August Newsletter

  SHANNON’S CORNER

Connect. Nurture. Grow.

This month has reminded me again that we are doing this ministry together.  When I sit across from someone for a debrief, when I meet with someone for coaching or a care session, when I prepare to travel to care for ministry workers and TCKs—you are part of those moments.  You may not be sitting in the room with me, but your prayers, encouragement, and financial partnership help make it possible for me to be there.

And this month, we have had some meaningful opportunities to be present with people in the midst of their stories.  I have had the privilege of providing two individual debriefs, one family debrief, four care sessions, and three coaching sessions.  Each conversation has been different, but there has been a common thread: people need space to slow down, process what they have experienced, and listen for what is next.

One of the individual debriefs especially stays with me.  She came to the debrief feeling very confused after her experience.  She wasn't sure if she was supposed to continue serving in Africa.  As she shared her story, we talked through some of the hard things she had experienced.  Eventually, she shared something a leader had said to her. 

Those words had caused her to begin questioning the calling she believed God had given her.  As I listened to her story, I asked her, “Can you tell me about the time you heard the Lord call you into missions?”  As she began to tell me that story, I watched her whole countenance change before my eyes.  She remembered.  She remembered the Lord calling her.  She remembered the place she was in and what He had spoken to her heart.  The difficult experiences were still part of her story.  The questions didn't suddenly disappear.  But remembering her calling anchored her.
It reminded me how easy it can be in a difficult season to lose sight of what we once knew to be true.  Sometimes the voices and experiences around us become so loud that they begin to drown out the voice of the One who called us.  Debriefing doesn't necessarily give someone an answer about what they should do next.  It creates space to look back, to process, to notice, and to remember.

For her, remembering her calling became an anchor.  Now she can take the next step trusting Jesus in the process.

And friends, we got to be part of that.  You helped make space for that conversation.

We Continue To Show Up

Along with debriefs, we have continued having care and coaching sessions with people navigating their own seasons of transition.  Some are trying to figure out what comes next.  Some are processing what has happened.  Some are making decisions.  Some simply need a place to breathe and sort through all that is swirling around them.  I am grateful for every conversation and for the trust people place in me when they invite me into their stories.  I am grateful that together we get to provide that space.

We also had two opportunities to expand the conversation through invitations for me to be a guest on two different podcasts.  These conversations give us another way to talk about life transitions, member care, burnout, and the importance of creating healthy rhythms in the midst of change.  We never know who may be listening or what part of a conversation God may use to encourage someone.

We Are Going To Armenia

Our next opportunity is just ahead.  I will be traveling  to Armenia with Refresh and Resound International to  provide debrief care for six TCKs and two adults.  I am especially looking forward to sitting with the TCKs and hearing their stories.  Growing up between cultures can bring so many experiences—moving, saying goodbye, making new friends, adjusting to new cultures, and figuring out where you belong.  There can be so much beauty in those experiences, but there can also be losses that need to be acknowledged.  Together, we get to create space for these young people to talk about their experiences, process what they have been carrying, and recognize the ways they are growing.

We Have One More Stretch To Go

As we prepare for Armenia and continue this ministry, we are also coming toward the end of our fundraising year.  We have $3,505 left to raise to reach our goal by  September 30, 2026.

Would you consider helping us reach this final amount?

When I think about fundraising, I don't just think about dollars needed to meet a budget.  I think about the people those dollars make it possible for me to sit with.  The missionary who needs someone to listen.  The family trying to navigate transition together.  The person trying to discern what comes next.  The TCK who needs a safe place to process their story.  The person who needs to remember what is true.  

Our partnership helps make those moments possible.  So, would you join me in praying about this final $3,505?  Maybe you are able to give.  Maybe you know someone who would like to be part of this ministry.  Maybe you can share this newsletter with someone.  Maybe you can simply pray for the people we will encounter in Armenia and for each person who invites us into their story.  Whatever your part looks like, we are in this together.

Thank you for walking with me.  Thank you for believing that caring for people matters.  Thank you for helping create space for people to pause, process, remember, and grow.  I am grateful that we get to do this together.   There are still stories to hear.  There are still people to walk alongside.  And there is still space to Connect. Nurture. Grow.

Let's finish this season well—together.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Praise the Lord for fun, renewal, and refreshment, at Cherry Run Camp! Praise the Lord for $61,994 has been raised, 94.5% of the budget! Praise the Lord for debrief with a person getting ready to serve in Africa! Praise the Lord for debriefing with a person re-entry into the UK!! Praise the Lord for family debrief serving in the Middle East! Praise the Lord for 4 care sessions with 4 individuals! Praise the Lord for 3 coaching sessions with 3 individuals! Praise the Lord for 2 opportunities to be a guest on 2 different podcasts! (Deep Dive Into Joy and Healthy Rhythms in Ministry)

Pray for 2026 fundraising of $3,505 still needed by September 30, 2026. Pray for trip to Armenia Aug 25th-Sept 10th, doing TCK debriefs and other care for global workers. Pray for the start up of TCK Connect in September Thursdays & Fridays. Pray for some possible debriefs in September. Pray for the individual care sessions and coaching sessions in September. Pray for connection, wisdom, & discernment when meeting with people for care. Pray for getting all my continuing education done to renew my nursing license in October.

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