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January Newsletter

SHANNON’S CORNER

January 2017

I got to participate in a new tradition here in the Dominican Republic.  January 6th they celebrate Kings’ Day, (Dia de Reyes), the day the Wisemen came to celebrate the birth of Jesus and giving him three gifts.  Us missionaries in Jarabacoa made pancakes and salami for the children and staff at the Ark Children’s Home in Jarabacoa.  We had a small devotion after breakfast led by the home director and then everyone received three gifts.  These gifts are their Christmas gifts.  Later, I got to celebrate with our children and staff at the Ark Children’s Home in Constanza.  One of the house dads led the devotional prior to everyone receiving and opening their three gifts.  It was such a delight and joy to see them all open their gifts and the surprise, wonder, and laughter as they unwrapped their gifts and tried out or played with their gifts

My women’s Bible study started back up as we are continuing our study on the book, “Inside Out” by Dr. Larry Crabb.  We recently have been studying what it means to be thirsty for God, satisfying our thirst in Jesus (Jn. 7:37-38).  I have really enjoyed getting to deepen my relationships with the three other women in my study and hearing how God is working in their lives.  I have started to attend the Women’s Bible Study at my church.  I am really looking forward to it as a way to develop some Dominican friendships as well as some of our house moms attend so continuing to build relationships with them.  They started a book called, “Divine Design” by Mary A. Kassian & Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

This month of January we are welcoming the arrival of our first of many new Kids Alive missionaries who will be joining our Dominican family throughout the year.  Looking forward to meeting Apollo and Nancy face-to-face as I have been in contact with them via email and Facebook.  This couple will be serving in our Santo Domingo sites helping with child sponsorship and starting an AWANA club at both of our sites.

These last few weeks, talking with a good number of our missionaries to see how their Christmas break went and to hear how some of them are transitioning back to the DR for those who went back to the states, as well as transitioning back into doing ministry from being on break.  Some the transition has been smooth and others have been struggling a little in being back.  We had a few who came back from break sick as well. 

There will be many things going on here in the next few weeks and even months.  The last weekend of January we have a women’s retreat for all our KAI missionaries here.  Helping Apollo and Nancy as the transition into living here in the DR.  Orienting them to KAI here in the DR with their roles in ministry and the directors, helping them in any way with finding housing, purchasing a vehicle, furniture, appliances, etc. as they set-up their home here.  Continuing in building relationships with both my fellow missionaries and our Dominican staff.  Organizing and planning for our next new missionary family to arrive early March.  Planning our directors’ retreat in May.  Hosting a number of teams.

God is good all the time.  All the time God is good.

PRAYER REQUESTS
Praise the Lord for new traditions!
 Praise the Lord for the arrival of Apollo and Nancy!
Pray for God’s wisdom and discernment.
Pray for God’s leading as I build relationships with my fellow KAI missionaries.
Pray for the Women Missionary Retreat Jan 27th – 29thh.
Pray for protection over and spiritual covering over our missionaries, our staff, and the kids we serve.
Pray for Dave Rhodes’ time here and willingness to help Jan 25th – Feb 25th.

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