We have started traveling, reporting to supporting churches, and visiting some new churches to raise some needed support. We already have 13 new churches scheduled, but we would like to be in 20 new churches as the Lord allows. We have two churches that have taken us on already, and we are thankful for that. Our goal is to raise an additional $500 - $1,000 in new support. This support will be used in new church plants, travel, and our Bible College.
Since returning to the USA for furlough, our home church has gone through a transition, with Dr. Mike Files retiring as pastor; and with Dr. Jason Watford being voted in as our new pastor. We have stayed close to the church during this transition in case we needed to help in any way. The transition has gone very well, and we are excited to work with our new Pastor. There is a renewed excitement in the church; and we thank the Lord for His leadership through this transition.
Caleb received good training during his Spring internship in Israel, and he has started his missionary internship at our home church, Bible Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Arkansas. He will have another opportunity for a second internship in Israel and live with a family there for a couple months this Fall. Please pray that the Lord would continue to give him direction in this next phase of his life.
We are excited about how the Lord is continuing to work in the Maasai communities. From the second Maasai church the Lord allowed us to start in 2021 near the Tanzanian border in the village of Oltepesi, people have been visiting from surrounding villages, and more have been saved from the village of Ilkerin. In June, a new Bible Study was started and is being led by David, who just recently got saved. Please pray as David is discipled and is passing on what he is taught to the others in his village. “And I sought for a man among them...” Ezekiel 22:30. Praise the Lord for what He is doing!
We have a burden for the next generation of missionaries, and specifically the need for missionaries in Africa. We are praying that the Lord will open the doors in Bible Colleges, Youth Groups, and Youth Camps to be able to present this burden. Please contact us if there is an opportunity near you, and we will make arrangements to come if it is near where we will be traveling for meetings throughout this year.
Please pray that we can raise funds for these needs during our furlough:
Stationary Oxygen Concentrator unit for Tonya -$1,500
Bibles & books for our Bible College Graduates - $3,000
Shipping expenses for donated items - $2,000
Gathering donations to take to Kenya:
Used English hymnbooks
Ties for our Pastors and Bible College students
Thank you very much for your prayers and support for our family and ministry.
Luke & Tonya Shelby
Missionaries in Kenya
