OCT/NOV UPDATE

October and November has been a very challenging time for us. At the end of September Shawn was diagnosed with H Pylori stomach bacteria which was causing him to have severe nausea. He was also dealing with attacks on his mind during this sickness.

Sometimes we question why we go through certain things, but we know the scripture is true when it says, “All things work together for good to them that love the Lord.” With all the difficulty I have had with my stomach the doctor wanted to do a scope of my stomach. While I was having this done, Reitha was in the waiting room. She felt led to give a tract to a lady by the name of Tonya. After she read the tract, Reitha went over to her and asked her if she understood what she read. She said, “bits of it.” She took this opportunity to witness to her. As they were talking, she began to tear up. She said, “I believe it is God that you are in front of me today.” Reitha encouraged her to get a Bible and find a Bible believing church to go to.

During this time we had to look for another house, since our current landlord wanted to sell. We found a house and were scheduled to move in at the first of November. Seven days before we were to move Reitha tested positive for COVID. We are thankful the Lord gave us strength and helped us through this time. We are also thankful for our friends that came and helped us. We would not have been able to do this without their help. Praise the Lord Shawn is feeling much better now, thank you for your prayers.

Some of our friends that helped us move.

October

Sorry we do not have as many pictures for the month of October, our external hard drive was damaged, and we lost a lot of our pictures for the month.

Bible Distribution

We had the opportunity to go with some friends to pass out New Testaments at Catholic girls school. Over 350 were handed out. Praise the Lord for this! We trust that they will read them, and we know His Word will not return void.

Street Ministry

Some of the young people from our home Bible class wanted to go with us to pass out tracts in Auckland city. One of the mothers joined us as well. An Indian man came up to or table and started talking to us. We were able to witness to him. He did not take a New Testament, but he did take a tract in his language.

Bible Class

For the Bible class in October we covered the Ten Commandments. Reitha asked one of the fathers who brings his children to translate the Ten Commandments into their Filipino language.

In the past we have mentioned that one of the girls from the Bible class, Gabby, had witnessed to a friend by the name of Julia, who is from a Buddhist family. Julia’s mom, Giang, came to our house one day while we were practicing for the Christmas program. She came while the kids were singing a Christmas song. She stayed until we finished practicing. We are glad she heard the words of the songs that the children were practicing. As we were talking to her, she mentioned that Gabby talks to Julia about Jesus and she comes home and tells her. Please help us pray that they will give their lives to the Lord.

Bible Study

At the Bible study in October we celebrated Shawn’s birthday. Our study was about the end times, we had a good time of discussion afterwards.

November

Bible Class

We had a Bible class a week after we moved. It was a very busy time unpacking and getting settled in, while getting ready for the class, but the Lord helped us! Even though we have moved, the children and youth from our previous home are still coming to the class. Also, five of our new neighbors came to the class as well, 4 children and 1 of the mothers. We praise the Lord for this and are anticipating that more will come.

Outreach Ministry

One evening while passing out tracts on Queen Street, a man by the name of Reagen came by and started talking to us. We were able to witness to him and give him a New Testament. We pray God will speak to his heart as he reads His Word.

Reitha and our girls went for a walk in our neighborhood. They met a young lady named Sophia. She had come outside to take a break from studying for an exam. Reitha told her we just moved into the neighborhood, and that we are Christian missionaries. She said we are Christians. However, she said I have not been praying and reading my Bible lately and have been doing bad things. She said a night or two ago I had a dream about Jesus coming back, and I was scared. Your coming to me was timely. She had planned on coming outside for break earlier but kept studying. She happened to be outside when Reitha and the girls walked by. Reitha encouraged her to get back to where she needs to be with the Lord. We are so thankful that we have been able to meet this young lady. Truly the Lord orders our steps.

**A young man we gave a tract to in the park.**

Bible Study

We are thankful for those who joined us for the November Bible study. The study was about the rapture. We found out that one of the men who comes is a musician, he played the guitar for us as we sang. We had a good time of discussion after the class. One thing we talked about was when we pray, we need to pray from our heart, not repetitious words or memorized prayers. Reiawna and Sharei did a Bible class with the children as well.