RAPAS UPDATE

Address: 4 Shan Road #09-02,
LeShantier Apts, Singapore 328106
E-Mail: rapahome@aol.com

Dr. Bob and Esther Rapa and their son David are living in Singapore, while ministering to SE Asia on behalf of the Asian Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to leaving for Singapore he was on the faculty of Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and continues his collegiate experiences as he is currently teaching at the Asian Baptist Theological Seminary and traveling to parts of Southeast Asia on their behalf.

ABTS meets a profound need in SE Asia for theological education, and more so, meets that need with exceedingly high levels of professionalism and quality. It is very gratifying to all of us at ABTS to see our alumni and graduates, as well as missionaries throughout the region speaking so highly of our professors and programs.

MAY UPDATE:

Dear Praying Friends,

There is much happening for us these days, and we would like to update you on all of it in this week's Singapore Scene.

We spoke to Luke this morning before leaving for church. He seems to be coping well with the chemo treatment, though he had a tired couple of days. He felt better today, though, so we are hopeful that he has turned the corner for this initial round of chemo. Thank you for praying with us and for us. We appreciate so much your standing with us during this time of Luke's illness. I have attached a notice for a benefit golf outing for Luke and Sarah, which is being organized by Sarah's family to help support and encourage them. It would be great if many of you in the US could be there for them and participate in this outing.

We have also made the decision to move our ABTS headquarters out of Singapore to Chiang Mai, Thailand. This decision has not been made abruptly, but is a result of intense research conducted over the last several years. We have been looking for an affordable alternative to Singapore, and as the US dollar has lost value and prices here in Singapore have skyrocketed, and with the lease on our Singapore office expiring 31 July, the necessity of such a move has become acute. Chiang Mai is affordable, and has the type of infrastructure we need to support our ministry (quality international schools for our children, office supply stores, broadband internet, reliable postal and telephone systems, international airport). As of now, Andy Pasma and I plan to travel to Chiang Mai and Bangkok May 11-25 to secure our visas and work permits, which will allow us to ship our personal and office belongings from Singapore to Chiang Mai. That shipment will be! scheduled to take place sometime in mid-July. We will also retain our Singaporean administrative assistant, Mrs. Sum Hwee Eng, who will act as our ABTS point-person in Singapore. This will allow us to maintain a presence in Singapore, and to continue relationships with students, alumni, churches, and Bible Colleges and Seminaries here. We have a great deal to accomplish between now and then, but we know our God is able to strengthen and enable us. The move to Chiang Mai will involve some expense, so if you have an interest in helping to off-set that, please do let us know and we can provide further information.

As well, Esther, David and I are traveling to the US, leaving Singapore June 4. As many of you have communicated understanding, it is extremely difficult for us to be apart from Luke & Sarah and Anna while Luke is facing such a challenge. Our hearts have ached at being away from them as Luke has undergone testing, verification, and now treatment for lymphoma. His oncologist, Dr. Marc Campbell, is one of the best in the region, and has our full confidence; Luke and Sarah, and Anna, are strong in faith and are trusting the Lord through all of this; Esther, David and I too are relying upon the grace of God to carry us through. But -- we feel the need to spend some time with our adult children, and especially Luke, during these days. We will be with them in Grand Rapids June 4-July 15, when we will return to Singapore and then move on to Chiang Mai. Our round-trip tickets from Singapore to Grand Rapids were obtained by using my accumulated airline miles.

Please continue to pray for us: pray for details to be worked out for our US trip, my trip to Thailand May 11-25 for visas and work permits, for Esther and David while I am in Thailand, and especially, for Luke, and for Sarah and Anna as they continue to support him in his treatment. Thank you, Dear Friends, for "being there" for us and with us. We thought we understood before how much we need you to sustain us in this ministry; but we are now more convinced than ever that we cannot continue without your on-going prayer and assistance. You have proved to be invaluable to us, and we gratefully celebrate together with you the goodness of our God in this, and in all situations. May the Lord continue to bless you as you serve Him.

Bob