Happy New Year to all of you! We pray that God will fill this year with His goodness in your lives.
We are so thankful for all the incredible experiences that God has blessed us to be part of in 2023, especially the moments spent with our family during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holiday. Your support and prayers have been a source of strength for us.
Exciting updates include our son-in-law, Robert Cepec, daughter, Abigail, and our first grandson moving to the field of Guyana this week to start their ministry. Your prayers for them mean the world to us, and we appreciate you for the adding them to your missionary families for support.
In December, I had privilege of returning to Kenya, reconnecting with our pastors, students, and church members. We celebrated the graduation of 29 studunts during the 4 graduation ceremonies, and we are excited for what the Lord has in store for 2024. Already, 26 new students are starting classes this month, with more expected to join by the end of January.
Several men from our ministry are moving into new areas to begin new ministries, and recent graduates are now stepping into leadership roles. Please join us in praying for Edward, now ministering in his home area, and Samuel, who moved to the Maasai villages to help the church and the Bible Studies that have been started recently.
Heartfelt thanks for the generous Christmas gifts that we have received. God has faithfully met every need mentioned in our letters and prayers. We are grateful for additional churches commiting to support us and our ministries in Kenya. Your contributions remind us of Paul’s words, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God is abundantly good, surpassing our expectations! Thank you so much for everything that you do for Him!
During our time in the USA, God has continued to work in Kenya with 1,843 souls accepting Christ and 207 baptized, according to reports from our pastors and their ministries.
Please lift up prayers for the planning and setup of the new Internship Program, aiming to guide USA Bible college students and those called to preach the Gospel in Africa. Our desire and vision is to influence the next generation of laborers for the harvest fields in Africa.
Thank you sincerely for the love you have shown to our family during this furlough, and for your Christmas offerings.
For Souls in Kenya,
Luke & Tonya Shelby
Missionaries in Kenya
