Tammy Chislett

Dear All

The Move

Do you remember me mentioning something about 'comfort zone' in my last
letter? Well I can definitely say I'm out of it. Chinese New Year dinners,
hot humid weather, spicy food, language barriers, high rise apartments, a
publicity photo shoot, teaching on Acts, team building sessions,
brainstorming, trains and buses packed like those on their way to a
concentration camp, conviction of the Holy Spirit, and a very long-lasting
sore throat...are all things that I have experienced in the short time I've
been here.

As you can imagine, it has been a crazy time and without being assured of
the Lord's presence and the certainty that I know this is where He wants me,
I would have booked my ticket to return home. How precious the Lord's peace
is and how important it is to be obedient! Something I was challenged afresh
with in 1 Sam 16 during one of our teaching sessions was that the Lord wants
our obedience more than sacrifice. He doesn't want us to be fakes. A few
days upon arrival, I sensed the Lord's conviction in a particular area and
initially my response was, 'But Lord. Look at all I've already sacrificed
for You - isn't that enough for now?" However I knew He was telling me
something and if I'm really living for Him, I needed to be obedient and
ensure my heart is right before my God. Already, the Lord has had to do a
lot of 'pruning' in my life and I have a sneaky feeling it's only just
begun...

I've discovered that the Singaporeans are very hard workers, working long
days as well as half of Saturday, if not more, and the Asia Pacific
Performing Arts Team is not going to break this mould. So unless you attend
a late starting church, a sleep-in is just not possible! :(

The Mission

Our rehearsals are due to start on March 7 so up until that time, our days
have been packed with 'preparation/training sessions'. All of this is to
ensure that our motives, expectations are right as well as to thoroughly
understand the type of audiences we will be sharing the gospel with. We want
to be able to address the issues of the different cultures and our music
also needs to be relevant. So much preparation is needed!

The Asia Pacific Performing Arts team consists of two Filipino's, five
Singaporeans, myself, a team leader from New Zealand, with the possibility
of a Burmese joining us a little later on. We've pretty much been in 'each
other's pockets' since our arrival so I feel like I've known these people
for years rather than just weeks... in a positive way! :)

As well as doing music and drama, we are expected to contribute 5 hours a
week towards another ministry of Youth For Christ here in Singapore, so I
will be joining the secondary school ministry area of facilitating Bible
studies for both Christian and non-Christian students - beginning this week!

I'm so appreciative of your prayer and financial support throughout this
time - it hasn't been super easy but the Lord is definitely meeting all my
needs as He promises to do so! Thank you for praying!! Each of us on the
team are still raising funds and we 'foreigners' are still in the process of
adjusting to this new way of living. I'm 'hungry' for some time with an
'Aussie' so if you know anyone coming over, give them my details!!

Blessings and much love,

Tammy