Arriving in Mississippi for Training and Orientation

This is the lovely house where we are staying. Our host family, John and Vicki, have opened up their home to us for the two weeks that we are here at Pre-Field Orientation (PFO). We have the whole upstairs with a family room, three bedrooms, bathroom, and refrigerator. It is nice getting to unpack a little and wash clothes when needed.

After church today, Vicki made BBQ Nachoes (a Memphis specialty), pork barbeque, potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, and her famous homemade cheesecake. It was so delicious!

Kaitlyn got real spoiled when they let her drive their 2008 Mazda Miata! She had so much fun! I think Vicki had just as much fun letting her drive!

Southhaven, Mississippi, is the headquarters for the home office of NICS (Network of International Christian Schools). We have been in a full week of training and preparation for life overseas. We have learned many things and been reminded about things we needed to hear again. They have made it interesting with lectures, groups, and games. We are learning about the kids that we are raising (third-culture kids), transition, the correct way to handle culture stress, just to name a few of the topics. There are around 160 new missionaries plus their children going to 21 different countries all over the world. Please be in prayer for us as we leave for our new place of ministry. Most of us have sold everything, please pray for those still needing to sell houses and cars. All of us are leaving family and friends that we love. Pray that God would give His grace and peace to all these relationships.

Reaching the world through international Christian education. Some will serve as teachers, business administrators, school councelors, principals, directors, and administrative assistants.

James, Daniel, Kaitlyn, Dianne, Tracy, Andrew, Jonathan, Samuel, Faith, and Ethan

The two families meet again. Who would have thought our paths would have crossed again in this way? They were just youth when we first met them in 1995. We will both be serving in Singapore at the International Christian School.

Happy Birthday Samuel!

Samuel celebrated his 4th birthday with some family and friends at Chuck E. Cheese. Everyone had a great time.

A Time to Celebrate

For the Teafatiller family, June symbolizes a month of celebration. Indeed, we have much to celebrate and for which to give God thanks. On June 4, James and I celebrated our 20^th wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe it has been that long since we said those famous words, “I do.”

On June 6, James and Dianne finished teaching school; Dianne finished her 1st year teaching and is now a certified Business Education teacher. (I could have never done this without God’s grace, James’ help and support, and the wonderful staff at my school.) Our children also finished the school year well. Can you imagine that we will have a Junior in high school, an 8^th grader, a 6^th grader, and a four year-old when the next school year starts? Wow! How time flies!!!

On June 10, we will celebrate Samuel's 4th birthday with our family and friends enjoying good food and fun games at Chuck E. Cheese. He has been talking about "Chuckie" for weeks now.

On June 23, we will celebrate again as we travel to Southaven, Mississippi, for our Pre-Field Orientation. We will join 200+ new NICS's missionaries including teens and children for a two-week training and preparation. This time symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter in our lives and yet another reason to celebrate.

Thank you for journeying with us through your love, support, and prayers. We have such wonderful friends and family and are so thankful to have you in our hearts and lives!! For all this, we say, "Thank you!" Yet another reason to celebrate.

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven”
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Seeing God in our Everyday Lives!

Is it a coincidence or is it God? Many times you might ask yourselves this similar question. Just a couple of days ago, we put a bedroom suite on Craig’s List (an on-line sales ad). One of our first inquiries was from Kathy. We talked to her and set up a time for her to view the furniture. During the phone conversation, she asked why we were selling the furniture, and I told her that we were moving overseas. She quickly said, “Oh really, where?” I told her Singapore. She then went on to tell me that they are from Singapore. They have lived there for 14 years. They are ethnically Taiwanese, so not Singaporeans, but ex-pats such as we will be. We enjoyed visiting with the father and two girls when they viewed the furniture and came back the next day to pick it up. The mother and youngest sister are still in Singapore. The family is setting up a home base in McKinney, TX. The two oldest daughters are going to universities in different states, while the youngest daughter attends an American high school in Singapore.

God has a way of orchestrating our circumstances. He is so good!! I praise Him for bringing familiar to the unfamiliar. It was such a blessing talking to this family and meeting our first friends in Singapore!!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalms 118:1

A New Place to Call Home

We are so excited that we will have a new place to call home when we arrive in Singapore on July 10th! God has provided us a beautiful apartment! After much searching on the internet and trying to figure out where the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and bus routes were, we found one that would meet and exceed our needs. I must say that after being denied once by one owner because he was afraid of the “wear and tear” on his apartment with us having four children, we were thrilled to get one.

James kept saying that God has something better, but I couldn’t imagine what that would be. The Business Manager of our school was so kind to go view the apartment, negotiate for the best price, and take pictures for us. We got the best price possible for a three bedroom, fully furnished place. From the outside, it doesn't look like any apartment that you would typically see in the States, maybe more like a hotel! It is on the 9th floor of a 10-storey building. It is very nice with a pool and clubhouse. It also has lots of greenery surrounding, since it is located near a nature reserve. Here is a link to view some pictures: http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapore-property-pictures/condo/hillview-heights.htm

Thank you for your prayers for us during this time! “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works with us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen!” Ephesians 3:20-21

The Truth

Teaching middle school students this year has been an eye opener for me. It is amazing how the kids can be doing something or say something and when I correct them, they quickly deny doing the very thing I saw or heard them do. Not only do they deny it, their friends are quick to defend them and begin to lie for them and say they didn't do the very thing they also saw them do. I find myself telling them that they are getting so good at lying they probably have forgotten how to tell the truth.

How important the Word of God is to teach us the truth! I recently heard on Christian radio that only 28% of born-again believers read their Bible outside of church. It is no wonder that we get so tripped up and start to believe every lie the enemy throws at us. Let's be careful that we don't "exchange the truth of God for a lie," like we read about in Romans 1:18-25.

Let us "hide God's Word in our heart, that we might not sin against Him." (Psalm 119:11) Let's keep God's Word first on our daily agenda so we will know the Truth. It is the Truth and only the Truth that will set us free!

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31

Now you can listen to the Bible on-line in only 15 minutes a day. See "The One Year Bible on MP3 Player" post below.

One Year Bible on an MP3 Player!

Click above to listen to today's Bible reading.

From the Heart of a MK (missionary kid)

Goodbye. I say it more and more everyday, not with words though. I realize that the friends I have now I will probably never see again. During school and study, I seem to tune in and out of conversations. My head is elsewhere--in Singapore. I seem to be making it easier for myself by allowing those relationships to slip away early before I actually leave this country. But Proverbs 27:10 reminds me, "Do not forsake your friend..." The chapter goes on to tell us in vs.17, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." I have some good friends that have gotten me through the three years I have been in America. Thank God for them! Some people I have gotten to know, even if just a little, will just shout out, "Hi, Kaitlyn! How are you?" You don't know how much that encourages me and kindles my spirit! I shouldn't be "throwing away" my friendships, but rather "storing" them in my heart.

Have you seen those Target store commercials on TV? The hello and goodbye ones? As I watch the commercial, I sit in front of my television trying to figure out the reason for those two simple words--the words we use everyday. What does it have to do with clothes?! I still don't understand it. In the same way, we may never know why God places the people he does in our lives, yet for everything there is a reason and a purpose under heaven.

Back from Singapore

James returned from Singapore with lots of excitement and a better understanding of his new position as Admissions Director and what adjustments we would have to make as a family.

After about 27 hours on the airplane, he was ready to get off. Upon arriving at 2:30 a.m. and in bed at 3:45 a.m., Dr. Beeson had him at the office by 7:15 a.m. that morning. No time to give into jet lag! He was blessed by the hospitality of the Director and his wife during his stay in Singapore. He also got to visit and know several of the other missionaries there at the International Community School.

We have put a slideshow of some of the pictures of the school on the right.

Praise Reports – Give thanks to God for His provisions and faithfulness! Dianne and the kids did well as they continued to work and go to school and begin sorting through stuff at home. Dianne’s mother and grandmother came to visit a few days while James was gone. James returned with a confirmed sense of God’s direction for our family to minister in Singapore.

Prayer Requests - We will finish our ministry here at Nevada Baptist Church the last Sunday in May. Please pray for the Pastor Search committee as they seek a Pastor for our church family.

Pray for continued stamina to finish the school year well- for Dianne and James as they teach and the children as they study.

Pray that we will be able to find good housing for our family that is close to public transport prior to or immediately following our arrival in Singapore on July 10.

Pray that God would continue to raise up prayer and financial partners to join us as we minister in Singapore.

On the Way to the Cross

As I talk to or e-mail many of the new, first time missionaries who have been appointed to serve in Singapore where we will be, I often hear them say that they are excited, but also very overwhelmed. The excitement and adventure of being in a new place and yet the reality of it all comes crashing in when they think of being on the other side of the world, away from family and friends, not knowing where they will live, working with students from 20 plus different countries, and many other unknowns.

Since serving overseas in two different locations, I can understand some of what they are going through--what I'm sure I will go through again--which I call “my Gethsemane.” Henry Blackaby called it your “Crisis of Belief.” It is where you know that you are doing what God has called you to do, but the doubt and unbelief sets in so hard and so strong, you almost lose your focus. I can’t even imagine what Jesus experienced while He was in the Garden of Gethsemane. Mattthew 26:38 says, "Jesus said to them, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'” Oh, Jesus knew that the cross was the Father’s will, but yet, He even He struggled with the will and plan of God. He wasn’t sure if He was ready or able to pay the price that had to be paid. No doubt, we can’t compare the insignificant sacrifices we make here on earth to what Jesus did for us, but yet, we do know that we all must come to the place in our hearts and minds where we say as Jesus said, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

As we approach the wonderful Easter Celebration in just a few short days from now, may we never forget the price that was paid for the victory and freedom of sin that we have because of what Jesus went through on the cross for you and for me. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

Take Someone with You!

There are few joys in life like that of sharing life with others. In the summer of 1995, we visited a church in view of a call for James to be the Youth/Education Minister of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Cleveland, Tennessee. Upon arrival, two of the first people we met were Tracy Grimm and Andrew Frazier. James soon became the new youth minister and Tracy was in his youth group. Soon after the two married, they became apart of Dianne’s Sunday school class. Now, almost 13 years later, Andrew and Tracy with their two children, Ethan and Faith, will minister with us in Singapore at the International Community School! We were at the service when the Lord was calling them into missions, and now we will get to minister together with them in their first missionary assignment. Praise God with us for this family and remember to pray for them in the coming days as they also prepare to make this major adjustment and move to Singapore in July. Tracy will be teaching Kindergarten and Andrew will be the Facilities Manager. We are so blessed to have them serve with us in Singapore and have no greater joy than seeing our friends and loved ones serve Christ! You can visit their website at www.missionsingapore.com.

The "Stuff" of Life

“The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ (Luke 12:16-20)

Oh, my goodness. I can’t believe all the things, or should I say the “junk,” that we have accumulated over the last three years - things that are weighing us down and causing us undue stress. From an earthly perspective, these things are of great value and worth. However, from a heavenly perspective, they are nothing more than stuff – stuff that makes our lives more comfortable and perhaps enjoyable, but stuff all the same.

Like the “fool” mentioned above, the Lord has placed a demand on our lives. Not only has this demand been placed on us, He has placed it on all of His children, including you. What is His demand? His demand is life-long obedience to His Lordship and leadership in our lives. So, as you consider what the Lord demands of you, remember the final question of verse 20: “The things you have prepared, whose will they be?”

On another note: in a little more than a week now, I’ll be making my way on a two week adventure to what will be our new home come July. On this trip, I will get to experience Singapore on a first hand basis for the first time. Not only will I visit the school and receive some training for my new job, I will be able to finalize my work permit, explore some possible housing opportunities, and enjoy some Singaporean cuisine.

Thanks for journeying with us, and thanks for your prayers on our behalf. We are forever grateful to you! Please keep in touch!

Singapore Facts

Singapore is a surprisingly tiny city-state in the heart of Southeast Asia. It consists of one main island, Singapore, and 60 smaller ones. Singapore is located at the tip of the Malaysian peninsula.

With a population of 4.5 million people, it has one of the highest population densities in the world, with about 16,800 people per square mile. The country is only 26 miles from east to west and almost 14 miles from north to south.

Singapore lies 85 miles north of the equator and has uniform temperatures around 81 F with high humidity and rainfall.

The Singaporean population is diverse and represents 3 major ethnic groups: Ethnic Chinese, Malays, and Indians.

Renewing Friendships

Greetings! Thank you for visiting our new blog!

It has been a joy for us these past several months to renew friendships with those we haven't talked to in a while. Many of you have been faithful prayer partners with us throughout our ministry in Tanzania and Estonia, and we are thankful and humbled that you are choosing to partner again with us on this new adventure! We are also blessed to have many new friends and a wonderful church family, Nevada Baptist Church, who has been very understanding and supportive.

Next month, James will be flying to Singapore to train for his new position as Director of Admissions while Dianne and the kids will hold down the fort. We are already missing him and looking forward to his return! When he does return, we will be sharing stories and pictures with you here on our new blog.

Please keep us posted on how we can pray for you and your family! It is a joy to lift up those we love to the One who loves them so!!

Thanks again for your prayers, love, and support! God bless!