Conversations & Encounters
Let's dive right into the good stuff!
FROM JOHN’S HEART
God has been doing some cool things in NH. I am very excited to see my Kalamazoo friends again next week! My business is also doing well. I have gained a few new clients and I am working on a few websites, so that is fun. And hopefully this summer we can start a youth group, so please pray for that.
FROM SHANNON’S HEART
God has put Biblical hospitality on my heart over the past year, so after we wrapped up our Women’s Bible Study on Ephesians, we began meeting in January to study and practice hospitality. Specifically, we’re considering what hospitality toward strangers looks like. How do we show Christ’s agape love in our community, and given the opportunity, continue until strangers become friends?
Alongside hospitality and on a related note, we’re seeking to deepen our fellowship and spiritual connection among believers. Who is hurting and in need of encouragement? Who is disconnected from the body and how can we connect with them? It’s so encouraging to hear stories of how God is working through each of us as we follow the Spirit’s prompting. We decided to call our group HUGS (Hospitality Under the Guidance of the Spirit). You can pray with us that He will give us opportunities to see Him work and that we will be responsive to the opportunities He gives us.
This year we are trying something different with Vacation Bible School. I’ve wanted to create a Bible-based LEGO club for several years, and this summer we will offer a Bible-based LEGO VBS. We are in the process of writing the 5-day curriculum now. Please pray for wisdom and clarity as we write, and that everything we do –the lessons, the music, the LEGO challenges, and our conversations--will point the little ones He brings to us to Christ.
A note sent to Dave after a recent sermon on trusting Jesus alone
"I feel your message was for me personally yesterday.
I was a prepper. Been buying ammo for a decade.
I have more weapons than the Hatfields and McCoys.
But a funny thing happened when I started studying scriptures.
I saw the futility of it all and eventually stopped. Now I trust in Jesus only. Thanks."
Dave recently underwent a minor surgical procedure & found this note attached by the surgeon to his discharge instructions
"...Please feel free to call the [...] team if you have any questions or concerns. I really enjoyed our conversation that we had before your procedure & will likely
always think of you when I use the word "blessing" in my life. Thank you for being
a blessing in my life."
It turns out the surgeon was from near where we lived in Oklahoma & is working in New Hampshire to save money for his family to move overseas to work in medical missions. We talked for a long time & have begun exchanging texts & such.
These are just a few examples of the types of conversations & encounters & work we are privileged, honored, & humbled to hear & pursue ALL the time,
wherever we go. You can, too. Matthew 12 & Luke 6 both record Jesus explaining that our words reflect what's in our hearts. If Jesus is in your heart & you're living cheerfully & sacrificially for Him, the words that overflow from your heart will include the Only Name that has ever been able to save any of us (Acts 4:12).
John's excited & encouraged to gather with friends both old & new who also love the Lord. Shannon is being used by the Lord in very specific & targeted outreach to the women & children of our area. Dave is still talking to whoever will listen to him talk about Jesus wherever he is, including about to go under anesthesia while wearing a hospital gown, in one of the most spiritually dark places in our own country. As Mr. Beaver told the Pevensie children, "They say Aslan is on the move..." We three Scotts KNOW Christ is on the move here in New Hampshire!
John Adams, the executive director of Village Missions, recently wrote "All ministry work occurs through partnerships." We believe that's true, too. Then, Dr. Adams brought to mind the prayer of Paul that the Spirit inspired him to record in what we know as Philippians 1:9, "I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding."
As we prepare to depart from New Hampshire in just 9 days to connect with as many of our Michigan friends & family in Christ as possible, this has become the "theme prayer" of our trip, praying for those the Lord connects us to in this way," & here asking you to pray Philippians 1:9 over us, too. Thank you!
KALAMAZOO TRIP PLANS
This is new for us, as we've been on the field as supported missionaries for just under 4 years now, but this is our first trip to made for this specific purpose--to share our hearts & ministry & to listen to the hearts & ministry of those who are walking with us now or show interest in partnering with us in some way.
In our planning, we've encountered the reality of the limits of time placed on us by the sovereign choice of our wise Creator & Savior & Sustainer. It became clear to us quickly that we will simply not be able to meet face-to-face with everyone we’d like to, as our schedule has already all but been filled to the brim. The fact is, as we reflect on it, that we feel we had just BEGUN to meet & walk with so many we wanted to grow closer to in the 6 years we lived in Michigan.
So, we've set aside some times, with the help of good & Godly friends, to invite you to come visit us at the times & places listed below. There will be no agenda other than for you to come & go as the Lord leads you, to hug, visit, pray, & love on each other for what we already feel will be too short a time, but will trust the Lord in the limits He's provided.
On THURSDAY, March 30th, our family will be in the lobby of the AirZoo from 1:00-1:30 PM to meet & greet the individuals & families the Lord leads to join us, just to walk through the AirZoo & talk & be together. We’ll plan to enter the AirZoo at 1:30 PM & plan to depart at 4:00 PM. The adult admission to the AirZoo is $15.95 & the admission price for children & teens ages 5-18 is $14.95.
The evening of that same day, on THURSDAY, March 30th, beginning at 6:00 PM, Jeff & Debbie Long have been KIND to offer their home for a FUN come & go connection event for all those the Lord leads to come visit. Children are welcome & encouraged to attend! Their address is 4799 Fountain Square Drive in Kalamazoo.
On FRIDAY, March 31st, our family will be at the Crossroads Mall Food Court seating area from 1:00-4:00 PM. We’d LOVE to see every soul the Lord leads to come visit! All are welcome!!
On SATURDAY, April 1st (no joke!), Cherry Creek Community Church at 10641 Shaver Road in Portage has KINDLY offered to host a FUN come & go connection event from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Again, children are welcome & encouraged to attend!
Again, all 3 Scotts will be at all 4 of these gatherings & all are welcome at all of them. If you have any questions about anything above or anything not above, please send us a message or give us a call.
As is always true, we love you & Jesus loves you MORE!
Living for Jesus,
Pastor Dave for Shannon & John Scott
Colossians 2:5-7
MiddletonGospelChapel.org
ScottFamilyJourney.org
VillageMissions.org
Scott Family Missionary Journey
Phone: 603-473-7042
Email: TeachingSomethingGood@gmail.com