Global Outreach 2024

Global Outreach 2024

February

Back to Brazil: after a one year break I will be returning to Brazil to support our friends in the Amazon and encourage them in their outreach. The folks at New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Santarem have had continued involvement with the people of the village of Tucumã on the Arapiuns River. We will be spending time there getting to know the people, introducing them to Christ, and encouraging them to grow in their faith. We will have opportunities to share the gospel of Christ through preaching and personal interaction.
The past 2 years I have made trips to Turkey in the month of May. Turkey is definitely a country that is unreached with the gospel. Over 90% of the population are Muslim. Many Muslims are very dedicated to their religion but what they teach and believe about Christ does not line up with the Bible. They do not believe Jesus is God or that He died on the cross. This is a huge problem because “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
The government of Turkey is making it quite difficult for followers of Christ to stay in the country and make the truth about Christ clear. Several workers were kicked out in 2023. There was a third Turkey Tour planned for May of this year but there seem to be too many roadblocks to go through with it. This is a big disappointment as these tours have been an opportunity to introduce more people to the ministry there and invite them to participate long-term. But this is God’s business and He is in control. There is a possibility of me still making a trip to Turkey to share the love of Christ, or maybe going to Macedonia. These things are yet up in the air.
I continue to have opportunities for involvement at the Root Cellar in Lewiston, Maine. It is a Christian organization that helps refugees to learn English and adjust to life in the US. I taught English to a class of 20 or so last summer and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these recent arrivals and show them the love of Christ. I will be involved in teaching a citizenship class on Friday evenings after returning from Brazil.
God tells us to Go and make disciples of all nations. He tells us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. If not us, then who? If not now, then when? God has given me the freedom and the ability to do this, and He certainly has given me the will. So please participate with me in prayer and maybe by helping financially. There is work to be done, so let’s do it – whether across the world or right here at home!
Some of you may have heard about a health incident I had just before Christmas. I had a heart attack and had 2 stents inserted into an artery that was 99% blocked. I told God I am ready to go if it is time, but He preserved and extended my life. May I invest these bonus years for His glory.
If you’d like to support this outreach by prayer or financially, please do. The trip will cost $2000. You can mail a check to me (175 East Oxford Road, South Paris, ME 04281) or to Moss Brook Church (PO Box 217, South Paris, ME 04281). or you can give online at MossBrookChurch.org then click on “Giving”, then click the blue box “Give Online”, and in the drop-down box click on “Global Outreach.”
Please pray for good opportunities to interact with the people of Tucumã, for some to embrace the Savior, for safety, and for direction for future ministry. Some of you have supported this outreach for many years and I deeply appreciate that. Thank you so much. You are part of what God is doing in the world!

Yours in Christ, David Shaw