We hope all is well, and our prayer is that 2026 will be a blessed year for you. We would like to share an update on what has taken place over the past few months.
Back in August, while we were in New Mexico visiting one of the churches that supports us, Reitha met an older woman at a laundromat, named Geraldine. As they spoke about Jesus, Geraldine began to cry. She shared that she was going through a tough season in her life. We were able to pray with her and invite her to church. Geraldine felt that the Lord had sent Reitha to her at just the right time. Our prayer is that the Lord will continue to minister to her heart and that she will begin attending church.
Praise Report
In a previous post, we shared that our neighbor Roy had passed away and asked you to pray with us for his wife, Jenny, who had been out of church for nearly 40 years. We are grateful to report that she recently told us she has returned to church. We rejoice and give thanks that this prayer has been answered!
Radio Ministry
We praise the Lord for those who are tuning in to the radio station. Over the past few months, we’ve seen listeners tuning in from over 17 countries around the world, including China, Hong Kong, Russia, Turkey, Iraq, and others. Here in the U. S., our listener base has also expanded as we’ve handed out cards promoting the station. Please continue to pray for this ministry, that as people around the world hear the Gospel message, their hearts will be touched and many will come to know Christ. To listen to the radio station, go to graceradionz.com
Nursing Home Ministry
We had the opportunity to have a service at a nursing home in Indiana while we were visiting family for Thanksgiving. The residents seemed appreciative that we came. One lady said, “I am doing better since you are here.” She was really touched by the service. This nursing home contacted us recently and asked if we would come back and do another service. we appreciate this open door.
We were also able to participate in a couple of nursing home services in Richmond Indiana as well.
Outreach
While visiting friends in Oklahoma City in December, we felt led to reach out to the homeless in the area. We prepared food containers along with a tract and visited a couple of locations where individuals were living in tents. Shawn had the opportunity to speak with a man named Ricardo, who shared that he is struggling with alcoholism. Ricardo described himself as a “backslider” and later expressed how tired he is of the life he has been living. He mentioned that he is familiar with a local church that runs the Teen Challenge program. Shawn encouraged him to give his heart to the Lord and to join this program.
While we were doing some services in the Dallas area, Reitha made up some cookies to pass out along with some tracts at the RV park we were staying at.
Update on New Zealand
We are thankful for what the Lord is still doing in New Zealand. We cannot be there right now, but God is still watering the seeds we have planted through Sema and Sina. This is the couple that has taken over the ministry while we are in the US. Recently, Sina shared with us how it’s been wonderful and encouraging to see how little by little God is moving in the lives of the people there and the things they’re all going through as they all share and open up when they are together. She also mentioned the change they have seen in a couple of the men’s lives through prayer and how they are trusting Jesus through some things they are going through.
A few months ago, we started having an online Bible class with some of the young people in New Zealand. Recently, in class, Shawn talked to them about fear. He asked them if they had a fear they were dealing with in their lives. Clouie said she used to be afraid, but she is now trusting God more. In our conversation with them, reading the Bible was mentioned. Eunice said that she reads it about every day. We are continuing to pray for these young. We trust they will continue to read God’s Word and grow in Him.
Andrea, another girl who comes to the youth class, recently gave her Bible to a friend at school. She asked us where she could get another one. We were able to purchase one and send it to her. She was anxious to get it. We are thankful she loves God’s Word!
It is summer in New Zealand, so Sema and Sina took the Bible study group on a weekend camping trip at the beginning of December. They had a time of prayer and Bible study every day, as well as a service on Sunday. Clouie, one of the girls from the youth class, brought a friend along on the camping trip. We have been praying for this friend for a while. This young lady shared some details about her life with Sina. She also said that Clouie has been sharing Jesus with her. This young lady has had a difficult life. Please keep her in your prayers that she will give her heart to the Lord. We are grateful that Clouie is planting seeds into her friend’s life.
We are thankful for how God is using these young people to be a light to their friends!
