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December Newsletter

 

 SHANNON’S CORNER



Merry Christmas!


When you are around children how do you react to them?  


What feelings are invoked in you?  


What is your perspective of children? 

 

What image of Jesus with children comes to your mind?


I have loved being and playing with kids as far back as my preteen years when I began to babysit.  This love for kids continued throughout my life until present day with working at a kid’s summer camp, volunteering at Children’s Hospital, teaching Sunday School, helping with youth program, substituting as a school nurse, serving kids in Peru, mentoring youth, playing with missionary kids and with all of my nieces, nephews and my friends’ kids.  Kids just have a way of grounding me.  They bring joy and laughter to my life.  Kids can exhaust me as well from all their energy.  But they have a simple faith because they simply trust.  


My image of Jesus with children was what I grew up with in Sunday School.  It did not bring


up images of a fun-loving person that draws kids to come and jump on him like a human jungle gym.  But recently, at a training I received at Mission Training International to learn how to debrief third culture kids, I came to see a different perspective of Jesus’ love for children and his interaction with children.  Jesus gives children a position of honor, a voice, value and worthiness.  Nowhere else in Scripture do we see the kind of punishment as in Mark 9:42, “And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.”  Later, in Mark 10:14 Jesus is indignant, mad, and upset with his disciples for trying to keep the children away from him even after he already had rebuked them prior about the same issue.  This challenges me as I begin to take on this responsibility, to care for God’s GREAT treasure…the heart of a child.


A while back I read the book called, Peace Child by Don Richardson.  The book talks about two warring tribes and in their culture the only way to bring peace was for each tribe to take a baby from the other tribe and raise the baby as their own.  There was peace between the two tribes as long as the children lived.  During my time in the Dominican Republic, I got to witness God using a baby as a peace child to begin the healing process of a broken relationship.  I have had the privilege to be a witness of how God has transformed lives of kids and how they are making an impact in their families and communities for Jesus.  They are the light in this very dark world.  Babies and young children connect and speak to our hearts in a very unique way.  How interesting to remember as we celebrate the reason for this Christmas season that God sent His Son, Jesus to earth as a baby, a Peace Child to restore and reconcile our relationship with Him.  


My Training at MTI
We are at the Garden of the Gods, Colorado
It is hard to believe that another chapter of my life is soon coming to a close.  I am so grateful for these last four years serving with Kids Alive in the Dominican Republic.  I have learned so very much as a member care provider and have had many people in this journey to speak into my life and have grown from my experiences.  God is beginning to write a new chapter of my life and I am excited to be a part of the work He is already doing but has invited me to join Him.  

 

I would greatly appreciate your continued support as I begin this new journey.  My goal is to raise at least $25,000 for this coming year 2021.  This will help to cover living and ministry expenses.  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 prompts)


    https://www.worldoutreach.org/783


2) Mail Checks:

    World Outreach Ministries, Inc.

    P.O. Box B

    Marietta, GA  30061

    (write check out to WOM, memo write Shannon Eaton #783)


3) Bill Pay:  free option via your online banking

    (use same information as checks)


‘Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.’

 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!


PRAYER REQUESTS

Praise the Lord for the training I received at MTI in Colorado for debriefing Third Culture Kids!

Praise the Lord for an apartment!!!

Praise the Lord for family & friends!

Praise the Lord for His love for us in sending Jesus, Immanuel!

Pray for my finances. I need to raise $25,000 for year 2021.

Pray for the holidays with COVID impacting them.

Pray for startup with Safe Place Ministry.

Pray for community, friendships.

Pray for church community.


Contact Information:


Shannon Eaton

5055 Stacey Drive East 1604

Harrisburg, PA  17111

(724)967-1437


Email:  shannon.eaton76@gmail.com

Facebook:  Shannon R Eaton

Blog:  https://www.shannonreaton.blogspot.com


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