January – February 2014
Dear Supporting Church Families & Friends,
“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God!” (Ps36:7a) Greetings from the Tohono O’Odham Nation. We have had such a great start to the new year, and are continually amazed by, and thankful for His excellent lovingkindness.
January brought our annual “Bible Reader’s Supper,” going to eat with 7 people who read their Bibles from cover to cover in 2013. May we all be faithful students of His Word throughout this year! I’ve never regretted one minute of time spent reading His Word! May our personal prayer and Bible reading times be of utmost importance to all of us this year!
We were blessed to have a visit from Evangelist Glen Jaspers and his dear wife Mary for several different services. Bro. Glen does such a great job of preaching, and Mrs. Mary always works with the kids, teaching stories and songs. They also travel to several other reservation ministries in AZ, preaching and doing some physical work as well. What a blessing they have been to the Independent Baptist Mission Inc in general, and to our family specifically. We thank God for such great friends!
The Bible Clubs in Cockleburr continue to be well attended. We recently completed a long series on the 10 Commandments, with many of the children having them memorized, and able to make application in their own lives! Thank you for your continued prayers for the Bible Club ministry in this village.
The Nursing Home ministry is also such a blessing. Before one recent service, one of the residents began singing aloud one of the hymns we generally sing together (our first “special” sung by a resident)! We are excited for the increased opportunities to serve there this year, having received permission to have more than the 12 services per year we’ve been having! Thank you for your prayers for this ministry as well!
The people of the AkChin church seem to be growing in desire and heart for the Lord, and we are so thankful for this. Several are like sponges, soaking up everything the Lord has for them, asking questions after church, etc…! The messages lately have focused on having a personal burden for lost individuals, friends and family. Each person in the church has asked the Lord for an overwhelming burden to see at least one specific person saved. Pray for their continued growth, and for other souls to be saved as well. We’ve had several visitors lately, and are praying they return and allow the Lord to meet their need!
To encourage Christian fellowship and growth, we have scheduled “family fun night” for one Friday every month this year for the church family to get together and play games, snack and enjoy each other’s company. The first two have been well attended and enjoyed by all. We pray an even closer bond to each other the Lord will result!
Our family was especially blessed and privileged to take part in two missions conferences during the month of February. What a great time of preaching, meeting other missionaries, and spending time with dear pastor friends and their church families. We are very grateful for how the Lord sends just the right people by at just the right time in our lives, and for the friendships He blesses us with!
“Saving the best for the last,” we are thrilled to tell of three pre-teen young people who accepted Christ as their Savior during the past two months. It is always exciting to see the increase after a season of planting and watering! Pray for Alma, Michaela and SarahAnn!
Our family remains continually blessed and eternally grateful for all the Lord does for us! Thank you too, so much, for your faithful prayers and support!
Working together with you for HIM,
Brian & Louann Shannon & family