"Go therefore and make disciplesof all nations. . . "

box 67, Collinsville, niinois 62234

March, 1981

Dear Friends:

When we asked four-year-old Amy Roland how far it was towalk to her brother's school, she thought for a minute andfinally said, "I don't know, but it was quite an hour:"

It seems as if we have had several of those 'quite anhour' trips these weeks since we last wrote to you. Startingin December was the beginning of our bouts with a type of virusf^. ..Certainly most of you have experienced something similar in

' States this winter. This virus has been circulating aroundonly to return again. The-Portuguese people use cheek-kissing / --as a greeting which perhaps explains some of the contagious gertnsTWhile we like to adapt to the customs and cultures of the countrywe are living in, we have decided to 'take a rest' from thisparticular custom until the air has cleared. Another problem wesee here concerning health, is the fact there is_^nQ central heatingsystems in the homes. We must rely on small portable heaters whichhave to be moved from room to room, depending on which room youhappen to be in at the moment. Of course, there are many whocannot afford the electricity or gas to keep their homes fairlyromforteble, having to rely on several layers of clothing duringthe day and night to keep warm. We feel fortunate to be able tohave some warmth. Because of this 'bug', it has been a difficulttime to plan work schedules, plus the daily routine and rainydays seem to complicate matters.

In January, one Sunday, on our way home from the church plusdinner meeting, we were involved in a three-car accident on abusy highway. Our being J.n._th.e-inidd-le was not a very good spot•fo in. • However, no one^was injured saved mainly by our seatbelts. Days were spent visiting the various insurance companiesand finally a day was set for us to place the car in the garage tobe fixed. The day before the garage appointment, Lew borrowedthe par to go to Bible Study. On the way to the Study, he was hit.by another car, tyroadside and then forced into a cement wall. Leww^as not .in.jured. ^"Fortunately, he was alone in the car and those"who had planned to ride with him became ill and could not go. Wecertainly give thanks to God for His constant watch and care overus all. Since then it has been hectic walking, busing and training,

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which has been excellent health-wise, but very time consuming.The work has been hampered because of not being able to get out'nd visit and keep appointments. Distance in miles and workschedules of others is a continual problem. However, yesterdayall the necessary papers with the insurance companies wereprocessed (they are still dizzy with wondering how so many accidents could happen so close together). Today, the money wasreceived for. the car, as it was deemed a, total., loss. Now weare back to looking j-t cars to buy, praying once again fortransportation.

ROBERT SIGAFOOSE

LOT E PREDIO 5 dtRUA 13. CELULA 1$CARNAAXIDE 2795PORTUGAL

The GOOD NEWS is....the missionaries here in Portugal have beenbusy. A meeting place here in Cascais has been rented for ourSunday English and Portuguese Worship Services. The rent is beingpaid by the congregation. We are real excited about this newopportunity. Along with the Portuguese Bible Studies on Monday,Wednesday and Friday nights, an English-speaking group was startedon Wednesday evenings also. With Bob teaching Christianity twodays a week in the International School in Carnaxide plus missionmeetings on Thursdays, our time for calling and visitation hasbeen narrowed somewhat. We love every minute of it I The workis HARD and SLOW but we are making it. Praise the Lordl

Paul Roland, the third missionary that joined us from Spain, isplanning his furlough and is expecting to be home around thefirst of June. He and his family have watched anxiously concerning the attempted coup in Spain. It looks real good at themoment and things seem to be under control. He hopes to go backto Spain at the end of his furlough and will be recruiting workersto join him. Will you take time today and pray for this field ofSpain and for Paul and his family as they make decisions concerningit?

Language lesson;senhora - ladyrenoura - carrot

The pronounciation of these two words are very similar. It is abit embarrassing to knock on a door and ask the man at the doorif his carrot is home, or if you ask the lady in the fruit andvegetable market if she has some ladies for sale.

As the Board reflects hack upon the past three years, we arereminded of many accounts in Acts where Paul was confronted withthe many decisions he was to make and how God's guidance was alwaysthere. When Paul and Barnabas went out on their first journeyafter the church at Antioch set them apart for the work, theydidn't know just what was ahead.

As you may recall, three years ago we were ready to go intoBangladesh. It seemed that everything was open to us and thatwas where God wanted us to work. With this in mind we made readyfor such a move, but when the time came the door had been closed.Now we know what Paul meant when he found the opportunity hadbeen closed to him at Bithignia and Asia. (Acts 16:6-8)

The Board's decision was to use Portugal as a base ofoperation, until such time we would be able to go into Bangladesh.As you know by now, God never opened Bangladesh to us, but Goddid have the field ready for us in Portugal. At the time wesent Bob and Diane into Portugal, we felt that their stay would beonly for a short time, six months or so, but God had other plans.God had prepared the people so they were now ready to hear Hisword and a New Testament Church could be established. We realizenow that this was only made possible through the work of God.We praise God for this and pray that we will always wait and walkwith God.

In the past three years, we have seen God's hand at work inso many ways. We have seen the doors become closed in Bangladeshand opened in Portugal. At this time a New Testament Church isbeing established in a country that had been strongly influencedby Catholic ismfor so many years. The job is not done, it is onlybeginning. At this time the Board feels we have found a veryable person in Dick Robinson and the team that will be workingwith him and that the work will continue. This is now leaving uswith more decisions to make. Where does God want us to go next?Will this country be ready to accept Christ? Will it remain opento others coming in when we get a work started? Where will wefind the backup people to take over the work that will be started?These are only a few of the questions we the Board and Bob areasking. You may have many other questions as we do. The onlyone that can give us the answers is God. Be praying that God'sdesires will be done. Many times, we do not know why, but Godhas not failed us. May we always have the faith to step forthas God leads the way.

For some time we the Board have been looking into Singapore |and Central Africa. We are making ready to survey these areas.May our decisions be what God has in store for us. We do feel as^Paul must have felt from time to time, that we must go on andopen up another area. Although we have become close to the peopleand the work in Portugal, it tugs at the heart to leave. It wouldjbe so easy just to stay where we are but our mission is to move /on so that another country may know that Jesus died for the sin '|of man. May we all pray, support and fulfill God's plan. Maywe see the church as God sees it and may we be a part of theBody. After all, this is what it is all about that all of God'speople everywhere may know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

The Board

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Lew Cass has been teaching the classes thatare in the Portuguese language. At this timehe has been working with a group of youngerpeople, realizing that they may be the oneswho will be carrying the Gospel in the future.Lew is also teaching other groups and willcontinue working to find and teach those whoare interested in knowing the Word. May thisweekly teaching be the stabilizingfactor thatthe lost may know Christ. May we all be praying that the seed sown may soon be harvested.

Sometime after May, we will be looking forward to being joined here in Portugal by Dickand Sarah Robison. Dick has been Professor of Missions at Johnson Bible College. CheriOakley and Debbie Brunsman also plan to be here around that time. This is the beginningteam that will come to Portugal and take over the work which has been started here. Oncethey have arrived and settled in, we will then be free to move on to another field. Someplanning on our next move has already been done and we'll be sharing with you in thevery near future. Please bear with us and pray for us as we make these decisions and thatthey will all be according to God's planning and not our own.

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BOB AND DIANE SlOAhOuSh KtlURN iO SINGAPORE "

Bob and Diane Sigatoose have been home -for a short three

month -furlough (May, June, & July) reporting to their

supporting churches. World crises and turmoil in Southeast

Asia have rein-forced their original plan to rriake bin gap ore a

base of operation from which to spread the Gospel of Jesus

Christ and to help strengthen Christians in the surrounding

coun tr i es.

The Sioafoose's plan to continue their efforts in ooutheast

Asia and need your financial assistance in order to do this

work. The cost of living in Singapore is quite high and the

"dollar" doesn-t go nearly as far as it used to. The rate

of money exchange has left them with a 25/. loss in buying

power. The 5X rate of inflation that exists in Singapore

also cuts into their buying power. They need an immediate

40% increase in their living link funds just to make ends

meet. If they are to continue with any mission expansion

plans, they will need additional funds. Please pray about

these financial problems. Their work has been so fruitful

and the evidence that supports the continued fruitfulness of

their work is overwhelming. They need your financial

support in order to continue.

Cup pent government restrictions in rtiost of Southeast At-ia s

countries 1 imit iiiissionary endeavors to one month a.nd then

they begin to put up blocks and close doors. Ihey will

al 1ow return v i si ts of one rrionth i n durat i on wi thout majur

restrictions, especially in Indonesia where Bob and Diane

began their missionary work as interns. Therefore, it has-

become imperative that Bob and Diane adopt the missionary

methods of the Apostle Paul when he took Barnabas on one

trip and then Silas on another for the very purpose of

strengthening the churches. (See Acts, chapters 15 - IS).

This was one of the main reasons for establishing a

he adq uar t e r s in Si ngap or e in 1V81 . It's- useful ne ss is quite

app-arent at this present time.

Bob and Diane will work with the -Singaporean churches and

will continue with their counselling efforts In connection

with the Center for Life Enrichment (CENLIFE). Bob will

also continue his work with the churches in Sri Lanka (which

is totally supported by the Singaporean churches) and with

the Maylasian contacts that have been made.

Bob has been invited to speak at the Churches of Christ

convention in Brisbane, Australia, October 21 - 23. While

he is in Australia, he will also have the opportunity to

speak to sever-al of the Austral i an Churches about his work

in Southeast Asia.

If you would 1 ike additional information concerning the

Sigafoose's -and the work for Christ in Southeast Asia,

please contact their forwarding agent Mr. Delmer Rhodebeck,

1429 Norwood, Granite City, IL 62040.

BOB and DIANE SIGAFOOSEEAST COAST ROAD

SINGAPORE 15^5

Box 67, Collinsvine, Illinois 62234

October, I98I

Dear Friends: I wMt ShSHHHIHI

After serving the Lord in Portugal for two yep-rs, we were ableto reach the goal we had set out to do there. As you willremember, that goal was to open new areas of serving and thenlaying the foundation for establishing the New Testament ChurchOur first goal was the country of Portugal, population ninemillion, where we had no Church of Christ. The Lew Cass familyand we laid that foundation in Portugal which included government red tape, survey, making contacts, plus the eventualstarting of Bible Studies.

We have been able to leave that foundation in the capable handsof a team which consists of: M/M Dick Robison (former iviissionsProfessor, Johnson Bible College); Debbie Brunsman (LincolnChristian College, Johnson Bible College); Sherry Oakley (Johnson Bible College). Joining these in the fall will be M/M TimThomas and family, graduate of Johnson Bible College. Tim isthe son of missionary pa-rents to Brazil. Only through effortsof concerned Christians, has this goal been accomplished; Weask that you keep in touch with Portugal and pray for those wholabor there. We feel it is a very open field and many arewaiting to be taught truth.

While serving in Portugal, we prepared for another area of service, realizing it can take many months to receive a visa fromanother country. We finally felt Singapore might be the bestarea to enter at this particular time, the Lord willing. The

Lord was willing.,.after two trips and nineteen months in theworks, our visa was finally granted and we arrived here onAugust 9th. Singapore is a strategic area of Southeast Asia.Within this small city island of 2.3 million people, we have noChristian Church/Church of Christ. Our purpose here is to layanother foundation for others to follow. We will be informingyou later of the goals we have planned and how we are spendingour days here. What was a closed government to missionaries11 years ago is now a very open one. We ask for continualprayers to help us fill the open hearts here.

On the Personal Side

Our last days in Portugal proved to be very warm ones at times,much different than the cool days of winter which we had experienced. We were sad to leave all the new found friends we

^haA_ maii€L. Eventually,_we _fojmd _±he_JPortuguese_tiL_be_v^ry_ warmand giving during the last year we were there, which we.had notfound upon our first arrival to that country. Whether our verylimited knowledge of the language made the difference or thosewe met and talked to, trusted us more, or perhaps it was a combination of both. The last few months were very difficult onesfor us as we were finally able to penetrate closed minds andhearts. We have placed these "seeds" into the hands of the Lordand pray they might be watered by those which follow. (A richharvest is fulfilled by the seeds of prayer) copied

Many of you would like to know how Diane and I spent June l6th,our Silver Wedding Anniversary or 25 years of married lifetogether. We ruled out a trip to Paris for obvious reasons,and since our daughters were not with us to help celebrate, wedecided to have a quiet day of it. This *special* quiet day wasspent with a young couple and their 2 year old, April, from theEnglish-speaking congregation. We went on a picnic...completewith fried chicken, boiled eggs and sandwiches from the tastyPortuguese bread. The 110 degree day kept us from moving at afast pace, but it didn't slow down Super Girl who added delightto the whole day.

The last~weeks~and"monl;hs in Portuga1"foxind uis~wfthr-very littlemail service due to continual strikes and slow-downs known as(sit-downs). Occasionally, we would find someone going to theStates and send necessary mail via them. Some of you may begetting mail from us from Portugal next year. Don't be toodisappointed when there are times you don't receive mail frommissionaries. There is usually a good reason.

The Lew Cass family is now in the States for furlough. Pleaseremember this dedicated family in your prayers as they continueto faithfully serve.

In Christian Love,

Bob and Diane

The following articles were taken from a Singapore newspaper,"The Straits Times"

Plan to teachmorals

through "k/'THE Christian schools'council on moral education, which believes itis impossible to bemoral without religion,has devised a programme radicaUy different from the location Ministry's twoschemes.

Whereas the ministryschemes leave God outcompletely, the council'sprogranune has the Bibleas its basis.

All three aim at producing upright, good citizens,but the Christian progranune will draw on iBible stories, particularlythe teaching of JpsusChrist, to impart such virtues as honesty and loyalty to school children.

CompositionUnlike the ministry

schemes too, it wiU clearly spell out right fromwrong, based on Bibleteachings.

The council is made upof Christian principals,teachers and paistors, anddoes not include thosefirom Roman Catholic mission schools.

Four schools are nowtrying out the project in aEilot programme which

egan began in July.They are St Hilda's and

St S^garet's primaryschools, the PresbyterianBoys Secondary Schooland St Andrew's JuniorCollege.

The moral educationlessons are conducted during school hours and bothChristian and non-Christian students are expectedto attend.

Two schemesHowever, those with

strong reasons for not attending may be exempted.All the nine Anglican andtwo Presbyterian schoolshere have a sizeableproportion of non-Christian students.

iUl these schools are expected to implement thescheme next year.

The two ministryschemes are Dr (Rev)Robert Balhetchet's Beingand Becoming pro

gramme and the GoodCitizen scheme.

Under the Balhatchetpromamme, now beingtried out at BuMt MeranSecondary School, students are taught to workout moral issues themselves, learning to maketheir own decisions onright and wrong.

Teachers do not telltheir students what theyshould or should not do ina situation demanding amoral decision.

Moral education lessonsusing this system aretaught in the languagepupils are most familiarwith.

The Good Citizenscheme is taught in themother tongue Chinese, asit is felt this is the testway to convey traditionalvalues.

The Education Ministryhas given aided schools,like the Christian missionschools, the freedom todevise their own moraleducation programmes ifthey wish.

DisagreementThe diocesan secretary

for Anglican schools andinitiator of the Christianmoral education programme, Rev CanonJames Wong, declined tocomment on the Education Ministry schemes,saying it was too early toassess them.

The ministry line is thatreligion and moral education need not be linkedand it is possible to be amoral person without believing in (Sod.

Clanon Wong disagrees.He said: "It's impossibleto be moral if there's nor^tionship with C^."

He said people oftenknow what is good, butthey "have no power to doit.'*^ Religious faith wouldgive them the strength toenforce the^ values.

Mr Peter Pocock, acouncil member andteacher at St Andrew'sJunior College, said: "Theprogramme aims at making people good members

of the community and webelieve this is possiblethough Christian bwefs."

To reinforce the Christian teaching in dass,teachers are encouragedto apply Christian principles to present day situa-bons so that Christianitybecomes a "living expoi-ence" outside the classroom as well.

The programme is geared to aU pupils from Primary One to juniorcollege level. Ihey will besuppued BiUesfrte.

About 200 teachers andprincipals will discuss theprogramme at a seminarat ^ Andrew's Junior Collet tomorrow.

The seminar is beingjointly organised by thecoun^ and the TOachers'Chiistian Fellowship.

Batam Island's goalTHE DEVEIXIPMENT of Batam Islftid,south of SingapOTe, as a vital industrialcentre wiU reach the level equal to that ofSin^pore within the next four years, Ihdone-sia% Research and Technology Minister B. J.Habibie said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

With such an industrial growth bothBatam and Singapore will become the focusof the biggest economic development inSouth-east i&ia, he said at a ceremony inwhich he and national police chief Gen Awa-luddin Djamin signed an agreement on thesecurity maintenance of Batam Island. —AFP.

REAL MISSIONS EVANGSLISM "REPRODUCSS THB CHRISTIAN'3 KIND"

Plant or animal life whose continued existence is imperilled issaid to be "endangered". Procreation "after its kind from seedwithin" is the method God provided for "replenishing the earth"and avoiding the endangered list, in both the physical and thespiritual realm.

God illustrates in His Word the "how of spiritual reproduction"when the Christian family increases, by using plant reproduction(Lk. 8:5»10,11; ICor. 3s5-8) 3-nd anim al reproduction (John 30#5,8; I Pet. 1:.^3-25j etc.). God the Father does the "begetting byHis Word", James 1:18—with assistance from (1) human Christianwitnesses and teachers (I Cor, Ir.'^l; Mt. 28:18-20; etc.); and(2) the Holy Spirit (John 16:7»8). The "help" comes in the ordernamed. Jesus came to "seek and save the lost" (Lk. 19:10), and saysto all, "As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (John 20:"^l)—to every man, the "great invitation" (Mt. 11:28-30); and withevery acceptance, the "great commission" (Mk. I6:15»l6). The HolySpirit Helper of God and Christ is helpless without men who spreadthe Word (Eph. 6:1?; I Thess, 5s19).

A common practice among churches is the wide-reaching congregational,pulpit, and cottage prayer meetings, which strive to "pray up astorm of religion for the harvest of souls"I These could help theenvironment among Christians—BUT WITHOUT CONSISTENT ATTENDANCE TOTHE SOWING OP THE SEED OF THE WORD OF GOD, FROM "house to house"and person to person, (Acts 20:20-32), there could be no "groundedin the faith-rebirth of souls,"

No order is so ignored as (1) Bible Study (II Tim. 2:15) and (2)"going, teaching, baptizing, and teaching" (Mt. 28:18-20). "Whenthe Son of man comes, will he find faith (Rom. 10:1?) on the earth?"(Mark 18:6-8), or is THAT FAITH on the "endangered list"?

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