The Family Ministry of Steve Demme

On the way home from Indonesia, Ethan, Anna, and I had a day and a half in Singapore. We had been invited to spend Sunday with the Siows who are Math-U-See users. I travel enough to know that most
airports, hotels, and conference centers look pretty similar, so I was anticipating our time at their home.

Ming San and Rose have two children Shern and Lyn. Shern and Lyn are bright cheerful children (with bright parents) and we had a delightful time celebrating Chinese New Year and eating the special foods prepared for the occasion.

Lyn is the first from the left and Shern is beside her.

We attended church with them in the morning, then had a driving tour of the cleanest city I have seen, then home for dinner and fellowship. They live in a lovely home and the hospitality extended was the kind that makes you feel right at home. After the meal, other families who were using mathusee, and wanted to meet their math teacher began arriving.

It was a big deal to the kids so Jenny (one of the Moms) had created certificates for me to sign for each of the students and for for each book they had completed.

This was followed by a type of commencement ceremony where each one was presented with their “diploma.” I instructed them how to receive it with the left hand while shaking and being congratulated with the right.

After the “ceremony.” One of the children was sitting on my lap so I did a little trot-trot-to-Boston on my knee. True to form with children, I then had to play the same game with each of the kids. Whew!!

Some of the boys were “Heel over Heads” about math.

And also true to form, the children then excused themselves and played together while the adults visited and I caught my breath.

As impressive as the city, the climate, the airport, and the Chinese New Year celebration were, the highlight to me was meeting members of my extended family. Fellowshipping with these believers and partaking of the Siow’s hospitality will always be my finest memory of our trip to Singapore.

Enough of my escapades. The reason we went was to encourage, equip, and otherwise bless our brethren in that part of the world. I normally would have pictures and more detail but security is a large concern considering the political climate. So my comments will be somewhat vague and general.

It was a blessed event. God drew near. The attendees are wonderful, big-hearted and committed to helping this nation know the master. There were many acronyms and ministry lingo being used that I created my own. RCC. Redeemed-Resilient-Committed.
I had the privilege of meeting many of the families in an informal setting and got a glimpse of life on the field. Two evenings 3 couples and myself played cards and talked. They were being refreshed just visiting in English. They only have a few weeks each year when they get together and have fellowship like this. Mostly I listened to their stories, their adventures, and their struggles. It was a priceless time. I’ll share 2. One man was purchasing a cycle. But to do so he had to have cash. The largest denomination is 100,000 rupiyeh, or about 10 dollars. He went to the transaction with a bag full of bills, which then had to be counted. Another Mom shared how to pay the phone bill you have to go to a building and stand in line for a few hours just to get the bill, then get the money and stand in line again to pay it. Such is life outside of the US. How much we take for granted.
On Friday Ethan, Anna, and I were taken to see some local sights by two men who had grown up on the field as MKs and were now back serving Christ with their families. As they shared story after story of growing up there and how they are ministering now I felt rich getting to know more about them and their families. While it is interesting to see new sights, try new food, and sit in planes interminably, the greatest reward to me is seeing what God is doing and being edified and enriched by God’s people.

I was surprised by the easy going nature of Indonesians in general. I have experienced more militant muslims in the Middle East and was expecting something similar here. But it didn’t happen. I did not like awaking to the wretched call to prayer each morning, but took the opportunity to war in the heavenlies.

So there is a brief report. If you have questions let me know!! When I get back I will write about the return trip and the wonderful time we had in Singapore, with pictures!!!

No trip is without adventure, and mine started the day of (the scheduled) departure. Ethan, Anna, and I were at the checkin counter at Dulles Airport, when I pulled out my passport and saw a really young Steve looking at me. In fact I was 20 years younger and had brought the wrong passport. I was surprisingly calm as I sensed God was going to use this for good. I was rebooked for 2 days later and my son and his bride headed west! For their story check out Anna’s blog here So I left the airport and thought this would be a great opportunity to visit my friend Chris Klicka who lives nearby. I spent a few encouraging hours with him and his family and headed home to beat rush hour. When I arrived back in Lititz I found a package which had been overnighted to me for my trip which just arrived. That was providence #2.Two days later I left again, this time uneventfully, and sat in my economy plus (more leg room) seat for 14 hours to Japan, connecting and then 7 more hours to Singapore. After 12 hours in this clean city, I flew to Jakarta. There I met up with several families minsitering in that region and had a wonderfully edifying ride to the hotel in Bandung. This was providence #3 to me. I really enjoyed fellowshipping with them.
The next day the attendees began arriving. I think it was around 25+ families for a weeklong homeschool conference. They were from all over Indonesia and Malaysia. We had an introductory meeting Monday PM. During the next 3 days I spoke 2 times each morning. We, Ethan, Anna, and I also taught them all how to play Moose and Viking Tuesday PM and did another game Wednesday evening. But I get ahead of myself and providence #4.
Wednesday morning I found out many of the attendees were contracting “Bandung Belly.” It was probably from the “filtered” water but we aren’t sure. All I knwo was that many spent a sleepless night in and out of the bathroom. I am sure if I had been sick I would not have been able to speak for most of the days. But … God had prepared me for this very event.
10 Days before we left for Asia Johnny and I attended a Men’s Retreat at Sandy Cove Retreat Center. During the first night of volleyball a fellow stomped my big toe. By nightfall the nail was black and I knew I was going to lose that toenail. For the next week, knowing the trip was looming, I soaked it in epsom salts an hour or more each day. But after several days it was still red and inflamed. I went to the Doc and he gave me a prescription for an antibiotic. All I could picture was having to lop off my entire toe in a jungle hospital. So I began taking the drugs. I’m sure you guessed it, this was the exact antibiotic which was being taken by those suffering with “Bandung Belly”. So I was preserved!! Thank God.

I am off, on what seems to be my annual international trip. Ethan and Anna are also going as part of our teaching team!! Ethan will be working with the teens, Anna teaching music and working with the younger children, and I will be speaking and teaching the parents.
We leave Wednesday AM for Singapore, then are making our way to Indonesia after a day or so. Of course your prayers for protection take on a new importance due to where we are traveling. But in addition, we are hoping this will be a time of refreshment and encouragement to our fellow English speakers. Having Anna put together a children’s chorus is a BIG deal to the kids and their parents.