road, and the coffee shops and bars were filled with people watching Mexico battle South Africa in the World Cup. You expected the bars to be showing the game but I was surprised to see that the coffee shops and some restaurants had set up TV's where normally they did not have any. To be macho here with the guys you have to have some conversational knowledge of the World Cup. Thank God I got a little familiar with the game when Abigail was in high school. I also led two high school soccer teams to El Salvador for a mission trip which helped my limited knowledge.

In America we think the Superbowl is big thing! It is small compared to the World Cup. I got home and the game was still going on. I do not have television yet, but I knew when someone scored as a roar echoed through the high rise buildingS surrounding us. Every taxi driver has predicted the winner. I love how sports can be a unifier to cultures and countries. C'mon USA! We need to do better at this soccer thing, or should I say football thing? REAL FOOTBALL!

Don't worry fellow Stiller fans! I know that the only "REAL FOOTBALL" is played in Black n Gold and with a ball that is not a ball.

Fresh Fruits

I love that fresh fruits are easily available. Fruit shops like the one in the pic are plentiful. They serve the fruit whole, cut up on ice, or juiced. Many of the fruits you would recognize and some you would not. Have you ever eaten dragon fruit? How about star fruit? Many favorite is a cold piece of papaya. In a future blog I will share about a fruit that "smells like hell, but tastes like heaven".

Off To Work I Go

I am off to work at the new office for our church. Our Sunday services are at the Mandarin Hotel Ballroom. We have separate office space in the heart of the financial district. We are on the 13th floor of a high rise among many. Major Bank skyscrapers surround us. At lunch it is one busy place! Singapore is said to hold 2/3 of all of Asia's monies in their banks. There are people of every race and country downstairs at the money changers.

Our office is in the process of just moving in. I will get a brand new renovated office. We have a view of the brand new International Resort (3 buildings in picture with ship on top). This is a casino that has just opened. The building is suppose to be an engineering wonder. My son-in-law, Jordan (a structural engineer), said that he watched a documentary on the television about it. There is a lot of concern that the casino will negatively influence the low crime culture of Singapore.

Breakfast

It's 9am and I just had toast and coffee at a local coffee shop. Toast is a huge deal here, believe it or not? They have coffee and toasts shops all over and people flock to them and not just for breakfast! The coffee at these shops is a local coffee that they strain through a sock, yes I said a sock! It is very rich and smooth and costs about $3 cheaper than Starbucks. It costs about 90 cents. There are tons of Starbucks, Coffee Beanery's and other like franchises. They get their share of the business but for me the local coffee is better and certainly more affordable.

We also have bread shops everywhere. (like in the picture) This is my weakness! The smell of fresh bread, which is always present, is irresistible to me. They have all kinds of breads and rolls with all kinds of fillings and toppings. They vary from the very sweet to some exotics toppings that I do not even recognize. Debra and I love the rolls covered with walnuts!

Other local shops serve noodles served in various ways for breakfast. I sometimes enjoy "Longtong" from the local Muslim shops. It is cabbage, rice cakes, a hard boiled egg and chili in a curry soup. I love it, but I eat it sparingly because I think it is full of cholesterol.

Transportation in Singapore

Patricia Ready McNulty Krier asks: Do many drive cars there or do folks mostly walk and/or bike? Just curious to compare this culture to that of Seoul, So.Korea where my daughter is. Biking and walking and subway are the standard modes of transportation there.

Yes, there are many cars here but most people use public transportation. Singapore is an island that is approximately 15 miles wide and 50 miles long. The population is pushing 5 million. They say if every family owned one car that the roads would be parking lots and not roads. The price of cars and government policies discourage most people from getting a car. A Toyota Corolla costs over $100,000. Before you can even buy a car you have to purchase a C.O.E. (a license to own a car). The C.O.E. usually costs $10,000+. Then there are tolls and road taxes every where you go. Still, many people own cars.

Public transportation is exceptional with buses, subways and taxis. Buses and the MRT (Subway in the city, above the ground train outside the city) are very inexpensive. You can go almost anywhere for around a $1. Taxis are also very cheap compared to most cities. You can travel the length of the country for about $30.

I personally love riding in the top of the double decker buses. The MRT is fast but sometimes crowded. I usually use a taxi if I have groceries or need to get somewhere in a major hurry. I also do more walking here which is great for my heart.

It is a blessing not having a car! No car payments, maintenance or insurance. Major savings for us. I have a card the size of credit card that I put about $10 per week on and works on all the buses and MRT's. There are not many bicycles like in other Asian cities.

Jet Lagged

I arrived at about 12:30PM on Sunday. Singapore is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. I expected to go right to our new home but got a surprised to know that I was going straight to Chinese luncheon with local pastors from our church and others. I was wearing a Steeler t-shirt and had not shaved in 24 hours, but oh well! Found the least wrinkled dress shirt in my suitcase and changed in the hotel bathroom. A little water in the face, soap under the arms, rinsed my mouth out with some water and off I go to lunch. Ten courses later and it was time to go to our new home.

For three to four months we will be living on the tenth floor of an older condominium that will be tore down in October. They do that in Singapore. If it starts to look old they tear it down and rebuild. It is older but still nice. It could use some paint but for the time it will do as is. It is very conveniently located near Orchard Road, which is the heart of the shopping area. Everyday will feel like a date when Debra gets here. We walk about two blocks and it is comparable to being in downtown Manhattan. (Pictures are the view from the condo)

Jet lag is upon me. The problem is that it is 5:34PM and going to sleep now will have me awake in the middle of the night. I can't fight it any longer, to bed I go.

Layover in Hong Kong

14 hours and I slept the whole way! I had to get up twice because of the lady by the window, other than that I think I would have slept straight through. When I got on the plane I was excited to see the personal video screens with a huge selection of movies. I watched thirty minutes of the new movie with Jeff Bridges as a country singer and that was it! ZZZZZZZZZZ! I think I even missed a couple meals (no great loss with airplane food).

Sitting in Hong Kong airport with 2 hours before the last leg to Singapore. Technology is so wonderful. Used Skype to call Debra and to make up for the forgotten phone call to mom.

Emotions are shifting to excitement. Singapore is a great place to live. We have always been so embraced in our relationships and in ministry there.

Time to try to find a coffee here in HK. Next stop Singapore!

Goodbyes are finished. I am checked through and sitting at the gate. What an emotional day! The only consolation is that I was too busy to think about leaving for most of the day. I was putting a last few things in our storage bin and delivering items to my daughters that they might need. The grandkids were at their friends house so we said goodbye on the phone. They were going to a soccer game and watching a movie. It would have been good to see them but probably too much emotion to handle. I think "Pap" would have cried too much. Instead I bawled after I hung up. Kid are resilient, thank God!

Debra, Christin, Abigail and Jordan drove me to LAX. Traffic was good so we had time to have dinner at Red Lobster. That was good. Liz sent her goodbye by text as she was on her way home from Atlanta. LAX is always nuts so when we arrived I quickly unloaded on to a cart and then hugged each one for the last time until Christmas. Debra will be coming in about three weeks but it was so hard letting go of her hand. I wish she was with me, but she will be able to enjoy the kids and grandkids a while longer. I am glad for that. The hurried goodbye was good for all us.

Looking around the gate I think I have already arrived in Asia. A few caucasians but mostly Asians. I am flying Cathay Pacific, that is probably why.

Next stop is a layover in Hong Kong. I am not sure how long? I arrive in Singapore Sunday 12:30 PM. It is now Friday 10:30 PM.

I got so busy today I forgot to call my mom! I spoke to her yesterday but she wanted me to call before I leave and now it is too late in Pennsylvania to call. She will worry but she will understand.

What to take? What not to take?

My wife and I are moving to Singapore for at least one year. I am a pastor and I will be working at a local church in Singapore. I am going to blog to help share our experience living as expatriates. I hope to share the joys, adventures, and challenges of living in a foreign country. I hope you enjoy XP Singapore.

Lets start by trip preparation. I leave tomorrow night from LAX airport. I never did like to pack and usually leave it to the last minute. What do you take when you are going to live in a hot and humid tropical country that is not your own? The luggage allowance is two bags @ 50 pounds apiece and one carry on luggage. My wife is not coming for three more weeks. I will pay for an extra bag to carry some her personal items. I learned a long time ago that a home is not a home until she gets to hang family pictures and add her own simple decorating touches. I think my wife could life in a thatched hut as long as she can hang the family pictures.

My two bags are mostly clothes. I have weeded out clothes that I no longer wear or that will be too hot for the climate. Mostly short sleeve shirts, light dress pants and a few shorts and somehow I ended up with three bathing suits? I left room for a few books, some software and "Old Brown". "Old Brown" is my bible. It is a large print bible with an even larger cover that my father-in-law gave me before he died. "Old Brown" has been around a long time but it is too heavy to put in the carry on. I will try to read my devotions online during layovers.

So many more things I would love to take! I would love to have my tools there but they are too heavy. Off to the storage shed for them tomorrow. I am down to three books; "Three Cups of Tea" (currently reading this one), "Attack Lambs" by Mark Geppert (My handbook on prayer) and "Church@Community" by Ed Delph (My handbook for church life and ministry).

I cannot find the bathroom scales so I am hoping the bags are not over 50 pounds. I am sure I will start unpacking on the other side of the ocean and realize I forgot something. Thank God Singapore will have anything and everything I need if I forget it.

Here we go! Packed and ready! I think?