We hope you are getting over your jet lag!

Malaysia was a long way for many of us to travel, but what a valuable and powerful experience World Wide Conference was for us!  We would like to take this opportunity to answer some questions about conference.

• Where do I get the conference picture?
  You can download it easily right here.
• Where can I view more pictures from conference?
  You can view an album of more pictures from conference and download them here.
• When will I pay my conference fees?
  Many guests and Conext partners have already submitted their fees via PayPal. If you were a guest at the conference or do not have a CRM-US fund AND you have not yet paid, please contact Lori Larson about payment options. If you have a CRM-US fund, we will begin debiting your account next week.
• Are audio files/recordings of the conference sessions available?
  Yes, we recorded the main plenary sessions that took place in the Ball Room at Pelangi Beach. You can find these Podcasts here or you can search on iTunes for “CRM Conference Cast”.  We regret to inform you that we did not have the resources to record the Learning Tracks or Conversations.
• Where can I get the videos that were shown at conference?
  If you would like to simply view the videos, they can easily be seen online on CRM’s You Tube Channel. If you would like to access the videos to download them to your computer or iPhone/iPod, you can do that here or you can search on iTunes for “CRM Conference Cast”.
• I have suggestions, feedback, or just want to tell the conference team what a great job they did … where can I submit this feedback?
  Next week we are launching a very simple online survey. We would strongly encourage each of you to send us your feedback via this survey.
• Where can I get the Kissel’s booklet, “Ministry: The Ministry of Jesus Christ The Son of God“?
  Many of you attended Barry Kissels “Power” Learning Track, in fact so many attended that we had a shortage of his booklet that was distributed. If you did not get a copy and would like one, please feel free to email Kevin Brown at wwcdirector@crmleaders.org and he will send you a link to download an electronic (PDF) copy of it. Please do not distribute the book to others as it would be a violation of our agreement with the Kissel’s.
• Where will the next World Wide Conference be?
  Let us wrap this one up first…but rest assured that much time, prayer, and effort will go into trying to discern where God wants us in 2014.

A Note From Kevin Brown, Conference Director

Thanks to each of you for your participation in World Wide Conference and for your vital part in the “side ministry” I had going on with the hotel and their staff. I am so very proud of all of our people; we really were a shining example of God’s love to these employees who are predominately Muslim and Hindu. One manager shared with me that we were the “nicest group they had ever had.”

There are so many side stories I would like to share with you about these special people! Here are a couple that stand out:

A young lady on staff at the hotel took several of us aside on different occasions to share with us that she is indeed a Christian. She shared with tears in her eyes that she never could have imagined seeing her fellow employees watch a bunch of Christians worshiping.

One of the mangers who I worked very closely with and whom I would call a friend shared with me the last evening how powerful the standing ovation his staff received from us was. He has worked at Pelangi Beach for 19 years and never have they ever experienced such gratitude for their services. Some of his staff were moved to tears and all were deeply impacted. He struggled for words as he described what it meant to him and how grateful he was.

So again, thank you for your positive contribution to OUR “side ministry” and please pray for the individuals that you came in contact with… pray that a seed may have been planted and that our great big GOD will somehow bring these individuals into the Kingdom.

Saying Thank You

If you would like a tangible way to say Thank You to the hotel and their staff, please consider placing positive feedback on Trip Advisor. They really place A LOT of weight on reviews that they get on Trip Advisor, and we know that this would excite them. You can leave your feedback here.

Blessings!
The World Wide Conference Team

Well, this is it!

This is the final email from us regarding World Wide Conference. This email focuses on last-minute details – on WHAT you need to know – and is a reminder of some important pieces of information that will make the conference and your travels go more smoothly.

Please note that our conference team (Ginny Salas, Lori Larson, Rhonda Gervais, Cynthe Burbidge, Aly Taillon and Kevin Brown) will be in final prep mode and traveling in advance of conference. For this reason, they will not be available or answering emails after 5pm on Friday, July 9th.

WHAT About Check-In

The check-in process will take approximately 20 minutes per party, plus time waiting in line for your turn. Those of you arriving on July 18, please remember that planes will be landing filled with up to 100 of you at a time. We appreciate your patience, knowing that you will be arriving very tired and jet lagged.

There will be priority check-in for those who have completed the following six items. We are working with the hotel and believe that the completion of these six things will allow you to check-in in less than five minutes!!

1. Complete the Hotel Documentation Form
2. Sign up for your Wednesday Fun Time Activity
3. Sign up for your Learning Track sessions
4. Sign up for Conversations (workshops)
5. If traveling with children, complete the Information and Permission Forms
6. Make your pledge to the Children’s Ministry Pledge Drive

WHAT to Bring (this is not an exhaustive list)

• Sunscreen
• Cash
• Credit card (or other form of payment)
  You will need this at check-out to cover all of your incidentals including internet, mini-bar, drinks, etc.
• Passport
• Insect repellent
• Shoes or sandals to wear on the beach and in the water
  When a small team went in January, Kevin Brown stepped on a 4-inch long needle-like shell that drove right into the bottom of his bare foot. OUCH!!!!!
• UK/British Plug Adapters
• SUNSCREEN… did we say that already?
• Hat
• Medications
  While Malaysia does have very strict drug trafficking laws, this does not prohibit you from bringing your prescription medications. See the statement below from the CDC.

Medicines You May Need

• The prescription medicines you take every day. Make sure you have enough to last during your trip. Keep them in their original prescription bottles and always in your carry-on luggage. Be sure to follow security/TSA guidelines if the medicines are liquids.
• Antimalarial drugs IF traveling to a malaria-risk area in Malaysia and prescribed by your doctor.
• Medicine for diarrhea (usually over-the-counter)

WHAT NOT to Bring

• Towels
  Your room towels are included, and pool and beach towels are available for free at the pools for daily check-out.
• Hair dryer
  They are available in each room.
• Christian literature for distribution
  It is illegal to distribute religious information to Malaysian Muslims, doing so may result in a harsh jail sentence.

WHAT to Remember

• Please look for a person with a World Wide Conference Sign at the airport upon arrival. They will direct you to your shuttle/car.
• Your shuttle from the airport to the hotel is included and paid for IF:
  - You are flying into the airport and
  - You are going directly to the Pelangi Beach Hotel
• Your shuttle is not arranged or paid for IF:
  - You are arriving at the Ferry Terminal or
  - You are going to a different hotel prior to the start of conference
• Some airlines have VERY STRICT weight and size requirements (particularly Air Asia). Please be aware of these restrictions and pack accordingly to avoid very expensive fees at check-in.
• There are no laundry facilities at the hotel. You can use the hotel’s laundry service, but it is quite expensive. There is a drying rack in the bathrooms, so we suggest bringing some laundry soap to wash a few things by hand and then hang them to dry.  Note: Do NOT hang clothing to dry from your balcony or deck.
• Dinner on Wednesday night is the only meal not included. Come prepared with money to go out, find a place to eat and enjoy the culture.

WHAT About Emergencies

• Malaysia’s emergency number is “999” (equivalent to dialing 911 in the United States). It connects you to the Red Crescent (a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies). You are connected for help, but you should know that the standards for this system are not equal to that found in the United States.
• We are very excited to announce that we have two outstanding physicians attending conference. Dr. Glynn Wells and Dr. Brent Fryling will be serving our medical needs and emergencies. They will in fact go beyond just dealing with crisis situations and plan to have a clinic set up and open daily from 10AM – 7PM to meet any of your medical needs. Appointments with the doctors can be made at the Welcome Table in the hotel lobby. Many thanks to the doctors for their willingness to come and serve us!
• If you have a travel emergency or simply need to notify us of flight cancellations or changes, please try one of the following methods:
  • Contact the hotel at (60-4) 952 8888 and ask for Kevin Brown or Lori Larson with CRM. If they cannot locate us, the hotel staff should have access to our Malaysian mobile phone numbers, which we will get and will be active by July 16.
  • Send an email to kevin.brown@crmleaders.org. He will be checking email on the 17th and 18th.
  • Call Kevin Brown’s US based home phone number at (360) 260-0062. Messages left at this phone number will be converted to an email and sent to him immediately.

Blessings on your final preparations and travel!
We’ll see you in Malaysia!

The World Wide Conference Team
worldwideconference@crmleaders.org

We are thrilled to share with you that there will be a number of quality sessions available at World Wide Conference. Please take a few minutes to read the following and sign up for the sessions you plan to attend.

______________________________________________________________

As many of you already know, the conference has two major parts – days one and two will be primarily focused on Conext teams and CRM-US Collective groups, and Tuesday night through Friday night we will all gather for the World Wide Conference.

There are three main session types during conference:

1. Plenary Sessions — in which we all gather for sharing, worship and celebration
2. Learning Tracks — or teaching times targeting the theme of Word, Power and Deed
3. Conversations — or optional workshops in the afternoons on a variety of topics

With the exception of the Plenary Sessions, space for these opportunities is limited by room size and is available on a first come, first served basis.

While you will have the opportunity to sign up for these sessions at the conference Welcome Table on Sunday, this is your opportunity to register in advance, guaranteeing you a spot in the meeting you want to attend and aiding us in determining which room to place each meeting in. Taking advantage of this early registration will also save your jet-lagged self about 10 minutes of decision-making at the Welcome Table, getting your tired body to your room more quickly!

Please take a moment to read through the following descriptions and then click the links to sign up for Learning Tracks and Conversations.

Guests

As mentioned above, the first two days of conference are focused on specific groups, and some of our guests are wondering what they will do during that time frame.

On Monday morning from 10:30-12:30, and again on Tuesday from 9:00-12:00, there is an exciting opportunity to meet with the Conext staff. This meeting is being led by Sam Metcalf (the President of CRM-US) and other leaders within Conext. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn what the Conext ministry is all about and what is going on all over the world.

In addition, we are offering a few fun activities just for guests. On Tuesday afternoon, you will have an opportunity to take on an extra Fun Time Activity. Please note that there is a fee associated with these activities, that some of these activities may require a minimum number of participants in order to happen and that you are in no way obligated to participate.

The three offerings are listed below. Please click on each to learn more about the activity.

• Island Hopping Tour
  Cost: RM 75.00 or approx $24 USD
• Langkawi Discovery Tour
  Cost: RM 145.00 or approx $45 USD
• Kayaking
  Enjoy a leisurely 2-3 hour paddle around a nearby island.
  Cost: RM 90.00 or approx $28  USD

We also strongly encourage all of our guests to participate in and sign-up for the Learning Tracks and Conversations of your choice below. Guests Only: Please sign up for a Tuesday Fun Time Activity here.

Learning Tracks

We have some very special individuals coming to Malaysia to share with us during the three morning Learning Track sessions. All three guests are speaking on areas related to our theme.

You can choose up to three options when signing up for Learning Tracks (one for Wednesday, one for Thursday and one for Friday) unless you sign up for the three part series being offered by the Kissell’s.

• Dr. Frank Hankins will be offering three stand-alone sessions focused on Leadership in Word, entitled The Scriptures as a Source for Sustainability, Replenishment & Renewal in our Ministries.
• Barry and Mary Kissell will be offering a three part series focused on Leadership in Power, entitled When the Spirit Comes.
• Bob Ekblad will be offering three separate stand-alone sessions exploring the elements of Word, Power and Deed.

Please consider and pray about what God is doing in you and specifically what area it is that you may be weakest, then sign up accordingly.

Sign up for Learning Tracks now.

Conversations

The reSource Team, a collaborative training partnership between multiple aspects of CRM-US, has worked to assemble an incredible selection of “Conversations” for Thursday and Friday afternoon of conference. These casual workshops or seminars are being offered from a broad cross-section of staff, ranging in topics from the spiritual and interior life to marriage, family and team issues to ministry or practical skills.

We encourage you to make the most of the wealth of knowledge and experience available at a staff gathering like this by attending a few of these well-designed offerings. Not only will you benefit by deepening your thoughts, sharpening your skills or meeting some like-minded companions … you likely have much to offer as you participate in “Conversations” as well. So we invite you to attend, to both receive and to contribute.

A couple of things to bear in mind:

1. Conversations are just another option during free time! You are under no obligation to attend them, and you may want to arrange your final couple of afternoons to both maximize the learning available along with the downtime between plenary sessions.
2. There is no child-care available during the Conversations, so you may want to think through and negotiate with your spouse or with friends who might be “on” with your kids as you participate in Conversations.

It will really help the reSource team and our Conversation hosts if they can gauge interest in their topic and have a rough idea of how many might turn up. Please take a few minutes to read through the list of availabilities, consider their scheduled times and pre-register using the form at the link below. Your help with this in advance of conference will be immensely beneficial!

View or download a detailed list of Conversations here.  If you have problems viewing it, you may want to download the Excel version here.

Sign up for Conversations now.

Baptisms

It’s been our tradition at previous World Wide Conferences – and other conferences for that matter – to make provision for individuals or members of families who would like to be baptized.

If you would like to avail yourself of this opportunity – adults or children – we would be thrilled to include you in a special time when this will be done publicly. For infants or young children, we are happy to dedicate or baptize, depending on your convictions and tradition regarding this sacrament/ordinance.

If you would like to be included, please contact Kevin Brown at wwcdirector@crmleaders.org. You will also have an opportunity to sign up for baptisms at the Welcome Table on Sunday.

Thanks again,

The World Wide Conference Team

worldwideconference@crmleaders.org

Time is flying by and conference will be here before we know it!

Below is an important message from Rhonda Gervais, our Children’s Ministry Program Coordintor. Please take a few minutes to read her note and supply any necessary information. (Please note: if your kids will be at conference, your response to the requests below is mandatory!)

______________________________________________________________

Hello Parents!

In order to finalize plans for the children’s ministry program, I ask for your attention to a few last-minute details.

Letter from Colleen Coombs, Director of No More Crumbs Ministry
Colleen Coombs of No More Crumbs Ministry is working with our staff and a team from Missionary Care International to provide a wonderful program for your children. She has written a letter for you to read with your child (or have your child read) so that they can have a better understanding of what’s in store for them at conference. Please download and read Colleen’s letter by clicking here.

Schedule of Events
You can download a daily schedule of events by clicking here. Should there be any changes to currently scheduled activities, a copy of the schedule will be made available on the Youth Program page of the conference website. Please pay special attention to those activities which require a signed permission form from you.

Journaling
The children and youth will be journaling as a part of their conference experience. Please have each child, age 5 and older, bring a notebook/journal and pen or pencil.

Information Forms
Below are links to three different information forms, depending on the age of your child(ren). Please complete one information form per child and email them to me at wwcchildren@crmleaders.org. This will give the children’s program team an opportunity to know a little about your child as well as time to pray and discern how best to minister to each child individually.

You can download the child information forms by clicking here:

• Information Sheet – Nursery/Preschool
• Information Sheet – Elementary
• Information Sheet – Junior High/High School

Parent Permission Form / Waiver
There are a few activities which require special written permission. Please complete one permission form per child. You can download the permission form by clicking here.

Special Request / Safety
Due to space limitations, the children’s team will utilize both indoor and outdoor facilities during sessions. Please put sunscreen on your children in the morning; a hat and water shoes are also preferable. Volunteers will have additional sunscreen available and will not keep your children in the sun or heat for unnecessary periods of time.

We desire that your children have the best experience possible! I’ll be available at registration to answer questions, hear any last-minute details concerning your child and provide you with changes to the program schedule.

Look forward to seeing everyone there!

Rhonda Gervais
Children’s Ministry Program Coordinator

_______________________________

Before we jump into that, we want to again solicit help from everybody to get volunteers to Langkawi. Our volunteers are largely comprised of the children’s ministry team but also include individuals who will be helping with the plenary program and sound.

CRM is committed to helping them as much as we can, but we would like to take this a step further and ask if each of you would consider helping this team? We are asking each party (even if you don’t have kids) to consider giving a small amount, perhaps $30 – $50. Each pledge we receive from staff will be matched (up to $10,000 USD) and will put a significant dent in what’s required to run the program (this includes travel, conference fees and supplies for the program).

Please make your pledge by clicking here.

_______________________________

Now on to “Fun Time”

The first two days of conference are being programmed or planned by your Conext leadership or Collective Leaders. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of conference, we have scheduled some nice breaks to allow for fun and connection with one another (click here for a look at the full conference schedule).

We have set aside time on Thursday and Friday between lunch and dinner to allow you the choice to take advantage of free time OR participate in a “Conversation” (small optional workshops; more details and sign-ups for “Conversations” are coming soon). We have also intentionally left Wednesday from lunch until bedtime completely empty, giving you an opportunity to participate in what we are calling “Fun Time” activities. Free time will also be available each evening after the evening plenary sessions.

There is a lot to do during this free time, so check out the offerings below and be sure register to participate in Fun Time activities.

Here is a list of activities that you may want to try out while at the Pelangi Beach Property:

• The Pools: There are two lovely pools. They typically close at 9pm, but we negotiated longer hours at the main pool (Horizon Pool) so you can swim there after the evening plenary meeting until midnight!
• The Sea: We are right on the waterfront and this affords nearly limitless opportunities, including:
  - Strolling on the beach
  - Swimming in the sea (check with hotel staff about jellyfish activity and stay within the netted area for your own protection)
  - During low tide, walking to the neighboring island (make sure you get back prior to the tide coming in or you are in for a long swim!)
  - Checking out the sea life during low tide
  - Renting a Wave Runner
  - Para-sailing (at an additional cost)
  - Renting a Kayak
  - etc.
• Miniature Golf: Each attendee will receive one free round of miniature golf at the little mini golf course located on the property.
• Tennis Courts (if you can brave the heat and humidity)
• Exercise circuit on the property
• Weight/workout room
• Bicycle rentals to stroll around the island
• Walk to the business strip near the hotel to visit a variety of shops and restaurants
• Massage or spa treatment: The hotel has a truly beautiful spa facility and is offering each conference attendee a 20% discount. There may be locations that are cheaper near the hotel to get a massage, but they will not be as nice. Please travel in pairs and be smart when exploring any outside facilities.

In addition, we have established a relationship with a tour group that is offering a number of great activities that we are calling “Fun Time.” These Fun Time activities are at an additional charge and you need to sign up in advance.  Please note that the Fun Time Activities all take place Wednesday afternoon and you may only participate in one.

Click here to sign-up for the Fun Time activities, which include:

• Langkawi Discovery Tour
  Take a day to tour some of the conventional attractions of Langkawi with the Langkawi Discovery Tour. Start out with a visit to Eagle Square – a sprawling 19-acre landmark comprising a bronze eagle statue visible from the air or sea of Langkawi – and stroll along this area and check out the kiosk vendors selling souvenirs. Afterwards scurry on down to the duty-free shopping pavilion – one of Langkawi’s busiest areas.  Then get a bird’s eye view of the legendary isle of mystical Langkawi as you take an exhilarating cable car ride from the foot of the Oriental Village to its peak. Situated at the base of the geo-park’s mountain range, this cable car ride will let you see panoramic vistas of the surroundings forests, the Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) waterfalls as well as sweeping views of the sea. The ground station for the Langkawi Cable Car is located beside a gorgeous lake with the rolling mountain range in the background and the village itself has an array of entertaining activities to engage in.
  
  Cost: RM 145.00, or approx $45.00USD
  Cost includes admission to attractions and transportation to each attraction with an English speaking guide.

• Golf
  Golf is one of Langkawi’s popular attractions, with courses in some of the most spectacular venues in Asia. Surprisingly, there are three courses in this rugged and beautiful island, all in great locations.
  
  Cost: RM 298.00 per person, or approx $93.00 USD
  Cost includes transit to and from course, cart, green fees and required.

• Snorkeling at Pulau Payar Island
  The Pulau Payar Marine Park is one of the most beautiful and exotic marine parks in Malaysia, with abundant and colorful tropical marine life. This makes it an excellent destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The pleasant white beaches are also the perfect retreat for those who want to escape the business of urban living in cities. Besides diving, enjoy swimming in clear warm seas and sun-bathing on the glittery white sand. Please note we need at least 50 people to sign-up in order to charter the boat needed to get to the island (Pulau Payar).
  
  Cost: RM 196.00 per person, or approx $60.00 USD
  Cost includes round trip transit from hotel to dock/boat terminal, boat ride to island, drinking water and snorkeling gear.

• Mangrove Tour
  Experience the Mangrove Trees on this boat tour where you will see eagles feeding, monkeys frolicking in the trees and bats hanging out.
  
  Cost: RM 76.00, or approx $24.00 USD
  Cost includes transit to and from boat terminal, boat ride, guide and mineral water.

• Island Hopping Tour
  Spend the day island hopping and exploring the mythical sights of Langkawi when you take the Langkawi Island Tour. First you’ll be taken to visit ‘Pulau Singa Besar’ – Big Lion Island – and the verdant greenery of its rainforests and sunny beaches. Next head on over to Dayang Bunting Island to see the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden and immerse in its waters which are purported to have magical powers that help women conceive. Finally you will visit ‘Beras Basah Island’  – another pristine Langkawi beach with clear waters and far-reaching views of the sea.
  
  Cost: RM 75.00, or approx $24.00 USD
  Cost includes round trip transit from hotel to dock/boat terminal and the boat ride to the islands.

Again, please sign up for the Fun Time activity of your choice by clicking here and do not hesitate to ask any questions via email at wwcdirector@crmleaders.org.

The World Wide Conference Team
worldwideconference@crmleaders.org

We know you have a lot of questions, so here are the answers to everything you need to
know… from A to Z.

_______________________________

Address and Contact Info

MERITUS PELANGI BEACH RESORT
Pantai Cenang
07000 Langkawi
Kedah Darul Aman
Malaysia

GENERAL ENQUIRIES
Tel: (60-4) 952 8888
Fax: (60-4) 952 8899

WEBSITE
http://www.meritus-hotels.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=163&menu_id=160&timed=1275636252

Arrival

Upon arriving at the airport in Langkawi you will clear customs, get your bags and head for the door. Look for an individual holding a sign that says “World Wide Conference.” This individual will direct you to the car or shuttle that will take you to the hotel. Note that this transfer from airport to hotel is already included in your conference fee.

If you are arriving to the island by Ferry it is your responsibility to get and pay for your own transportation to Pelangi Beach. The hotel assures us that it is easy to get a taxi at the Ferry Terminal (located in Kuah Town). It is about a 25 minute drive and should cost you between RM25.00nett to RM35.00nett per car each way. Note that you will likely need Malaysian Currency (Ringgit) to pay for your taxi (see Money below).

If you will be arriving in Langkawi prior to conference and staying at another property, it is your responsibility to get and pay for transportation to your hotel and also to Pelangi Beach.

A gratuity for your driver is not necessary (see Tipping below).

Behavior

Public behavior is important in Malaysian culture. Most Malaysians refrain from displaying affection (i.e embracing or kissing) in public. It will be appropriate for us as visitors to be sensitive to those surrounding us.

Cancellations

The last day to cancel your registration without a fee being imposed was May 17th, 2010. Here are the details of the conference cancellation policy:

• If you cancel less than 60 days prior (approx. May 18) you will be responsible for 50% of the conference fee.
• If you cancel less than 30 days prior (approx. June 18) you will be responsible for 100% of the conference fee.

Cancellations inside of these dates due to a death in the family or a serious life-threatening illness will not be penalized. Other exceptions to this policy may be made on a case by case basis. Contact Ginny Salas with any questions at wwcregistration@crmleaders.org.

Credit Card Deposit

Upon check-in at the hotel you will be required to put a credit card on file for a deposit for room incidentals. This card will be billed for incidentals such as in-room internet usage (see Internet below), drinks purchased at meals or by the pool, spa services, and food or drink from the in-room mini-bar/refrigerator, etc.

Customs & Immigration

Visitors to Malaysia must be in possession of a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months beyond the period of stay. Most nationalities do not require visas for social or business visits (see Visa’s below).

For further information, please check with the nearest Malaysian Mission or Tourism Malaysia office in your country. Alternatively browse www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my or www.imi.gov.my.

Directory

If you haven’t yet updated your photo for the Conference Directory, please make sure to do that before June 8th. If you do not submit a picture before that date, your name will appear in the directory without a picture. Read the instructions for updating your information and submitting a picture here: http://conference.crmleaders.org/conference-photo-directory

Drinking Water

Officially the Malaysian government and the hotel both state the water in Malaysia is “drinkable” from the tap. The savvy traveler knows to take these statements with caution. On our preview trip to Langkawi we conducted a scientific experiment — Peter Schrock drank the tap water while I drank bottled water. We are happy to report that Peter was fine, but we do recommend you use your own discretion on the matter.

Note that your room will be stocked with up to 2 bottles of water each day. There is additional water and beverages located in the mini-bar refrigerator, but be warned that it is quite expensive. You can also purchase bottled water at a much better price at the local store (about a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel).

Electricity

Like much of the world, Malaysia runs on 220 volts.

Most computers and many devices from the U.S. will operate fine on this current with a simple plug adapter. Always look closely at your device for a voltage rating of 100-240V prior to plugging in your device. The adapter you will need is often called the UK or British adapter and looks something like the image shown to the right here. (Again, please note that this does not change the voltage, it simply makes the plug fit into the wall jack.)

These are available at any travel store, Radio Shack or online at
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3193240

Fun/Free time

There are opportunities Thursday and Friday afternoon for free time. In addition, Wednesday afternoon and evening are designated as “Fun Time” with many opportunities from touring the island to a snorkeling trip. Next week we will send you a summary of the various “Fun Time” activities being offered and you will have an opportunity to sign up for the activity that interests you.

Greetings

Although handshakes generally suffice for both men and women, some Muslim ladies may acknowledge an introduction to a gentleman with a nod of her head and smile. A handshake is only to be reciprocated if the lady offers her hand first. The traditional greeting or salaam resembles a handshake with both hands but without the grasp. The man offers both hands, lightly touches his friend’s hands, then brings his hands back to his chest to mean, “I greet you from the heart.” The visitor should reciprocate the salaam.

Heat, Humidity and Hats

Langkawi has a tropical climate with warm weather all year round with temperatures ranging from 28º to 34ºC (82-93ºF).  Annual rainfall varies from 2.000mm to 2,500 mm (78-98 inches). Please remember that we are very near the equator so it will be hot and sticky, and we may even have some tropical storms. Take precautions to protect yourself from the elements — such as hats, sunglasses, swim shirts and SUNSCREEN.

I would like to reassure you that all of the hotel rooms, meeting spaces and parts of the restaurants have air conditioning, or “air con” as they like to call it in Asia. Please note that the hotel also has umbrellas in each room and strategically placed around the property should we encounter rain.

Internet

We have made arrangements with the hotel to include FREE wifi internet in two locations on the property — the Spice Market restaurant and the lobby area.  Should you want internet access in your room it is available for a fee of approximately $14.00 USD per day.

Java

Coffee will be served at all meals and during some of the breaks. Please note that the coffee in Malaysia may not meet the standards of some of us coffee snobs. There are two Starbucks on the island — at the airport and at Jetty Point (near the Ferry Terminal). Note also that each room has a small coffee pot in it, so if you’re that particular (or addicted) you can pack your own coffee to bring with you (note the Drinking Water section above).

In addition to coffee, tea will be served at lunch and dinner and juices are served with breakfast. Soft drinks, specialty drinks and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase but are not included in the conference package.

Kids

We have an outstanding group of individuals coming together to serve our children and teens. Because of the price of travel to Malaysia, this group is having to raise more than any children’s team before them. At this point we have nearly 20 individuals committed to serving.

That said, I feel the need to solicit help from everybody to get these volunteers to Langkawi. CRM is committed to helping them as we can, but I would like to take this a step further and ask if each of us would consider helping this team serve our children? I am asking each party (even if you don’t have kids) to consider giving a small amount, perhaps $30-$50. Each pledge we receive from staff will be matched (up to $10,000 USD) and will put a significant dent in what’s required to run the children’s program (this includes travel, conference fees and supplies for the program).

Please make your pledge by clicking here.

Language

Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) is the national language, but English is widely spoken. The ethnic groups also speak various languages and dialects including Cantonese, Hokkien, Mandarin, Tamil and Hindi.

Meals

All of your meals except for one are included in your conference fee. Please note that some drinks will cost you extra (see Java above).

• Breakfast Monday through Saturday are all included and will be a buffet style breakfast including both Asian and Western style foods.
• A buffet lunch in included Monday through Friday with a wide a variety of options.
• Dinner is included Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  Some of these dinners will be a fine buffet and others will be a BBQ. Note that the Wednesday night dinner is NOT included in your Conference fee. Some of you will be out Wednesday enjoying for your free time, and we would encourage all of you to get offsite and taste some of the local food found a short walk from the hotel. If you should choose to stay and eat at the hotel Wednesday, you will be responsible to pay for that food.

I will also point out that you will not find pork in the restaurants because of the strict Halal food preparation regulations. It is kind of like a Kosher rating in the Muslim culture. During breakfast they will offer chicken sausage or beef bacon as an alternative to pork.

I have had the opportunity to eat the food at Pelangi Beach and I was quite pleased with both the quality, quantity and variety. I know you will enjoy your meals!

We are sorry, but no special food requests can be made.

Money

The Malaysian currency is normally referred to as Ringgit or RM. The RM comes in denominations of RM1, RM2, RM5, RM10, RM50 and RM100. Coins are denoted as sen. These include 5sen, 10sen, 20sen and 50sen.

It is strongly recommended that you exchange some money to RM at the airport or prior to arrival. You can also exchange money at the hotel, but the rate is not as good as at the airport. In addition, please note that many money exchanges will not give you Ringgits in trade for a transaction on your credit card; you will need cash to make the exchange. There are also ATM’s available on the island, but none are very close to the hotel.

No-No’s — Do’s and Dont’s for Travelers in Malaysia

It is encouraged that the following common local customs and courtesies be observed when in Malaysia:

• The right hand is always used when eating with one’s hands or when giving and receiving objects.
• The right forefinger is not used to point at places, objects or persons. Instead, the thumb of the right hand with the four fingers folded is the preferred way.
• Littering is an offense.

The penalty for importation of illegal drugs into Malaysia is the mandatory death penalty.

Overdue

A few weeks ago we requested your Registration Party details, including travel information and name tag preferences.  You must submit these details right away if you would like a free ride from the airport to the hotel (and back). The transfer company requires us to have this information to them by next week.

If your party/group has not submitted your details and travel information please look for an email from the World Wide Conference team that contains a link for the registration page and follow the steps described to submit this information.  These details are absolutely due by June 8th or you will be responsible to arrange and pay for your transfers (see Arrival above).

If you have any questions regarding this or need the link resent please contact Ginny at wwcregistration@crmleaders.org.

Prayer

There are numerous opportunities for you to pray with and for World Wide Conference:

• The Pre-conference Intercession Team is currently praying for conference. Would you like to join them? Contact Carolyn Laurin at claurin@sbcglobal.net for details.
• Monday through Friday at 8am during conference, Connie Kennemer and the CRM-US Intercession team will be leading onsite times of Intercessory Prayer.
• The SDCTeam is sponsoring Meditative Prayer times from 8-8:40 AM Monday through Friday during conference. Join them to engage with and open yourself to the Lord in various reflective ways.
• There will be many opportunities throughout conference and people with experience present to pray for you, your family, your ministry and an array of needs.

Program

The complete conference schedule is available on the website. The conference has two major parts – days one and two will be primarily focused on Conext teams and CRM-US Collective groups, and Tuesday night through Friday night we will all gather together.

There are 3 main session types during this time frame:

• Plenary Sessions in which we will all gather together for a time of sharing, worship and celebration.
• Learning Tracks, which will be teaching times targeting the theme of Word, Deed and Power.
• Conversations, which are optional workshops that are offered in the afternoons on a variety of topics.

By the end of June we plan to send you details and offer you an opportunity to sign up for Learning Tracks and Conversations.  Watch for this email as space is limited for some of these offerings and will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Questions

If you have additional questions please feel free to contact us:

• Registration – Ginny Salas at wwcregistration@crmleaders.org
• General Info – Lori Larson at wwcinfo@crmleaders.org
• Travel – Kevin Brown at wwctravel@crmleaders.org
• Children & Youth – Rhonda Gervais at wwcchildren@crmleaders.org
• Program – Kevin Brown at wwcdirector@crmleaders.org
• Excursions – Cynthe Burbidge at wwcexcursions@crmleaders.org
• FAQ’s – Visit the Frequently Asked Questions Page

Rooms

The hotel is handling our group’s room assignments. They cannot make accommodations to put friends or teams in the same proximity as each other. We have made the room requests that you submitted with your Registration Party details (including crib requests, adjoining rooms, handicap access, etc). We have also made room requests on behalf of those who registered first in order to award them the approximately 70 Seaview rooms.

Sunscreen

Did we mention that you should bring and wear plenty of SUNSCREEN?

Tipping

Most hotels and restaurants levy a 10% service charge and 5% government sales tax on bills.  Therefore, tipping is not customary.  However, should you want to show your appreciation for good service a small tip will do.

Unpaid

We have not yet billed you for your conference fees.

• For guests and Conext staff that do not have a CRM-US fund, we will be processing conference fees at the end of June. We will send an online invoice through PayPal. As a guest you will receive an email from our PayPal account with a link to a secure site where you can enter in your credit card information.
• Staff with a CRM-US fund will be charged for their conference fees on August 20th.  If funds are available, conference fees will be deducted first from your conference fund, and any remaining balance will be deducted from your general fund.  If funds are unavailable, staff will be asked to use a credit card to pay for their conference fees.

Vaccinations

While there are not strict requirements for vaccines for most of us traveling from the West, we do recommend that you consult your physician 4-6 weeks prior to departure to seek their council in regard to shots.  Here is a link to what the CDC recommends in regard to travel to Malaysia: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/malaysia.aspx

I would like to make a special note to our staff and guests who are traveling from countries where yellow fever is present. You will likely be required to present proof of a yellow fever vaccination in order to enter Malaysia.

For more details on this please read each of these links:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/malaysia.aspx
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-2/yellow-fever.aspx#823

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-2/yellow-fever-vaccine-requirements-and-recommendations/Malaysia.aspx#1917

Visa’s

Most of our staff and guests do not need a visa to get into Malaysia. In fact, visa requirements are quite relaxed there. U.S. citizens are allowed to stay for up to 3 months without a visa. If you would like to double check or research further, check out this link to the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.kln.gov.my/?m_id=53.

If you happen to be from one of the countries that does require a visa, please start the application process immediately and contact Loh, the sales manager at the hotel to request your Invitation Letter. His email address is lohkokjin@meritus-hotels.com.

Water Safety

Please note that there are many open water sources on and around the conference site.  This includes two swimming pools, lakes, ponds and even a beach.  There are no gates separating these water areas from the rooms and dining areas.

CRM has a couple of volunteers to serve as Lifeguards at the main pool (the family pool) during specified hours.  This in no way replaces close parental supervision. It is the sole responsibility of parents to safeguard their children from the water hazards. Children under the age of 12 will  be asked to leave the pool if a parent or responsible adult is not present.  In addition, children of any age who conduct themselves in an unsafe manner in the pools will be required to exit the pool.  The beach area and second pool will not be Lifeguarded.

X-tending Your Stay

If you need Xtra Nights at Pelangi Beach it is your responsibility to make these arrangements.  DO NOT go directly to the hotel or a travel website as you will pay double the rate we have negotiated with the hotel.  Simply follow the directions on the conference website to obtain extra nights at this discounted rate.

Yippee

I am almost done with this list.

Zee you in Malaysia……

Sorry, I could not think of a topic to go with Y or Z 

Kevin Brown
For the World Wide Conference Team

We are so very excited about what God is going to do with us as an organization in Langkawi. Please take a moment to read the letter below from Connie Kennemer. Your participation in praying for the conference is a vital piece of the preparation!

We would also like to remind you that the cancellation penalty date for registration is this Monday, May 17. Please read the Cancellation Policy on the website if you’re unclear on the terms.

Blessings!

The World Wide Conference Team
worldwideconference@crmleaders.org

_______________________________

Dear staff, Conext partners, members of various boards and friends:

Although we are promised protection from our enemy,
we have a definite part to play in the securing of it for others
and ourselves. The intercessor knows this and leaves nothing
to chance, posting signs for all the forces of hell to see:
“Under the Shadow of the Most High. Keep Out!”
- Dutch Sheet, Intercessory Prayer

This is an invitation to each of you to join us on either an online or onsite intercession team (or both) for the upcoming World Wide Conference in Asia this July.

Since the theme of this year’s conference is Leadership in Word, Power and Deed, we want to petition our Heavenly Father together that He would release His manifest power and presence with us at this conference. Will you please join us?

You do not have to be attending conference to help us form this “Circle of Friends.” Please consider participating in the online team even if you won’t be with us in person in July.

I would also like to encourage you to invite your personal intercessors, family and friends to participate so that they will be directed with some specific prayer points for this incredible event that will impact each of us and our ministry around the world. Make sure you forward their names and email addresses to us so we can add them to the online team if they are not attending the conference. They are also welcome to join us onsite for prayer as well.

Please respond ASAP if you would like to participate in either or both of these prayer teams. You can direct your response to Carolyn Laurin at claurin@sbcglobal.net. Carolyn is a long-time member of the CRM-US Board and a member of the CRM-US Intercession Team.

In His Grip,

Connie Kennemer
CRM-US Intercession Team Leader

_______________________________

Workshops & Conversations

Do you have a topic, workshop or skill you wish to share with others at conference? If so, please submit your ideas today! For more information about “Conversations” and to submit your ideas, please visit the Program Page of the website.

Travel Aid

Please note that Travel Aid is closing on May 14th! All applications much be submitted by this date. For more information or to request an application, please visit the Travel Page of the website.

_______________________________

We Need Your Info!

In preparation for conference, we need to gather certain details about your travel plans, accommodation needs, etc.

We’re trying to make this process as easy for you as possible. If you are the main (or only) contact in your registration party, you will receive an email early next week requesting this information for you and your party. The email will link to a form that  you will need to fill out no later than May 10.

Below is a preview of the questions that will be asked on this form. Some may not be straightforward, so we wanted to prepare you for what type of information you’ll be asked to provide. Please do not respond to THIS email with any information – you will receive the request for this information next week.

Travel:

• We need to get all your flight information in order to schedule transfers between the airport and hotel. (Note that the airport shuttle is included in your conference fee.)

Rooms:

• The hotel has a limited supply of cribs, so if you are not bringing your own and would like to request one please indicate that on the form. We will do our best to have one for you.
• If you are attending conference alone, you may be asked to share a room. Please indicate who you’d like to room with on the form.
• If you would like to request a handicap room, please indicate that on the form.
• If you a physical limitation that make stairs troublesome for you and would like to request a downstairs room, please indicate that on the form.

Nametags:

• Please indicate how each person in your party would like their name to appear on their nametag.
• Please also indicate your “Ministry Location” for your nametag. If you are not CRM staff, please tell us how you’re connected to CRM (i.e. board, guest, or volunteer).

_______________________________

Cancellation Policy

Just a reminder – while it was strongly encouraged that your registration be finalized by April 1st, the last day to cancel your registration without a fee being imposed is May 17th, 2010.

Below are the details of the conference cancellation policy:

• If you cancel less than 60 days prior (approx. May 18) you will be responsible for 50% of the conference fee.
• If you cancel less than 30 days prior (aprrox. June 18) you will be responsible for 100% of the conference fee.

Cancellations inside of these dates due to a death in the family or a serious life-threatening illness will not be penalized. Other exceptions to this policy may be made on a case by case basis.

Until July,
The World Wide Conference Team

As we’ve been pulling details together, one thing has become very obvious: some of you have clearly not updated your file photo for quite awhile (don’t ask us to explain how we know this…)

So the point of this note is to encourage everyone to send in a current photo. Remember, this is what people will use to identify you at the conference. Scenic shots featuring you as a small dot in the photo are discouraged. Also, no Elvis costumes or gorilla suits please (you know who you are.)

We’ve put together a rough draft of the directory for you to download so you can see what we have on file for you now. Be prepared for some errors–this is a work in progress. There are three things we need you to check:

• Is there a picture that features you (and your family, if applicable)? Is it current?
• Is the information with the picture correct and satisfactory?
• Is there anyone on your ministry team that we missed? Any guests that you know are coming to the conference that we should add?

If you’re sending in a new picture, here are some guidelines:

• Send the biggest JPEG version that you have. We’ve got plenty of hard drive space.
• If you’ve got more than one person to represent, try to find a picture where all the faces are relatively close together. In the middle is good. Empty space around the edges of the picture is also good. It allows us to crop things different ways if we need to.

We’re trying to make our deadlines, so please submit your updates in the next two weeks, which means we need everything by May 10, 2010. Photos and text updates should be sent to diane.jones@crmleaders.org. Oh, and if you’re fine with things the way they are, please let us know that too.

Ready? Here’s the link to download the rough draft of the directory:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1070246/wwc_directory_draft1.pdf

Thanks,
Peter Schrock
CRM Creative Services

P.S. for non-staff: If you are one of our guests at the conference, let me first say “Welcome!” We’re really glad you’re coming. Second, we’d like you to be pictured in our directory too, so consider yourself included in this email request. Send us a current picture (following the guidelines above), your name and the city, state, and country you call home. We’ll add you to the nifty little conference book that we’re cooking up. Thanks and we’ll see you in July!

We are being careful to not inundate you with email, but we also know that you have a lot of questions about World Wide Conference.  We intend to continue to send bi-monthly emails about the conference (with the rare exception of a timely reminder or two) and to start sending weekly emails one month prior to the start of conference.

Future communication will include details about:

• how to get to the hotel from the airport
• what’s included in the conference
• how to pay your conference fees
• how to sign up for Learning tracks and workshops
• and more…

Don’t forget to check the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information too!

Flights

If you have yet to book your flights, please get on it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

The good news is that since Easter there has been a drop in airfares from many parts of the U.S. to Asia.  The bad news is that the hotel has expressed concern that we have not all yet booked our flights! There are limited flights into Langkawi – one carrier has ceased operations to Langkawi and the other airlines are beginning to sell out.  This is especially true for routes flying through Singapore, and there are a lot more flight options into Langkawi (LGK) if you fly through Kuala Lumpur (KUL).

We strongly recommend that you book your tickets soon, that you book a flight through KUL if possible, and that you book a separate round trip from KUL to LGK on Malaysian Airlines (it is under $70.00 USD).

Please see the conference Travel Page for tips from other staff and travel recommendations!

Conference Program

As you likely know, the theme for the 2010 World Wide Conference is:

Leadership in Word, Power and Deed
…so that the name of God is renowned among the nations.

What you may not know is the details surrounding the conference program.  We have updated the Program Page of the conference website to include a new detailed schedule, a list of the guest speakers presenting during our Learning Tracks, and much more.

We strongly encourage you to visit the website to read all these details and start preparing yourself for what we will hear and experience together this summer.

“Conversations”

On the afternoons of a couple of our days together we will have open time dedicated to several optional, informal seminar or workshop offerings. These times will be called “Conversations” and are really opportunities for any of us who have a burning topic we want to teach or discuss with others to round up a group of interested people and go for it.

If you’re interested in hosting a “conversation,” your time could be anything from a formal training you’ve prepared and offered elsewhere to a simple round-table discussion with minimal preparation.  The topics can be as broad and wide as are your interests, and you can request a time slot of either 1 or 2 hours.

Proposals for “Conversations” – detailing what you’d like to discuss and how you’d like to discuss it – should be submitted by May 1st, at which time all the proposals will be taken into account.  In some cases where there appears to be duplication we may come back to you and suggest a collaborative effort with others in the organization.

Once we’ve confirmed all the proposals, we’ll send the offerings back out to conference registrants to get an idea of the amount of interest in attending your “conversation.”  This estimate will help you prepare the time, and it will help the conference team reserve the right-sized room.

So… be creative and send in your proposals by May 1st!  We intend to get you a  confirmation for your “Conversation” by May 15th.

If you’re interested, just click here and complete the form no later than May 1st.
Please feel free to email us at wwc_conversations@crmleaders.org if you have any questions about Conversations!

_______________________________

Thank you!
The World Wide Conference Team