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February Newsletter

SHANNON’S CORNER

Connect. Nurture. Grow.


Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never colonized, known as the “Land of Smiles.”  It is home to more than 35,000 Buddhist temples and shrines, and only about 1% of the Thai population identifies as Christian.  

While in Thailand, friends of Kristi’s who serve with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) took us outside of Bangkok to spend the day with them.  They shared about The EveryOne Thailand, a collaborative movement partnering with local and international ministries to reach every person in Thailand with the gospel.  They help lead worship during weeklong outreach gatherings and are encouraged by how God is drawing many to Himself.

One of the highlights of our time was serving 22 global workers at the Abide with Me retreat in the mountains outside of Chiang Mai. The retreat created space for teaching, silence, worship, small groups, optional prayer practices, and unhurried time alone with Jesus.  My small group had five ladies serving in four different countries – Japan, Nepal, Indonesia, and Thailand.  It was a sacred space to share honestly about life and what we are learning.  


I had the privilege of meeting with four individuals one-on-one as they wanted to process things that is going on in their lives.  Burnout.  Trauma.  Marriage crisis.  Medical crisis.  Death of loved ones.  The weight they carried was visible—in their posture, their expressions, their words.  By the end of the week, something had shifted.  Not because their circumstances changed, but because they were seen.  Heard.  Their stories were witnessed with compassion.


“This contemplative stuff is all new for me. When we had to pick up a stone and think of a burden we were carrying and release it into the basket, I thought this is weird. At some point in the week, I couldn’t remember what burdens I laid down because I was relaxed enough. It was freeing.”  - a global worker in Thailand

 

“Many ways to relate to God besides prayer and Scripture reading which was all I was taught. This was very life-giving, a vacation from my mind and intellect.”  

- global worker in USA

 

“The value of silence and space, how much I really needed it.”  

- global worker in Thailand


In Bangkok, we also spent time with a family serving in Taiwan, debriefing their three adolescent/young adult daughters.  Over the past two years, their family has experienced significant transitions that have reshaped their relationships and rhythms.  

Our time together gave each daughter space to process how those changes have impacted her personally.  There have been layered losses—stacked one upon another.  We talked about naming those losses, allowing space for grief, and recognizing that growth happens at different paces for each person.  We offered tools they can continue using—communicating with the reminder that clarity is kindness, and intentionally choosing life-giving practices.  Art, which they love, can be a powerful way to process hard things.  

We concluded our time together as a family by revisiting the 5 Rs of Transition: relationships, roles, routines, reactions, and reflection.  We talked about how loss and grief surface during transition and how to communicate when big emotions arise—without swinging from one extreme to another.  At the heart of it all, they each desire connection.  The question became: what is one step each of us can take toward engagement and connection?

Kristi, Jeremy, and I were also able to experience some of Thailand’s culture.  We attended the 49th Flower Festival in Chiang Mai, explored Ancient City in Bangkok, and walked along Pattaya Beach.  Thailand is known for its shopping, so we visited four indoor malls, a night market, a Chinese open market, and a Thai open market.  And of course, we enjoyed amazing Thai food—my favorite is mango sticky rice!

On our way home, we had a long layover at Incheon International Airport in Seoul.  We connected with global workers serving in Nepal whom we had debriefed last October.  They are currently on home assignment in Korea and graciously picked us up for breakfast at a small coffee shop along the river canal.  I was struck by the skyline—towering skyscrapers where people live.  It was a beautiful reunion, and I even got to meet their five-year-old daughter.

I continue to be amazed at God’s faithfulness and continually humbled by how God provides through this community.  Since December, 65% of our 2026 budget has already come in—that’s $65,500!  What an encouraging milestone.  I’m so grateful for this incredible team.  Your generosity makes this ministry possible.  Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us to help close the gap and reach our full goal by March 31, 2026?

One-Time Gift Opportunities

Would you prayerfully consider filling one of these giving slots?

·      1 partner at $10,000

·      3 partners at $1,000

·      1 partner at $5,000

·      4 partners at $500   

·      1 partner at $2,000

·      4 partners at $250   


PRAYER REQUESTS

Praise the Lord for $42,500 has been raised for my 2026 budget!!!

Praise the Lord for safety and health while traveling!

Praise the Lord for the Abide Retreat and the Family TCK Debriefs!

Praise the Lord for fun, connection, amazing Thai food and my team!

Pray for 2026 fundraising of $23,000.

Pray for debriefing a client in TX, Feb 23rd-25th.

Pray for care session w/ missionary Mar 2nd.

Pray for a coaching session w/ client Mar 2nd.

Pray for a 3-hr debrief w/Korean missionary Mar. 12th. 

Pray for scheduling clients for debriefs, training, and coaching as I’ve had many referrals to make sure they receive the best care, and I am having margin.

Pray for wisdom & discernment when meeting with people for care.

Pray for TCK Connect (Thurs & Fri)

Contact Information:


Donate Online! (Follow the prompts) 
www.WorldOutreach.org/783

 

Mail Checks:

  World Outreach Ministries, Inc.

  P.O. Box B

  Marietta, GA  30061

  (Make a check out to WOM & in memo or in a note write Shannon Eaton #783)

 

Bill Pay:  free option via your online banking

  (Use the same information for checks)

 

Shannon Eaton

107 Old York Rd Apt 5

New Cumberland, PA 17070

(724) 967-1437


Email:  shannon.eaton76@gmail.com

Coaching:  lifetransitioncoaching.shannon@gmail.com

FaceBook:  fb.com/shannonreaton

Instagram:  instagram.com/shangirl94


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