Greater Portland Baptist Church

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: February Update

Making Progress
As I have mentioned in previous letters, I am currently devoting the majority of my time to studying Kabiye. Just about two weeks ago, I finally felt like all this studying is starting to pay off as I began forming simple sentences. What's unfortunate is that the Kabiye people assume this means that I will understand anything they say. That is definitely not the case!

Health Concerns
Over a week ago, we noticed a gland under Joshua's right ear starting to swell and become painful for him. After seven days, two doctor visits, a blood test, a throat culture, and speaking with an American doctor on the phone, we were still baffled and the swelling was getting worse. Finally we talked to another doctor on the phone who gave us a good indication of what it might be and how to treat it. That was two days ago, and since then he has been doing much better.

We are pretty sure that it was a bacterial infection of some sort. It is definitely a test of faith at times living in a place where you can't drive 15 minutes to the nearest fully-equipped hospital. We are very thankful that God directed us to speak with the right people at the right time. It's good to have the energetic old Joshua back!

Who is Jesus?
A couple months ago, a teenager from the church we're working in and I started walking around our neighborhood talking with people on the street about the gospel. What I soon discovered was that there is much confusion here about foundational ideas such as who God is, who Jesus is, and what sin is. While the Bible has been around northern Togo for many years, peoples' understanding of it has been severely warped by Islam, animism, and various man-made religions. I am thankful to have the opportunity to talk with people about the only One who can bring them to God, but I also see the great need to have more in-depth study and conversation with those who are curious to know more. Please pray that God will show me what the best way is to go about doing this, and that it will be fruitful for His glory.

Praying for peace
With elections coming in early March, we want you to know that we may be unreachable by phone and internet for up to a week. Please pray with us that there will be no violence in the country during this time.

Shanks Blog Update

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: January Update

New Year, New Opportunities I imagine that you've probably heard several times already this year, "What happened to 2009?" We feel the same way, as if the calendar jumped from 2008 to 2010! As we are approaching our anniversary marking one year in Togo, we have never been so excited for a new year. There are so many opportunities for ministry all around the Kara region that we are sometimes...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: Safari & Christmas

As you can imagine, we've been having a great time with my parents. A day after arriving from picking them up in Accra, we traveled to northern Benin to Pendjari Wildlife Park for a safari. That was quite an amazing experience. If you'd like to see the pictures, you can view them on my Facebook account (this works even if you don't use Facebook). Between the drive to Accra and...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: Back from Accra

I just wanted to write a quick update letting you know that we arrived safely home in Kara from picking up my parents in Accra. It was quite a two day journey back here, and it was tiring for my parents, but they did a great job toughing it out on the smooth Togo roads. They are already having a great time experiencing all the sights, sounds, and smells of...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: Trip to Accra, part 2

Exactly one month after leaving for Accra the first time (November 18th), we'll be leaving Kara to go there again. This time, however, the trip will be very rewarding since we are going to pick up my parents from the Accra airport! We are excited beyond words that they are coming as you can imagine. They'll be staying for exactly three weeks, during which we'll take them on a safari,...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: November 2009

First of all, I must apologize for the lateness of this update. I had every intention of getting it out 10 days ago, but following our trip to Ghana I came down with a bad case of malaria. I was bed-ridden for four days, with several days of recovery after that. I don't want to complain, but it was NOT at all a plesant experience! Many, many people were praying...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: Headed to Accra

It's been a very busy few weeks for us, so we're really looking forward to leaving tomorrow morning (at 4 am!) for Accra, which is the capital of Ghana and the most developed city in West Africa. The primary reason for the trip is to bring our friend and fellow missionary, Jim, to the airport. He has been in Togo for 3 years now, and is taking a furlough back...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: March 2009

Even though we've only been in Togo for six weeks now, there's been a lot going on here lately. What we are quickly learning, however, is just how much patience will be required in order to live here! Nothing; such as the container shipping, vehicle search, moving in to our own house, and communication with the States, seems to be going according to "our schedule." We have no doubt though...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: February 2009

Today marks one week since we first arrived in Togo. It's been quite an amazing experience so far, and we can't wait to see what's in store for us in the future here. We started out by crossing over the border from Ghana into Togo's capital city of Lome. Our missionary coworkers had quite a bit of shopping to do there, so we stayed for a couple nights before heading...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: January 2009

Here's a quick update of what's been going on lately and what's coming up. Please remember to check the blog on our website (www.lightoftogo.com) for more details. - We finished packing all of our belongings and sent them by truck on New Year's Eve. - The truck arrived in Missouri on January 8th, and now all our things will be packed into an overseas container by a ministry called Friends...continue