Dave & Shawn's Spring Update
- dsmith484
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
EARTHQUAKE!
Many have asked about the recent earthquake that has devastated parts of Myanmar and Thailand. Several contacted us wondering if we're in Asia and if we are safe. We are currently in South Carolina and very safe. We were able to connect with a few of our Asian partners via Zoom hours after the earthquake happened. Thankfully they and their families, churches, and ministries were all safe and doing well. The devastation in and around cities like Mandalay and Bangkok is severe. The death toll is now in the thousands. We know of national churches responding with aid and the Gospel for the needy. We are receiving gifts through ODBM to help churches minister to those in need. If you want to give, you can click on the button below. Thank you for your ongoing prayers for Myanmar. Even in this current crisis, we're hearing reports that the civil war and conflicts are continuing in many regions. Pray for God to open doors and bless the efforts of the churches and believers serving in those areas.
Advancement in ASIA
We're excited for the many ways God is advancing His Good News in South Asia. Asian laborers are being trained and equipped to go into the harvest fields. New "outposts" are being established in dark and unreached regions. A variety of schools are being established to connect with unreached peoples and make disciples. We're hearing exciting reports of families coming to Christ and being discipled. New churches are being planted. Dave loves conducting workshops and seminars (photos above) for Asian pastors and missionaries. It's a special blessing to visit with many in their remote places of ministry and to see firsthand how God is using them to make disciples among the uttermost. It reminds us of our years serving in Simbai, PNG. There is a great opportunity and need for English education and Christian preschools. Shawn has begun brainstorming and preparing for how we can help train Asian laborers to be effective teachers. It would take too much time to explain all that God is doing, but we will follow up with additional updates focusing on the particular ways God is shining His Light of the Gospel among the Unreached, so stay tuned.
BAM College Retreat
Last month we hosted our 5th annual ODBM Business as Mission (BAM) retreat for college students in the beautiful mountains of eastern Tennessee. It's a weekend retreat in which we, along with other speakers, encourage and challenge Christian college students to be on mission for Christ, and to consider how God can use them to advance the Gospel in some of the darkest and hardest places on earth. Like previous years, we had a great time getting to know the students and hearing how God is working in their lives. The students were divided into teams and did a great job coming up with creative ideas and strategies to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples and help plant churches in restricted regions. Pray with us that the Lord of the Harvest will call many more laborers to go into the harvest fields. Enjoy some pictures (below) of this year's BAM Retreat.
When are we moving to Asia?
We're asked this question regularly, and it's a fair question. We're continuing to strive forward. Below are two key factors impacting when we can move and serve full-time in Asia.
Dave is continuing to serve as the ODBM Director. We're thankful for some progress being made in calling a new director and we're trusting the Lord for His provision soon.
We're continuing to raise our monthly financial support. God is blessing and we're thankful for steady increase. We've passed 80% and need approximately $1,300 of new monthly support. We're trusting the Lord to provide the needed support this year.
Given the steady progress in these two areas, we aim to move to Asia in early 2026. In the meantime, Dave continues to travel and minister while serving as the ODBM Director. This summer he'll be ministering in Papua New Guinea for about 4 weeks and is planning another 4-week ministry trip to South Asia in the fall. Thank you for your prayers and persistent partnership with us. We praise the Lord for you and pray for you often. You're a great encouragement and blessing to us.
Praise the Lord with us,
Dave & Shawn
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