The Balzer Bulletin

A Great Year in the Making!

2012-01-30T22:32:00.000+08:00

And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Where we live in Asia, the New Year happens twice – once on January 1st, and then a few weeks later, Chinese New Year takes the festivities to a whole different level. In our new neighborhood, it seems that everyone on the block is competing for the biggest, baddest (illegal) fireworks show on the street in front of their house! After the initial shock of watching our neighbours, including young children, walking around with handfuls of firecrackers and lighting them wherever they please, we have enjoyed being a part of the celebration and especially the time spent connecting and learning about the lives of our new friends.

Here is what happened on the first day of the Chinese New Year (January 23rd) in the home across the street from us - a traditional Lion Dance.

For us, 2011 was a wonderful, challenging year, full of change and needs and opportunities to see God’s fame spread further into this region. Numerous accounts of people who have met the Lord through the programs and counseling care provided by our partner radio stations and ESL clubs have come in. God has accomplished amazing things and has been with us at every turn! He has definitely supplied all of our needs. 2012 is quickly shaping up to be a year where the work of HCJB Global will expand even further, as our team hopes to put in 20 new radio stations (the majority of these in Thailand) including the installations, announcer training, and technical support. This will keep both Steve and I busy in one way or another. :)

As always, everything we are a part of is possible because of our great team of supporters who stand with us and believe in the work we are sent out to do. Thank you for giving of yourselves to be a part of this – we need you and are grateful! Here are a few up and coming things to pray about with us:

>Deployment of iBook laptops – Steve and Toffer (a new staff member) are rebuilding seven more laptops for use in an orphanage in Inodonesia, and in a radio station in Nepal. Pray they will be able to finish the rebuilds and move the machines to where they need to go without incident.

>Asia Pacific regional summit and retreat – February 5th-8th – please pray for our leaders and staff members as we build team relationships and plan for the year.

>New school semester – please remember our kids as Thizbe easily becomes stressed out with assignments, while Emmett needs to heal up from knee and back injuries which keep him from being as active as he’d like to be (knees are an ongoing problem, back is an effect of his whooping cough).

>Development of my (Lisa’s) role in the radio training team.

Thank you for your prayers. Have a great month!

Love, the Balzers

Chinese New Year treats: (L-R) pineapple rolls, green bean cookies, almond cookies, and red packets for the kids!

Tech Support in Nepal

2011-11-30T22:27:00.000+08:00

Did God not choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? James 2:5

Mature fields of rice in the south of Nepal.

My Nepal trip at the beginning of November was fantastic. Thanks to all who were praying for productivity and safety of this trip! It was a great opportunity for me (Steve) to work with, and hang out socially with, our Nepali radio partners. The first order of business was to rectify the problems caused when one station in the far South of the country was struck by lightning. Mostly this involved computer work - replacing the damaged one with a new machine and moving over as much information as possible - as well as some adjustments to other equipment. We also managed to squeeze in a little training time on how to better manage a music library.

The station is now back to normal operations, though there are always improvements that could be made. Its programs cover a wide range of topics – including gospel based teaching programs about Jesus, language and literature, social issues, Nepali heritage, and family. Our partner told me this station is reaching an estimated 1 million people in the city and surrounding hill communities!

Then it was over to Kathmandu where I spent several days with two other partners working through more computer issues and studio equipment setup.

Not an unusual site in Kuthmandu, the capital - this street was lined with hundreds upon hundreds of double-parked motorcycles. Imagine trying to find your bike in there!

I was reminded how scarce the tech support resources are in a place like this, and when you do hire a 'professional', how unreliable the results may be. We did a lot of troubleshooting and reconfiguring to bring a computer and a studio each into a functional state.

Prayer items...

> new role for Lisa – starting in January, she will shift her focus to radio training and away from Spotlight English Clubs. It’s an exciting change, but one that will bring a steep learning curve.

> family health – physical and emotional. We need healthy bodies and healthy relationships to continue doing what we do.

> strength and safety for our Nepali partners – Rup, Ramesh, Khagendra, Loknath, Keshav, and the others who work with them.

> our staff and partners in Thailand as they deal with the aftermath of the flooding.

Thank you for your prayer support!

Probably as you read this update, there is a fifth station being installed in Nepal between HCJB Global and our Nepali partners. In a country primarily consisting of poor, agriculture-based communities, many of them situated in hill and mountain terrains, FM radio is proving to be the right medium for connecting with individuals and making a difference in the needy communities. I am grateful to work alongside our Nepali friends and assist them in taking Jesus to their people. Thank you for continuing to support us in many ways so that this can happen!

In this Advent season, we hope that you will find meaningful ways to celebrate Jesus' coming to earth, together with your family and friends. And may you be filled with hope because of Him!

Love, the Balzers

Thankful

2011-10-14T12:52:00.001+08:00

As a person dedicated to God…pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11

Here are some of the things that have been in the forefront of our lives and work with HCJB Global over the month. Please be encouraged and pray with us for:

>Family health. In mid September, Emmett was diagnosed with pertussis (whooping cough). We are grateful for a good doctor, and though he is slowly getting better, the effects of the infection can last for more than three months. Apparently, whooping cough is more common in the tropics, and since he had not yet received his 12-year booster, his immunity was low. The rest of us are all working through different bouts of illness as our bodies adjust to the “bugs” in a new country. Your prayers for our health, especially for Emmett’s recovery, are much appreciated.

>Nepal station repair – this will be happening in the first week of November. Steve will travel to help one of our stations in Nepal which had a lightning strike and lost some of their equipment. Pray for safe travels and that the repairs will go well so that the station can be back on air in their community by the time Steve is finished. These Nepal stations are seeing people come to Christ as a direct result of their broadcasts.

A view of the Nepali station (studio) where Steve will be working on repairs in early November.

>Spotlight English Clubs – we now have 50 clubs and counting! I (Lisa) continue to be busy with resource preparation for the weekly programs. One club leader says “The material is well organized and has a lot of great resources, making it a good fit for our group. Anybody can do this!” Spotlight English Clubs promote friendship and sharing God’s love through English learning, in non-English speaking contexts and in immigrant communities within English speaking countries. Please pray for the club leaders as they build relationships with the learners, and also for creativity as I work on the materials.

>One of our radio partners who was called in for questioning by the local authorities. After several long days of being accused and grilled on certain issues, the authorities could not find grounds to charge him, so he was released under a series of conditions he must meet over the next several months. This was a harrowing time for his family, coworkers, and friends, and we are all grateful for the outcome. It could have been much different. Please remember our radio partners who run the stations, especially those in sensitive locations, who need special wisdom and God's protection as they work.

>Friends we’re making locally. Since we are not living on a compound or gated community, we like to do a lot of walking, and our kids are both involved in community sports, we’re finding many wonderful opportunities to meet our neighbours and others from the city. Please pray that these friendships will grow and that we will make an impact for Christ in their lives.

Thank you for your vital involvement in this work together with us. We absolutely need and appreciate each one of you. Have a great month!

Love, the Balzers

Contrasting meals - above: a typical dinner in this part of the world, including rice, curried meat and vegetables, and yogurt served on a banana leaf. Mmmmmm!

Below: a special treat this year - Thanksgiving dinner of turkey and all the trimmings which we savoured with some other Canadians in the area. Delicious!

New Chapter

2011-08-25T21:32:00.014+08:00

May the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and the endurance of Christ. 2 Thes. 3:5

Dear Family and Friends – It’s been another long journey – 12,000 km or so – from North America to our new home in Southeast Asia, and we’re pleased to tell you all is well so far. We know this is due in large part to the prayers of so many of you during this transition of HCJB Global’s regional headquarters and its families. Thank you!!

Remember those nasty durian candies many of you tried from us this summer? Well, THIS is the real fruit. And let’s just say it was a sweet reunion upon our return to Asia!

It’s been three weeks now since we arrived in this new city. The team has been relocated from Singapore to a more affordable city in the region, which will remain unnamed for security reasons (you can request our mailing address via the contact information listed below).

As you know, with moves like this, it takes the majority of one’s energy and time at the beginning just to figure out the day to day workings of life. Like where to get meat, how to pay a bill, which local foods can be substituted into recipes, how to deal with monkeys that make a mess in the yard, etc. Oh, and learning to drive on the left hand side of the [narrow] streets! But God has been very, very good and we are currently accident-free, monkey-bite free, and even enjoying the adventure - most of the time. :)

Speaking of driving…thank you to all who have given to our vehicle project! We are at about 70% of our goal. For those of you who spoke with us this summer about financial support or the vehicle fund and have yet to pledge your gift, this would be a great time to do so. Many thanks!

Through September, your prayers with us in the following areas are greatly appreciated:

>Setup of new Asia Pacific office: Please pray for Steve as he assembles equipment and workstations and gets the office functional for the team. And for me as I resume my work and make decisions about which areas to focus on.

>Kids and school: We are particularly thankful for a family we met on orientation day who have a girl and boy the same ages as Thizbe and Emmett. Please remember our kids as they go through the process of settling in.

Beginning of Day One at school – those smiles were just as big when we picked them up in the afternoon. A good sign.

>Arrival of more of the team: Our Directors, Ty and Paula Stakes, will be arriving September 1st – please pray as they adjust and continue to oversee the work in the region.

>Announcer training: session underway in Thailand this week; two-week course for new announcers in Indonesia September 6th -15th. Please remember the students and our staff as they teach the basics of radio for outreach. This is what we are here to do – come alongside nationals so that they can serve their communities and teach them about Christ!

>Official commencement and celebration of new headquarters in late September!

Thank you for being part of this work and our lives! We need and appreciate each one of you. Thanks also to all who spent time with us this summer. It was a blast!

Love,
Steve, Lisa, Thizbe, Emmett

Catching up with my Grandpa and Grandma Berg. They have been – and are – a huge inspiration in our decision to work in overseas missions. Love you guys!

From Our Homeland

2011-07-15T12:14:00.002+08:00

Now God, who provides seed for the sower and bread for food, will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow. 2 Corinthians 9:10

Greetings from the Balzer family in Saskatchewan, Canada! We are now finishing up the first and longest leg of our home ministry assignment, and we want you to know how grateful we are for the hospitality, kindness, and generosity being shown to us over these weeks. Apparently the best place to catch up with many of you is over the barbecue on the deck, around the fire pit, or at the lakeside...which is TOTALLY fine by us! It’s been so good to get up-to-date on the happenings in your lives over the last several years and share mutual amazement at how your kids and ours have grown and changed.

Special thanks to the churches at Main Centre, East Side, Trailview, Bridgeway, and Open Bible where we’ve been able to bring updates on our work with HCJB Global in Asia. You guys have all been FANTASTIC! And as always, the work we do in radio planting and ESL to see God’s love spread would not be possible without your prayers and financial support. There are other churches and many individuals we wished to visit as well, but time has simply not allowed it on this short visit. We hope to see you next time!

A couple of updates:

> We leave Saskatchewan and travel to B.C. for the final two-week leg of our home assignment on July 19th. Departure for Asia is scheduled for August 1st. It will be a big transition time as we settle in a new location and our kids attend a new school. (Our work remains the same.) Your prayers are much needed and appreciated.

> Thanks to those who have pledged support during our time in Canada so far! At this point, our financial need is $250/month in new support, which really should be in place before we leave for Asia on August 1st. (see sidebar)

> Also, we’re working on a vehicle fund (this is a separate donation project), since a car will be a necessity in our new location. So far, just over $1,000 has been given toward this project. (see sidebar)

Please consider and pray about these items and how you could partner with us. Thanks!

We hope to see many more of you in B.C. over the next couple of weeks as we wrap up our time in Canada. Please drop us an email or call us at Steve’s parents place – 604.853.3766 – if you’d like to get together!

Love,
Steve, Lisa, Thizbe, Emmett

Much anticipated horseback riding at the Schellenberg ranch.

Possibly the most exciting event during our time in SK – the birth of baby kittens at Grandma and Grandpa’s farm!

We had to stop for a photo with the Balzer Grain Cart – this was the first time we’d seen one of these.

It’s not all fooling around! Here, we’re preparing the table for one of many presentations of the mission and our work in Asia.

A beautiful morning with Steve’s grandma Balzer in Saskatoon.

The kids meet their newest second cousin.

Getting Set To Go

2011-05-19T20:32:00.005+08:00

I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3

Greetings from Singapore! We write to you in the midst of packing, moving, and preparing to visit Canada for HMA (Home Ministry Assignment) in less than a month. You know what? God is still amazing after 5 years on the field! Still catching us off guard with His goodness and the way He is becoming real to people here in Asia through HCJB Global. Here are a couple of highlights from our work these days, and then our HMA itinerary as it stands at this moment:

> Indonesia radio install: earlier in May, Steve and John (Radio Planting Director) went to Eastern Indonesia to assist a local partner who has been working for some time on preparing a site and tower for a radio station. They were able to help the project move forward, provide the equipment, and train the partner on how to complete the install. It was a great learning experience for Steve, too, as he is becoming more involved in the radio planting side of the ministry.

A test of the antenna and transmitter just off-site from where the new radio station will be.

> Radio announcer training: 15 Indonesian announcers were trained, most of whom have never done radio before! They will be using their newly acquired skills to serve at our partner stations across Indonesia, sharing their faith in Christ with listeners.

I was so impressed with how the students had the courage to practise their skills in front of us and their peers, using these simulated studios in the classroom.

> Spotlight English Clubs are expanding into a ‘creative access’ country in our region! Though we can’t say much more than this, the last few weeks have been rather invigorating for those of us who work with the English Clubs outreach material. The interest in clubs is growing in a variety of ways and we pray that God’s love will become real to people through these connections!

On the home assignment side of things, our schedule is starting to take shape. Here’s where and when we’ll be:

June 9 – July 18: Saskatchewan
June 12 – Main Centre Church
June 14 – Trailview Ladies Prayer Group, Swift Current
June 19 – East Side Church, Swift Current
June 26 – Trailview Alliance Church, Swift Current
July 10 – Church of the Open Bible, Swift Current
July 19 – August 1: British Columbia
August 1: back to Asia

More dates to be added shortly! Please drop us a note if you’d like to get together – we hope to catch up with as many of you as possible. Thank you for continuing to journey along with us and be a part of our lives!

Love, The Balzers

Some Other Prayer Items

Family – for strength through all of the goodbyes as we leave Singapore. Especially for our kids as they leave their school and good friends.
Finances – for new support! Though the move from Singapore to a less expensive city in the region is a big help financially, we still have some significant support raising to do. (See side-bar at top right)
Car – we’re thankful to have something lined up to drive while in Saskatchewan! For the move to our new city in Asia, we will need to buy a car. Please see the Finances sidebar for more information.
Faith – for focus and an unwavering walk with God through the changes and busyness of the next few months.

Thank you for your prayer support!

Visiting friends Darren and Jana (left), and Paul and Karen (centre) while in Indonesia.

From This Side

2011-04-12T20:41:00.046+08:00

Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His presence continually. Psalm 105:4

A wood and bamboo lantern in our home lights up the night. We've been reminded this month in new ways that our lives need to do the same for those around.

Here are the month's happenings, wonders, and prayer requests from our side! We'd love to hear how things are going for you as well! As always, your partnership with us in this is invaluable.

> Report from a new radio station in Indonesia: this station was set up by HCJB Global about six months ago, and has just reported they are receiving 300-400 contacts a day from their community! This doesn't mean 300-400 people are coming to Christ a day, but it does mean that this is how much interest and response is being generated by the programs. Relationships and trust are forming. Teaching about Jesus is taking place. Which is huge, as the station is targeting a highly unreached people group. Steve worked on the computer equipment which went out to this station last year, and has also done some repairs for them since. Please keep this community and the radio staff in your prayers – they definitely need it!

> Our staff and family visited our new location (which will furthermore be unnamed for security reasons) in March on a “preliminary” scouting trip. But it ended up being much more than preliminary, surpassing our expectations on several levels! In just a few days, our family and another staff member got our housing secured for August, we found an office space, and our kids walked around the city and the campus of their new school and decided they will like it there! We arrived home quite taken aback at the way God has provided more than we could imagine every step of the way in this transition. We're so grateful! When you think of it, please say a prayer especially for our kids. They are brave and have positive attitudes about the move, yet they're also extremely attached to their friends and school here in Singapore. They're going to need some extra lovin' over the next few months for sure.

> Great news from a Spotlight English Club: this one comes out of Europe, where the conversation club materials that Janine and I prepare are seeing great use. One man in an immigrant group has met God in a powerful way through the club, and two more people in that same group are very close! So they are receiving help to improve their English for life in Europe, AND being mentored in the things of God and in their faith by their club leaders and volunteers. This is a lovely example of our mission work and why we do what we do! We thank God for this club and what He's doing in the lives of these three people. Please pray for them!

Our family took part in a 5K run to help raise funds for the kids' school in March. With much effort, we all placed in the top 50.

Prayer list – Coming Up:

Visitors! Lisa's sister Olivia and buddy Tessa will be travelling here for the last two weeks in April.
New radio install – Steve will be helping with a station going up in Papua, Indonesia, later this month.
Our home assignment (furlough) – we are looking for a small-ish vehicle to use in Saskatchewan from June 9th – July 18th. If you know of something we could rent or borrow, please drop us an email or contact Lisa's family.

Thanks for your prayer support!

Love, The Balzers

Moving Forward

2011-03-04T21:58:00.039+08:00

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

Hi Family and Friends!

Here is our latest month in pictures, with news at the end of the letter about the location which our HCJB Global Asia Pacific office (and families) will be moving to. God is leading us forward from Singapore, and we want to go out with courage and in a spirit of love, for Him! Remember that you are very much a part of our work and lives in Asia, and we thank God for you often!

>Staff retreat and Asia Pacific Summit: this was an excellent week of planning for the next year of work in radio planting, technical support/training, Spotlight (ESL) programs, short wave, and the move of our AP regional headquarters. Yeah, it’s going to be a full and challenging year!

Steve and I were quite involved in the planning of our staff retreat this year, in scheduling, music, games, and food. The retreat theme was Transition – which was excellent and helped us, both corporately and individually, to work through some of the spiritual
and practical levels of this.

It was wonderful to be together with our friends and fellow workers from as far away as India and New Zealand.

>Spotlight ESL programs: Janine, who heads up our Spotlight ministry, spent two weeks in Singapore with us in February. Her home is in Bangkok. It was great to work face to face for a while, and together set some priorities for Spotlight this year. Please pray for Janine and our ESL ministry, as we currently have 40 Spotlight English Clubs helping people improve their English and sharing Christ worldwide.

Janine and I worked on audio and video recordings for a website project, for Thai English learners. Growing Spotlight in Thailand is an area of focus for this year.

>Technical support: There are always computers in the queue waiting to be worked on, BUT this past month, Steve has also been able to help a couple of our Indonesian partners with their equipment when they passed through Singapore. Please remember these courageous men and women, who are finding creative ways to teach people about Jesus through radio.

Judging from the thumbs up, they must have had success!

>Ok, this is purely for interest sake. One of our favourite ethnic foods from Asia is Indian food. In fact, Steve is convinced that this is what will be served at the Great Wedding Feast in heaven...

On the menu (from left): vegetarian Biryani (rice), palak paneer (cheese chunks in spinach sauce), chicken tikka masala (creamy, spiced tomato sauce), and fresh naan (clay oven baked flat bread).

Yep, it was as good as it looked. We all agree!

So, it has been determined. Our office is relocating to another country in Southeast Asia. The five families based here in Singapore will move out mid-year. Thizbe and Emmett will finish out their school year, then we’ll come to Canada for a quick furlough in June, before heading back to Asia to set up house and office at the beginning of August. Please pray for our kids and family in this transition time, and also for our staff as we juggle the mission work with office and personal moves.

Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers! We look forward to seeing many of you this summer.

Love, The Balzers

Lovin’ the New Year

2011-01-27T23:11:00.002+08:00

From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. John 1:16

2011 is off and running, and we’re trying to keep up! That’s probably the story of your life, too. We can see already that this is going to be a jam-packed year – for HCJB Global and for us personally. And we pray it’s a year with lasting value in the eyes of our God. By His grace it can be!

Right now in Singapore, the anticipation of Chinese New Year (which begins February 4th) can be felt pretty much anywhere you go. Shops are decked out in red and gold, lanterns are strung, families have purchased new plants, clothing, and maybe even furniture. Bakeries pan their festive delicacies, and percussion groups rehearse their lion dances off in the distance. Streets, markets, and shopping malls become increasingly crowded as the time draws near. Greetings are exchanged between friends (accompanied by pairs of oranges), while families plan their reunion dinners and visiting schedules. It’s the highlight of the year for the majority of Singaporeans, and is a season we’ve come to love as well!

Good friends hang out under a glass-lantern-adorned tree.

It’s a sea of red out there, especially at the markets.

Lovely red satin lanterns ring in the New Year at the kids’ school.

I (Steve) began the year by taking Apple’s Mac OS Support Essentials training, to expand my knowledge base for managing the IT needs in the Asia Pacific region. Most of the radio stations we set up and support use the Mac interface, and our staff are becoming increasingly dependent on them as well. Wouldn’t you know it, the day after my course finished, what landed at our mission door but a stack of 24 iBook G4s (Apple Notebooks).

Workin’ the iBooks with software and hardware upgrades.

These notebooks were donated for ministry use in Indonesia. So I have spent a good while upgrading them, and as of now, some are en route to an orphanage which HCJB Global has a connection to. After working with and providing technical support to the group who run the orphanage, I know these notebooks will be a great blessing to the children and are much needed! A few of the iBooks will be deployed to new radio stations to be planted this year. Six new stations are slated for Indonesia alone!

To Pray about

Asia Pacific Summit February 14-15: staff from around the region will share and plan on how best to move forward according to God’s priorities in the areas of radio planting, radio training, short wave, ESL (English as a Second Language), and leadership training ministries over the next year.
Chinese New Year: please pray that we’ll seize the opportunities to show love to our neighbours! Looks like we’ll be part of a couple of outreach events – one for mainland Chinese boarding students who are stuck in Singapore over the holiday, and another where we’ll go door to door in government housing with oranges and joy for the residents.
We’re grateful for a better year-end financially than we expected! Some new pledges have come in, as well as a number of special gifts. We still need to build up our pledged support, but are so thankful for God’s provision through many of you who have generously given this year! Thank you.
Production of radio spots for an upcoming campaign: Lisa, John, and Ty will be working on these over the next couple of weeks. Please pray for powerful spots that will be well received by listeners.

Things are going to get especially busy around May, as our office – and families – will be packing up to move out of Singapore. The cost of living here has become prohibitive and management has deemed it necessary to relocate the Asia Pacific headquarters. Then, in June, we’ll be returning to Canada/the U.S. for a two-month home assignment, or furlough.

That’s a bit of what our mission work and life looks like over here at the moment. Thank you for being a part of it, and for your consistent prayers and support. You are needed and very much appreciated!

Love, The Balzers

Spotlight English Clubs

2010-12-09T18:23:00.007+08:00

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light...Isaiah 9:2

We hope your Christmas prep is going well...we'll keep this brief so you can get back to it! Here are a few exciting bits from our work over the past month. These things and many more give us reason to be grateful this season. Thank you for your part in serving with us!

The ESL ministry which HCJB Global spearheads is seeing great growth! There are now over 30 clubs running in more than 10 countries. I (Lisa) work with the preparation of materials for the clubs to use on a weekly basis. The clubs focus on small group conversation and relationship building to help non-native English speakers develop their confidence and fluency in English. The friendships open doors for talking and learning about Christ. One club leader in the UK who wrote a couple of weeks ago has Polish, Hungarian, Brazilian, and Latvian people from around the community attending her club. They've started a "prayer box" where attendees can leave any requests...then the volunteers who run the club pray for them after everyone has gone home. It's a simple thing that is having a profound effect – not only have there been answers to prayer, but the attendees are sensing something of God's love and compassion being lived out through those who are praying and caring for them. Please keep on praying for Spotlight English Clubs around the world (some are in closed countries) this season – the interest and the opportunities are amazing!

Teaching ESL - Thizbe!

Thizbe was privileged to be part of a group of 7th and 8th graders from her school who made a working (missions) trip to a nearby Indonesian island in November. The kids did manual labour and taught English at a local school, using lessons they had created themselves. It was cool to watch Thizbe's diligence and enthusiasm (no surprise there!) as she designed flash cards and worked on the lesson plan with her team. The Indonesian children were thrilled to have them, and we trust that the kids' willing service will leave a lasting impression in their hearts. Please remember these little ones in your prayers!

This is Thizbe’s team presenting one of their English lessons – at this point Thizbe is using the flashcards she made.

Playing games in the school yard was another way to work on English words with the children.

Manual labour in tropical heat: Thizbe and one of the Indonesian schoolgirls work on mudding a wall together.

Nepali Visitors

We had the chance to host three Nepali pastors in our home for a few days in November. Steve had worked with one of the men on a radio plant in Nepal earlier in the year, and he had a great time catching up and touring them around Singapore. Please continue to pray for our radio partners – now four stations – in Nepal as they care for their communities and share about Christ.

Compared with their homeland of Nepal, Singapore is a technological marvel. These guys couldn’t get over the train system, roads, tall buildings, and “orderliness” they witnessed here!

We wish you a wonderful Christmas filled with the light and life of King Jesus!
Love, Steve & Lisa, Thizbe & Emmett

Entrance to our little 12th floor apartment where we'll be spending Christmas this year. It's our first year (of five on the field) where we'll be away from all family.

Another Nepal Install

2010-11-01T13:04:00.017+08:00

Once again it’s been an eventful and exciting month for HCJB Global in Asia! In early October, our Director, Ty, and I (Steve) were in Nepal installing another FM radio station. This is station #4 for Nepal in just over a year! This one is located in the southern part of the country, just a few kilometres from the Indian border. A lot of work had to be completed in a relatively short time and we very much sensed that God went ahead of us in every aspect...preparation, customs, travel, installation, and training. Thanks for your prayers!

This is what the station building – which is actually someone’s house – looked like when we arrived! Getting started with “the basics” takes on a whole new meaning in this part of the world. The very bottom level (which you can’t really see – the part that has walls) is where the studio will be situated until the rest of the structure is complete.

Up on the third floor, we plan the install with Rup, our Nepali partner.

Would you like a 2 minute glimpse into what happens on a radio plant like this? We shot this video on site...check it out:

Stringing coaxial cable from the antenna to the studio through some tighter spaces.

21 local staff who have been recruited by our partner ministry were trained on how to do announcing for the station and operate the music and editing software. When asked how many in the room had ever used a computer before, of the 21, only three people raised their hands.

This is my friend Shreeva, who lives downstairs in the station building. Whenever there was a free moment – after meals or at the end of the work day – we’d play rock-paper-scissors or make fun designs cutting paper.

We are so encouraged about this new station, and ask you to pray for all of our Nepali partners – particularly Keshav, Ramesh, and Rup – as they work amongst their communities in a greater way with FM radio. Here's a new story from one of the stations:

Kabita is a 17 year old high school girl who was living a normal life. She realized that she was struggling with sin issues and because of Grace FM's program, she learned about Jesus. She continued to listen, and recently accepted Jesus as her Savior and feels very blessed in her life.

Fond Memories - Steve

Some of you already know that on October 14th, both my Grandpa and Grandma Dyck passed away. Their deaths were unrelated, but happened only three hours apart. After 66 years of marriage, it is really an incredible way to go – together – and as family we can only be happy for them as they are now complete and in the presence of their Saviour. Still, the hole in our hearts will be felt for a long time. My grandparents were a big part of my life growing up, as we farmed together and they lived just down the road. They were so supportive of Lisa and I as we decided to serve in missions and always stood behind us and encouraged us and prayed. We’ll miss them very much.

Ernie and Leona Dyck

To Pray For

> Areas of Indonesia affected by last week’s earthquake/tsunami (off the coast of Sumatra) and volcano (on the island of Java). In both areas, we have partner radio stations. Please pray for the station staff as they support and comfort the devastated people all around them.

> Family – especially my parents and aunts and uncles – as we get used to life without Grandpa and Grandma.

> Nepali partners and station #4 which is on the air!

With a population of more than half a million, this Nepal city has surprisingly few motorized vehicles. We rode in man-powered rickshaws to get from place to place.

Around the Region!

2010-09-27T07:20:00.012+08:00

From the rising of the sun to its setting, my name will be great among the nations…says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 1:11

These are some full and significant days in the work of HCJB Global in Asia! Thanks so much to each one of you who give of your time and resources to be a part of the work with us. We value you tremendously. Here are some of the highlights from the last month, and things we ask you to join in prayer for.

>Indonesia: Steve and a group from our office have just returned from running an advanced announcer course with our radio partners. They trained 22 nationals from various islands of Indonesia on topics such as programming, software, studio equipment, script writing, and more! Steve also spent a few days at the offices of our partner ministry, providing technical support for their staff. Please pray for these students as they go back to their communities and use what they’ve learned to make meaningful radio that will impact the people who hear.

One component of the training involved group work around a simulated studio.

At the partner ministry office: Steve cleaned and updated 20 computers for the staff, who would not have the time or resources to do this on their own.

>Spotlight English Clubs: This is hot off the press - three new clubs have started - one in Russia, one in India, and one in a creative access (a.k.a. “closed”) country! I (Lisa) continue to work with our ESL Director Janine on preparing materials for these clubs to use each week at their meetings, while Steve helps with the website where club leaders access the material. Please remember these fledgling clubs (and especially their leaders) as they gather for English learning and relationship building, being the voice and hands of Jesus in their neighborhoods!

Potential Spotlight English Club leaders in Thailand.

>Nepal: A report has come in from the first station that HCJB Global planted there (one year ago), letting us know that 18 people have come to Christ through their radio programming! Now there are three stations on-air, with the fourth to be installed at the end of September! Steve and Ty will travel to Nepal this week to put in the new station and train the staff. Pray for them and the partners, that all will go smoothly, and also for the existing stations in Nepal as they serve their communities.

A street in Nepal: Typical modes of transportation and "lane" usage.

>Family/home: It’s been a bizarre few weeks. Events have included a fractured arm, dog bite, cell rejuvenation drink gone bad, and other oddities. We saw God’s protection over our family and friends in some situations that could have been much worse. Thank you for your prayers!

The result of a nasty fall down the stairs at school.

Dog-sitting for a friend over the weekend!
(By the way, the dog bite DID NOT come from
this dog. This one's an angel!)

Helping out in Nepal

2010-08-18T00:36:00.003+08:00

He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth...Daniel 6:27

At the end of July, Steve and our programming director, Ty, traveled to Nepal to upgrade a station for one of our partners in radio. This is one of three stations which have been set up so far in Nepal with the help of HCJB Global. After the mission supplies the equipment, does the installation, and conducts training, the stations are turned over to local partner groups to be used for reaching out to their communities.

For a super quick look at the antenna going up, view this.

It was so good to venture into beautiful, rugged Nepal again, and to meet with our Nepalese brothers who are using this station - now with a much stronger signal - to love and care for their countrymen for the sake of Christ.

Starting the assembly of the antenna, which had been packed in our suitcase.

Antenna is together and nearly ready to be attached to the tower.

The station's new three-storey building,
with the tower extending up from the roof.
Total height approximately 35 meters.

Standing on the roof as the antenna is hoisted to the top of the tower.
The guys you see in the foreground are station announcers.

The moment everything was hooked up, our partner took the mic right there
on the rooftop and started preaching. Of course the roof is not
where the studio will be, but it was quite a powerful moment.

Please remember to pray for our partners radio in Nepal.

Upcoming...

> Regional staff meetings in Singapore August 23-27. Please pray for our group as we share and plan for the future.

> Meetings for potential new radio partnerships in Cambodia at the end of August! Please pray for Ty (programming director) as he goes and meets with the local believers.

> Radio School of Mission in Indonesia in September. Please pray for our staff as they prepare the material and equipment for the training.

Family Time

At home in Singapore, Thizbe and Emmett have just settled in to their new school year. Before they went back we were able to take a week in northern Thailand for family retreat/vacation. It was so great to get away from the bustle and close quarters of Singapore life before starting another school year!

Rainy season & rice planting - fields like these dotted
the Thai countryside where we stayed.

These are living, breathing tigers the kids are touching.

A definite highlight was our day spent at an elephant camp in the jungle.

Your prayers for our family are needed and appreciated. Thank you for remembering us!

We hope you’ve had a wonderful summer. Thank you for praying and giving to the work God is doing in Asia through HCJB Global. Your involvement is vital and we couldn’t continue without you!

The Balzers

Happy Summer!

2010-07-06T19:45:00.006+08:00

In our house we still call the break from school “summer” holidays, even though in Singapore we are blessed with a continuous summer for 365 days of the year. This can be a positive or negative thing, depending how you look at it. So we try to focus on the positive! At our kids’ school, ICS, they follow an American curriculum and timetable, so their year ends in early June and resumes mid-August. Here are a few highlights from Thizbe and Emmett as they finished their year:

Emmett

> I went on an awesome field trip where we did a ropes/climbing/zip-line course in the treetops with harnesses.

> Finished my last year of elementary soccer, with my dad as coach.

> I’ve been named goal keeper for my waterpolo team.

We practice in a pool where we can't touch the bottom for 2 hours, 3 times a week.

> Made honour roll status for the entire year (90% and above in all subjects).

> Memorized Bible verses all year for a competition among all the elementary school, and won 1st prize.

Here my principal is giving me a one year Bible that was the prize for first place. It's really cool!

> Finished elementary school! Joined youth group, now I’m a middle-schooler.

I'm on the far right in this picture. These are all my classmates!

Thizbe

> I played on the U12 basketball team.

Our team played 5 games in a league with other international schools.

> Made honour roll for the entire year.

> Participated in my first Science Fair, with a project on coral reefs.

Did you know...that coral reefs occupy less than 1% of the ocean world, yet provide a home for over 25% of the ocean marine life!

> Had 2 synchronized swimming competitions and won some gold medals.

You can see the videos of our swimming here.

> Received the sports award for 6th grade. Now it’s on to 7th!

> Started bringing Emmett to youth with me!

To the U.S. and Back - Steve

I just returned from two weeks in Indiana, where the global IT group for HCJB gathered for meetings, followed by an IT conference. Finally I’ve met – in person – many of the group I’ve been working with for the past four years. And gained some valuable hands-on experience to help in my job with the mission.

Home and Office - Lisa

On July 1st we celebrated Canada’s birthday AND our 4th anniversary since arriving in Singapore to work with HCJB Global! Can’t believe four years have already passed…we’re looking forward to what God still has in store here.

Over the next two months I will be working on production for a radio campaign for U.S. markets, raising funds for HCJB Global’s solar powered radios. These are the radios distributed by our mission to families in remote, underdeveloped areas where they can tune in to one of our partner community stations or shortwave service and hear (in their own language) about Jesus and his love for them. Many of the stations also cover topics such as health and disease prevention, nutrition, farming techniques, and family and marriage. One of these radios has the potential to make a huge impact in the lives of an entire family.

Items for prayer

>> New radio partner in S.E. Asia will be receiving equipment and training in the next two weeks. This is all we can say about this particular partnership. Please pray for a safe and productive time for our trainers and the staff as they meet and get this group up and running!

>> Thailand ESL mobile phone project – still working out the bugs on this one. Please pray for Steve and Janine (ESL director) as they work with our Thailand partners so that this project can launch.

>> Our financial support level – we are in need of more support (approximately 17% shortfall) in order to meet our budget. Please pray about whether this is the time when you could become involved with us. And a huge THANKS to all of you who support our work in finances and/or prayer!

Not as Planned

2010-05-26T21:39:00.002+08:00

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh…you will be my people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:26,28

Three days before I (Steve) was to go to Nepal, we heard from our national partner there that a nationwide transportation strike had been called by the Maoists. And sure enough, the day before were scheduled to arrive, coming and going from Kathmandu, the capital city, was no longer permitted. The strike cut off all transportation within the country for 6 days. If we had gone, we would not have been able to get out of Kathmandu and go to our destination.

For over 200 years, Nepal was ruled by a monarchy. In 1996, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) stood against the king which started a decade-long civil war. On May 28, 2008, the monarchy officially came to an end and Nepal became a democratic republic with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) winning the largest number of seats in Nepal`s first elected government. The new Maoist-led coalition government was not without its problems and in May 2009, a year later, another coalition government with all major political parties except the Maoists was formed.

And now here we are another year later and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) are calling for a new government – one that they hope to be a part of. Please pray for Nepal – the people and its leaders.

The plan is that Ty and his son, Ryan, will deliver the needed radio station equipment in June. I unfortunately won’t be able to go at that time due to other commitments.

I took this looking down Nepal’s steep and rugged countryside the last time I was there. (Click on the picture to see a larger version.)

The ESL (English as a second language) mobile phone project in Thailand continues to move forward, though it hasn’t officially launched like we thought it had in April. I will be working more closely with some of the key individuals behind this project, making sure that our audio programs are made accessible online for the Thai mobile company to download and in turn distribute.

This web site will also be used as a content distribution tool for the radio network. It will allow an individual program producer to upload and share their programs with other radio stations across the country. The goal is to have 100 radio stations planted across Thailand. This type of tool has the potential to really help a lot of stations, especially in the more rural and remote areas, where the resources for creating quality programs may not be as readily available.

Please pray for a peaceful resolution for Thailand’s political tensions and unrest.

The red shirts march through Bangkok on March 20th.

A big thanks goes out to all our financial supporters. I am humbled when we receive our statement to see peoples’ names faithfully showing up every month/quarter/year based on their pledge. It is also a wonderful surprise to see those gifts we get from you who haven’t made an official pledge, but just give when you can. We thank God for you every night before we tuck the kids in to bed. Without you we would not be able to do the work we are doing with HCJB Global while living here in Singapore. We can truly say, “All we have comes from God through you!”

Those of you who have been following our journey and reading our stories and have found yourself in support of what we’re doing, I’d like to challenge you to consider if God has prompted you to join us by supporting our family financially. HCJB Global is an organization that is comprised of people who raise their own support. When we moved to Singapore in 2006, we had received 100% of what we needed to raise, month over month. Since then, that number has dropped to 83% of which 6% of that difference is due to a net reduction in pledged support while the other 11% is due to an increase in our required support over the last four years. If you want to help, please let us know or contact the Canadian or U.S. office listed below.

Thanks for considering!

Items for Prayer:

>> Lisa’s potential trip to help with ESL in Bangkok in early July. This will only be able to happen if the political situation improves before then.

>> Emmett and Thizbe as they finish up grades 5 and 6, and say goodbye to friends who are leaving Singapore.

>> Safe trip for Steve in June to the USA for global IT meetings in Indiana.

>> Safety and good decision-making for our HCJB team as we move in and out of these unsettled countries.

Our Gratitude

2010-04-22T16:37:00.002+08:00

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:10,12

First, we can’t thank you enough for continuing to be a part of our lives and our work in the Asia Pacific region! Your prayers and the funds you give are the things God uses to sustain us. And just the fact that you’re reading this bulletin makes us feel supported and we hope it helps you to feel a connection to us and the efforts of HJCB Global. We’re working to help nationals in poor and struggling and difficult places gain the tools they need to bring the love of Christ to their own people. You’re a part of all of this, and we hope you sense it!

Here are a couple of the latest highlights:

Back to Thailand for ESL - Lisa

Mom Balzer and I took a working trip to Thailand (which coincided nicely with their visit to Singapore) in late March. We traveled to a rural location where we helped our ESL Director, Janine Rembas, train 100 Thai people in how to use Spotlight English Clubs in their hometowns and villages. Incidentally, when a Thai refers to his “town”, it may have 400,000 people. In the area where we were, less than 1% of the population knows Christ or has ever heard about him.

A hot (as in no air conditioning), intense, yet incredibly fun couple of training sessions. Here, my small group is identifying words and their opposites in a game of pumpkin seed bingo.

Finished with the training of this group, and ready for more.

Mom B. was up for the challenge – she led small groups, like this one, and her students loved her! It was awesome to have her share in our work.

Please remember Thailand and pray for a peaceful end to the current unrest. Also for those who are running fledgling Spotlight English clubs as they try and reach out to their communities. And for Janine Rembas, who is still sorting out her visa in order to remain in the country. I have to say there is a growing affection in my heart for the Thai people. We hope to have more opportunities to serve there.

Preparing for Nepal - Steve

In early May (3rd to 13th), Steve will make another trip to Nepal with Ty Stakes, Programming Director. So right now he’s preparing the software configurations on a couple of laptops which they’ll deliver to our partner radio stations there. Other purposes while in Nepal include the installation of a new FM station, meetings with local media ministries, and conducting four days of announcer training at the brand new station. Please be in prayer for Steve and Ty that they’ll be able to pass through customs with all of the equipment, and for a productive and encouraging time for all. And watch for a Nepal report once he is home!

One of many meals by candlelight during the last trip to Nepal, as power is only available at certain times of the day.

Family fun with Grandma and Grandpa!

We spent a few days at Bintan Island near Singapore. The kids couldn't get enough of the waves!

Launching an abandoned raft we found on the beach.

Emmett rescued these two geckos out of the water and they crawled around on him as he walked along the shoreline. Notice Steve and Thizbe adrift on said raft in the distance.

A lovey-dovey couple we found...must be on their honeymoon...oh wait, that's the grandparents.

ESL in Thailand

2010-03-23T20:16:00.065+08:00

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Jeremiah 33:3

Hello! Thanks so much for your prayers and support of our work with HCJB Global. Here’s a brief update from my (Lisa’s) February trip to Thailand. The purpose was to help with the English as a Second Language training we are involved in there. Our ESL Director, Janine Rembas, is now based in Bangkok and helps new English conversation clubs get started in the country. Currently there are five clubs running under the leadership of Thais. For the past year, I’ve been helping her with curriculum for the clubs, but had never done any hands-on with the groups. So to be involved face to face with them was a fantastic experience!

The first club we visited at a Bangkok business. The club is made up of employees who meet once a week after work, willingly staying for 1 ½ hours after their workday ends.

There is a real hunger among the Thai people to learn or improve their English, since in many ways this is seen as their ticket to a better life. With better English, there are more opportunities for jobs, higher pay, diverse locations, and better education. The Spotlight Clubs are a place to meet this practical need, while at the same time building friendships and introducing the learners to Jesus.

Training future club leaders. Here, we are working through a typical Spotlight Club session, going over pronunciation and discussing the audio we’ve just heard.

The courage of these Thais was inspiring. Some have what we would consider very limited English themselves, yet they are willing to take on the challenge of running a club (which is possible because the Spotlight audio portion provides the accurate English). It is definitely a step out of the comfort zone for some. Yet they want to start clubs because they know how rare it is to find others in their communities who know Christ, and they see the great potential for bringing His love to the people around them through the relationships that can be formed here.

The end of a full day of training in Khon Kaen.

Hardy Thai lunch: rice, spicy tom yum soup, even-spicier chicken with red chillies, and egg.

Two adorable kids who entertained themselves under the mango tree while their parents attended our training.

While in Bangkok, Janine and I also met with local Christian businessmen with whom she is working on a mobile phone ESL project for Thailand. After the meetings and my return to Singapore, we have worked on the first set of programs for the project, which is set to launch on April 1st!

The grandparents are here!

We welcomed Steve’s parents on March 18th for three weeks! What a treat to have them in Singapore again. From March 28th – 31st, Mom B. and I are scheduled to go back to Thailand together, to be involved with more ESL training. It’ll be very cool to have her hands-on in the work with us!

Thanks for taking the time to keep up with what we’re doing over here, and remember we always enjoy hearing from you too! Have a great month.

To Pray About...

>Thailand ESL clubs – for strong friendships to form and openings to talk about Christ; for longevity of the clubs.

>Janine – for safety and strength as she travels and trains club leaders; for help, as she has too much work for one person.

>Upcoming trip for Mom B. and I – for protests in Bangkok to lay low so that we can go; for joy and love for the Thai people so that we can be effective helpers.

>ESL mobile phone project – for a successful launch on April 1st; for listenership to grow and people to plug into clubs as a result.

Thanks for your prayer support.

A typical web of low hanging power lines in Bangkok. They are so close that my hair is touching them as we take the pedestrian overpass.

Riding along the canals in Bangkok - the backyard for many residents here. The canals serve a host of purposes, including wash station...

family transport route...

lunch counter (yes, they cook and serve food right from their boat)...

and playground.

Crossing Cultures

2010-02-27T00:51:00.001+08:00

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

This letter was written somewhere on a late night bus en route to Bangkok, where I (Lisa) spent last week working with our ESL Director, Janine. For news about the trip and HCJB Global’s work with English as a Second Language in Thailand, watch for our next update! In the mean time...

In February our Singapore office hosted the regional conference, with our leaders from New Zealand to India here. Just a couple of highlights:

Above: Dolly, one of our India Directors, talked about the impact that HCJB Global’s new FM weekly broadcasts are having there. Nearly 1,000 copies of the book of Luke have gone out to people who have responded to their Christmas program alone. And they regularly receive calls from men, women, and children who are dealing with fears such as possible persecution, dowry issues, and demon possession.

The awesome thing is that through radio, God is meeting the listeners where they are, even though the broadcasts have to be carefully worded and subtle in message.

Please pray for our India staff as they write appropriate material, and for the hearts of the people who listen.

Above: John, Radio Planting Director, speaks on the work in Indonesia. HCJB Global is now at 40 radio plants across the country! (These are new radio stations with equipment, installation, and training supplied by our mission – then they are turned over to national believers.) Many of these are located in remote areas where the radio station is really the “community” station because it’s the first and only one. In time, trust is established with the people of the area and they become open to hearing and learning about Jesus.

Please pray for the Indonesian men and women who run these radio stations as they build relationships and point the people to Christ.

Above: Jeff, our Regional Director, has a word with Steve. By this point we found it amusing that Steve showed up in every picture, at the same place. Such is the life of the IT guy. (He did present an IT segment, too, but we’ll spare you those details!)

UK Influence

A couple of weeks ago, we were visited by the creator of the ESL program which our mission uses. Mike Proctor worked with us in the studio and in the office, and it was very cool to have the chance to learn from his experience and expertise, if only for a few days. Below: Mike, Janine, and I in studio.

International Night

At International Community School, where Emmett and Thizbe attend, over 20 countries are represented in the student body of 400. At this year’s International (food tasting) Night, our family was in charge of the Canadian table. We decided on a Winter Olympics themed "Breakfast of Champions" featuring fresh pancakes, maple and Roger’s Golden syrups, and fried breakfast ham. It smelled great and drew a steady stream of customers! Above: preparing the first pancakes; below: cooking for Canada all night long!

Thanks for remembering to pray for our children as they grow up cross culturally.

We appreciate you and pray for you regularly, and gratefully share this journey with you. Have a super month!

A Wonderful Break

2010-01-19T17:32:00.000+08:00

...be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 2:1

Before we get started with news from this side of the world, we want to let you know that HCJB Global has a medical team on the ground in Haiti, working in conjunction with Samaritan’s Purse. To find out more about our mission’s involvement, and if you would like to give to the relief effort, please visit www.hcjbglobal.org. Or call the mission office toll free at the number listed below.

We hope and pray you’re enjoying 2010. It was absolutely great to be able to spend Christmas with our families in Canada! The trip was a gift given by our parents (both sides of the family went together on it) and was the best way we could have imagined spending the holidays. A few of the contrasts which stood out as we traversed between Singapore and Canada:

From a maze of cranes and high-rises (our apartment is in there somewhere)...

...to a view of Mt. Baker from Steve’s home in BC...

...and the farm where Lisa grew up in Saskatchewan.

From a bright lizard scurrying about in the bushes along the street...

...to a snowy owl spotted one morning en route to feed the cattle.

From fun outside in this attire...

...to fun outside in this attire!

It was a really quick trip and, as always, it was hard to say goodbye to our families and our country. Yet, we are encouraged and refueled after the break to come back to the place where the Lord has brought us to live and serve with HCJB Global for right now.

A Few Projects for 2010

Steve will be…
Working out his additional role as web server systems administrator for HCJB Global mission-wide. What this basically means is working to make sure that the various mission websites are protected from intrusion.
Upgrading laptop security features for our missionaries who travel around the region.
February 1st – 6th – attending and presenting at Asia Pacific regional meetings and staff retreat in Singapore.
June 17th – 22nd – International IT meetings in Indiana, USA.

Lisa will be…
Trying to improve my skills behind the production board (this could be a painstaking process!). I’ll be working with our programming director on studio production of the healthcare short radio programs which we’ve been editing for the past several months.
Continuing work with our ESL Director on material for the English learning clubs she has started in Thailand and other countries.
Attending Asia Pacific regional meetings and staff retreat with Steve in early February.

To Pray About…

* The Haitian people, and also the groups who are trying to help

* Please remember our staff in India, who now have weekly airtime on India government radio. Programs went to air in November, and many responses are coming in each week!

* We’re grateful for a safe journey to, in, and from Canada. And for good integration back into Singapore life for all of us.

* We’re especially thankful for you, our support team, who serve alongside us through your prayers and gifts!

Thanks for your prayer support!

The Mission Helps in Indonesia Quake Zone

2009-11-19T22:41:00.006+08:00

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you…because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3,5

Hi there! 2009 is quickly drawing to a close and we want to share with you the highlights of what’s happening with the mission and our lives. Thanks so much for caring and reading on…

At the end of October, one of our coworkers, Ty Stakes, visited the region of Indonesia’s recent deadly earthquake. He provided training for a partner group who has started a temporary FM radio station in response to the disaster.

HCJB Global donated equipment to this effort, and it’s being well utilized. Ty commented,

“The radio station is part of an effort by local people to build a lasting connection with this area in which there are very few Christians. Let’s pray for that effort. On the ground, it’s amazing – of five typical houses in a row, one is flattened, another is half collapsed, and the other three are fine…people are now busy cleaning up the fallen building materials from their homes and preparing to use the same bricks to rebuild.”

A village photo taken on Ty’s visit –
one house standing, the next, fallen.

In the Singapore office, Steve has taken on a new (additional) role for the mission – managing web server security/administration mission-wide. He’s up for the challenge of learning the new role and assisting on a global level. On a day-to-day basis, Steve has been fixing a lot of laptops…trying to keep working machines in the hands of our team who travel out into the region, and visitors who come in. Not very exciting to some of us, but a necessary part of the work here, and definitely what he feels he can do for God.

Helping Francis from Kenya debug his machine.

Emmett has just turned ten! He and 12 of his classmates got together for a super-duper party, outside and inside of our apartment! The boys played in every square inch of of our place, their socks bearing the once-hidden dust bunnies to prove it, but it was a great day. And our little boy has entered the double digits! Sigh.

Cake, pizza, and lego building inside...

games involving swamp goo, lava,

and water balloons outside.

Thizbe is now in junior youth and loves it! This means more independence for her as she and her friends often take public transit together to come home from their meetings. We love to see her growing in friendship with God and others, yet it’s another reminder that our children are cruising toward adulthood. Somebody slow the bus down, please.

Thizbe with a lovely henna done by

one of the Indian moms at school.

This will be our last update of the year, as we’ll be leaving on a very unexpected vacation by this time next month. Our parents on both sides of the family have gotten together and decided to bring us home to Canada for Christmas! It’ll be a quick trip given the distance being covered, with ten days in BC and ten in Saskatchewan with our families. Yahoo! What a Christmas present!

Wishing you and your family joy and peace as you celebrate God’s gift of love this season.

Love,
Steve, Lisa, Thizbe, Emmett

To Pray About…

* Thailand radio planting project with radio training sessions Nov. 19th – 24th. This is the project where 100 Christian radio stations are being started across the country, each connected to a local church.

* My (Lisa’s) ongoing work in editing healthcare radio scripts and working with ESL programs.

* Steve’s new role as web server administrator for the mission.

* Our kids – for their health and safety, friendships, and love for Jesus.

Thanks for your prayer support!

South Pacific Update

2009-10-02T23:14:00.005+08:00

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

We know that you’ve heard about the earthquake and tsunami that hit the islands of Western Samoa, American Samoa, and also Tonga, on Wednesday morning (September 30th). All of these are islands where HCJB Global has planted radio stations, and we’re thankful to report that our people are safe, but deeply saddened by the devastation and pain all around them. Right now our leaders are working on how we can best help support them and their communities through this.

Here is part of a message we received on Thursday, October 1st (the day after the disaster) from Lori at our partner station in American Samoa. By God's protection, the station was able to remain on air throughout the events and for many has been their lifeline for communication to and from the outside. Please pray for them as they work long and exhausting hours to continue serving the island:

We worked up ‘til midnight last night and had to close to give our people some rest but calls were pouring in non-stop from all our listeners off island, both for requests and dedications, sending their condolences. We were like the connection between the outside world and our people here, and also Upolu. As you may recall, our station reaches the back villages in Upolu and that is a blessing for people who did not have phones. Also, those areas in the back were ones that were hit by the tsunami and they too have lost loved ones. Gosh we had people calling and also emails pouring thru that even now our phones are ringing non stop.

Our station was the only station still reporting during the earthquake and tsunami and praise the Lord we were in a safe location thereby allowing us to serve and minister continuously. Isn't God great? The world will never understand nor we comprehend in all our knowledge and wisdom the awesomeness of our God. It is wonderful to be a part of His great plan.

Lori

Indonesia Events

Wednesday night and Thursday morning, we mildly felt the earthquakes that struck Sumatra, Indonesia. It’s quite sobering and tough to comprehend the reports that are coming in of how many people are trapped and feared dead. Sumatra is the island nearest to where we live in Singapore. This map shows the earthquake areas in green, which are both about 500 km away.

Two weeks ago, our staff members John and Esther Brewer planted a new radio station on a small island just off of Sumatra, and from the information we have that island is ok. Please pray for this new station and staff, as the radio signal does reach into parts of the affected area.

Building the antenna...

...no safety harnesses in use here.

New control room and staff who are excited to go on air!

We ask that you remember the people in both of these disaster areas over the next days and weeks, as they are dealing with things most of us can’t begin to imagine. Please pray also that through the tool of radio, the peace and love and hope Jesus offers can become a refuge for them in their pain.

The New Testament in Dramatized Form

2009-09-03T17:41:00.000+08:00

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14,16

Thank you so much for joining in our work in the Asia Pacific region! Here’s a overview of some things that are happening and how you can help us through your prayers and gifts:

For more than a month now, our office has been privileged to host a recording project in conjunction with the organization Faith Comes By Hearing.

The project is an audio dramatization of the entire New Testament into a South East Asia language, using 20+ different local native readers. As you can well imagine, it’s an enormous amount of recording to be completed in a total of eight weeks time, and the team (producers pictured above) is working tirelessly toward their target date of September 16th. The project is so exciting because it will provide a means for the story of Jesus and His saving message of life and hope to become more widely available to a people group who typically do not have access to the Bible in their communities.

Some Drama on the Home Front

In August, I (Lisa) had two moles removed from my arms in what I expected would be just another routine procedure. But testing revealed that the two moles were two different types of skin cancer. One was basal cell carcinoma – the most common skin cancer and not typically aggressive; the other was melanoma – the most dangerous form. The very good news was that the melanoma was caught early and had not breached the skin layer. My dermatologist did a second excision of a larger and deeper area of flesh surrounding the melanoma site, which we are so thankful tested clear! It was exceedingly important, and we believe God’s intervention, that I went to the doctor about it when I did. We have been aware of the danger of the equatorial sun and have always tried to protect ourselves, but now we’re learning that greater vigilance is needed.

Dramatic Sight During Ghost Month

The seventh month of the Chinese Lunar Year is known as Ghost Month. This year, the dates are Aug. 19th – Sep. 18th. Buddhists and Taoists believe that during this time the gates of hell are opened and the spirits of the deceased roam the earth to receive food, drink, and entertainment. The people try to appease the ghosts and keep them from intruding into their homes by burning spirit money, joss sticks (like large candles), and placing offerings of food. From our apartment window, we watched this large burning ceremony take place the other day.

Preparing the incinerator – many people contribute stacks of spirit money, incense, and other paper items.

The fire is lit and onlookers throw more spirit money, or joss paper, which is carried upward with the heat. Everything is consumed and the fire dies within 10 minutes.

Ghost month offering display across from our apartment, with very large joss sticks burning in foreground.

Things to pray about:

>> The team of readers and producers on the New Testament dramatization project – that they’ll have the endurance needed for the remainder of the project. Also, pray for the finished audio drama – that it will be able to go out freely and will help bring many people to an understanding of who Jesus is.

>> Skin cancer/melanoma scare – we thank God that the spots were caught early and could be completely removed! Please pray for wisdom as we figure out the best ways to live under the Singapore sun. At this point we’re questioning if it’s wise to let Emmett and Thizbe (with their Caucasian skin and now a family history of melanoma) participate in outdoor sports here, among other things.

>> The country of Singapore, where over 50% of the people practice Buddhism and Taoism. Though most of our work is focused on Asian countries around Singapore, there is still a huge need for Jesus here too. This is where we can make a difference to the people we cross paths with. Please pray for our friendships to grow deeper and more meaningful.

Solar Power

2009-08-02T23:53:00.007+08:00

This man is holding a solar powered radio which HCJB Global manufactures and distributes to needy families who live within in range of our radio stations around the world.

For many people, this is the only radio they have ever owned. With it, they have access to FM music and programs designed to help better their lives on many levels. From hearing and learning about Jesus in their own language to health and wellness, bettering their English, farming techniques and information, family and marriage counseling – this radio (and the local station it’s attached to) has the potential to be a great messenger of hope in Jesus Christ and a great teacher of day-to-day life skills.

One of the projects my boss Ty and I (Lisa) collaborated on this summer was to write, voice, and produce a series of radio commercials to promote these solar powered radios. It was a great challenge, and better yet to see what God did with the finished product. On the first occasion the commercials were aired for fundraising, a Las Vegas station raised over $35,000 in two hours toward the production of more radios. That alone is enough to place over a thousand new radios in the hands of people in Africa, Asia, and South America!

Sister Power

Dining out along the Singapore river.

For the whole month of July my sister Karen stayed with us in Singapore. We had an absolute blast and got quite comfortable being a five-some, which made it extra tough to see her go. Aside from a few days in Indonesia for some culture and relaxation, we spent our time exhausting all there is to see and do on this 40 x 20 km island.

The fruit Steve and Karen are eating is durian – a local delicacy whose smell and taste has been compared to raw onions, diesel fuel, sour milk, and worse. Google it to find out more. The amazing thing is that one does acquire a taste for durian, as Karen found out!

It’s hard to say who was more thrilled to feed the giraffes – Thizbe, Emmett, or Auntie Karen!

Nothing is too frightening for this prairie farm girl! This is black chicken herbal soup, made from chickens that actually have black skin and flesh.

Please remember to pray for:

>> our radio partners and believers in Nepal. Churches and Christians there have been receiving threats from groups who wish to see them leave the country. Please pray for their strength and safety through this unsettling time.

>> a good transition into the new school year for our kids as they start back on August 17th. Thizbe will be in Middle School (grade 6) and Emmett finishes off Elementary School (grade 5).

>> fellow missionary families – the Tottons (New Zealand) and the Stakes (USA). Both families are on furlough right now and need to raise more support for their next terms in Singapore.

Thank you for your prayer support.

News According to Thizbe and Emmett

2009-06-26T23:44:00.014+08:00

Hi! It’s been almost a year since our last letter to all of you, though we remember you each night when we pray with Mom and Dad. They said it was time for us to do the update. Plus it’s a good way for them to keep us occupied now that we’re on summer break! Here are some things we think you (or for sure your kids!) would like to read about.

One morning I (Emmett) was pouring my bowl of cereal, when something came out of the box that I don’t think was a free toy!

Can you tell from the pictures what it was? A gecko! Dead, and very dried out. We have lots of them in our apartment, and they get into everything. They’re cute, but kind of gross in my corn bran.

I played soccer from January to May at my new school and it helped me to make friends faster.

Now, two of our best players have moved away. Lots of people at this school come and go to different parts of the world, so I have to get more used to saying goodbye. My favourite subjects at school are science, math, and Bible class. Some verses I memorized lately are from 1 Peter 4:7-8 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” I like to think about being in heaven and never having to say goodbye to the people I love again!

A verse I (Thizbe) memorized at school is Ruth 1:16 “Where you go, I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” I am trying to learn how to be a good and loyal friend to the girls I’ve met this year, like Ruth was to Naomi.

At the end of May, my mom and I got to go to Macau – near Hong Kong – for synchronized swimming. It was my first chance to be in a duet, with Aditi, who is becoming one of my closest friends. We were really happy to win a bronze medal for our duet.

Aditi and I with coach Long before our routine.

You can watch the performance here:

After the competition, Aditi’s family and our family went to Indonesia together. It was very interesting to see how lots of the people live there. We went fishing at a fish farm and afterward got to see the home of the owners. Their house is on stilts over the water. They were really friendly and kind even though we spoke different languages.

This is the kitchen where meals are prepared.

Here is the living room where people visit and watch TV. There is no furniture at all to sit on.

Another cool thing in Indonesia was when we went to a jungle station to see some elephants!

There were 4 adult elephants and a baby, and we could ride and feed them sugar cane and clumps of palm sugar for as long as we wanted to.

The baby was cute but wasn’t that friendly.

Getting up after we got on his back.

The elephant Dad was riding on left such a big mess on the road, we had to go check it out later.

Whoa, that’s a lot of poo!

Well, that’s about all from us for now. We hope you are having a great summer! And we’d like to hear what kinds of things you’ve been doing lately too.

Bye for now,
Thizbe and Emmett

FM Radio in a New Area

2009-05-27T08:51:00.001+08:00

As it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” Romans 15:21

It’s always a good exercise for us to write these updates and take stock of how much is happening for God all around us. We want you to know how grateful we are for your interest and involvement with us, as we see His fame being spread in places where it has not been possible until now.

A water buffalo - the local workhorse - being guided along a Nepal roadside by its owner.

You may remember Steve writing about his work in Nepal a couple of months ago with programming director Ty Stakes. For several years, HCJB Global has been working with a partner there who creates programs for our shortwave service, which are then broadcast back into Nepal from Australia.

Now, under a new government, Nepal is opening up for Christian radio via local stations (more accessible and convenient than shortwave). A group Ty and Steve had met with back in March has just been granted two FM radio licenses, and as we write, Ty and engineering director John are there installing these stations! For a country so entrenched in Hinduism and Buddhism, it’s really a huge breakthrough to have the message of Jesus – the light of the world – available to the Nepalese people on their FM radios.

Sitting on the rooftops in Nepal – one day an FM transmitter may go up from this roof!

Special Thanks to Out Friends at East Side
This past December when we visited our home church, East Side Church of God, they presented us with a love offering. We knew we’d be returning to a different apartment in Singapore, and would need to furnish it. With this gift, we were able to buy a wonderful stackable washer & dryer that fit perfectly in our kitchen.

The washer has made our laundry experience SO much more enjoyable. You would cringe at how much smelly laundry is generated by a family of four in this hot and humid climate, yet the new washer keeps up just fine (unlike our old one). Thank you East Side!

The dryer is specifically for rainy days. If it’s clear the laundry in Singapore hangs outside on 8 foot bamboo poles.

It doesn’t matter what floor you live on (we’re on 12), you just secure the clothes and then set the pole into the steel pipe that’s outside of the window sill.

With a little practice, the sensation that you’re going to fall out of the window along with your wet clothes does subside.

Prayer Items

>Nepal! The two new stations should be on-air any day now (if not already by the time you receive this). Pray for the staff as they work out the bugs, and that the teaching and music that go out will help bring listeners to an understanding of Jesus’ great love for them.

>Visitor! My sister Karen is coming to spend the month of July with us! We couldn’t be more excited. Please pray for safe traveling as she leaves Canada June 29th.

>ESL – Our English as a Second Language director, Janine, has recently moved from Singapore to Thailand where she will settle. I (Lisa) am continuing to work with her remotely. Janine is working to start up ESL groups for outreach in Bangkok and is seeing excellent potential. Please pray for strength and focus as she is now isolated from the rest of the HCJB Global staff.

Steve and Ty shared this communion cup with a wonderful group of believers in Nepal.

On Air in India

2009-04-26T20:06:00.002+08:00

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. Romans 8:11a

Some of you may remember hearing about how HCJB Global has been granted air time on FM radio stations in India for cultural broadcasts. This is one development we highlighted in our presentations while on home assignment in Canada and the U.S. last winter. Well, this past month, our Indian staff produced two dramatized Easter programs which aired on two national FM channels April 10th and 12th. From the two days, our staff there received over 2,000 text messages, phone calls, and letters – from listeners in fifteen provinces! Each one who responded now receives a book about hope in Jesus and more information on upcoming broadcasts. It’s very cool too, the huge opportunity available for personal contact and counseling. Here’s what some listeners said:

“Thank you for the informative program, it was very well presented, please tell me more about Jesus Christ. Please send me information about regular programs.”

“I heard both your programs by chance! They were so well done I could not switch off. I was born sighted but someone put acid in my eyes when I was very young. I lost my eyesight though my father tried his best with doctors. I have a big family, no one cares, I am 50 years of age, I live with my sister in law who is 75 years old, she is “a child widow.” I can’t read or write. I could not learn Braille. I was waiting for someone to come and help me write a letter to you since Monday 13th. I then thought let me see if I can call the number I have recorded. Maybe I can talk to some one. Thank you for taking my call, I am a non Christian, I would like to know more about Christ. I have a short wave radio, please send more information about regular programs.”

“I just heard your program, why do bad things happen to good people? Please can I talk with someone who understands? Please help me, I will keep in touch with you.”

So we ask you to remember our India staff as you pray. They want to care for these people well and point them to Jesus as they do follow-up.

A street near Dehli, India.

Audio for China
One project I (Lisa) have had a lot of fun with over the past month is producing audio segments and conversations for an organization who teaches English at universities in China. We’ve been providing the audio component needed for their curriculum. Through teaching English, this group builds friendships and shares God’s love with the students. Our contribution of the studio work is something we can do well, which enhances what they’re already doing well (teaching English for outreach).

Regional director, Jeff, and Lisa working through one very long script.

April is always a blast at our home, too. Thizbe turned 11 years old, and Steve and I marked 16 years of fantastic marriage.

The biggest challenge of her birthday was getting the cream whipped and onto the cake before it melted. Think 33 degrees C with 90% humidity, and no air conditioning.

May you have great hope and strength in the living Christ!

Love,
The Balzers

Prayer Items

> We’re thankful for an excellent Radio School of Mission last month! Pray for the twelve students from ten countries as they implement what they’ve learned in their own setting.

> Remember our staff in India as they have ongoing talks with respondents from the Easter broadcasts.

> We’re thankful for a strong, healthy family, and friendships that are growing with the people around us.

> Please pray for the Thailand project – 7,000 home churches and 100 Christian radio stations – that it will be able to move ahead and not be affected by their country’s current unrest.

Report From Nepal

2009-03-30T21:23:00.002+08:00

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Thanks for continuing to be a part of the work we are doing through HCJB Global in the Asia Pacific region! We appreciate you and couldn’t continue without you. I (Steve) just finished up a 10 day ministry trip to Nepal together with our programming manager and will try to give you the highlights:

> Our time was spent in a couple of areas in the hill region south of the Himalayan mountain range. It was extremely dry – we were told they had not had rain for eight months – so pollution and dust were thick in the air. The Himalayas were not visible from the ground because of the air quality. Electricity is intermittent across the country. On a typical day there was power for about 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening. The people live with very little and do almost everything manually.

Community water station.

Women haul huge loads.

"Laundromat" where we stayed.

Hauling eggs - How many do you think he's carrying?

> One major purpose of this trip was to provide hands-on help to one of our radio partners (names and organizations are omitted for security reasons). Three Nepali broadcasters produce programs which are aired to their people via HCJB Australia’s shortwave service. Each of them has an amazing story to tell of how they came to love and believe in Jesus in the midst of communist influence, civil war, Hinduism and Buddhism. Now they’re sharing their faith through radio. We brought over and installed a much needed new studio computer. As well, we shifted around some other equipment to give them an audio editing machine, and generally helped out with any other technical issues they had. These tasks were made more interesting by the intermittent power. The studio was equipped with a battery which charged when the power was on, but even so, we had to be careful with the resources in order to get everything done.

At work in the studio.

> Over 80% of the people in Nepal are Hindu and, as such, they worship many different objects and icons. It was very typical to see stones like this one, shown below, jutting out of the street or walkway, respected as “gods”.

Cattle are also considered sacred, and roam freely even in urban areas.

> While there, we also met with other groups who want to use radio talk with their people about Jesus. Some of these meetings will hopefully be the first step in partnerships where we can help compliment their ministries with things like equipment, technical support, and/or radio training.

The Nepali people are wonderful! I enjoyed each person I met, and even in that short time I believe they influenced me in what it means to be content with less – much less. Lisa and I sometimes think we’ve given up a lot to do mission work. But really, we don’t have a clue. Experiencing their way of life is not sad, rather it’s inspiring. What is difficult, though, is knowing that so many Nepali people place their faith in things that can’t help or save or bring peace or hope to their lives. We need to do whatever we can to give them the chance to know Christ.

Prayer Items

* Our annual Radio School of Mission is Mar. 27–Apr. 1 in Singapore. Please pray for our instructors and students. Classes will focus on kingdom building, station management, and leadership.

* We’re thankful for the great first report cards Thizbe and Emmett received from their new school! They have transitioned well academically and socially. Please keep remembering them.

* The people and work in Nepal – please pray for our partner broadcasters, for the people’s hearts to be ready to hear and understand, and for new radio partnerships to be formed.

Kathumandu, Nepal - 8 months with no rain.

The main street leading away from the hostel where we stayed.

Public transportation. Riding on the roof top means watching for low hanging power lines.

Trying to learn how to make the singing bowl sing.

In the Region

2009-02-28T01:01:00.012+08:00

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10

This month’s item of interest comes from Thailand! Last week, Steve and our Engineering Director, John, met with a group in Bangkok who have a huge project on the move. These are missions, churches, and business people who have come together to do what they can for God in Thailand. Their goal? To start up 7,000 home churches across Thailand. And they’re over half way there. Along with these churches, they want to plant 100 networked Christian radio stations – one in every province. HCJB Global has been asked for IT and technical help in implementing the radio side of things.

Meeting with one of the groups in the Thailand project - Campus Crusade for Christ.

Often, as the Thai people come to Jesus, they have no support in their hometown or village and end up reverting back to whatever they did before. The home churches and the radio are avenues to teach and serve and support those who have made that decision to follow Christ, as well as those who don’t know Him yet. It will be interesting to see what assistance the mission can provide for getting the radio network they envision into place.

So, we mentioned in our last letter that Steve’s role might be expanding outside of the Singapore office, and the project in Thailand is the beginning of this.

He is excited about the change and the opportunity to leave his office from time to time and help out our partners where they are at. March will probably see him back in Bangkok, and as well he’ll be spending ten days in Nepal. Now is the first time he’s sorry to have brought only one pair of long pants from Canada!

Local Sighting
There is a beautiful nature reserve just a short bus ride from our apartment. The other week when we went for a hike, we came across this pair of amazing birds.

Two friends: a Great Hornbill and a Rhinoceros Hornbill hang around together in Singapore.

Apparently the unlikely friends have been living in the park for several years now. We didn’t have our camera along, but quickly found others who have photographed them. In the large photo above, the bird on the left is a Great Hornbill, and the one on the right is a Rhinoceros Hornbill. They can grow to more than 100 cm from bill to tail, so large that they sounded something like a helicopter when flying over our heads.

A better view of the Rhinoceros Hornbill’s magnificent beak.

The Great Hornbill’s head is also stunning.

Prayer List

>School is going very well for Thizbe and Emmett. They both have pretty much transitioned into their curriculum. Please pray for friendships to grow.

>Pray for Steve’s trip to Nepal March 10th-20th: for success in the pressing technical issues; also for new partnerships with other groups who want to set up radio ministries.

>Our Radio School of Mission happens March 27th – 31st. Please pray for the students and staff.

>Cockroach problem in our apartment is under control…we think. Thank you for all the helpful advice!

Thank you for your prayer support

The Place We Call Home

2009-01-29T23:38:00.003+08:00

Our new (old) apartment.

They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

It was home to Singapore for our family on January 9th, 2009, to begin term two here with HCJB Global. Aside from a different apartment, new school for the kids, new director for the Asia Pacific region, and Steve & I both reporting to different bosses – things are exactly as when we left for North America in October. :) More on that in a moment!

We returned to a country buzzing in anticipation of the Chinese (Lunar) New Year, the most celebrated occasion in Singapore. The New Year began on January 26th with two days of public holidays, and the celebrating lasts for two weeks. Lion dances, the giving and receiving of pairs of oranges, festive cookies, and the all important red packets (ang pow’s) of money for the children are some of the traditions that mark the season.

Different is Good...
With a new director for the Asia Pacific region and different bosses for both Steve and I, obviously some things have changed in the mission office. It’s all good, though – we’re trying to be attentive to what God has planned and how we can work for Him these next two years. Steve remains the IT Manager for the regional office, and there is talk that in this term he may do some travel to provide IT help for our partners in other areas. He’s also joined a task force within the mission to explore new and future technologies and assess which ones are viable options for HCJB Global’s implementation.

Steve and his boss, John.

I (Lisa) have begun work on an ESL – English as a Second Language – project, preparing session materials for a radio partner/church in Cambodia. In mid February, our ESL director will go to spend about a month with this partner to help them get this ministry off the ground.

Working with ESL director, Janine.

And so far, so good for our kids and their new school. Thanks for praying about this transition. With two weeks under their belts, Thizbe reports, “There’s more to do at our new school and more girls my age to make friends with!” Emmett says, “I like the work at this school, especially computer class. My teacher is the best!”

...Sometimes
Here are a few differences we are adjusting to in the apartment we just moved into. We’ll leave it up to you to decide where each falls on the “goodness” scale.

1. We’re now on the 12th storey (from the 3rd). There is a considerable breeze up here.

2. This apartment is in the heart of a busy area. We have three major roads (plus the train) running on three sides of our block, with high rises everywhere you look.

3. In traditional style, our washrooms don’t have shower enclosures. The shower head is simply mounted on the wall wherever there is space.

4. We are learning to deal with cockroaches on a daily basis. Just as I wrote this letter, it came to blows for this unlucky roach.

Prayer List

>the family of the boy Stefan – we shared about Stefan and his cancer in a couple of our letters last year. Sadly, Stefan passed away in late November. His parents, brother, and sister in Indonesia need our prayers.

>the Asia Pacific region – for our new director, Jeff Ingram, and the team as we work and grow together

>Emmett and Thizbe – for solid friendships to begin to form with their new schoolmates, and for openness in our family as we deal with cross cultural life.

Thank you for your prayer support!

Street sign marking the place we call home.

Home Ministry Assignment

2008-11-27T14:02:00.001+08:00

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-12

We’ve been enjoying our time in North America immensely so far! Even though it’s a big switch from the tropical climate our bodies have become accustomed to, it’s a really meaningful thing to be on home assignment (furlough) at this time of year.

It's been a long time since we've experienced the Fall season, which is especially beautiful in B.C.

There's no snow on the Prairies yet, though all these snow geese are nearly as thick as a blizzard! (Click picture to magnify.)

Cutting up some deadwood on the farm the old fashioned way.

The kids get to try their hand at driving solo.

Emmett takes a spin with his uncle, Dana.

Many hours each day are spent tending to the dogs on the farm.

People are anticipating all that the Christmas season holds and it’s fantastic to be a part of that. The account of the wise men and the treasures they brought to Jesus is an example of people giving their best for Him. That is worship to our Lord. We feel like many of you have served God by serving us these past six weeks. You have made time for us, offered your homes, and filled us up with many of the best foods we remember! Ground has been covered from B.C. to Saskatchewan and down to Florida. Thank you for your hospitality! It’s so good to hear about your lives and what has transpired over these last two and a half years as well. We are around the Swift Currrent and Herbert area until Christmas, so give us a call at 306-784-2972 or drop us an email at sbalzer@iname.com if you’d like to get together.

A visit with our good friends, Owen and Karlene Facey, who pastor Genesis Christian Center (GCC) in Florida.

The kids at the church, GCC, were quite intrigued with the paper lanterns we brought.

The plan for the new year is that our family will return to Singapore in early January to serve a second term with HCJB Global. Steve will continue as the IT manager and web designer for the regional ministry centre there. My role will most likely be a mixture of ESL (English as a Second Language) program preparation, voicing projects for our head office in Colorado Springs, and staying involved with the kids at school. Thizbe and Emmett will be starting at a new international Christian school, in grades five and four respectively. We will also be unpacking and settling in to a different apartment.

Wishing you God’s gifts of peace, hope, and joy this Christmas and through the year!

Steve, Lisa, Thizbe, and Emmett Balzer

Prayer List

>Steve finally received the visa we’ve been trying for these past 2.5 years! Thanks to God!

>Transitions ahead: Thizbe and Emmett – new school; the family – new home. Please pray for peace and for good new friends in both situations.

>Safe traveling back to B.C. and on to Singapore.

>Adequate financial support for our second term on the field.

>Getting ready to say goodbye to family and friends for another long while.

>Settling back in to our mission work and the ability to prioritize well.

Extreme egg laying on Grandpa's chicken farm.

Thizbe said cuddling with this puppy was "the best day of my life!"

From the Region

2008-09-27T23:20:00.004+08:00

The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. Psalm 145:18

Thank you for being a part of our work with HCJB Global! Here's a little of what's up over here, and some things to pray about:

Indonesia
Last week, Steve accompanied one of our staff to deliver some equipment to a mission radio plant station on a nearby island. "Radio plant" means it's a station which HCJB Global has set up and provides equipment and training for, but it is owned and managed by an indigenous Christian organization. Right now, there are 30 such stations throughout Indonesia. This station's biggest prayer request at the moment is for more staff. They need Indonesian believers who can be trained as announcers and who can help share God's hope with the predominantly Muslim population. Please pray for them and all of our radio plants.

Making adjustments to the newly delivered transmitter.

India
Meanwhile, our English as a Second Language (ESL) Director, Janine, just returned from a two month trip to India. She was there to observe the culture and consider how to integrate ESL listening clubs as part of HCJB's work among the Indian people. Janine learned that even in the rural areas, anyone who is at all educated has received some English training. But there is rarely a place to practice speaking it, so most cannot. The listener's club is a non threatening environment in which to practice conversational English. At the same time, a club provides an opening into communities and into people's lives. Ultimately, sharing God's love is the goal. Please pray for the development of this ministry in India. The ESL program, called Spotlight Listener's Club, is an area of the mission which I (Lisa) am currently learning about, and hope to assist Janine with upon our return from home assignment.

A group of children who came up to Janine and tried to talk with her in English.

Steve has been working with Janine on managing all of the ESL material and information as the ministry expands. And there's still the website she needs, but she's graciously making do until Steve can get to that, which will be sometime after we return in January.

Janine explains the listener's club to a group who could potentially run one.

And then there's that trip HOME!
Here's a bit of an updated itinerary for our home assignment:

Oct 12 - 24 - Abbotsford area
Oct 18 - potluck with Bible School friends
Oct 19 - open house for those in the Abbotsford/Vancouver area
Oct 25 - 27 - Genesis Christian Centre, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Oct 28 - 30 - travel from BC to Saskatchewan
Oct 31 - Nov 13 - Swift Current/Herbert area
Nov 2 - East Side Church of God, Swift Current
Nov 9 - Main Centre MB Church
Nov 14 - 18 - Edmonton
Nov 19 - 21 - Saskatoon
Nov 22 - Dec 27 - Swift Current/Herbert area
Nov 23 - Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current
Dec 28 - Jan 6 - Abbotsford
Jan 7 - depart for Singapore

We're still making arrangements for church and individual/group visits. During our time in BC, we can be reached at (604)853 3766. Then, in Saskatchewan, you'll find us at (306)784 2972. Please give a call if you'd like to get together or just chat. Or, email us at sbalzer@iname.com.

Hope to see you soon!
Steve, Lisa, Thizbe, Emmett

Moving Office, Home, and School
We're thankful that the mission office has successfully been moved to a more compact and affordable location! Steve worked with our Office Manager and the contractors on the layout of the new space and the logistics of the relocation. Though smaller, the new office is practical, bright, and cheerful! Please pray that it will be a great place for ministry and team building.

Thizbe and Emmett will be attending a new school when we return from Canada. Please pray for them as they part with their friends and current school when we leave on October 12th. They are resilient kids, yes, but they also know all too well what it means to say goodbye. Their emotions are pretty mixed right now.

Our family is packing up and moving house too. Might as well get it all over with at once! We're very thankful for the Lord's provision of an apartment which is an amazing 7 minute walk from the kids' new school. It also happens to be the only place we found that we could even remotely afford with the current housing market. Please pray for our move on October 10th while also getting ready for Canada.

Thank you for your prayer support!

Meeting Together...

2008-08-28T22:04:00.003+08:00

Let us consider how we may spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together…but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24, 25

...at the Office
A couple of weeks ago, our staff were treated to a wonderful visit from an Indonesian partner of HCJB Global. When you’re based at a regional centre like we are (there are around 12 of us working out of the office in Singapore), the real impact of the ministry can feel far away. Sometimes it seems like computer problems, email threads, jammed photocopiers, and paperwork – sandwiched between a crowded commute – is where our contribution to this mission starts and ends. So it’s very important to hear first-hand what is happening on the ground around the region! This dedicated Indonesian man encouraged us to keep on going here, for the sake of his work of sharing God’s love and grace through radio there.

...in the Market
This partner told us how he recently met a man who gave his life to the Lord through listening to their radio broadcasts. The man makes his living selling watermelons in the market.

Typical Indonesian market.

Now each day he invites his friends in the market to join him around his radio and listen to the teaching. Then they talk about what they have learned. This new Christian man is basically running a small group fellowship among the vendors in the market, learning about Christ and bringing others to Him as he works!

Through HCJB Global and the partner organization working together, people even in more remote parts of Indonesia are able to hear music and Bible teaching programs in the language of their area.

Getting station equipment to some areas requires interesting modes of transportation.

The partner is responsible for the station, its staff, and the material being broadcast. Our mission provides the technical equipment, does the installation, trains broadcasters and staff, and provides ongoing support.

FM station "studio" in a remote village. Not exactly posh, but it has all the essentials!

...in a Winter Wonderland!
Sorry, you probably don’t want to think about it yet, but after 2.5 years of summer we’re gearing up for some good old Canadian winter with family and friends! Our home ministry assignment (HMA) dates are set: October 12th – January 7th. Plans will be solidified over the next few weeks (check out our online calendar for the latest schedule), but here’s the itinerary so far:

Oct 12th – 24th – Abbotsford/Vancouver area
Oct 25th – 27th – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, (Genesis Christian Centre)
Oct 28th – 30th – travel from BC to Saskatchewan
Oct 31st – Nov 13th – Swift Current/Herbert area
Nov 2nd – East Side Church
Nov 9th – Main Centre Church
Nov 14th – 21st – travel to Edmonton, then to Saskatoon
Nov 22nd – Dec 27th – Swift Current/Herbert area
Dec 28th – Jan 6th – Abbotsford
Jan 7th – depart for Singapore
We hope to catch up with you at some point!

What an amazing group of people have stood behind us all this time. “Out of sight, out of mind” has not held true for you, and we thank you for that. Thank you also for your investment in the lives of people in Indonesia and other parts of Asia, so that they may know our Lord.

Please pray for this family

Stephan (front), with his parents (right) and family friends (back) at the hospital in Singapore in June.

In our June newsletter, we introduced you to a twelve year old boy named Stephan, who Steve met and spent time with when he was in Singapore for surgery. They talked computers and went shopping (together with Stephan’s dad) for some components for a custom machine which Stephan dreamed of.

Stephan’s surgery was for a cancerous tumor in his neck, and it could not be completely removed. Medically speaking, the prognosis is not good. The family is at home in Jakarta, caring for Stephan and trying to help him manage his pain the best they can. He is in a wheelchair and needs total care.

Please remember this fine young man Stephan, and his family. They just wrote that Stephan is still growing in his relationship with God, even though his body is suffering. They are a lovely family of faith and believe in God’s plan for their son. Still, they are all needing rest and are searching for ways to help ease Stephan’s pain. And they need as many prayers as we can offer.

From the Kids

2008-07-24T23:29:00.002+08:00

Hi! It’s Emmett and Thizbe writing to you. Things in Singapore are pretty normal as far as we’re concerned, but there is some cool stuff that’s happened lately which you might like to know. One thing is that Dad is finally done with night school! He says his courses are supposed to help him get a better visa for our family and help him do his job at the mission, but whatever. All we know is it’s been a long year and a half where he’s been gone to class in the evenings or working on assignments, and now we’re ready to play. Dad – look out – we’ve been getting a lot better at our gaming skills while you’ve been studying, and you’re going down!

We had a night out above Singapore - with dinner in a cable car - to celebrate Dad finishing his courses. Mom is taking the picture.

This is Thizbe. A few weeks ago I competed in the Singapore Open synchronized swimming competition. And in a few days Mom and I will go to Bangkok for the Thai Open. Synchro is also called “water ballet”, and my training is a lot like ballet in some ways. There’s the splits and quite a few stretches and exercises I do out of the pool to train for doing the moves in the water. All the girls cheer each other on, and I am making good friends on the team. Synchro is a lot harder than it looks, but I love it!

During my routine...this move is called ballet leg.

And here are the splits.

Then my team did a group routine and we won a silver medal for it.

Badminton is my favourite sport! I’ve been taking lessons for about four months now.

This is Emmett. Something funny happened at one of my badminton lessons recently. My coach and my friends decided to give me a new name, since the coach can’t really say Emmett. Weird…I thought Thizbe would be the one in our family to have that problem. Anyway, they thought about it for a while and decided to give me the name Yishun (you say it YEE-shoon). This is the symbol: 义顺 . It means “faithful; smooth going with others”. So now I have an American and a Chinese name, like most of my friends.

My friend Xavier, who loves to freak people out by flipping his eyelids.

Xavier and I got to try 10 pin bowling last month. I got a couple of strikes!

One day on the way home from school, Mom just about stepped on a snake like this one. It is called a striped bronzeback.

Well, that’s about all we can think of. Oh yeah, have Dad and Mom told you? Our family is coming to Canada for that HMA thing that missionaries are supposed to do. In October we will fly to Vancouver, and then we’ll be seeing people and doing stuff for something like three months in Canada and the U.S. We’ll get to do a lot of the things we’ve missed – like skating, tobogganing, eating poutine fries, playing in the snow, snowmobiling, maybe riding horses, petting the cows, having Cheese Whiz, chewing gum – oh, man, it’s going to be the best! But we’ll have to get back to Singapore and our friends here when school starts up in January. Probably Dad and Mom will tell you more about that in the next letter.

Bye for now!

Your friends,
Thizbe and Emmett

Moments with Meaning

2008-06-30T22:35:00.005+08:00

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor. 12:9

A few of our most memorable times from the past month:

> Our family went to our church’s annual camp in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This was actually more like a conference than what we Canadians would think of as “camp”. There were no tents, no campfires, no marshmallows, not even mosquitoes to make it reminiscent of home. Rather, around four hundred of us spent five days at a full service hotel resort, learning and playing and eating together. It was an excellent bonding experience for us adults and for Thizbe and Emmett with their peers. We now feel a new level of connection with this body who we have worshipped with for nearly two years. Speaker Wong Kim Kong shared – from his wheelchair - about serving God beyond our limitations. Beyond the fear, the excuses, the deficiencies, the complacency that hold us back from really knowing Him and fulfilling our mission in His power, not our own (2 Cor. 12:9). It was a deeply moving time for us personally and for our church.

Rev. Wong speaks.

> One special thing Steve was able to do this past month outside of his IT work in the mission office was get to know an Indonesian boy who had come to Singapore for surgery. Stephan is twelve years old and has a dream of building his own computer. Steve spent time with him and his family at the hospital, and then one afternoon they made a shopping excursion together to purchase some of the components for this new computer. It’s hard to say whether Steve or Stephan was more pumped about what they bought!

The guys – post shopping trip – discuss the new components.

> During school break, Thizbe and Emmett found themselves spending a few days at the HCJB Global office with us, and eventually they got put to work. The kids were eager to help out with voicing for an ESL project for China.

Giving it their best in the studio.

Working with our ESL Director, Janine, they recorded conversations which will be used by university students as homework assignments. The students will fill in the missing words on their script sheets by listening to the audio dialogue.

The producer said both kids are naturals behind the mic, not that she’s biased or anything...

Prayer List...

 Our former Regional Director, Dennis Adams, who is currently serving with HCJB Australia, has just had bypass surgery. Please remember Dennis and Jan.

 We’re thankful that Steve is days away from being finished with night school! Last exam was June 28th, and final assignment is due July 11th.

 Partner stations in Indonesia. On average, stations are seeing 2 to 5 salvations per day! Pray for the staff to be protected spiritually and physically as they work long hours.

 Lisa’s health has been pretty good this past month. She’s still working out how to manage the hernia to keep it, and in turn her heart, as settled as possible.

 More financial support needed for our family - to the tune of $677 per month - to bridge the gap with our major cost of living increases in Singapore.

Thank you for praying!

It has been a great month and we are priviledged to be in Singapore! Thank you for standing alongside us in what God is doing in Asia. Please see our financial update in the top right sidebar of this blog for how you can help support our work here. Talk with you soon!

The Balzers

India Update

2008-05-23T01:05:00.006+08:00

Truly I say to you, as you did for even the least of my brothers, you have done for Me (Jesus). Matthew 25:40

Let’s talk about India! This is one of the HCJB Global projects in our region which we’re really excited about, and we know you’ll want to hear about it too. A few months back, we mentioned the mission’s plans to refurbish a village mission clinic in Northern India.

The first part of the renovation to the women’s ward happened late in 2007, and this spring an HCJB Global medical team came in from Ecuador to provide aid and to help with community health training for local nurses. The medical team served approximately 2,000 needy patients who lined up over 10 busy and exhausting days...

...along with training nurses and traveling to surrounding villages for medical consults. Many, many of the female patients in the villages had never seen a doctor before.

The province they live in is the most populous in India and one of the poorest. It’s also heavily Hindu. Less than 1% of the people there are Christians. HCJB Global is committed to this ongoing project as a means of showing Jesus’ love in practical ways to these people who are so deeply hurting and struggling.

Back at the Ministry Centre in Singapore, our jobs in IT and broadcasting are pretty behind-the-scenes by comparison, yet we – and you – are all in this together. And it is a great honour to be part of a team who works together around the world to see those who need God’s touch helped both physically and spiritually.

Above: In the studio with new employee Siau Ching,
who has joined us as a Mandarin program producer.

Financial Facts
It’s now been two years since we officially started service with HCJB Global and departed Swift Current for pre-field training. And one thing we haven’t gotten away from, even on the other side of the world, is the reality that costs go up over time.

In March, our support level was re-evaluated by our director. The Canadian dollar’s strength right now is certainly helping our situation, but the rise in cost of living here is winning out at the moment. There have been sharp increases in the costs of housing in Singapore and school tuition for our kids in particular.

Tuition fees for Thizbe and Emmett have jumped by 40%...

(No worries, they’re still smiling!
This is a view from the school balcony.)

...and rent is up by at least 60%. To help with these costs, the level of support we need – and must raise – has increased by $677 per month. This is the first support increase since our level was set three years ago when we began our deputation.

We ask those of you who are not currently part of our financial support team to consider joining in with a monthly, annual, or special gift. Or, if you are already a part of our team and feel able to increase your support, please consider doing this.

To designate a gift, simply donate online or send a cheque payable to our Canadian Office (see below). On the memo line, please reference our account number, 110516. For changes to your current support, please contact the Canadian Office as well. Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration!

Gifts are tax deductible

It is only by the goodness of our Lord and the response of His people that we can continue here. Thank you so much for serving the people of Asia with us! Your prayers and support mean more than we can say.

Love,
Steve, Lisa, Thizbe, Emmett

Prayer List...

We’re thankful for staff member Siau Ching (pictured with us above) who has joined our office as a program producer. Please pray for her work in Mandarin programming for China.

Please pray for the mission clinic in Northern India – for strength and safety for the staff, and for a great ministry to the patients.

We’re thankful for Dave and Barb Pasechnik, the new Regional Directors for Asia Pacific. Please pray for them in their new role, especially as it involves a lot of travel back and forth from the U.S.

We’re thankful that Steve has another website finished, and Lisa has been able to work on a lot of voicing for our International Headquarters. Please pray for our family’s physical and spiritual health, and for a good school break for Thizbe and Emmett.

Thank you for praying!

Growing the Region

2008-04-24T15:45:00.004+08:00

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men... Colossians 3:23

It was all hands on deck for the HCJB Global crew here in Singapore at the end of March and beginning of April, as our office hosted the annual Radio School of Mission. There were fourteen attendees from across the Asia Pacific region, people who are leaders and managers in stations set up by HCJB Global. This training is one of the ways the mission helps the ministries of the individual stations to thrive and grow. Here's what some of the students said:

"I praise God all the time that I was able to attend the Radio School of Mission. All the topics covered in the workshop were all very relevant to my responsibility as station manager. I now see that some responsibilities which I thought were not mine are in fact mine. Now too I know that I'm not only a station manager but more importantly a Kingdom Builder, and our facilitators were very good."

Tina, Station Manager, Gud Nius Redio, Solomon Islands

Interactive class time

"I believe I have benefited greatly, my staff stand to benefit and our nation stand to be blessed as we endeavour to provide good quality Christian programs to reach the lost and strengthened those saved already."

Porian, Station Manager, Wantok Radio Light, Papua New Guinea

Leaders from 10 countries came together

"The Radio School of Mission…has changed the paradigm and perspective of running Christian Radio, particularly in my country, where the vast majority of the population is non believers and it is not conducive for believers to broadcast gospel content. I have been encouraged to keep struggling in the midst of hostility. I personally was encouraged when we came together from so many different countries, that some may be in situations even worse than us. I just realized that we are not alone building the Kingdom of God."

Station Manager from Indonesia

Lisa talks about the children's program

Also during the school, I (Lisa) was able to speak to the group and send home with them copies of the children's program pilot I have been working on. Now we are gathering their feedback on the show and finding out which stations would like to carry it on a weekly basis.

40, 15, and 10
In April, our Balzer side of the family were all together for the first time since June 2006! First, Steve's brother's family arrived from Germany to stay with us for a while. This was extra special as Thizbe and Emmett got to meet their (only) cousin for the first time!

Thizbe and 15 month old Alexander

A week later, we all hooked up with Steve's parents at the Singapore airport and flew to Bali for a holiday...yeah, this missionary life is pretty rough sometimes. Actually, Dad and Mom B. treated the family to this vacation in celebration of their 40th Anniversary. (It also happens to be 15 years for Steve and I, and 10 for Colin & Marlene.) The beach was awesome, the snorkeling was good, the food was wonderful - but the best part by a mile was being together with the people we love so much and see so little of.

Balinese weaving lesson at the beach

Emmett found tropical fish, sea urchins, and starfish right near the shore!

The clan: a little bigger (in numbers and stature!) than last time we met

Prayer List...

We're thankful for a new location secured for Thiz and Emmett's school - it's bigger, better, and still within walking distance from our home - we're hugely excited about this!
Please pray for Steve as he: 1) puts the finishing touches on a website for the Australia World Office over the next couple of weeks and, 2) works through his last two degree courses.
We're thankful for a great time with Steve's family, and more to come as Dad and Mom B. are here until early May.
Please pray for the managers and staff at HCJB Global partner stations around the region - many of these stations are under staffed and are on the air 24/7.
We're thankful that Lisa's stomach/heart troubles have not gotten worse, though there hasn't been much improvement either.

Thank you for your prayer support!

Two Words

2008-03-19T20:49:00.007+08:00

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved… Ephesians 2:4

The way we see it, the message of Easter pretty much boils down to two words – love and hope. The deep, deep love of the God who created us. Love so big and so gracious that God would offer the very life of his Son so that we could be restored to him. And hope – hope in a Saviour who could not be held by death, hope because he is alive and his Spirit promises to be our helper through this journey of life, hope in an amazing future face to face with God. As the Easter season is here again, Steve and my desire is that more of God’s love and more of his hope will be real in the way we live our lives – as marriage partners, as parents, as missionaries, as friends and family.

Some of the great HCJB Global staff we get to work with.

Radio School of Mission
From March 28th to April 1st, the Singapore office will host our annual radio school, with fourteen leaders and staff from HCJB Global partner stations and ministries joining us! The “students” come from countries such as Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, and India. Topics of study include ministry philosophy, strategic leadership, target audience, programming policy, and more. What we loved so much about last year’s radio school was hearing the stories from the students on how God is speaking to people and changing them through radio. These men and women are already brave and courageous in their faith, and the radio school is designed to give them new and refined tools to see their stations into future ministry. Please remember to pray for them and our staff.

Students of last year's School.

Health
My body has been doing some strange things over the past couple of months. In February, I started to have some irregular – and scary – heart patterns, accompanied by fatigue and other symptoms. We were able to get in with a top Cardiologist who found a couple of minor problems with my heart – a valve that is not quite closing properly, and an electrical thing where the lower chambers occasionally miss their beat – both of which just need to be monitored over time. Our family doctor felt these symptoms had come on due to something else irritating the heart, so he sent me for tests of the digestive tract. There, the Specialist found a hiatus hernia and stomach infection. I have just started a six week treatment for those problems, and we sure hope this is the root of what’s going on. Your prayers are much needed and appreciated, as I am not feeling very well.

Thiz and pal Michelle chat it up during break time.

Thizbe and Emmett's School
We mentioned a while back that our kids’ school will have to relocate. Property prices in Singapore have skyrocketed over the past year, and to find even a comparable size space to what they have now is over twice as expensive. But the student body is growing and so their hope is to go bigger, with a full service facility and track and field. This is a Christian non-profit school, whose goal is to keep education affordable and yet offer the extracurricular activities of the mainstream schools. And of course we want Thizbe and Emmett to have more opportunities, not fewer, as a result of the move. Please pray for Victory Life Christian School, as their current lease expires the end of May.

It’s amazing what an empty pop bottle can be! It’s a baseball bat for after school play...

...and a piece of equipment for “The Drain Game”. Object – hit the ball repeatedly to keep it from rolling down the hill into the deep drain, which you can see behind Emmett and Ben.

HJCB Global Dinner Tour
It’s coming very soon to a location near you! Here are the brochures with details of the dinners in BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Be sure to reserve your seats by calling 1-888-354-4252 or emailing canada@hcjb.org! This is a great way to meet some of our Canadian staff and learn about our mission’s work around the world. Please keep the tour staff and these meetings in your prayers.

May the wonder of the risen Saviour give you new hope this Easter season!

A lookout point at the southern tip of Singapore, the busiest port in the world.

Another New Year

2008-02-15T23:55:00.001+08:00

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17

Greetings from Singapore, where we are in the middle of Chinese (or Lunar) New Year festivities! This is such a joy-filled time of year as families and friends reunite to visit, eat together, and give ang pow’s (red packets usually containing money) to the children.

It’s the season of delectable baking and goodies, brightly coloured new clothes and decorations, lanterns, and lion dances.

The New Year period lasts for 15 days, this year from February 7th – 21st.

In case you haven’t heard or missed the email we sent out on January 19th, our work visa has been approved for the year! Wow, God has done it again, so apparently He is not finished with us here just yet! This is a huge answer to prayer, not to mention a big relief. Thanks so much for upholding us as we waited through two rejections and an uncertain couple of months. With the logistics of staying in Singapore put to rest for another year, we are able to move ahead with life at home, school, and

HCJB Global in a more complete way. It’s a great feeling, and we are truly blessed by the Lord’s provision.

One of the first things Thizbe and Emmett did post-visa news was to spend some of their Christmas money on two adorable baby dwarf hamsters. The pet shop attendant pointed out that, being the Year of the Rat, this is a good time to invite rodents into one’s home. Funny…in our minds, we weren’t sure there could ever be a good time to do that. Yet these little balls of fun and fluff have already won the affection of the kids and even their stodgy parents.

Right now at the mission, Steve is working with our Australia World Office on a website tailored for their national projects, needs, and short wave broadcast facility. We’ve also had a new staff member, Janine, join us from Ecuador. Her focus is ESL training with a Biblical message, specifically through small group clubs, which she will spearhead for the Asia Pacific region. Over the next few months, Steve will work with Janine to develop an ESL resource website for this ministry.

On the broadcasting side of things, this year we plan to provide some of the HCJB Global partner radio stations in the South Pacific with English programming - places like Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, and possibly others. For me, this means producing a weekly children’s show of fun Christian music, a Bible story/lesson that points kids to Jesus, and interesting facts about His incredibly cool creation. With the help of the more seasoned professionals in the office,

we are fleshing out ideas for the show and I hope to have a pilot ready shortly.

In November’s update, we talked about a new radio station which HCJB Global set up in a remote mountain village area of Indonesia. Since then, the station is excited to report it has received responses from over 30 (of the 100+) villages in the area saying they are tuning in to the broadcasts and they appreciate them. The Bible has recently been translated into the local language, but many there are illiterate. One woman excitedly said, “I can’t read, but now I can hear the gospel!”

Thank you for your prayers and support for God’s work of sending out His word in this region, and also for us. We appreciate you and enjoy sharing the journey with you.

Love, The Balzers

*Please note the new Canadian Office address below.*

To Keep in Prayer...

Thizbe and Emmett’s school: must relocate this year. Please pray for a good, affordable facility that is in the same area of the city.
HCJB Global Singapore office: please pray for our leaders as they search for a new Regional Director for Asia Pacific.
Study time: please pray for Steve as he plugs away (until the wee hours of the morning) at the last few courses for his degree.
Radio stations in Indonesia: pray for the safety and wisdom of the staff that are running the stations, and pray that people will come to Christ through the broadcasts.
Children’s program: pray that we will put together a meaningful and fun program that kids can relate to.
Our kids: please keep Emmett and Thizbe in your prayers, for their friendships, diligence in school, and that they keep on growing in their love for God and for Singapore.

Snow?

2008-01-10T23:39:00.001+08:00

Well, ok, it’s only suds. But as it sprayed out into the air in downtown Singapore on Christmas day, kids and adults alike pretended for a moment that we were lost in a winter wonderland! Here are a few 2007 highlights from the Asia Pacific region and our lives, plus a little of what we know for the upcoming year. Be encouraged, you are part of this!

Indonesia
> Total number of radio stations planted now stands at 25, with more to come this year! They are run by local Christians in local languages and dialects, with ongoing training and support from HCJB Global.

Help with building the antenna

> Our office provided a year of English programming for a station near Singapore. Steve and I were both directly involved in this through voicing and producing broadcasts, and software and music library setup and maintenance.

Papua New Guinea
> Radio network expanded to now include 12 repeater stations to broadcast the Christian programming from the main station in Port Moresby out to surrounding provinces.

Repeater station installation

> In 2008, we will begin producing English radio shows which will air on the PNG network and elsewhere in the South Pacific. This will be one of my main responsibilities.

Carrie-Ann and Lisa in studio

India
> Work teams began refurbishing a mission medical clinic in northern India, starting with the maternity ward. The clinic is up and running.

> More work teams will continue the renovations in 2008, and medical teams will be responsible for training local staff over the next few months.

Website and I.T.
> ap.hcjbglobal.org launched in October. Steve was the technical brain in putting this all together, and others of us in the office provided input with content and the aesthetics of the site.

> In 2008, Steve will be responsible for expanding the scope of the site, plus creating several new sites for specific ministries and for other offices in the region.

Steve and Mick install a server for the Singapore office

The Home Front
> We shared a lovely time with my parents from Saskatchewan, as we reconnected and saw the sights of Singapore together. They also treated us to a trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Santa hats and tanned faces!

> Our dear friend and my Bible School roommate, Fiona, stopped in during her Asia vacation. Good times!

A girls' lunch with Fiona

> Back to school – there has been a classroom shuffle, so both Emmett and Thizbe have quite a few new classmates this year. They were skeptical about the changes, however in just a few days they are commenting they like the new setup.

> Story time – I will continue reading with the school kids age 10 and under every Thursday afternoon, encouraging their love for reading and developing their English pronunciation skills.

Children gather for story time

> Visas – we were waiting for word on these before sending out this update, but have decided we need to press on with our regular lives. Steve and I read a devotional that reminded us of this very thing: where the Lord instructed the Israelites even in their captivity to get on with it, and He would rescue them from Babylon in due time. “Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:5-7). We are still waiting for our 2008 visas, and in the mean time are back to living 14 days at a time as tourists in Singapore. Please pray for resolution to come soon. May we all live with the faith that God does have our best in mind.

Thinking of Christmas

2007-11-20T22:08:00.000+08:00

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).
Matthew 1:23

Wow, Christmas time is coming quickly. As the season nears, we are especially pondering Jesus as Immanuel. He came to earth and walked among us in the form of a man 2,000 years ago, and now His Spirit walks with us and guides us through the journey of life. He promises never to leave or forsake those who believe. God with us.

This is our last update for 2007, as we look ahead to the arrival of Lisa’s parents in less than two week’s time to spend December with us. Thizbe and Emmett have finished their school year and are already in holiday mode. It still seems a tad strange to be preparing for Christmas in shorts, tank tops, and sandals, but not nearly as odd as it did a year ago.

Yes, a whole year (and a half) has passed, and by God’s provision we are still in Singapore! As I (Lisa) write, Steve is visiting one of the government departments regarding our visa for 2008. We want to let you know that the renewal is up in the air at this point. A year ago, our visa was granted under the condition that HCJB Global Asia Pacific would have five Singaporeans employed by the end of the year. Well, in spite of great efforts by leadership and much prayer from around the world, that has not happened. Our office has three Singaporeans on staff so far, and it’s now time to apply for the new visa. So…although the facts are not in our favour, our applications must be sent in. Our minds are telling us to be fearful and unsettled, and often that’s what gets the best of us. But in our hearts we know that we have a Guide who is far bigger than all of this, and He promises to go before and behind us (Psalm 139:5), leading the way. God with us.

Radio for the Villages

Part of the village

In October, our mission was able to set up a new radio station in a remote mountain area of Indonesia (above). The language now being broadcast there has never gone over the air before!

Antenna and building for the new station

There are approximately 30,000 speakers of this native language living in 100 mountain villages. Many of the people will now hear about Jesus and His love, be spurred on to know Him more, and gain practical knowledge for everyday living – all in their mother tongue. The people are excited and we are in awe of what God is doing in Indonesia to bring people to Himself.

Village lady receives her own solar powered radio

This man was very excited to tune in on his "portable" stereo - notice the power source

From Us to You
We pray each of you will have a wonderful Christmas, filled with the peace and joy of knowing Immanuel is near. Thank you for your care and involvement with us this year. Merry Christmas!

Our Thankful/Prayer List

Thankful that we’re still here! Settled, and all of us are loving Singapore as “home”.
Keep praying that we’ll still be here for 2008…

Thankful that Thizbe and Emmett finished their school year well academically, socially, and spiritually.
Keep praying that Steve will finish his current courses well. Exam dates are Dec. 9 and 15.

Thankful that Lisa’s folks will visit soon!
Keep praying that they will safely arrive on Dec. 2.

Thankful for HCJB Global’s work in refurbishing the mission hospital in India, started this month.
Keep praying for more work teams to continue the project into 2008.

Thankful for mission tasks both Steve (IT/web) and Lisa (broadcasting, web) have been suited to and have enjoyed over the year.
Keep praying that we will work hard and give our best to God in the New Year.

More Light!

2007-10-15T22:19:00.001+08:00

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ...
words of Paul from Colossians 4:2-3

First, our thanks to each one of you for your prayers and support for us and for God’s work here in the Asia Pacific region. It is your faith and generous hearts which allow us to continue. We deeply appreciate you!

September was a special month for HCJB Global, as our mission installed and helped launch new FM repeater stations on two islands of Papua New Guinea. These islands, Buka and Kimbe, are now being served with Christian radio programming through our partner in Papua New Guinea, Wantok Radio Light. The people danced for joy and in appreciation of the new stations!

Choral welcome dance at Wontok Radio Light's home in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Tribal welcome dance on the island of Buka.

Some wept as the radio signal was heard in their provinces for the first time. This man, listening on his new solar powered radio given to him by HCJB Global staff, had prayed for this moment for years.

Using equipment and assistance provided through HCJB Global, Wantok’s goal is to one day cover the entire country of Papua New Guinea with music and teaching programs that honour God and provide hope for the people. So far, there are 12 stations up and running, and many people are giving their lives to the Lord and becoming stronger in their faith!

New Site
Another thing we’re happy to report is that the website Steve was charged with designing for the Asia Pacific region is now available!

For the initial setup, Steve conscripted me to assist with gathering information and providing ideas/feedback on the design. While we have thoroughly enjoyed the extra time spent together on this project over the past couple of months, it’s a relief to have the site launched. View it at http://ap.hcjbglobal.org. It is a work in progress – it will change, expand, and get better with time – so please visit often.

Bright Night
Festival season has been underway in Singapore for the past few weeks, with the decorations of the Mid Autumn Festival (Chinese tradition), Deepavali (Hindu), and Hari Raya (Muslim) lighting up the night. There is no disputing that Asians sure do know how to put together impressive celebrations, whatever the occasion. Below – Steve, Thizbe, and Emmett look out over the Hari Raya festivities.

To Keep In Prayer…

Training Program in Singapore Oct. 22-25: pray that our partners will gain valuable knowledge to take back to their countries for training their own people in radio.

Our work visa: the visa upgrade we and the mission were hoping for has been denied; please pray that our present visa will be extended for the 2008 year.

Family stuff: priorities – making time to be together; patience – through all of the annoyances that seem to be magnified in the tight quarters of apartment life; and perseverance – that we will all survive the demands of Steve’s extra studies!

Island Happenings

2007-09-13T21:50:00.000+08:00

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world
gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be
fearful. John 14:27

One of the big observances in Singapore these past few weeks has been Ghost Month, marked by the 7th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The way we understand it, Taoists and some Buddhists believe hungry ghosts and spirits come out from the lower world during this time to roam and gain strength from the physical world. To appease the ghosts and keep them from entering their homes, families gather outside to burn candles, paper “hell money”, incense, and to place offerings of food. It is common to see items such as those pictured below anywhere along the sidewalks, driveways, and in open grass areas.

Some nights there is so much burning that the smoke smell is thick in the air. It is a sad and sobering thing to watch people living in fear of what is unseen, when we know that Jesus has overcome the world and His peace is available to all who believe. Please pray with us for this nation and those who have not yet experienced the living God.

Malaysia...no fear!
Our family spent a few days vacationing in Melaka, Malaysia, in early September. It is noteworthy that Steve had the nerve to drive us there by car (driver sits on the right and drives on the left hand side of the road over here) and did a fantastic job. The only casualty while he was behind the wheel was a two-foot monitor lizard who chose an unfortunate time to cross the highway. Emmett and Thizbe also surprised us with their enthusiastic pleadings to hold an Albino Burmese Python! They said afterward they were not even a little bit afraid it might bite.

About our mission roles
Steve: My title is IT Manager and Web Master, which is really just an official way of saying “the guy who helps people around the office”. I truly enjoy being able to assist our staff with their computer questions and woes – together we find more efficient ways to get the job done. For the growing office, I purchase and set up computer systems, office equipment, and various other electronic goodies. The other hat I wear is for designing web sites in the Asia Pacific region. Currently, I am working on a corporate web site that should be launched by the end of the month. When it’s ready you’ll be able to check it out at http://ap.hcjbglobal.org/.

Lisa: I am a Program Producer or DJ of sorts, and right now, my main focus is the two-hour evening broadcasts we prepare for our partner radio station in Indonesia. Within each broadcast, we play music (Christian and some positive secular) and short teaching programs (produced by other Christian organizations and our studios in Australia). Topics such as Bible reading, spiritual growth, family, relationships, and health concerns are covered. My job is to assemble broadcasts – which includes selecting the music and teaching segments, adding insightful comments and information, then mixing and producing each show into a finished product ready for our partner station.

While Steve will probably never hear that someone found Jesus as a direct result of the way he installed the new server in the office, we do know that his support role frees up our front-line missionaries to do their jobs more effectively. Similarly, while I may never really know who is listening and who has been changed directly through our evening broadcasts, we do know that God uses radio to stir up people’s hearts to find Him, as church planters in Indonesia have already discovered. Our job is to do what He has asked us to, with thankful hearts and to the best of our ability, believing that it is part of His much bigger plan. Thank you for serving with us!

Will you remember to pray for...

Emmett? He continues to improve his marksmanship and swashbuckling skills with any stick along the way. Yet he has a soft heart, and chooses to befriend the new kids at school each term. Emmett seems to have broken through a barrier and is growing a love for reading – his favourite books right now are Captain Underpants and anything to do with Bionicles.
Thizbe? She is the designated classroom leader at school and her teacher’s helper. Her enthusiasm seems to make her someone who others naturally look to. Thiz is showing maturity in how she helps kids who are struggling with learning and how she leads in music and prayer at the school.
The mission healthcare team? A group from Singapore is preparing to visit an abandoned medical clinic in northern India, to assess what’s needed for refurbishing and getting the clinic functional again.
Our visa situation? The mission is applying for an upgraded work visa for Steve, now that he has a completion date of July 2008 for his Computer Science degree. This will be better for the mission and for us, if he can get the upgraded pass.

A Full Plate

2007-08-12T21:00:00.000+08:00

Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Psalm 119:111, 114

The summer months here at the Ministry Centre in Singapore are filled with activity. During July, our office hosted a group of “friends of HCJB Global” as they spent several days in Singapore while touring the mission’s work in the region. Our annual conference followed shortly after, with staff from India to New Zealand coming together to report on how the Lord has been working and leading all around the region. Then our staff hosted a special event dinner to raise the profile of HJCB Global with church leaders and business people here in Singapore. All of that, added to our regular work in IT support/web and producing broadcasts, has made for a tiring – yet good and rewarding – month. Thank you for continuing to pray for us and this work.

Food for the soul…
These photos were taken on a recent visit by some of our staff to a tiny Indonesian island about an hour's ferry ride from Singapore.

It is one of the many inhabited islands of Indonesia where people live in seclusion, with little or no opportunity to hear about God’s love and salvation.

Radio planting – working with local believers to set up radio stations which they then program and operate – is so important and useful in this part of the world because radio reaches into places otherwise largely removed from outside contact. HCJB Global has recently planted an FM radio station on a larger island which neighbours this one, with a signal strong enough to reach this island as well. As far as we know, there are no Christians here. It is our hope that the truth of God's love, presented on-air in the local language, will begin to nourish the hearts of these people.

…and for the body
Now for some Singapore culture:

Hawker Centres - these are like simple food courts, where local chefs (a.k.a. “hawkers”) cook up their specialties. In the non commercial areas, hawker centres are abundant and the food is tasty and cheap. Our family can eat for $10 Singapore ($7.50 CDN). Emmett and Thizbe usually choose the chicken rice stall…

while today Steve opts for fried fish bee hoon (rice noodle) soup, and I give the lotus root soup a try.

Drinks-to-go Singapore style – this is how a take-out coffee is served up. The plastic bag with a straw makes sense when you think about it… it’s more economical than a cup and lid, and in this climate the coffee stays hot just fine.

Prayer Points

Please pray for our newest staff members, Ty and Paula, as they look for housing for their family. Rental prices have nearly doubled since we arrived last year, with a 3 bedroom apartment now near $3,000/month. Obviously they hope to find something at a lower price.

We’re thankful for a good regional conference in July and safety for all who traveled here.

Please remember our radio plants in Indonesia – for strength, safety, and spiritual vitality as the partners run the stations.

We’re thankful for the step from having friends to having really good friends both Emmett and Thizbe seem to have taken.

Please pray that we will keep on working on relationship-building with our neighbours while balancing family, work, and study time.

A Great Place To Be At

2007-07-11T21:43:00.000+08:00

...so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God for ever. Joshua 4:24

We're happy to report that Singapore is feeling very much like our home, probably to the greatest extent it has so far. That is good and appropriate, for on July 1st, we reached the one year mark overseas with HCJB Global. Whoa! There's still plenty to learn, but we can tell you how thankful we are to be on this side of the first 365 days of life and ministry in a new country. And like the memorial stones Joshua set up as a reminder to the people of Israel of what God had done for them (Joshua 4), the ups and downs of our year stand as a reminder that the hand of the Lord is mighty indeed. He has seen us through at every turn, and we can trust Him for the future. He cares and loves and has a better plan for reaching all of His children than we could ever come up with. And we – you and us together – are privileged to be part of that plan!

It was a treat to have our Canadian Directors, Ian and Sheila Leaver, in Singapore just as we celebrated the first year.

Around The City
Even with it's high population density (second in the world to Hong Kong), there are surprising stretches of jungle on the island of Singapore.

In the nature reserves, wild monkeys roam free...and steal your lunch if you're not watchful. Emmett has been bitten by one of these.

Probably the reason there are still open spaces here is because most people live in high rises. And when there's no dryer, where does the laundry go? Out the window, of course.

Thizbe and I don't like to walk underneath the laundry poles, for fear of one falling.

Thousands of women come to Singapore from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Indochina, to work as live-in maids. They care for their employers' children, walk the pets, do the washing and cleaning, and shop at the markets for the family. So we see them a lot and are getting to know some of them. "Mary" lives just down the street, where she works as one of two maids for a local family. She's bubbly and friendly, fussing over the kids and trying to talk English with us whenever we cross paths. Mary and I (Lisa) have had a few chances to do our best at communicating while she's out walking the dogs in the evening. She is from Indonesia, where she has a son, 12, and a daughter, 7, who are in the care of their grandmother. Six years ago, Mary's husband turned "rotten" and left her. Shortly afterward, she came to Singapore to work, and has taken one trip home to visit since then.

Whenever she calls home, her daughter gets worked up in crying fits. So much so, that Mary won't call much, as she feels it's too hard on her little girl. Last week, she asked if I would take a photo of her and print it so that she can send it to her kids. They haven't seen even a picture of her in three years. There are many lovely women in our neighbourhood with stories like Mary's, and one small thing we can do to make a difference is take an interest in their lives. In that way, we hope they will see a glimpse of God's love for them.

In Our Own Back Yard
...and even in our house! Emmett captured this cockroach in the shower, and discovered that if he caught it by the antenna, it was helpless and couldn't touch him.

Prayer Request

The staff at our International Headquarters in Colorado Springs need special prayer. Two weeks ago, a female member of the accounting team, Kesha Tann, was killed in the mission's parking lot in a domestic dispute. She was on her way in to work. Please pray that the staff will be able to work through their grief in a complete way, and that with the Holy Spirit's help they will begin to heal. Please remember Kesha's family as well.

Whatever is True

2007-06-09T10:15:00.000+08:00

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

Apartment blocks as seen from our front window. 80% of
Singaporeans live in buildings like these.

Broadcast Work
In the radio programs we produce in Singapore and around the Asia Pacific region, the charge of Philippians 4:8 really sums up our goal - to be a positive influence in the lives of those who know God and those who don’t, to encourage Christians and help build up their faith, and to share with those who haven’t yet heard that God loves them, cares deeply about them, and wants more than anything to know them personally and be their Saviour and Friend. It’s all about that which is true and pure and just and excellent and definitely worthy of our praise, and God using the “light” of these messages to bring people to Himself.

Recently, at one of HCJB Global’s partner stations on a South Pacific island (not where the broadcasts I work on are aired from) a man walked into the radio station looking for counseling after an argument with his wife. He was not a regular listener, yet in his heart he knew he could find help and something positive there. That evening, the janitor of the station – the only one in the building – helped him come to Christ, and he went home with new joy!

On the Support Front
It’s looking good! $50/month of our deficit is now taken care of for the next year. Thank you for praying and giving! That leaves $200/month to go, then we’ll be back to our required support level. God’s provision will come in just the right time, this we try to always remember.

If you are not part of our financial support team and wish to join in with a monthly, annual, or special gift, cheques can be made payable to HCJB Global and sent to the Canadian Office (below), referencing our account number, 110516, on the memo line. Or you can donate online.

Gifts are tax deductible.

Kids' News
Emmett and Thizbe are now in their mid-year break (end of May to end of June). A couple of weeks ago they had their school Sports Day, each excited about the trophies they were donning when they’d finished.

Both seem to have found their groove this year, and are earning top marks for Bible memory and quality of work. As parents, we’re seeing the great value of the school’s positive influence and having them in the Word every day. We realize now what a gift it was that God led us to this school, instead of the public school system as was our original plan. Through school, we’ve become friends with a Singaporean family who we can just relax and ‘hang out’ with. What a great feeling to have found that kind of friendship here for the first time.

Then There's Steve
…who is somehow always busier than the rest of us put together. I think that goes with the territory of being a genuinely helpful person, and also with the IT designation. In May, Steve worked to integrate a new Singaporean staff member into our office network…

Meet Michael.

There are also projects for the upcoming Asia Pacific Regional Conference July 3-6, helpdesk for the mission office and some others around the region, website development, and night school. At class, Steve has already had the chance to talk with his professor and a couple of other students about how the Lord brought us to Singapore and into mission work with HCJB Global. So it appears there is more for him to do there than just study for his computer science degree!

“Terraced houses” as seen out the back of our building. Those who don’t live in apartments may own this type of home, where the front yard is just big enough to (maybe) park a car, and the external walls of the house are shared with your neighbours.

Please Pray For…

The mission’s Asia Pacific Conference July 3-6 in Singapore – Steve as he prepares; also traveling safety for staff

Our friendships with Singaporeans - that we will keep on building relationships and be examples of God’s love and truth to others

Additional financial pledges/gifts to cover our monthly support

Magnificent

2007-05-07T20:56:00.000+08:00

Thunderstorms in Singapore are fairly intense and happen almost daily. It's not often, though, that they come after dark. So when this dandy storm rolled in a few nights ago, we took our camera and tripod to the apartment roof to watch God's grand light display and try to capture some of it. The thunder here seems extra loud as well, and with each storm there are at least a couple of cracks that send one's heart rate soaring. This storm photo (two pictures merged) looks south from our building – the tops of the downtown high-rises are in the distance.

For all the gods of the people are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Psalm 96:5

Commonplace

This figure, known as the Laughing Buddha, is a familiar sight in Singapore. In Buddhism and Taoism, the predominant religions, it is held as a deity of contentment and abundance. Some believe that rubbing its large round belly is to invite good fortune. Please remember to pray with us that the freedom and true power of Christ's love will become real to those who don't yet know Him here.

Financial Update
It's a year ago this month that we left Swift Current! First, a big thanks to our financial partners for fulfilling your monthly and annual pledges in a timely manner. This means a lot to us, and takes the pressure off so we can concentrate on the work here.

We've had some changes in our donor base over the past year, and so we need to secure pledges of $250 per month to bring us back up to the required support level. Please pray and consider how you can help meet this goal. Thanks so much!

To join our support team through HCJB Global and donate monthly, annually, or with a special gift, please donate online, contact the Canadian office at the address listed below, referencing our account number, 110516, or just drop us an email. Gifts are tax deductible.

Birthday Girl
Our Thizbe turned nine on April 8th, and she is still a bundle of enthusiasm and joy to everyone who meets her! More than anything, Thiz wanted to ride a pony on her birthday, so off we went to find a stable for part of the day.

Stunning

We spotted this beauty fluttering in the park while walking to school one morning. The Atlas Moth is the largest moth in the world, and lives for just two weeks once emerged from it's cocoon. The locals tell us it is a rare find! The three hands around the moth from left are: Emmett, Thizbe, Lisa.

Last month, you prayed for...

Emmett – those Bible verses...yep, he memorized all 28 for April. Thanks!

Thizbe – playing keyboard in chapel band...she did a super job for her first time.

Steve – he’s made great progress in key IT areas; feels the load is manageable at present.

Lisa – has deepened friendships with two Singaporean ladies. So happy about this!

In May, please pray...

for additional pledges/funds to cover our monthly support.

that HCJB Global’s Indonesia broadcasts will help the locals spiritually.

for kindness, openness, and grace in our relationships – with locals, our family, and other missionaries.

Singapore shipyards and downtown skyline.

Clouds and Sun

2007-04-05T14:05:00.000+08:00

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Psalm 36:5

Hello to you from warm Singapore - where the days are getting hotter, and maybe we’re not as accustomed to the weather as we once thought. The monsoon season is definitely over, and the shift from cloudy highs of 30 degrees to sunny highs of 34 is quite noticeable. The best hangouts at present are anywhere we can be submerged in a large body of water. Singaporeans told us at the start that even here on the equator, there are four seasons: hot, hotter, hottest, and wet. As 'wet' is finished until December, these next eight months may well be the true acclimatization test.

We want to tell you a bit about March's Radio School of Mission. HCJB Global brought eleven of our partner leaders to Singapore for a week of practical radio management training and spiritual teaching.

These are the men and women who run the radio stations that HCJB Global has set up or works with in their communities – in India, Nepal, Indonesia, Samoa, Fiji, Papua New Guinea – and, man, are they passionate about sharing hope in Jesus with their own people. Not to mention grateful for the ongoing role that HCJB Global has in their work.

One leader told of how God got the attention of their Prime Minister through the radio, when his driver (who is a Christian) tuned the limo to their station while transporting the PM. The program airing happened to be a half hour of prayer for the nation and its leaders. Well, the PM – hearing this – was deeply moved, and in disbelief that there were people who cared enough to pray for their government. His driver was then able to talk with the Prime Minister about God and the station they were listening to.

Between sessions, I (Lisa) helped voice some station ID parts for the leaders from Samoa...

and Fiji...

to take home to their stations. Steve and I also met the manager from the Indonesia station...

where the shows we produce in Singapore are aired from. He told us how pleased – and surprised – he is with the great local response to our HCJB Global broadcasts, though English is not their first language.

Originally, the broadcasts were intended to reach listeners in Singapore, but with the ongoing transmitter upgrade issues, the signal still is not tunable in Singapore. Yet, the Indonesians are listening – in fact, this manager estimates about 50% of all respondents are tuning in to our evening broadcasts. Again, God shows us how He works for good even when things seem to us like they've gone awry - only He can do this!

In our home, the past month has been a bit difficult as we are missing our family, friends, and the familiarity of Canada. There has been an undertone of sadness. We know this is part of the deal, and that the clouds will not stay – just like the monsoons didn't – but some days are tough. Still, there is the deep peace we have in knowing that Jesus is here with us and has brought us for His purpose. Thank you for supporting us in so many ways, and for believing in His plan for the Asia Pacific region.

Items for prayer

Emmett – that I will be able to memorize all (28) of my Bible verses for April

Thizbe – that I will do well playing keyboard in chapel band at school

Reducing our stress levels – we’ve had some physical signs of too much tension

Indonesia transmitter upgrade – moving the antenna site and finishing the upgrade

Steve – wisdom in sorting out IT priorities; focus for my top projects

Lisa – building friendships here; that my words on-air will be what the Spirit wants to say

Festive Food

2007-03-07T02:07:00.000+08:00

Note: Yesterday's earthquakes in Padang, Indonesia were felt here in Singapore, but there were no injuries or damage.

This really is the right month for a fun look at some interesting and tasty Singapore cuisine. We have just come through the Chinese (Lunar) New Year season, where Singaporeans pull out all the stops and celebrate with 15 days of feasts and tradition. Here are a few highlights:

Our Care Group ran a festive cookie sale for 5 weeks leading up to the New Year, raising funds for our church’s building campaign.

The good news: over $25,000 was raised! And it was an excellent way to meet new people. The bad news: too much product sampling by the salespeople! I think we’re still suffering from sugar and fat overload, but we certainly have discerned our favourites – pineapple tarts (Emmett), green pea cookies (Thizbe), chocolate balls (Steve), and shrimp rolls (Lisa).

On February 18th, we rang in the first day of the Lunar New Year – year of the Pig – at a Singaporean friend’s home.

The pinnacle of the night was the traditional Yusheng salad, made of shredded vegetables, noodles, and raw fish. The excitement comes when all guests gather around and toss the salad with their chopsticks. Tradition says that the higher you toss, the more prosperity you invite in the New Year – our host asked for God’s blessings instead. Then, we ate the salad...from the bowl, the table, each other’s arms, and wherever else it had landed.

As a cooling dessert in the midst of all the heavy eating, trays of colourful jellies are served. Most are mildly flavoured with almond, coconut, or mango, and when you scoop into them, there is often a surprise of tiny, gummy jellies inside.

At the end of Lunar New Year on March 4th, we tried a steamboat dinner. Similar to a broth fondue, raw meat, seafood, vegetables, and dumplings are cooked in a boiling pot in the centre of the table.

Some of the food choices, however, are quite different: bean curd, seaweed, pig liver, mutton, lily flower, ox stomach lining, pig skin, fish balls, and jellyfish are some of the things we cooked up in the steamboat.

We especially thank God for…

Steve’s safe return from the IT conference in Thailand, where he learned more about the region and the ever-expanding role of IT in missions.

Thiz and Emmett’s great school - the teachers care deeply and give their all to the kids. Students and staff are enjoying a four day camp retreat this week.

News that Grandpa and Grandma Ian and Dolly will visit us later this year!

HCJB Global’s IT Director from Bradford, England – Mick Leggett. He’s come to Singapore to work with Steve on network setup and other technical projects.

Protection of our staff in February, when the majority were traveling.

You, our stellar supporters, who keep praying and sending funds so that we may serve here. Thank you so much.

This is the day that the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

That Settles It

2007-02-04T16:02:00.001+08:00

Well, there it is. The piece of plastic (work visa) we've hoped and prayed for these last six months. With it, the right to stay in Singapore uninhibited for a year, the ability to settle into a regular existence - with a bank account, telephone, internet access - and the renewed desire to really make this our home. It's therapeutic just to write those words and remember again that they're for real.

This past month has seen Thizbe and Emmett get back in the school groove, with soccer and swimming lessons added to their schedules. The "cooler" weather (we use the term loosely, as in highs of 28-30 Celsius) of the monsoon season has allowed them to spend more time outdoors, riding their new bikes and soaking in our beautiful natural surroundings.

Steve's time at the mission continues to be filled with the regular stuff: network set-up/changes, computer support, and website development. He also began part-time night classes at the end of January, and will be flying to Thailand at the end of February for a week-long missions tech conference. I'm working away at the evening broadcasts for Indonesia, and have reached a comfort level with the equipment, music, and software which allows me to enjoy the voicing and production work very much.

Tang helping Lisa with understanding Mandarin audio clips.

We want to share with you the thoughts of two different listeners in the Asia Pacific region who recently wrote in to HCJB Global:

(from India) "I am writing this letter from jail. I am a new listener of your programs. I was unjustly implicated in a dowry case. Please pray for my case. Some more non-Christian prisoners are listening too. I pray that the Lord would continue to use your ministry to bless and save many people. Please send me a small New Testament and some tracts to distribute here."

(from Bangladesh) "I listen to your religious and spiritual program regularly. I loved them from my first exposure. I find your program very interesting, beneficial and informative…as well I try to apply these things to my life to make it better. Besides this, your program also improved my proficiency in English! It’s a real blessing to me."

As we read those testimonials, we were reminded of the word of the Lord in Isaiah 55:10-11,

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth…so shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

The fact is, God's truth meets each of us where we are at. And through the simple medium of radio, His love & forgiveness, hope, and help for a better life are becoming real to these listeners and so many more. How privileged we are to be a part of this work, and continually thankful for each of you who are with us in it.

Have a wonderful February.

Happy New Year

2007-01-04T06:11:00.000+08:00

So many variations on the traditional Christmas tree in Singapore.

O Lord, You have been good
You have been faithful
    to all generations…
For by Your hand
    we have been fed
And by Your Spirit,
    we have been led
O Lord, You have been good
You have been faithful
    to all generations.

Those words from the Twila Paris worship song have never jumped out at us like they did on Sunday morning. Leaving 2006 and entering 2007, it is hard to believe all that has transpired in our lives this past year. Starting the year with support building for our service with HCJB World Radio (now called HCJB Global), to finishing the year with exhausting every avenue in hopes of keeping our family in Singapore - it's been a mix of exciting adventure, hard work, and some questioning and despair. But God has been good and faithful all the time - caring for us and reminding us to trust in His plan, which is so much larger than what we can see. I think we've also come to realize how much we need each other. This missionary thing is truly a team effort, and the support and encouragement you have showered on us has really sustained us through the ups and downs. Each of you is a part of the team we would not want to be without. Thank you.

We had a wonderful family time exploring Singapore as Steve's parents visited us in December! They even treated us to a few days of R & R on the beach in Thailand, which was so refreshing (below).

Emmett, Thizbe, and I received our green cards on December 28th (below). Yes, they are actually in our hands! What about Steve? Well, he had an extra step to complete and will collect his visa on January 5th. No big deal, but it makes for a good story that we got our visas in different years.

Steve's new year with the mission will be full and stretching. He has office reconfigurations to attend to for the growing staff, web site design work, network setup, and day-to-day technical support for the office staff. One new development (due to the visa difficulties) is that Steve will be taking up some night university classes in late January, with the goal of upgrading his diplomas to a degree through part-time study over the next year and a half. This should greatly improve his chances of visa renewal a year from now.

Thizbe and Emmett start a new school year this week, and in spite of their protests, we're sure they will be thrilled to see their friends and be back in a routine. Now that we have the visas, they will also join soccer, piano, and hopefully some type of enrichment program in French.

My mission focus in January is to get better and faster at voicing and producing the weeknight Indonesia broadcasts. The programs went to air in December and seem to be going well so far, though the partner station is waiting for a transmitter upgrade before the signal will be as strong as we hoped. Also, one afternoon a week I'll be at the kids' school, reading in English to the youngest class. We've joined a care group in our church (below), and want to become more involved there in 2007 as well.

Thanks for your letters, emails, all your care, and support. Blessings in this new year!

Rockin' Report

2006-11-23T14:32:00.000+08:00

That would be a really good report – or even a great one. Here we go with highlights of the last month in Singapore...

Visa breakthrough!
On our fifth attempt, we celebrate and thank the Lord that Steve is now in the process of being granted a one-year work permit. Our employment agent - liaison between the mission and the government – told

Starting in the foreground is Colin Sampson (New Zealand World Office Director), James Totton (Training Director), John Brewer (Southeast Asia Director), and Steve writing something hopefully legible on the white board.

us he had never seen one person’s application turned down four consecutive times. There’s nothing like standing out in the crowd! Steve’s work permit will come with some conditions, which HCJB Asia Pacific must meet within one year. Please keep praying for the mission’s responsibilities in this, and also that our visas will be approved very soon.

Mission projects – good progress.
Steve has successfully directed a series of web planning meetings with HCJB Asia Pacific’s regional leaders. We know many of you were praying for him during this time, and we thank you for that. Now the task of taking those plans and turning them into a website for ministry is his new focus.

I have also been under a fairly heavy workload in preparing and voicing programs to begin airing from Indonesia in early December. Each broadcast contains a mix of positive music and short programs on building a relationship with God, marriage and the family, or health issues. The majority of the December shows are now complete, leaving me available to spend more time with Thizbe and Emmett during their school break.

Emmett’s 7th birthday.

Ben, Russell, Shaun, and Cheng Xin helped Emmett celebrate.

He shared his day with four rambunctious classmates in his first ever November outdoor swimming party (in +32 degree weather)! The chaos of the day felt wonderfully “normal,” even though the boys sure don’t look normal in the photo. :)

School wind-up.

At the closing concert the entire student body of Victory Life Christian Training Agency sang songs and recited by memory from the Psalms.

Emmett standing next to Mr. Boey, teacher and administrator.

Thizbe standing next to her teacher, Mrs. Lee.

Thizbe and Emmett have begun their year end break which runs from mid November to the beginning of January. They’ve had four super months at school and we’re now happy to have more time with them in November and December.

Anticipating our first visitors!
Steve’s parents will be arriving in early December and spending four weeks with us. You can imagine just how excited we are about having them here to share in our first Christmas overseas!

We are so thankful for your support and prayers, and always enjoy hearing about what is going on in your lives. You can find us at the address here. Have a great month!

Prayer Points

New broadcasts from Indonesia: that they are well received and point people to Christ
Web site development: swift progress in creating the site
Christmas travel safety: for Steve’s parents, for mission families traveling to and fro

Hebrews 10:23

Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. (New Living Translation)

October in Singapore

2006-10-20T05:53:00.000+08:00

It sure isn't Thanksgiving here (and we miss Mom's mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy), but Singapore is also abuzz with major festivals this time of year. We'll tell you a little bit about them, but first...

An update on our work with HCJB World Radio Asia Pacific: Steve continues to discover his role as IT Manager, and has not yet had a moment where there is nothing to do. He is currently preparing for regional meetings November 15/16, where he'll be working with mission leaders from India to New Zealand to plan the new regional website. The site development is a huge project and will require a great deal of his energy in the coming months. Meanwhile, Lisa and several other broadcasters are beginning to create daily radio programs to be aired from an Indonesian island, starting in early December. The broadcast signal covers the island and extends back to Singapore, allowing us to have an on-air presence here as well. We are heard via short wave and local FM all over the Asia Pacific region, but have not been tunable in Singapore to this point. This is an exciting first for the mission!

...And then there's our work visas, still in process. They've been rejected more times than we care to comment on! The mission is trying a new approach on the latest appeal and we hope for a favourable response. We believe that God has a purpose in all this and know that His plan is right. Please keep on praying!

Now, for a taste of October in Singapore:

The Chinese Mid Autumn Festival sees the streets strung with lovely lanterns.

The flower lantern display Steve and the kids are standing beside is fully lit at night. Families view the moon at its fullest.

Deepavali is the largest Hindu festival of the year, celebrating the triumph of good over evil. We visited a Hindu temple where worship rituals were underway both inside...

...and out.

And Hari Raya Puasa, a Muslim celebration, marks the end of Ramadan later this month. These three festivals are showcased with beautiful, intricate displays of lights. Observing them, we are compelled to give all of our thanks to the Father of all of heaven's lights whose love for each one of us never changes. There are so many still waiting to know Him. Thank you for believing in His plan for the Asia Pacific region with us!

For Prayer

Steve & the mission: for productive web development meetings November 15/16

Lisa & the mission: for quality new broadcast programs to begin airing in December

Family: for work visas, friendships and local activities/clubs for Thizbe and Emmett

James 1:17

Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, He never changes or casts shifting shadows. (New Living Translation)

"Most Beautiful People”

2006-09-24T11:16:00.000+08:00

In this land of many people in little space, what better way to give you a glimpse into our life and mission work than through those we see every day!

Our apartment's night guard, who has also become our friend. He cheerfully sends us off to school & work each morning.

Emmett hooks up with one of his first "buddies" from school, who he hunts for spiders with nearly every day.

Thizbe savours each minute of her day as flower girl for her teacher's Singaporean wedding. Hey, it goes without saying that our children would make the most beautiful list!

Inside the subway train, which is packed with beautiful, cologne laden commuters during peak hours. This is about how it looks when we board in the morning.

Upon arrival at the HCJB World Radio Asia Pacific office, we are greeted by our mission coworkers, who keep Steve hopping with their technical requests. They also work alongside Lisa in broadcast production and programming. This month, the 16th FM radio station for Indonesia was set up by HCJB World Radio, then handed over to nationals to run. How exciting to see our Lord's work moving forward!

Walking home after school, our favourite Ice Cream Man is ready to serve up a cool treat of ice cream wrapped in coloured bread. (The bread acts as an insulator to keep the ice cream frozen longer, and also soaks up whatever melts. Brilliant!)

We tend to limit our "mission" in Singapore to information technology and broadcasting. But each person with whom we cross paths is someone who needs God's touch. They are our community, and they are our mission.

Some items for prayer:

Work visa – we'd like this to be settled so we can really "settle"

Team unity – integrating 3 new families into the existing team

Future broadcasts – development of the right outreach programs

Thank you for serving the Lord in this mission with us. We feel so upheld by your prayers, support, and encouragement!

Love,
Steve, Lisa, Thizbe, Emmett

...My gracious favour is all you need. My power works best in your weakness. 2 Cor. 12:9

Q&A Session

2006-08-25T14:54:00.000+08:00

Hello, family and friends! Our second month in Singapore is nearly complete. This thought is amazing. We would like answer a few of the month's most common questions in this update.

What is the status of your work visas?
Unfortunately, we have nothing exciting to report since July. We have now been rejected twice by the Singaporean government, and the mission is currently in the midst of the second appeal.

Lovely tree on the way to school

This is unsettling for us, though not uncommon in this country, and we are anxious to see it resolved. We thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement, and ask you to please continue praying. If we aren't approved by August 31st, we will need to look at going to Malaysia and then re-entering the country on a two week pass. As you can imagine, we are hopeful that the jaunts out of country won't be necessary.

How are Thizbe and Emmett?
They are amazing. At least in our eyes. They're enjoying school, even though they have to get up at 6:15 AM and walk for 20 minutes to get there. We're happy to see them both finding friends and interested in the Chinese culture. Some of Emmett's favourites: bugs, lizards, Singapore bananas, pineapple, the ice cream man. Favourites of Thizbe's: singing in school chapel, chicken curry, mango, the air-conditioning in her bedroom. Both kids are especially appreciative of the swimming pool in our apartment complex, which is visited by the Balzer family every single day, sometimes more than once.

Do you notice the heat as much as when you first arrived?
The temperature in Singapore typically fluctuates between 26-28°C (night) and 32-34 (day), with upwards of 80% humidity. Yes, it still feels hot to us here! That said, we are getting accustomed to being in a constant state of sweating during every non-air-conditioned moment. Does that mean we're adjusting? In a weird sort of way, yes.

How's the mission work going?
As you may expect, it took very little time for Steve to dive headlong into his role as IT Manager/Web Master for the Asia Pacific region – setting up/reconfiguring existing equipment, offering technical support to the growing staff, and, of greatest interest, working with the region's Training Director to set up broadcast automation software for a radio station in Indonesia. A station which may be a future point of broadcast for programs which I have voiced and/or produced. I've been working to gain some skills as a producer, learn new broadcast software, and research the possibilities of producing a weekly children's radio program. In the midst of being a little overwhelmed, we're both filled with excitement at what the Lord has in store for us here.

Getting familiar with the mission studio equipment

One great accomplishment in the region this month is the opening of an HCJB World Radio representative office in Japan. Thousands of people there already listen to shortwave Japanese programs through the Australia broadcast site.

"Oh! Those bananas look cool!"
...and they taste great!

This new office will be a place where people can call/email/write when they have questions about God or their faith. Our Director, Dennis Adams, was in Tokyo to open the office. While there, he attended a “shortwave radio conference” (yes, like a Trekkie conference!) where he met some of the people who have come to know Jesus through the programs. They are walking examples of why we want to be involved in radio missions.

Toughest change so far?
Steve: as anticipated – the heat, humidity, and lack of air movement
Lisa: less personal space – smaller home, crowds, tight lineups
Thizbe: not having a popcorn maker – they are not available here
Emmett: understanding what people are saying to me

What are your prayer needs?

For the granting of our work visas.
Thizbe and Emmett – for growing friendships.
That we will notice people and work at building relationships.

Thank you for all you do to make it possible for us to serve in Singapore!

Romans 11:33

Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are His riches and wisdom and knowledge. How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His methods!

Here At Last

2006-07-27T13:16:00.000+08:00

Exploring Singapore's east coast

We greet you from sunny Singapore, after three weeks of working to get our bearings and start our service in information technology and broadcasting with HCJB World Radio. Let’s face it – the majority of our time so far has been spent struggling through the basics of life – searching out a place to live, where to get food and how to cook it, bug-proofing, orienting to the city, and learning just a few of the ropes (and Mandarin words) from the locals. It's humbling, to say the least! The Singaporeans have been more than gracious toward us so far, and we're enjoying many aspects of the country.

Our first “official” assignment duty was to take in the mission's regional conference, where HCJB World Radio leaders from across the Asia Pacific region came together here in Singapore for a week of sharing, visioning, and refueling. It was a tremendous time. One couple told their recent story of God's protection as they were held at gunpoint by a group who wanted to steal their car – but somehow the men couldn't figure out how to drive it away and eventually fled, leaving them (and the car) unharmed. A Singaporean guest speaker stressed the value of the English language as a platform for sharing Christ - it is the language of business among the Asian group of countries, and is highly sought after by people of all ages. English broadcasters have a great opportunity in this part of the world. Several of the mission leaders shared their plans for the integration of web ministries into the region work this coming year. We finished the conference with a greater understanding of the tools the Lord has placed in our hands for helping in His work here.

Thizbe and Emmett have amazed us with their settling efforts, from food to friends to using their feet. They've tried new fish, a host of green vegetables and fruits, spicy food served on a banana leaf, and all manner of drinks. Both have already hit it off with Singaporean children, and they are more saavy than us with the transit system. After some deliberation, we have decided to enroll them in a small, private school which follows a Christian homeschooling curriculum. The other students are Singaporean and Philippino. On their first day, one of the boys kept touching Emmett's blond hair. He asked us if we came from the USA or Canada. We told him Canada, at which point he turned to his friends and said, “See? I told you there is such a thing as Canadians!”

Emmett and Thiz in uniform for school

Some of you are already aware that one area of concern for us right now is our work permits. Two weeks ago, we received word that our visa applications were turned down. An appeal has been presented by the mission, and we are expecting to hear something more before the end of the month. We know this is a fairly common occurrence, and numerous applications may be required. We ask for your prayers that our permits will be granted soon, and for the ongoing adjustments as we settle here.

Our thanks to you for your continuing part in what God has called us to. We're excited to walk with you as it all unfolds!

Typical apartment block housing

Interesting Things We've Learned

Singapore National Day, August 9th – the fighter planes are practising over our place daily
Price of great meal at local hawker stall: $2 Singapore (equivalent to $1.40 Cdn or $1.25 US)
Typical Singaporean diet: noodles, rice, or soup at every meal
Most homes have no dryer or oven – believe us, that's ok
Average temperature in our apartment (day and night): 32 C
Hot water in the taps – not needed or wanted

To Pray About

Granting of our work permits

Smooth adjustment into school and friendships for Thizbe and Emmett

That we will speak less and listen more as we integrate into our mission roles

Psalm 121:8

The Lord will watch over your coming and going...

Goodbyes and Hellos

2006-06-13T12:32:00.000+08:00

Greetings from Colorado Springs, Colorado! We are one hour south of Denver in this beautiful city which lies on the edge of the Rocky Mountains. This is the last update we'll send to you before landing on Singaporean soil on June 30th! It feels great… surreal…and many other things…to be so close to actually moving overseas.

Our last four weeks have been spent primarily in preparation for the next step. We are currently finishing up a cross cultural training program, and, prior to that, spent a week at HCJB World Radio mission headquarters in pre-service training. Between training sessions, we were able to fly to Coral Springs, Florida, to visit friends and supporters at Genesis Christian Center, and enjoy a mini family vacation. Back here at Mission Training International (MTI), we have been studying everything from culture shock, conflict management, and raising third culture kids to moral purity, spiritual vitality, and Sabbath rest. Thizbe and Emmett are in a special kids program which mirrors the adult learning but with a lot more fun in the mix.

One highlight of this past month was an in person meeting with our new boss, HCJB World Radio's Asia Pacific Director, Dennis Adams, and his wife Jan. They are wonderful! Dennis and Jan gave us a glimpse into some of the ways God is opening opportunities to share His love with others in the region, and how the mission is pretty much running to keep up. Dennis also explained how our roles in information technology and program production might play out. Not only that, they both helped to calm some of our (ok – Lisa's) anxieties about arriving and getting settled in Singapore. Now it's time to just do it!

We invite you to join us on Wednesday, June 21st, 7:00 PM, for a commissioning dessert potluck at our home church, East Side Church of God, in Swift Current. From what we understand, it's going to be a fun and informal night of visiting, sharing, eating, and (less fun) goodbyes. Thanks so much for your prayers and support as, together, we take this step into global missions. You are an invaluable part of the team. Thank you!

Taking Flight

Vancouver to Singapore: 12,800 km
Total flight time: 19 hours
Time zones crossed: 9 (plus International Date Line)

Prayer Items

keeping the Lord at the centre of each day

goodbyes and hellos – so many of both in the next weeks

settling in Singapore – school for the kids, visas, our new home

getting our feet wet in the mission

Psalm 139:9-10

If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me.

Transition...

2006-05-10T13:13:00.000+08:00

We write to you today from a borrowed laptop in the kitchen of our home of nine years...now nearly empty! It's been a tremendously busy and emotional few weeks since receiving the go-ahead from HCJB World Radio to proceed with our pre-service training and departure to our mission post in Singapore.

Here's a rough itinerary of our schedule now through the end of June:

Friday, May 12th – last day of school for Thizbe and Emmett

Sunday, May 14th – leave Swift Current by car for Colorado Springs

Wednesday, May 17th – begin one week of technical training at mission headquarters

Wednesday, May 24th – fly to Florida to meet supporters

Sunday, May 28th – presentation at Genesis Christian Centre, Coral Springs, FL

Monday, May 29th – fly back to Colorado Springs for three week family cross-cultural training course

Sunday, June 18th – arrive back in Swift Current

Wednesday, June 21st – evening commissioning service at East Side Church

Thursday, June 22nd – leave by car for Vancouver, visiting family and friends on the way

Thursday, June 29th – fly from Vancouver to Singapore!

The generous help we have received – with everything from moving furniture onto the lawn for our yard sale, providing meals and snacks, offering fun outings for Thizbe and Emmett while Dad and Mom clean and sell, etc. – has made this time easier to bear and even fun! Thank you so much!

Once again, we see clearly how the Lord is going before us and providing everything needed for this transition. Our home and most of our belongings have sold more quickly and with greater ease than we expected, and the help of family and friends has been a special gift. Thizbe and Emmett are always an inspiration, too, with their positive outlook and enthusiasm – they've decided that our near empty house is great because they can run, dance, and do somersaults forever without running into anything! The challenge for us through all of these changes is to hold onto God's truth and not to let His voice be drowned out by our worries, fears, and exhaustion. In Him, our hearts can still find rest (Matt. 11:28-30).

Thank you for your support and prayers, and for serving in global missions with us! Please consider this your invitation to our commissioning service on Wednesday, June 21st, at East Side. We will update you from Colorado Springs in June.

Prayer Items

safe travel – driving over 5,600 km and flying 27 hours in the next 1½ months

relationships – many goodbyes, lots of emotions – very tiring for everyone!

settling in Singapore – school for the kids, visas, our new home

Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."

The Countdown

2006-04-20T11:06:00.000+08:00

It is April 18th and in just one short month we will be en route to pre-field training in Colorado Springs. And in two months, our departure for Singapore will be at hand. Yes, it’s true! HCJB World Radio has given our family the official clearance to move ahead with training and departure to our post in Singapore, where we will serve in radio programming and training, as well as information technology. How grateful we are for our Father’s provision! The reality of this is exhilarating and sobering at the same time.

This news means that, pretty much overnight, the focus in the Balzer home has shifted from counting up (percentages) to counting down (days). And to how much productivity can be crammed into any one given day, in order that we’ll be ready to leave Swift Current in mid May. Over the next four weeks, there will be paperwork, selling, throwing out, packing, planning, and many goodbyes. After a month in Colorado Springs, we’ll briefly return to Swift Current for a commissioning service, then head to Vancouver and fly out from there. We ask for your prayers not just for us, but for our family and friends who are also going through this time of farewells.

Meanwhile, HCJB World Radio’s Western Canada dinner tour featuring the film Beyond the Gates of Splendor is set to get underway in Saskatchewan this weekend. We look forward to being a part of this in Swift Current at our home church, East Side Church of God, on Monday, April 24th. You can call the mission office at 1-888-354-4252 to reserve your tickets for the dinner in your area.

Thank you for your part in growing global missions in Asia and the South Pacific. Your partnership with us in prayer and finances is as much an act of service as our going to Singapore is. We are in this together! Let’s always remember that. The Lord has done amazing things to bring together what is required for us to get started, and we thank you for being a part of it. If you would like to join our support team but have yet to do so, there is still room. Though our basic required support level has been met, additional pledged funds are recommended by the mission and will be needed for extra expenses such as medical costs, dental, some travel, emergencies, etc., which will undoubtedly arise on the field.

We hope to touch base with many of you over the next month!

Flower Power

Over 40 varieties of orchids flourish in Singapore’s tropical climate. The Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid, Singapore's national flower, is hardy, resilient, and can bloom throughout the year. It reflects Singapore's quest for progress and excellence in all aspects of life.

To Pray About

transition time: strength for all involved

new home, school, jobs, and church waiting in Singapore

sale of all of our “stuff”

Matthew 6:30a

If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you?

"Oh - you're still here"

2006-03-24T11:02:00.000+08:00

This has replaced the standard “Hi” as the greeting of choice when we are met by familiar people on the street, in the malls, at the skating rink, or pretty much anywhere else these days. Yes, we are still in Swift Current. And yes, we are so close to getting on with our assignment with HCJB World Radio that we can almost taste it!

As much as we’d like to have our training and departure plans underway, we are thankful for another wonderful month here in our community. First, we got to spend the better part of a week (starting at the end of February) with the people of Trailview Alliance Church for their annual missions conference. While we expected to present the work of HCJB World Radio and share about our upcoming assignment in radio broadcasting and information technology in Singapore, we did not expect the gifts that God had waiting for us that week:

meeting other missionaries who have walked in our shoes and who had advice and words of wisdom from their experiences

seeing Thizbe and Emmett so excited to return night after night so they could learn more about other countries and try new foods from around the world

receiving special words of encouragement from God through another presenter

hearing Emmett pray at bedtime for people in the countries where they can’t talk about Jesus and then thanking Him for Canada

Wow…the week at Trailview Alliance ended and we felt so fuelled to continue! By the way, if you are able to attend part or all of their missions conference next year, we would highly recommend it. Other Sundays brought great opportunities to share, connect, and make friends at Church of the Open Bible in Swift Current and, most recently, Crossroads Church in Herbert. Thanks to all of these fine people for inviting us in and trusting us with the microphone!

In addition to this being HCJB World Radio’s 75th year, the mission is also recognizing the 50th anniversary of the five missionaries martyred in Ecuador by the Waodani tribe in 1956. The way that God used this tragic situation for good continues to impact people around the world, and is the focus of the mission’s spring dinner tour. The film Beyond the Gates of Splendor (which tells this incredible story) will be shown. For a schedule of the dates for across Western Canada, please go here. Dinner tickets must be reserved through the office. In Swift Current, this event happens in our home church, East Side Church of God, on Monday, April 24th. We’d love to see you there!

For more on how HCJB World Radio is reaching around the world, check out the Truth in Motion and Prayer World publications, now available online each month.

Thank you for continuing to stand with us as we work at raising the final portion of required support. Hey, team, we’re on the home stretch! (At least for this leg of the journey) Your prayers and uplifting words are so special. Together, we will be a part of God’s plan for Asia and the South Pacific!

Billions of Birds

OK, probably not, but the Jurong Bird Park in Singapore is the world’s largest bird zoo. It is home to over 9,000 birds from around the world, including a flock of one thousand and one flamingoes.

To Pray For

Upcoming sharing times at East Side and Family Community Church here in Swift Current
Completion of our fundraising
In Singapore: students coming from all over the region for training at the Radio School of Mission March 29th – April 5th

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

HCJB World Radio Spring Tour

2006-03-16T10:32:00.000+08:00

HCJB World Radio Canada may be coming to a location near you as they tour across Western Canada this Spring! And we would like to extend the invitation and encourage you to take in one of the following events if at all possible.

A complimentary dinner, hosted by HCJB World Radio, is available at select locations. For dinner reservations call 1-888-354-4252 or email canada@hcjb.org by clicking on the appropriate RSVP link below.

A freewill offering will be taken. Read more at the bottom of this page.

	Saskatoon	Friday, April 21 - 7:00 pm Bethany Manor 110 La Ronge Road evening service only
	Saskatoon	Saturday, April 22 - 6:00 pm Forest Grove Community Church 502 Webster Street RSVP for dinner seating by April 14
	Dalmeny	Sunday, April 23 - 10:40 am Dalmeny Bible Church 406 Wakefield Avenue Sunday morning service
	Waldheim	Sunday, April 23 - 7:00 pm Waldheim Mennonite Brethren 5003 2nd Avenue E Sunday evening service
	Swift Current	Monday, April 24 - 6:30 pm East Side Church of God Hwy 1 & 4 (across from WalMart) RSVP for dinner seating by April 17
	Medicine Hat	Tuesday, April 25 - 6:30 pm Heights Baptist Church 1250 Division Avenue S RSVP for dinner seating by April 18
	Lethbridge	Wednesday, April 26 - 6:30 pm Sven Ericksen Restaurant 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive RSVP for dinner seating by April 19
	Calgary	Thursday, April 27 - 7:00 pm Southview Alliance Church 1436 James McKevitt Road SW RSVP for dessert seating by April 21
	Kelowna	Saturday, April 29 - 6:00 pm Mission Creek Alliance Church 2091 Springfield Road RSVP for dinner seating by April 21
	Penticton	Sunday, April 30 - 10:30 am Grace Mennonite Brethren 74 Penticton Avenue Sunday morning service
	Abbotsford	Monday, May 1 - 12:00 pm Rancho Caterers 35110 Delair Road RSVP for dinner seating by April 24
	Abbotsford	Monday, May 1 - 6:30 pm Rancho Caterers 35110 Delair Road RSVP for dinner seating by April 24
	Parksville	Tuesday, May 2 - 6:30 pm Parksville Baptist Church 550 Pym Street RSVP for dinner seating by April 25
	Victoria	Wednesday, May 3 - 6:30 pm Lambrick Park Church 1780 Feltham Road RSVP for dinner seating by April 25
	Richmond	Thursday, May 4 - 6:30 pm Faith Fellowship Church 11960 Montego Street RSVP for dinner seating by April 27
	Burnaby	Friday, May 5 - 6:30 pm Brentwood Park Alliance Church 1410 Delta Avenue RSVP for dinner seating by April 28
	Coquitlam	Saturday, May 6 - 6:00 pm Northside Foursquare Church 1460 Lansdowne Drive RSVP for dinner seating by April 28
	Clearbrook	Sunday, May 7 - 8:45 am, 11:15 am Bakerview Mennonite Brethren 2285 Clearbrook Road Sunday morning service
	Abbotsford	Sunday, May 7 - 7:00 pm King Road Mennonite Brethren 32068 King Road / Clearbrook Road Sunday evening service

KEYBOARD ARTISTS

Music is central in the lives of Elwood and Doreen Benson. We are positive that you will enjoy and be blessed by their keyboard and vocal arrangements. The Benson’s, from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan have performed at missions conferences, churches, banquets, and a variety of other special events. HCJB World Radio is honored to have them serve as our representatives in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

FILM

The award-winning documentary “Beyond the Gates of Splendor” will be shown at dinner locations.

GUEST SPEAKER (Joining the tour on April 27 in Calgary)

Our special guest speaker is OLIVE FLEMING LIEFELD, widow of Pete Fleming, who was one of five missionaries speared by the Auca Indians in the jungles of Ecuador on January 8, 1956. Olive’s simple and honest account reveals a story of redemption and reconciliation. It is the story of God’s sustaining grace and how faith in Him transformed tragedy, fear and sorrow into triumph, courage, conviction and love.

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This here road

2006-02-19T04:11:00.000+08:00

One more month and a little bit closer to Singapore! No, the departure and training dates are not yet confirmed but, yes, we regularly see how God is working to prepare us and those around us to join His work through Information Technology and Gospel Broadcasting there.

Here are a few highlights from this past month:

We thank Bridgeway Community Church, East Side Church of God (our home church), and one of Main Centre Church’s Care Groups for inviting us in to share with them about the work of HCJB World Radio and our role with the mission.
The Asia Pacific region where we'll be serving is seeing the fruit of radio outreach! In Indonesia, church planters are reporting more than 200 people accepting Christ per year in each of the 14 communities that now have partnered with HCJB World Radio by way of FM stations. That's up from about 30 people per year before the gospel broadcasts began, and is exactly why we are heading down the road to full time missions!
The prayer team surrounding us continues to grow! Even now, your prayers so often "carry" us. This is really the foundation for the work God has for us overseas, and we can't thank you enough!
Emmett and Thizbe are still loving the fact that we are in Swift Current a little longer than expected – with birthday parties they get to attend, finishing the indoor soccer season, more chances to go ice skating, etc. They are looking forward to Singapore, but are in no rush to say goodbye to this home!
Support raising: A couple of weeks ago, we received the recommendation from HCJB World Radio International Headquarters that we have 100% of our support in place before we move ahead with training and departure dates, rather than 80%. Please read the attached letter from the mission's Director of Public Affairs explaining this.

In light of the new recommendation from mission headquarters, we may be slightly further from being ready to proceed than originally thought. Though the extra waiting is not our idea of "fun", we fully concur that it will be better to have the funding in place before we head to the field. And the beautiful thing is that God can work this time together for good, too, and it is evident that He already is.

As we noted in December, if you are already supporting us, your gifts are currently helping to build our fund for outgoing expenses and ministry, which is fantastic. Once we begin cross cultural training (which we hope will be in spring), your support will go toward our monthly requirement. Please feel free to contact us (306-773-9695) or the Canadian office (below) if you have any questions or would like to make adjustments to your support plan.

Thank you so much for walking this road with us!

Goodbye, Car

The clean and efficient Mass Rapid Transit system will be our primary mode of transportation in Singapore, since we will not own a vehicle there. The train system has 64+ stations and is under steady expansion, with more than 1.3 million passengers a day.

To Pray For

Upcoming sharing times at Trailview Alliance and Church of the Open Bible here in Swift Current

Patience and focus here until our support raising is complete

The office in Singapore: waiting for more staff including an office/finance manager

Acts 10:34-35

I now realize how true it is that God treats everyone the same. He accepts people from every nation. He accepts all who have respect for Him and do what is right.

Ralph Moreman
Director-Public Affairs

February 17, 2006

Dear Friends,

It is my joy to write to you about our mutual friends, Steve & Lisa Balzer.

I have thanked God many times for bringing Steve and Lisa our way, and now, as they are so close to going to the harvest field, I have even more reason to thank the Lord.

In my role of director-public affairs it is my goal to communicate with our mission family and their friends in a timely and effective manner. However, there are times when we learn some important information from the field that is not always timely, thus my reason to write.

In the midst of raising their support we at the mission have asked Steve and Lisa to consider a change in the timing of their departure.

Allow me to explain. Missionaries raising support have two financial objectives to achieve before they are authorized to go to the field. One is the "outgoing expenses", the other "support pledges" to cover their monthly allowances while serving on the field.

Before this change they were required to have 100% of the outgoing expenses on hand and as low as 80% of their support pledged. We are now asking that they have 100% in both areas. This is based on the feedback from missionaries of the challenge it is to garner the remaining 20% before departure, and even more so from the field.

They are missionaries. They will not be salaried by the mission. They must raise their own support. They will serve just as all of our missionaries serve, trusting God and believing in Him to supply their needs. And, He does that through friends like you, friends who I believe would want to know how close they are to their monthly support goal. Please accept my apology for any inconvenience this change may cause you.

May I also ask those of you who have yet to make a commitment to prayerfully consider becoming a monthly partner with Steve and Lisa? You could start that process by sending a gift to HCJB World Radio - Canada with the Balzer's account number, 110516, on the "memo" line. Then the receipt you get back will help you continue in a monthly way. Or, you can contact the Canadian office by phone, 905-814-0176, and set up an automatic monthly gift. Or, if you can't join their monthly support team, perhaps you would consider providing a one time gift that would help them, sent to:

HCJB World Radio - Canada
2-6655 Kitimat Road
Mississauga, ON, L5N 6J4

I also want to ask you to pray for them.

The world is a rapidly changing place. Countries are changing. Opportunities are changing. Needs are changing. People are changing. Thank God our message from the Gospel never changes.

Steve and Lisa's jobs are critical to the Asia-Pacific Region and even beyond. They will be key to helping us make the most effective impact in any given situation, language or country. That will be hard work with so much change. They will need our prayer everyday as they serve this mission.

Thank you for being their friends and caring about them.

Serving the King together,

Ralph Moreman
Director-Public Affairs

HCJB World Radio
1065 Garden of the Gods Rd
Colorado Springs, CO, 80907-3405
719-590-9800

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What a Year!

2006-01-20T22:00:00.000+08:00

This update is a special one for us as it marks one year since we seriously entertained the idea of full time mission work. What a ride!

It was a winter night in January 2005 when Steve and I both got a word from God (kind of an overwhelming sense) about what He wanted our future to look like. Steve's word was evangelism, and mine was radio missions. We'll never forget that night and the point of decision we suddenly found ourselves at. Now, twelve months later, we are nearly ready to begin as full time missionaries with HCJB World Radio in Singapore! It has been amazing to watch the Lord bring us to a mission and a location where our training, experience, and passions can work together with what He's already doing. We could not have asked for anything more!

This year, HCJB World Radio celebrates 75 years of meeting people where they are at through the familiar voice on the radio and 50 years of helping people come to physical and spiritual healing through their mission hospital ministry. Both areas provide the opportunity to get close enough to others that maybe they will catch a glimpse of who God is, and both have grown beyond what any man could have imagined! We are so excited to become a part of the growing radio and web outreach in Asia and the South Pacific. If you'd like to find out more about HCJB World Radio's 75 years, visit the website at www.hcjb.org/75.

Life continues to change for our family, little by little, as we aim to leave Swift Current in late February for our pre-service training in Colorado Springs. Later this month, Steve will take some online training in preparation for his role as network administrator for the Singapore office. I have resigned from my job at the local radio station and am now focusing totally on mission "stuff" and getting our family ready for the move. Meanwhile, Thizbe and Emmett are enjoying the fact that we didn't leave in January as originally planned and they did get to go back to school with their friends after Christmas! They've gotten involved with the prep by packing the first official box for Singapore...it contains small Christmas ornaments they've been given and a few they've made. This tiny box of treasures must find its way across the Pacific one way or another, that much is certain!

Thank you for being a part of this assignment with us through your prayers, encouragement, and financial support. You are missionaries on this journey every bit as much as we are. We press on toward reaching 80% on our monthly support so that we can solidify our training/departure schedule, and then we'll focus on the final 20% after that. God's timeline for us is exactly as it should be, though we do hope to see the additional support soon. Thanks so much for praying!

About Chinese New Year

Lunar New Year begins Jan. 29th
Celebrations in Singapore last for over a month
2006 is the Year of the Dog
The New Year heralds the arrival of spring
Traditional foods include whole fish, seaweed, dumplings, and long noodles

To Pray About

That our kids' fears are calmed as the move nears

For energy and focus to continue seeking support

For patience to wait on God's timing in all of this!

Isaiah 52:10

The Lord will demonstrate His holy power before the eyes of all the nations. The ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God!

Change of Season…

2005-12-10T06:07:00.000+08:00

Thizbe and Emmett would like to pass a little Christmas cheer on to you with a joke to open our letter:

What do elves learn in school?
The elf-abet!

The thing we (Steve and Lisa) most want to say in this update from snowy Saskatchewan is an enthusiastic “Thank You!” for your support, prayers, and encouragement. It’s your involvement with us that allows us to continue on this journey toward becoming full time missionaries with HCJB World Radio. Because of your care, generosity, and obedience to what God is asking of you, we will one day be in Singapore helping others to hear that He loves them. This reality is overwhelming to us. Thank you so much!

Season of Change…

As we write, we expected to be packing for full time training in Colorado Springs starting January 3rd; however, God’s plan appears to be a bit different. The 80% pledge mark we require to move ahead has yet to be reached, so our training and departure timeline has been changed slightly. Our new goal is to begin training in February (this gives us about five extra weeks to fundraise) and arrive in Singapore in late March/early April. If you have begun supporting us through HCJB World Radio or have pledged to start in January, the choice is yours on how you’d like to proceed from here. You may continue giving or begin in January as planned, or you may wish to wait until we begin serving with the mission (training in Colorado Springs). Any funds given up until our training time will go toward covering our outgoing expenses of approximately $25,000. After that, your support will go toward our monthly requirement. Please know that we want you to do whatever you are comfortable with! You can contact us or the Canadian office (below) to make adjustments to your support plan.

We wish you and your family a blessed Christmas!

Christmas in Singapore

For over a week leading up to Christmas, huge celebrations take place on Orchard Road in downtown Singapore. From the extravagant Parade of Floats to the Grand Concert and Street Celebration on December 25th, the downtown hub is aglow with festive Christmas sights and sounds.

To Pray About

Safe travel to BC and back for Christmas

Sale of our home and belongings

Additional financial partners

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given…these will be His royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.