Greater Portland Baptist Church

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: January 2008

It has been a long time coming, but if you remember in our last prayer letter, we mentioned that we would be changing the way in which we regularly communicate with you. Unfortunately this transition took much longer than we first expected or hoped, but at last our website overhaul is finished, and we believe that this will allow us to more effectively communicate with you, and you with us.

We have modified our website from a purely informational site into a blog where we will be regularly updating you on what is going on in our lives and our ministry. The address has not changed, so come pay us a visit at www.lightoftogo.com.

Rest assured that we will continue to send out a regular update letter each month as well, but it is going to be much more concise and less detailed than it previously was. It will briefly highlight some things from the previous month and give you a couple of prayer requests. In our blog, however, we will provide a much more detailed and personal account of everything that God is doing in our lives.

Other than that, in the past few months we have stayed extremely busy with so many things going on. Our French studies are progressing very well. I am in the Intermediate-Advanced class at the university, while Tiffany is studying with an excellent private tutor and doing very well.

Thank you so much for praying for our Togo co-workers, the Huffs. They arrived safely in Québec in December and the Lord was able to use us in finding them a good apartment, furniture, and many other things before they arrived.

Joshua recently turned five years old, and had a great birthday party. He's so excited about everything going on in his life right now, and you can see photos video, and read about it on the website.

Thank you so much for your patience during this transition time, and we want to thank you sincerely for your continued prayer and support.

In His Grace,
Jesse, Tiffany, and Joshua Shanks

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: September 2007

Here's a quick update for the month of September. Recent blessings: - French studies are continuing to go well. I am finally at the point where I usually feel comfortable asking questions and carrying on a conversation (a very elementary one) in French. - Tiffany's parents were able to come visit us for one week. It was a complete surprise for Joshua, and he had a wonderful time with them....continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: August 2007

The month of August brought to us the end of our second session at Université Laval. It is hard to believe that we have 10 weeks of French behind us. That sounds like quite an accomplishment until we think of at least 40 more weeks ahead of us! Tiffany and I both finished the session well, passing our final oral and written tests. For me, the written tests are usually...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: July 2007

It is hard to believe that we have been living in Québec for three months already! We are really enjoying our time here so far, and God is teaching us many important lessons. For example, when we first moved here and were completely inept at communicating in French, normal daily routines became great lessons in humility through humiliation! Since that time, God has been very gracious in allowing us to...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: June 2007

After finishing deputation, driving to Québec, starting school, and moving into our apartment all within a three week period, we were very much looking forward to a break. In the second week of June we finished our first five week session of French at the University, and began a four week session of French in the real world. During this break we have taken the opportunity to use the French...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: May 2007

Boujour from Quebec! It is hard to believe, but we are finally here! God has done so many amazing things in the past month that it will be impossible to tell you everything in this one letter. Shortly after finishing our last missions conference, which was a huge blessing in itself, we drove to eastern Oregon to pick up Joshua's new nanny, Malerie. From there, we began our very, very,...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: April 2007

I am reminded of the famous words of Winston Churchill when he said, "This is not the end. This is not even the beginning of the end. This is just the end of the beginning." We began deputation in January of 2005, but 27 months and 100,000 miles later we can finally say that we have reached the end of the beginning! Deputation is not the end goal, it is...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: March 2007

The end of deputation is in sight, and we are very excited about moving on to the next stage of journey in language school. However, even though we are anxious to finish our support-raising, we have tried not to forget that our main purpose for visiting these few remaining churches is to "minister grace unto the hearers." We rejoice that we have had many opportunities lately to minister specifically to...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: February 2007

While in Bible college, I remember hearing a professor say that "preparation is the key to success." We sure hope that all of this preparation is going to pay off in successfully learning French! Much of our time and energy this past month has gone into planning for our departure in May for language school in Quebec City, Canada. We have officially been accepted as students at Laval University, so...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: January 2007

We had the great privilege this month to experience world wide missions right here in America. In the churches where we presented our ministry, we saw a wide range of ministries reaching Spanish, Cambodian, Thai, Filipino, Korean, and Chinese speaking people. Many times we think that world missions can only be done in a foreign country, but God has given us the wonderful opportunity in North America to literally reach...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: December 2006

"Wake up, Dad! It's Christmas time!" This was the message I was greeted with by Joshua well before the time I wanted to wake up. Isn't it funny how all kids seem to have an internal Christmas morning alarm clock that awakes them far earlier than on any other day? So after reluctantly rising from the dead, we headed downstairs to begin the most exciting event of the day for...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: November 2006

Well, the decision has finally been made! After many, many months of praying, pondering, and getting advice, we have settled on attending language school at Laval University in Quebec, Canada. We know that many of you have been praying with us about the Lord's guidance to either Quebec or Albertville, France, and we want to say thank you so very much for those prayers. We know that there are pros...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: September 2006

There have been many times while on deputation that we have found it either necessary or beneficial to drive long into the wee hours of the morning in order to reach our next destination. During these times, Joshua simply falls asleep in the van, then wakes up the next morning completely unaware of where he is or how he got there. On a recent trip from Vancouver, BC to California,...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: August 2006

To open a printable copy of the prayer letter on our letterhead, please [go to http://www.lightoftogo.com]. We failed to mention in our last prayer letter that our son, Joshua, had been extremely ill. The effects of his sickness were starting to take a toll on his little mind and body, and for a few weeks we had no idea what could be wrong. We were beginning to get very concerned,...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: July 2006

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (II Peter 3:18) This verse has been on our minds a lot lately, and God is challenging us not just to do more for Him, but to know Him more. God has been showing us that our growth in grace is in direct relation to...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: June 2006

From the beautiful, snowy mountaintops of Canada to the scorching heat of the Las Vegas desert, the month of June brought to us awide variety of situations. We began the month by finishing our Canada trip in two great churches. The Lord has really given us a burden for the people of Canada, and we ask that you would pray with us for those churches there that are shining the...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: May 2006

We could only imagine what the newspaper headline would say the following day, "Three year old missionary kid burns down church house." For some reason, Joshua thought he could hold a tissue over a burning candle and it would not catch fire. He found out very quickly, however, that this was not possible. Fortunately for us, and the church, I was able to grab it and move it onto a...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: April 2006

As I turned to the next Bible passage, I suddenly realized again what an amazing opportunity this was that God had given me. I explained to the people about the churches of Macedonia in II Corinthians 8 and saw a look of comprehension on their faces as I told them, "the basic ingredient in missions and in giving to missions is our willingness, not our wealth." Tiffany and I drove...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: March 2006

NOTE: Make sure to check out recent blessings, prayer requests, and other updates at http://www.lightoftogo.com/our-ministry/updates/ This month has been nothing short than a roller coaster of emotions. What we have learned is that in "great" times and "bad" times, God is in absolute control and He gives us every reason to trust only in Him. With God, there are no good and bad times. He remains the same and has...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: February 2006

The Bible says in I Peter chapter one that God has, "begotten us again...to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." As we travel around the country while on deputation, we quite often make a reservation at a hotel or a restaurant. When we do so, that hotel or restaurant saves the room or table for us, not allowing anyone else to...continue

Jesse and Tiffany Shanks: January 2006

It is hard to believe that one year has already passed since we first started deputation! In the past year, we have traveled over 42,000 miles, had many near-accidents, ran over a deer, potty trained a two year old in the van, visited many beautiful places, and seen God do amazing things in us and through us. We praise the Lord that He has allowed us to reach over 30%...continue