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November Newsletter

SHANNON’S CORNER

November 2019

Who are you?  Who am I?  It may seem like a strange to ask, yet do we really truly know who we are?  I would have answered this question by saying I am a missionary or Pastor Jim’s daughter or a nurse or the three Eaton girls’ sister.  It wouldn’t be until further down the list that I would say I am a follower of Jesus Christ.  In our society today, identity is so confusing of knowing who we are.  God has been teaching me about my true and authentic identity which is only found in Him.  This summer at Cherry Run Camp, our missionaries challenged us about being followers of Jesus Christ.  I saw the movie, ‘Overcomer’ by the Kendricks’ brothers which also talked about our identity in Christ.  My women’s Bible study is studying Priscilla Shirer’s book, “Fervent” which one chapter talks about our identity.  If someone were to ask me, ‘Who is Shannon?’ I would love to respond I am the daughter of the King, I am redeemed, I am forgiven, I am chosen, and I am a follower of Jesus Christ.  I challenge you to strip back everything that defines you because this world can take it all away except who we are in Christ.

God is so good.  He knows all things and is overall.  Back in January when Safe Place
Ministry came to visit for the first time, they left with the idea that they would be back for another visit this fall.  Little did any of us know God’s plan and purpose for another visit within the same year.  But God knew.  His timing was perfect.  Our team received some news that was hard to process just days prior to Safe Place Ministry’s visit.  They were able to help us all process this news in a way that was honoring to God and all those involved.  One of the passages of scripture Bethann, Jennifer, Jane and I discussed and prayed during their visit was from 2 Timothy 2:22-16 (MSG)
Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil’s trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.

God’s setting for our time of retreat was in the beautiful mountains of Constanza.  The Lord our Shepherd brought us His children to rest in green pastures and beside still waters to restore our souls.  Our retreat became a beautiful time of drawing close to our Lord and to one another.  Bethann led us through a passage of scripture Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV):

This is what the Lord says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
    ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
    and you will find rest for your souls.
    But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

PRAYER REQUESTS
Praise the Lord for Safe Place Ministry’s visit!
Praise the Lord for our missionary retreat!
Praise the Lord for Nahomi’s time with us serving at ANIJA!
Pray for our team here in the DR.
Pray for my spiritual life, specifically to be disciplined in my prayer life.


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