In light of the tragic accident that took the life of three-year-old, precious Azlynn Cretzman, we have come to really love and appreciate  hearing the words, “I will be praying for you.” We never want to take for granted the divine protection from God as Christians all across America have lifted our family in prayer. Through the Matt Cretzman Family (missionaries to Cuba), we have seen the sufficiency in the grace of God. I am humbled while convicted of my faith in the Lord during the seemingly dark times of life.

In late December, we finished our meetings in California and began our travels to South Carolina to continue our deputation journey on the East Coast. We were thankful to visit our home church in Arkansas along the way to give a deputation update. It was a joy to see my church family.

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We praise God for the busy 2012 schedule that He has already provided for our family. We are looking forward to finalizing our last year of deputation. Please be in prayer as Susan and I take a quick trip in April to visit and encourage a church in  Southeast Asia. As it stands, our intentions are still to be in Singapore permanently by the end of November, 2012.

We have seen 5 people trust Christ through personal soulwinning since January 2012. Pray for Wendy, Caesar, Chaz, Brandon, and Cynthia–all of whom we had the privilege of leading to the Lord in the recent months. They all need to follow the Lord in believer’s baptism and attend a local Baptist church.

Since our last newsletter, we have now reached the 45% mark in our support. We are thankful for the many new ministries that have begun their financial support of our mission.

1. Fellowship Baptist Church – Durham, North Carolina
2. White Oak Baptist Church – Stratford, Connecticut
3. Beacon Baptist Church – Raleigh, North Carolina
4. Laurel Baptist Church – Charlotte, North Carolina
5. International Baptist Church – Brooklyn, New York
6. Lighthouse Baptist Church – Oakdale, California
7. Centennial Baptist Church – Caldwell, Idaho
8. Hopewell Baptist Church – Napa, California
9. Shady Grove Baptist Church – Bossier City, Louisiana
10. Shenandoah Baptist Church – Cleveland, Tennessee
11. Grace Baptist Chapel – Elmira, New York
12. Eastside Baptist Church – Murray, Kentucky
13. First Baptist Church – Long Beach, California

Prayer Requests //
Safety in travels
Soul winning efforts
SE Asia Trip in April and provision of finances to facilitate this trip
Potential Singapore Team Missions Labourers (JOIN US!)

Provision & Answered Prayers //
Vehicle work performed by:
Ivan Baker of Baker Automotive in Marion, North Carolina provided a check-up, oil change, and general maintenance work.
South Haven Baptist in Springfield, Tennessee fixed our broken windshield.
Grace Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia changed our oil and replaced a belt.
Unspoken prayer request – Answered (PTL!)

A crowd of Cambodians are pushed onto a bridge on the last day of celebrations of a water festival in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Nov. 22, 2010. (AP / Heng Sinith)

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Thousands of Cambodians celebrating a water festival on an island in a river in the capital stampeded Monday night, leaving more than 300 people dead and hundreds injured. Some in the panicky crowd who tried to flee over a bridge were crushed underfoot or fell over its sides into the water.

Ambulances raced back and forth between the river and the hospitals for several hours after the stampede. Calmette Hospital, the capital’s main medical facility, was filled to capacity with bodies as well as patients, some of whom had to be treated in hallways. Many of the injured appeared to be badly hurt, raising the prospect that the death toll could rise as local hospitals became overwhelmed.

From the moment I made my Asia ministry public, I have been asked, “Why Asia? Why would you choose to live and minister in an area of the world that is still developing?” To answer this question more articulately, please read on and allow me to acknowledge why I believe Asia is not only the place where the moving and stirring of God is happening, but why strategically, now is the time, and Southeast Asia is the place.

Praise the Lord for His provision! God continues to supply our every need. As you know we arrived in Singapore on Wednesday and have begun to settle into our new apartment (HDB flat). We decided to purposely rent a very common and ordinary apartment that the average Singaporean would be living in rather than a hotel, apartment, house or condo that typical westerners would generally be staying. Despite this choice, it is amazing how expensive it is to live in Singapore. The average going rate for the purchase of a very standard government subsidized HDB flat ranges from $700-$1,200 square feet. Because of this, even rental is very high.

My pastor friend, Johnny Tan and his family have been extremely gracious in assisting us with our sundries and practical needs. What wonderful Christian friends we have made in Singapore. Many church members are volunteering themselves continuously to assure that our needs are met. Praise the Lord! It is a humbling experience to see them graciously serve, especially when we have come to be a blessing to them.