Dear supporting church families and friends,
Hello from the Tohono O’Odham reservation. Our temps are finally starting to fall (our daytime highs this past week of October have only been up to the high 90’s). I’m sure snow is just around the corner (haha).
In our last letter we told you of several who were recently saved, and others who had drifted and were coming back. It’s very exciting to get to tell you that many of those saved are growing and very faithful to the Lord and His house. Others have begun to let former cares slip back into their lives. Please pray for them. How important for us all to “reckon ourselves dead” to the old man!
In one of the groups of teenagers we work with, we have had some who have recently made a commitment to be more dedicated to Christ and allow Him to use them. There is such a need here (as is the case everywhere) to have young people stand up for Christ and are a testimony and a leader in their community! Until this happens, everyone watches everyone else and no one is getting anywhere for God! Please pray for some teenagers who will have a spiritual backbone and be the leader God wants them to be!
The Lord has blessed us recently with a very special opportunity in our home. Louann’s sister Rosa, who we have been praying for to be saved, has been attending college a short distance from our house. Because of the distance from her house on the reservation, she has been staying with us during the week! What a wonderful opportunity for her to see God in our home and “everyday lives.” We have such a burden to see her saved! She is one of the nicest and most respectful young people on the reservation, such a change from most; but this “niceness” is as filthy rags in God’s eyes. She must be born again. Please continue to help us pray for Rosa. We are thankful for the opportunity to have her in our home, in our family devotions, etc.
Please also pray for Terry. This 6 year old girl (whose father is dead) was recently told by her mother that she is no longer wanted. She interferes with the mother’s desires to party, drink, etc. so the mother has given her away. Thankfully she has been passed on to Louann’s mother, who has been saved and is attending the Ak-Chin mission church on Sunday afternoons. I know she’ll be loved in this home, but she so needs to learn of the One who loves her more than anyone else ever could! It is sadly amazing to see someone so neglected by her own mother that at 6 years old she can’t count to three or know her colors. She is not handicapped, just neglected. This same story is repeated time after time after time on the reservation (it is actually more of the norm than an anomaly). Please pray for Terry, for the youth of the reservation, and for us as we try to show them His love!
Christmastime is fast approaching. Many of you have done so much for the kids in the past during this special time of year. We appreciate your generosity and so do they! For many, what the Lord provides them through you will be the only Christmas they have. If you desire to contribute to this special fund for Christmas, please mark it accordingly (kids’ Christmas gifts, etc…) and we’ll be sure to send you pictures after Christmas! Please let us know if you have any questions concerning this project.
The Lord continues to bless our family exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think! We praise Him for all He does. Pray for us, pray for the work here. We are so thankful for the Christian family God has given us in you all. We appreciate all you do for us and the dear O’Odham people.
Working together with you for HIM,
Brian & Louann, Latanya, Lilly, Rebecca & Brandon Shannon
