Greater Portland Baptist Church

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 a plan that far exceeds our limited perspective.

Our month began by arriving in Florida after six days of driving across the country from Oregon. We were extremely worn out, but very encouraged to be at our destination safely. We had a great missions conference in Port Charlotte, FL where we were able to become friends with some of the people from the church. We also saw several friends from college who now work at the church.

After a couple single meetings, we stayed with some great friends from college who now live in Loganville, GA. It was great to see them again, and we enjoyed reporting to their church, which just recently began supporting our ministry. While in Loganville, I caught some kind of strange 24 hour flu that made me feel close to death one day, and just fine the next.

Before the next missions conference in Daytona Beach, FL we stopped in Jacksonville to see some friends. Most of these people we will not see again for five to six years when we come back from Togo on our first furlough. It was such a good time of fellowship, but also a very sad time because we had to say goodbye to so many close friends.

The conference in Daytona was beyond description. The only thing I can say is that to the people of that church, missions is not just an annual conference, or an amount of money, or a thing that missionaries do; it was real and part of their everyday lives. Their passion for missions was evident in every way, and one way they desired to show it was in an offering for the five missionaries at the conference. In the four days of services, the church gave an extremely generous offering to be split between the five missionaries. This money is to be used for our expenses once we leave for the field. This is such a blessing, especially considering that we will need approximately $15,000 to $25,000 for initial costs of getting set up in Togo. Beyond the money, we know that people of that church will be sincerely interceding in prayer for us, which means more to us than any amount of money.

Just yesterday, April 3rd, we received a frantic call from my brother, Michael, saying that my mom just had a heart attack. Not knowing any details, all we could (and should) do was pray. As we were driving all day to our next destination, we received updates from my dad and brother as she was rushed to the hospital and surgery was performed. In the end, everything turned out to be alright, but it was one of the scariest things that have ever happened in my life. I thank God so much for my mom, and I ask that you would pray for her continued recovery and for God's will to be done in this situation. Her name is Janice Shanks.

Thank you all so much for your prayer and support for our ministry. We praise the Lord for you all!

Jesse, Tiffany, and Joshua Shanks