Dear Supporting Church Families & Friends,
Happy New Year from southern Arizona, and Tohono O’Odham Nation! “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Ps 90:12). May we each use this new year to do even more for Him Who has done so much for us!
What an exciting November & December the Lord has helped us through! First I’d like to mention Louann and the new baby she is carrying. They are doing well, but Louann has had quite a few problems with this one. Please continue to hold both of them up in your prayers over the next few weeks. The due date is the first week of March, and she has already experienced some pre-term contractions and other problems. We know our God is in control, and are resting and trusting in Him during this time!
The work in Ak-Chin continues to be a blessing to watch and take part in! We have seen several visitors come through the doors, and some who are saved continue to grow in His grace and knowledge as they strive to live for Him. We were blessed with visits from 3 preachers during the past 10 weeks or so, including Bro. Elden Martens from West Coast Baptist College, Bro. Dean Powers from Grundy, VA, and Bro. Sam Vance from Mt. Hope, WV. Each of these special meetings were such a blessing to not only the church family, but to our immediate family as well. We thank God for the special friends He has blessed us with over the years! We had a special Thanksgiving testimony service, and it was such a joy to see some of the church members stand and thank God for all He had done for them! The use of the altar (a rare, or new thing, for most of them) is becoming more and more frequent during invitation times, and we are very thankful to see them acting upon God speaking to their hearts! Please continue to pray for the church there.
The work with the teens has also been exciting. During a Thanksgiving testimony service at that church, every teen stood and shed tears as they thanked God for all He has done for them. What an encouragement to see signs of growth in fields where you’ve plowed for so long! Please continue to pray for the teens! There have been several visitors lately, and also a definite moving of God in their hearts. Oh, that we would all be doers of the Word, and not hearers only!
Cockleburr Bible clubs and CASA meetings were especially blessed during these two months. The CASA meeting for November included a Thanksgiving meal for Mrs. Mabel, and a sweet time of testimonies. At the December CASA meeting, the Lord provided many nice gifts to take to Mrs. Mabel. What a joy to share the love of God and His blessings with others! The Bible clubs for the kids was also blessed by great attendance over the past two months! Thank you so much to everyone who prayed and had a part in giving gifts to the children! God used this as a wonderful time to encourage the children, but also a great time to gather many together, including some parents, and share the wonderful news of God’s love and salvation with them. After the service, several said they accepted Jesus into their hearts. God has the record – we’re thankful for the opportunity to share!
We also had Christmas parties for the adults at both churches, and are thankful for the sweet time of fellowship and fun God provided us during these times! I’m so thankful for our church families, and the friendships and helps that God provides along the days of our journey! We are thankful for 11 total who read their entire Bible through during 2009. We are going to eat together, and encouraging everyone else to try to do it during 2010.
The rest of the family are doing great! School will be picking back up here shortly. Please pray for Tanya & Lilly as they continue through this year’s work! Brandon and Rebecca are growing too fast, and eagerly anticipating the arrival of baby brother soon! Thanks for all you do for us. Continue to remember us and the dear Tohono O’Odham people in your prayers!
Working together with you for HIM,
Brian & Louann, Latanya, Lilly, Rebecca & Brandon Shannon
