WooHoo!!! Celebrate with me as we have reached and surpassed the 2026 budget goal of $65,500. God is so good. THANK YOU! I am overwhelmed with gratitude and how the Lord has increased my faith in resting securely in Him to provide and how He has invited each of you to be a part in this incredible ministry. Thank YOU!
What a joy to be able to experience and learn about a different culture, Armenia. A pagan country until the third century when St. Gregory the Illuminator came to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the King of Armenia. St. Gregory was first thrown into a six meter pit at Khor Virap to die but God kept St. Gregory alive. Thirteen years later, the king was dying and St. Gregory was sent to come and pray to the true God for the king’s healing. The king lived and became a Christian and had all the pagan temples in the country removed and churches built in their place. Armenia was known as the first Christian nation.
The Armenian people went through many years of genocide from the mid to late 1800’s to WWII. Even though the country is now only a tenth of its original size, it amazes me what Armenia is known for, their opera, music, theatre, dance, and art. The Lord’s gift of beauty through all the trauma.
We had the privilege of working with five third culture kids (TCKs) in doing a mini-debrief of six hours with them. Two sisters were still transitioning to living in Armenia from living their whole lives in Korea. Adjusting to homeschooling has been the hardest for them and missing their friends and some family back in Korea. Debriefing two brothers as we gave them a safe space to share their stories. The aspects of living and navigating neurodivergency in their family.
The Lord created the opportunity for me to meet with a teen who I knew about but wasn’t sure in the few times I interacted with her if she would be willing to have a one-on-one conversation. When I heard that she was willing to meet with me near the end of our time in Armenia, I told her mom for the teen to bring a game for us to play. We played UNO for two hours as the teen shared with me about her past four years living in Armenia. It has been very hard and some days have been very dark. Some of it is because of not being seen, heard, and understood that has caused loneliness. She shared how recently she is coming out of the dark place and singing and enjoying it. How beautiful the Lord is having her use her voice through singing and worshipping Him.
One of the teens I had the privilege of debriefing is a refugee from a neighboring country. It was my first time to use a translator while debriefing someone. It was a neat and humbling experience. Again, creating space for the teen to share his story. How much tragedy and hardship he has experienced and hearing how he came to know and accept Jesus. Trusting Jesus to continue working in his life.
God’s timing is perfect was the thing I kept hearing over and over during our time in Armenia and debriefing a couple who are the pastors of one of the international churches said the same about the timing of this debrief care they were receiving. The debrief provided an intentional and safe space for them to share their story, the losses they accumulated these past four years while planting the church, and processing the hard things in their family life. I got to witness how the Lord spoke to them both in tender and gentle ways in our debrief sessions. One of them said, “I can actually take a deep breath.”
We had the opportunity to sit and converse with a number of missionaries serving in Armenia. Some of them shared how they see Armenia being a hub for the missionaries and pastors who serve in the Middle East to come for rest, refreshment, and equipment before going back on the front lines to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We ate lunch every weekday at the mission organization where I did the debriefs. Eating and talking with the staff who comprise many nationalities in the region was really incredible to hear a bit of their story and what their role is in the ministry. At the lunch table I may hear three or four different languages being spoken.
Because I got a taste of Armenian culture along with a variety of other cultures, the Lord gave me a perspective that enabled me to have context and a better understanding of what the lived experience and hardships the TCKs and the pastors are experiencing when they share their stories with me. Thank you for partnering with me and making it possible for us to serve missionaries and TCKs in Armenia.
Since being back in the states, my days have been full with debrief care for four individuals and one couple. One who serves in Ukraine. One who finished her term in China and re-entering life in the US. One who is in the midst of her re-entry in the UK after serving in some African countries. One who is serving and ministering here in PA. A couple who just finished their term serving in summer camp ministries on the US west coast.
TCK Connect has started back up for the semester and I am volunteering for their Friday morning and afternoon Connect times. It is awesome to see once again the students I know and to meet the new students who have joined us. Plus, we have some new student leaders who help plan what games we play or what discussions we have during our Chai Chat times and then they help lead and direct our time together. Such a fun and enjoyable time with the students and adult leaders.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Praise the Lord for $66,565 has been raised!!
Praise the Lord for safe travels to and from Armenia!
Praise the Lord for the people we served and encouraged in Armenia!
Praise the Lord for the start up of TCK Connect, new students who have joined!
Praise the Lord for the online debrief care of an individual who served in China!
Praise the Lord for finishing debrief care with a missionary serving in Ukraine!
Praise the Lord for continuing debrief care with a missionary re-entering the UK!
Praise the Lord for debriefing a couple who finished with a summer camp ministry on the West Coast!
Praise the Lord for debriefing an individual who serves in ministry here in PA!
Pray for TCK Connect Friday mornings and afternoons.
Pray for continuing online debrief care with missionary re-entry in the UK.
Pray for online debrief with a missionary serving in Honduras.
Pray for online debrief with a couple who finished serving as pastors in a church.
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)
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)
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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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