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November Newsletter

 

 SHANNON’S CORNER

November 2020

Equipping and Mentoring for optimal health to do ministry that bears much fruit for the Kingdom of God…

Do you remember when you were in elementary school and you would do fire drills so many times a year?  I remember in my elementary and high school years; we not only did fire drills but also tornado drills.  Years later as a nurse, I did these same drills as well as mock codes.  Why, you may ask, was this necessary?  It’s preparing us for when the real thing happens that we know what to do and not just freeze and panic.  Doing this, our bodies are programed as an automatic response when these specific situations occur.  Equipping is important just like practicing drills.  Why, you may ask?  So that the missionary will have the tools and skillsets needed for the various circumstances and situations he/she will face while ministering and living overseas.

During my recovery from burnout, I had to relearn some things that I had not been doing.  I realized that I

had not been listening to music except for Sunday mornings at church for about 1.5 years.  Music is such a big part of my life in that it speaks to all parts of my being and I had let it fall to the wayside.  But because music gives me life, I had to relearn how to implement music back into my life.  Music became not only a stress reliever but a warning bell to me.  If I felt stressed, I would ask myself, how much had I listened to music that week?  Or, if I did feel stressed to make sure that I had music playing.  


I had to relearn how to establish and maintain healthy boundaries.  I have always had a hard time saying no to people because of being a people pleaser.  I had to learn why I need to say no as well as practice saying no.  It was a very hard but important skillset to have for my well-being.

I learned the importance of missionary care during this time and the importance of having a team of people who would specifically minister to me.  They would be my tender, like the tender for a deep-sea scuba diver.  The tender takes care of the scuba diver and the equipment beforehand, during and after each dive.  God led me to form a team to do this care for me before going to serve overseas once again.

Teaching and training missionaries at various stages during their term of service overseas is how I can equip them with tools for their toolbox to use when needed.  Training sending churches to know how they can best care for their missionary is another resource and tool the missionary will have.  Coming up with a holistic plan of care that is specific to them and their needs will allow them to have optimal health to continue doing the work God has called them to do.


Coming alongside of the missionary in a mentoring capacity allows for continued relationship
and discipleship building to occur.  What a beautiful way to learn from those who have experienced what we are doing now and to glean wisdom from them.  A safe place to ask questions or to ask for help.  I personally have learned so many invaluable things through the three mentors God has placed in my life.  The wisdom from experience, the encouragement, the friendship, the advice, the support and the intercession of prayers.  It is a beautiful, discipleship, relationship that Jesus models for us with his disciples.  Mentorship is another tool for the missionary’s toolbox.

 

Kids Alive International will continue to receive donations for me until December 15th.  If you have a monthly payment with a credit card or direct deposit, Kids Alive will stop all payments starting December 16th unless you call in to 1-800-KIDS-330 or 219-464-9035 to cancel it prior to December 15th.

I would greatly appreciate your continued support as I make this transition.  I am very excited about the doors the Lord is opening!  You can continue helping via the various ways to send your support outlined below.  As you give, prayerfully consider the “monthly option”-


1. Donate Online! (follow the prompts)

https://www.worldoutreach.org/783

2.  Mail Checks:
    World Outreach Ministries, Inc.
    P.O. Box B
    Marietta, GA  30061
    (make check out to WOM & in memo write Shannon Eaton #783)

3.  Bill Pay:  free option via online banking
    (use same information as checks)


Happy Thanksgiving!


"Oh, give thanks to the LORD,

for He is good!”

Psalm 107:1


PRAYER REQUESTS

Praise the Lord for a car, 2015 Nissan Versa!!

Praise the Lord for finding car insurance within my budget!

Praise the Lord for group health insurance!

Praise the Lord for various donations of household items I have received for my apartment!

Praise the Lord for sharing with Grace UMC in Grove City!

Pray for my finances – donations for an apartment, furniture, kitchenware, linens, etc.

Pray for the holidays with COVID impacting them.

Pray for an apartment to rent out in Harrisburg area.

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