SHANNON’S CORNER
June 2020
where to do it. Jesus heard about the line of people that had gathered early. He knew their needs. He did not go back when his disciples found him and told him about the people. We will let great things get in the way of God things because we would want to run to the line and meet and fix the needs of the people who traveled from afar. We do not like to disappoint people. But at what cost? Great ministry comes with great needs and demands, which affects and destroys our ministry with our kids and spouse. How are you doing with the God-given things, not the great ministry?
Do you feel like you have been doing all the right things, yet you have run smack dab into a 30-foot-high wall that seems impassable? Maybe your wall is COVID-19 or the Black Lives Matter Movement or unemployment or fear or uncertainty?? Take a moment and name your wall that seems so impassable. Joshua felt like he did all the right things that was asked of him and yet he walked into a 30-foot-high wall that stood in his way to get to the Promised Land. God gave Joshua a very unexpected strategy which was to march around the wall once for six days and on the seventh day to march around the wall seven times and then blow the trumpets and have the people shout and the walls came tumbling down. Maybe God has a very unexpected strategy for you to reach your end goal. Are you willing to obey like Joshua? Which lap are you in? Don’t give up because even if you cannot see, God can and does for you.
The Dominican Republic will hold their presidential elections on July 5th. The country is in phase 2 of reopening economically but due to the rise of corona virus cases, they have slowed down the process. Yet, the country is hoping to open up its borders to tourists starting the beginning of July.
I continue to check in with our missionaries and leadership to see how I can help them as well as how I can be praying for them. Many of the prayer requests are for wisdom in knowing how we will open up our schools when the president and ministry of education gives their guidelines for reopening and what that will look like. The three children’s homes, our house parents and directors have been on site this whole entire time and so now we are giving these amazing and special people a two-week vacation so that they can relax, refresh and rejuvenate. We are so very thankful for how they have served our kids during this pandemic and keeping our kids safe and healthy. Our missionaries have been dealing with some hard, hard things during these last months. Be praying for their families and marriages, for their physical, spiritual, emotional, mental and relational health.
This has been a season where God has been teaching, growing, and equipping me through a number of different courses, webinars, books, and conferences. Here is a list of the various things I have been learning. Leadership, member care, how local or supporting churches can help with missionary care, parenting, marriage, how to talk to the next generation about gospel-centered sexuality that includes gender identity, third culture kids, conflict resolution through developing relational wisdom, managing healthy tension, counseling for lay people, and pornography. Nuggets of Learning: Importance of continuing to actively learn.
Am I letting fear drive my life? What is the difference between Gideon’s fear and the fear of the 22,000 men who were sent home because of their fear (Judges 6:12-16)? Gideon was willing to fight his fear to fight with God. Is our fear willing to work with God?
How to live an unbalanced life (Mk. 1:35-39). Jesus knew who he is, what he is to do and
How might God be wanting to use the very thing you are going through to form you more into the likeness of Jesus (Jer. 29:11; Rom. 8:28-29). God tells his people in Jeremiah 29:5-7 to stay and wait well, to bring about peace and love and hope for the city where they would be in exile. God wanted them to stay in the hard. He knew it will be hard and difficult. God wanted them to trust him. God doesn’t remove us from hardship. He is there with us in it. He transforms us through it.
Living life here in the states right now mostly with my sister, Rachel and her family has been a joy and a blessing. Kids are such a joy and I have really loved being close to some of my nephews. One of my favorite parts of my day is pushing my two nephews on the swings as they sing songs (mostly made up) and hearing their knock, knock jokes. Hearing them laugh and sing and having fun makes me laugh and fills me with joy. It reminds me of all the hours I use to spend pushing the kids at the children’s home in Peru. Listening to them sing and laugh as they would swing. I enjoy their imaginations and just playing, following their lead.
Psalm 119:105, “Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The lanterns had oil with a wick and only illuminated enough light for you to take the next step otherwise you were in complete darkness. God has used this verse recently to speak to me about my path and where He wants to lead me. But He only has shed light enough for me to take the next step. I have taken a step of faith and obedience and now waiting for the Lord’s next instructions. In the following months I hope to be able to share with you this journey that the Lord is leading me. Please pray for wisdom, discernment, clarity, and light to know when and how I need to take the next step. Pray. Pray. Pray.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Praise the Lord for family!
Praise the Lord for health!
Praise the Lord for his teaching, guidance, and equipping!
Pray for our missionaries, leadership, staff and kids in the Dominican Republic.
Pray for the Presidential elections on July 5th in the DR.
Pray for wisdom in knowing when to go back to the DR.
Pray for our nation.
Pray for the church to arise as one body and in one spirit.
Shannon Eaton
829 Kocher Dr.
Grove City, PA 16127
Facebook: Shannon R. Eaton
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