Monthly Ministry Updates

April  2018
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2 Chronicles 14:7  For he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.

HAITI, JEHOVAH RAPHA HOUSE:
Our newest resident at Jehovah Rapha House is Fabiola. Both of her parents have died. She was taken in by a cousin, but the cousin’s husband will not let Fabiola stay with them. She is alone. She is 16 and she is mentally challenged. We are asking for prayers for Fabiola as she adjusts to life at Jehovah Rapha House. We pray we will be a blessing to her. If you would like to sponsor one of the children at Jehovah Rapha House or one of our children at Faith in Action House, please visit our sponsor page, or feel free to write us at haiti@donshire.com.
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ROATAN:  Last month, Don took a team of 12 to Roatan, Honduras where they focused on building walls, running electric wires, and spending quality time with the children at the “Greenfield Home for Children” run by Sandy Bay Lighthouse Ministries where Don Shire is president of the board. We had a great week and fell in love with the children. More info can be found at their website: www.sblmroatan.net

INDIA: Our India children and widows (below) gathered together for a special time of praise, prayer, and worship the days before Easter. Pastor Prabhu said many of our sponsored children were also there and he was very happy to hear the wonderful reports from the children on how happy they are in their new homes. The widows by the rice paddy are asking for a protection wall around their home. Poisonous snakes keep crawling from the fields into their yard. They use an outhouse and they are afraid to go out at night to use it (that is a problem!!!). A block wall will cost $8500. Would you consider helping us with this expense?

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​Don is scheduling concerts for 2018 (and beyond). Go to the Schedule page, check when Don will be in your area, find an available date and email  Ruth at concerts@donshire.com.  Even if it doesn’t appear that Don will be in your area but you would like to schedule him, please send in a request. If we can work  it out we will! We will come for a love offering.

​March  2018
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1 Corinthians 15:58  “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

​As we get to better know the children at Jehovah Rapha House, they share their stories. On our February trip Neltha told us her story, her dreams and her love for Jesus. She is a beautiful young woman! She was abandoned by her family. They left her crying in the middle of the street. She cannot walk and has limited use of her arms. She said that God saw her in the middle of the street! He did not forget her! The Dares found her and brought her to Jehovah Rapha House. She dreams of being a nurse someday. She wants to help care for the other children at the home. On this trip we were able to provide her with her very own wheelchair!!! None of this happens without your support. Thank you for showing the love of God to children like Neltha!
  

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​FAITH IN ACTION HOUSE IS COOL!!!
(and so is their food!!)
 A huge thank you to Java Relief for helping us purchase a new refrigerator for our Haiti        orphanage. They are thrilled!
Order your coffee at www.javarelief.com and help them to continue helping ministries like ours who help children in distress.

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THANK YOU MR ED!!!
Ed Armstrong always promised that once he retired he would travel with us to help at our missions. We hear that a lot. But, he meant it!!! Ed has been faithfully joining us on our Roatan and Haiti trips. He has been a huge blessing! He sure would like some help! Are there any of you that will join us this year?

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​Hi! I am Julie McFadden. I am so excited to be joining the Don Shire Ministries staff. I am thankful for the chance to serve the 51 children that we care for in Haiti. I am humbled by your continued support of this ministry!

February 2018
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John 11: 25, 26  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
 

MISSION CRUISE 2018 OUR 17th YEAR!!!
Our two mission teams last month proved once again that, yes, you can use a cruise ship to serve the Lord! We ministered near the ports of Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Haiti, Cozumel, Belize City,and Roatan. We visited orphanages, schools, prisons, local parks, homes and churches where the good news of Jesus was shared and those in need of a work project were helped. Plan now to join us next January. Go to www.missioncruise.org for more details.
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WITH THE LORD

HAITI

15 year old Bloncie went to be with Jesus in January. She had a severe seizure and did not recover. This was very hard on our staff and Jehovah Rapha House family. Please keep them in your prayers.

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INDIA

​Sudheergamma, one of our India prayer widows, went to be with Jesus in January. Please pray for our India family as they grieve. She loved the Lord and we are so happy to have provided for her here as she waited to be with Him.
 

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FLORIDA CONCERTS
Don and Kathy are traveling to Florida for concert ministry this month. The schedule is not yet full. If you know of even a small church that would enjoy a concert  anywhere in Florida, please consider making a referral call. A good referral goes a long way!
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MINISTRY NEEDS:
1. Our staff is growing and they are raising support. They can use your help. Julie McFadden (our Haiti rep) and Colton Draeger (sustainable farming) are both in the midst of raising their support. Would you consider a monthly gift for one or both of them? 

2. $20,310 is needed to complete the second level of our India orphanage/widows home. Praise God for His provision thus far! We are getting close. 

3. As our ministry grows, so do our expenses. Your one time  or monthly gifts to the general fund are helping to keep us in the black. DSM trusts God for His provision and has never taken a bank loan. No part of your donation will go to pay interest.

4. Don is scheduling concerts for 2018 (and beyond). Go to our Schedule page, check when Don will be in your area, find an available date and email  Ruth at concerts@donshire.com.  Even if it doesn’t appear that Don will be in your area but you would like to schedule him, please send in a request. If we can work it out we will! We will come for a love offering.


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January 2018

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (NLT)
 

Our Lord continues to bless DSM in so many ways! We are very excited to enter 2018 ! Additional staff, more space for the orphans and widows in India, and new vehicles in India and Haiti are all going to be a wonderful blessing. But, friends, there is so much more to do! We are excited as we continue to step out in faith anticipating that the Lord will provide through our faithful support team. We anticipate  “...great and wondrous things…” (Jeremiah 33:3).
Please pray for us as we serve this month in Haiti, and then in Mexico, Belize, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Honduras during our two weeks of Mission Cruises.
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​The 2007 Honda CRV for Jehovah Rapha House is ready to help transport our special needs children to the hospital when having seizures! ALSO, a pediatric medical equipment vendor donated the much needed items you see in the picture to the right.  They will be a huge blessing  for our physically challenged children! PTL!!

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MISSION TRIP OPPORTUNITIES:

HAITI: FEBRUARY 3-10  We need to hear from you ASAP if you would like to join this team. If we can still work out the travel details, we would love to have you join Julie McFadden and others as they minister at Jehovah Rapha House and Faith in Action House orphanages.  Trip cost: $1,700

ROATAN:  We are now accepting applications for our March 11-18 trip to Roatan, Honduras. We will be working on the new boys dormitory at the children’s home and spending time with the children. Trip cost: $1,700

MINISTRY NEEDS:

1. Our staff is growing and they are raising support. They can use your help. Julie McFadden (our Haiti rep), and Colton Draeger (sustainable farming) are both in the midst of raising their support. Would you consider a monthly gift for one or both of them? You can set up a monthly contribution on our website.

2. $20,310 is needed to complete the second level of our India orphanage/widows home. Praise God for His provision thus far! We are getting close. 

3. As our ministry grows, so do our expenses. Your one time or monthly gifts to the general fund are helping to keep us in the black. Thank you to all those who sent a year-end donation!!!!

4.  Don is scheduling concerts for 2018 (and beyond). Go to the website, check when he will be in your area, find an available date, and email  Ruth at concerts@donshire.com.  Even if it doesn’t appear that Don will be in your area but you would like to schedule him, please send in a request. If we can work  it out we will! All we ask is for a love offering.
 

December  2017

​Proverbs 22:9 
                     “He who is generous will be blessed, for he                       gives some of his food to the poor.”

VIEW OF THE INDIA ORPHANAGE

​Our trip to India was wonderful!  Imagine walking into a room with over 300 children and all of them are excited to see and get a hug from “Don Tataya” (Grandpa Don). I felt so blessed. We had a team of 7 and it was obvious they were specifically chosen by God to be on the team as each one daily made wonderful contributions. Are you considering coming along next year? It would be good to let us know now so we can begin to plan and you can begin your fund raising efforts. 

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OUR INDIA CHILDREN

Once again I use the word “overwhelming” as I realize we just sent over $37,000 to   cover the December costs of our work in  India, Haiti, and Honduras. It would be unbelievable except that God is the provider! Thank you for being a part of our ongoing miracle! May your Christmas be blessed in every way!

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SOME OF OUR INDIA WIDOWS

​CHRISTMAS/YEAR END GIFT IDEA LIST
 
1. $6,722.70 for a solar power system for Jehovah Rapha House (special needs children) in Haiti.

2. $3,000 to purchase a generator for Jehovah Rapha House.

3. $1,000 for materials to build beds at Jehovah Rapha House.

4. $1,000 to purchase or build additional furniture for Jehovah Rapha House.

5. $1,300 for a new laptop computer for Don’s concerts and  travel.

6. $2,500 for new electric inverter and batteries for Faith in   Action House  in Haiti.

7. $100 for each new mattress for Faith in Action House.

8. $1,000 for general repairs at Faith in Action House.

9. $180 for a new refrigerator for Faith in Action House. 
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10. $40,000 needed to finish the second level of our India orphanage. Any amount so designated will go directly to that fund. 

11. $50 to become a monthly sponsor of an Indian orphan. This places the child into the home of an Indian pastor. See Sponsor tab for details. 

12. $35 is the monthly need for each Indian child in one of our orphanages. Designate "India orphans" and 100% of your donation goes to that fund. 

13. $35 is the monthly need for each widow in our Indian widow group homes. Designate "India widows" and 100% of your donation goes to that fund. 

14. $20-$40 to become a monthly sponsor for a Haitian child at Faith in Action and Jehovah Rapha homes (we need multiple sponsors for each child). 

15. Prayer partners needed. Each day brings new challenges as we take care of those God has placed in our care and those that continue to come to us. Please pray for us daily. “Like” our Don Shire Ministries page on Facebook to receive current updates and requests. 

16. Volunteers needed as we travel to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of those in our care. 
See Missions tab to check some of the opportunities available. 

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Financial responsibility:  We pledge to you that 100% of designated funds go where requested with nothing taken out for overhead. If this policy ever changes, we will tell you. Because of the above, we always appreciate funds given with no restriction. Those gifts go into our general fund from which we pay our salaries and general expenses. We keep enough in general fund to cover at least a month's expenses, but often transfer additional funds where they are needed most. We appreciate that many of you check the box "where needed most" with your gift. We do our best to be good stewards and use the funds wisely. If you ever have any questions about how we use your gift, please ask us as we want to be transparent and responsible.





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November  2017

2 Chronicles 5:13 (a) The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD….

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We give thanks to the Lord!!!

 1. Hundreds have come to Christ through our evangelistic outreach here in the USA and abroad.

2. Almost $300,000 has been sent since January to support over 500 orphans and widows.

3. Colton has started developing Ruby Ridge Farm to help raise support for orphans and widows and to teach them self-sustainable living.

4. Property has been given to Don and Kathy making it possible to spend more ministry time in Virginia (we hope to build there in the future as the Lord provides).

5. The first floor of the new orphanage in India is being used, with the second floor almost finished.

6. Two small vans were purchased for the India orphanage to transport our children.

7. Our granddaughter, Laura, a student at Nicolet Bible Institute, is fulfilling part of her ministry assignment here in our office.

8. Our new Jehovah Rapha House ministry in Haiti was started and God is providing for their needs.

9. We have an awesome staff of volunteers that help to keep our growing ministry moving forward!!!

10. God has provided a full schedule for Don to serve in concert ministry throughout the United States.

11. A new school building should soon be finished in time for the 2018 school year at Greenfield Children’s Home in Roatan, Honduras.


MISSION TRIP INFO:  We (Don and a team of six) are in India this month visiting our orphanages and widows homes and participating in evangelistic meetings. Prayers are appreciated!

MISSION TRIP:  We are now accepting applications for our March 11-18 trip to Roatan, Honduras. We will be working on the new boy’s dormitory at the children’s home and spending time with the children.


Ministry needs:

1. Christmas is coming. We would like to give Christmas presents to all of our orphans and widows. Approximately $8,000 is needed with about half of that already raised. This is usually a gift of clothing.

2. HELP NEEDED:  Don is scheduling concerts for next year in the Midwest, Florida, and Virginia. Any referrals are very much appreciated!

3. Construction is coming along on the second floor of our India orphanage. We continue to send funds designated for the construction as they arrive. It is a miracle in the making! Thank you all for your gifts!





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October  2017
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We proclaim how great you are and tell of the wonderful things you have done. (Psalm 75:1)

INDIA PRAISE: This is Hema. Many of you have been praying for her. She was diagnosed with Leukemia and we were told she had very little chance of survival. The doctor even advised us not to bother with treatment since she was "just an orphan". SHE IS DOING WELL!!! She is still taking medication, but the doctor now feels she is healing.
Can anyone give a PRAISE THE LORD!!!
Thank you to those that continue to pray for her and also to those that have                                          helped us!

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​HAITI PRAISE: Our newest Haiti ministry, Jehovah Rapha House, has a home!!! They have now moved into their new building! This is very much an answer to prayer! Thank you so much!!! There will be many expenses as we prepare the home for use. Any contributions to our ministry designated to the Jehovah Rapha House (translated means "God Who Heals") will go to this DSM outreach. We are so excited to see God at work! SPECIAL NEED: Some of our children have serious health issues. Because of frequent hospital visits, we need a car.      Can you help? (approximately $15,000 needed).



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ROATAN PRAISE: $65,000 was donated to help complete
the new school building and remodel the old
school building into a boy’s dorm. This will allow us to
accept more children on the island desperate for help.


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​INDIA PRAISE: Babulu was alone and homeless when we found him on the street crying from hunger. He is now in our orphanage and going to school. Again, we thank those that support our ministry so we can continue to take of children like Babulu.






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COLTON PRAISE: The first batch of chickens is almost ready to be harvested on the farm! Mia is in medical school and Colton continues to develop the farm in Virginia. He seeks to grow and sell produce to generate funds for teaching sustainable farming methods to nationals and aspiring missionaries. The goal is to establish
agricultural businesses that will provide employment opportunities in the countries where we minister for the young adults graduating from our sponsorship programs and orphanages. Thank you to those that support Colton and Mia. We are very excited as this ministry has much potential.

“You give a poor man a fish and you feed him for a day. You teach him to fish and you give him an occupation that will feed him for a lifetime.” 


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​​Java Relief has donated $6,500 to help
our Jehovah Rapha House and provide
for a needed surgery. Have you tasted
“Shire “ or “Colton” Coffee?

www.javarelief.com


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​September  2017
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Proverbs 24:3   
"By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established."

JEHOVAH RAPHA HOME UPDATE: Please pray for Pastor Dari as he continues to seek a new home for our 28 special needs residents. When the potential landlord finds out who wants to rent the place, the rent either doubles or they refuse to rent to us. We hope to buy property soon and build one-floor homes for them, but our current lease is ended and the landlord wants them out now. We need to raise about $200k to do this (that is just a guestimate and these numbers could change as we seek and find property and finalize plans for the buildings). We will have much better negotiation abilities if we have the funds available when we find the property. Can you or someone you know help? 100% of designated donations go to where they are designated.

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ROATAN, HONDURAS:
Mr. Orsy and his wife, Banesa, continue to lead the ministry at the Greenfield Children’s Home in Honduras. We are hoping our new school building will be ready for use when January classes begin. At that time we will begin to accept children from the community to join with our resident children as students. To get more information, go to www.sblmroatan.net. We can use your help as we continue to ask the Lord to provide for the materials. For those interested, Don will be leading a mission team there in March. Applications are available on the Missions page.

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​​INDIA UPDATE: Some of our pastors and widows have been working hard to plant rice in our 2 rice paddies. Thank you to all of you that helped us purchase these rice paddies several years ago. They have truly been a blessing! Please pray for a great yield.

​PRAISE AND REQUESTS:

1. PRAISE: We will be purchasing a second van this month for the India orphanage. Thank you to those that helped!

2. PRAISE: Thank you to those that gave to the general fund of DSM to help us through the “Summer Slump.”. We were
able to pay the bills! PTL!!

3. HELP NEEDED: Don is scheduling concerts for next year in the Midwest, Florida, and Virginia. Any referrals are appreciated!

4. PRAISE: Construction has begun for the second floor to the India orphanage. We will be out of funds for that soon.
Please pray for an additional $120k so we can finish.


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August 2017
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Proverbs 31:8-9 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. 

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​JEHOVAH RAPHA HOME (means "The God Who Heals.” ) is now officially an outreach of Don Shire Ministries. We just wired money to compensate the beautiful staff that have faithfully taken care of 27 special needs children for 3 months without receiving their pay. Next: WE HAVE FOUND A HOME to rent until we can find property to purchase and build a proper home. We still need to read the fine print on the contract but so far it looks like the rental home will work. That cost is $7000 per year and the first year needs to be paid up front. We will need to fix up the home, buy or build beds, purchase mattresses, purchase medical equipment, wheelchairs, food, etc. I write this to say WE CAN REALLY USE YOUR HELP! God has provided some funds to get things started but much more is needed. We also will be saving to purchase property, etc. This needs to happen as soon as possible. This is a step of faith, but we already see God's hand in all of this which just makes it fun! We get to see God be God!!! Please consider joining our support team. And, of course, your prayers are so appreciated!

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​COOL GHANA STORY!: Do you remember me asking for prayer for the Chief in the Muslim village of Kulungungu, Ghana? Last month we had a nice visit with him. I would love to tell you that he is now a believer in Jesus, but, not yet. BUT HIS WIFE AND SON ARE!!! God is in the house. We look forward to working with him in the future to help the people in his village and it is our prayer he will someday come to know Christ. During our visit, one of the Chief's relatives said: "I am not a Muslim or a Christian. How do I know which one to believe and which one is right?" It provided a wonderful opportunity to explain to all of them why I have put my trust in Christ. I want to thank you again for your prayers! And, by the way, the other elderly gentleman in the picture is one of my team members. He is from Georgia and is 85 years old! Ed was a real pleasure to have with us! So, my friends...as long as you are still kickin', why not serve the Lord!
 

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PRAISE AND REQUESTS:
1. PRAISE: The Ghana trip went very well. Thank you for your prayers!

2. NEED: The summer slump in donations is showing its ugly head here. We are ok, but if you can help us through the slump it will be a great help!
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3. Don is scheduling concerts for next year in the Midwest, Florida, and Virginia.  Any referrals are appreciated!


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July 2017
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2 Corinthians 5:1
“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”  
 

Before

After

​HAITI: Taina was able to have her surgery to remove a sack of skin that covered her eye. Her healing continues! Thank you to those that contributed to our Emergency Medical Fund to make this possible!

FROM DON AND KATHY:  Kathy’s mother, Clara Johnson, at age 96 went to be with Jesus on June 14th. We would like to thank all of you who sent cards and memorial gifts to our ministry in her memory. We experienced great love from our Christian family and were so blessed! Her funeral service was a wonderful tribute to a woman that loved and prayed for her family and who faithfully served her Lord until she just physically could not do it any longer. What a wonderful legacy and reminder for us to do the same.
 

PRAISE AND REQUESTS:

1. Don is leading a team of 4 to Ghana, West Africa this month to remote villages to share the good news of Christ. Please pray for them as they travel and share.

2. Pastor Prabhu, our India partner, will be coming to the States for 2 weeks to visit ministry friends and to meet with Don to discuss the many details that keep the India ministry moving forward. Please pray the trip will be safe and productive.

3. We praise God for Silver Birch Ranch (our ministry neighbor and friend) as they celebrate 50 years of ministry this month.

4. Please pray for Colton as he begins to develop his ministry goal of helping our foreign ministries toward self-sustainability.
 

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​ZAMBIA: A few weeks ago we had the joy of seeing our friend, Joseph Mbambe, at Colton's wedding. Joseph, a Zambian, oversees over 13,000 Awana clubs in Africa. The day after the wedding Joseph had to rush back to Zambia. His sister-in-law died after giving birth to triplets. Joseph and his wife will be adopting these babies. I hope to send a gift to help them get started with this unexpected privilege. If you would like to help, designate your gift to our benevolence fund/Joseph.


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JUNE  2017

Matthew 25:40  “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ ” 
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AWESOME NEW MINISTRY:
I recently met a pastor in Haiti who is trying to care for severely mentally and physically challenged children. The children have been receiving minimal meals due to lack of funds. The 17 children were either abandoned at the hospital or left elsewhere and are unwanted except for this loving pastor and his wife who is a nurse. Don Shire Ministries, under the leadership of our volunteer Haiti coordinator, Julie McFadden, has agreed to fully support this home. It will become one of our ministry homes. We have agreed to a probationary period to make certain there is a good working relationship and trust. The need is desperate. They are being evicted from their rented house and we are desperately looking for a new place to rent and then possibly property on which to build. Right now we are asking for prayer that we will see clear direction soon in how to proceed. This is a huge step of faith but we feel confident in God's leading us to do this. It is a step of faith, but God is always faithful to touch hearts when there is a need.. Thank you for your prayers! We will keep you posted as prayers are answered.

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         WE HAVE SO MUCH FOR WHICH TO BE THANKFUL!

​· Living in the poorest city in our western hemisphere, Taina in Haiti really had little hope of ever receiving plastic surgery to fix a large flap of skin that covered her eye. Because of your financial help she had her surgery. We will send her new look in a future newsletter.


· Our team of 4 will be in Ghana next month sharing the gospel in remote villages.

· As mentioned above, we will soon be starting to fund an orphanage for physically and mentally challenged children.

· A new school is being constructed at the children’s home in Roatan, Honduras.

· Our hundreds of orphans in India will start a new year of school this month and there is money to pay for the books and uniforms.
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· We have someone joining our team of volunteers. Julie McFadden will begin to oversee our Haiti ministries.
Oh yes! GOD IS SO GOOD!!! Thank you for partnering with us as we enjoy this awesome opportunity to serve! 


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​Colton and Mia Draeger were married on June 3rd in a beautiful, God honoring ceremony on Mia’s family property in VA. Mia will be studying medicine and Colton will begin practicing sustainable agriculture with the goal of teaching our foreign partners self-sustainability. Please pray for the newlyweds. And, as God leads, please consider supporting them on a monthly basis. They currently have about 50% of their monthly support raised.


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MAY 2017
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Genesis 2:15 ESV  "The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it."
 

​We have received questions regarding the situation with Compassion International in India. Thank you for your concern about how it is affecting our ministry.
 
Following are quotes from an article on the Compassion International situation. You can find the entire article on the web at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/march-web-only/compassion-international-leaving-india-child-sponsorship.html
 

​I feel frustrated,” president and CEO Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado told CT.
That’s because Compassion has worked every angle to try to stay open in India since last February, when India’s Ministry of Home Affairs put it on a list of organizations needing prior approval before transferring funds into the country. Then the government refused to grant such approval.
The government’s move can be traced back to 2011, when it changed its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act so that it could regulate NGOs it disagrees with philosophically, Mellado said. The move was seen by many as another step toward Hindu nationalism since 2014. India is now No. 15 on Open Doors’ list of countries where it’s hardest to be a Christian, up from No. 31 in 2013.
Compassion channels about $45 million into the country every year, more than any other charity.
Almost 40 percent of the local Indian churches that Compassion partnered with are still working with the children, albeit without the financial support.
“The local church is not going away,” he said. “They were there before us; they’ll be there after us.”
After all, this isn’t the first time Compassion has been forced to leave a country. In 1985, after 17 years serving children in Indonesia, Compassion pulled out “in order to maintain its commitment to financial integrity.” But by 1988 it was back, and “some of the children in the programs were pastors of the churches that helped bring us back,” Mellado said.
 

  To answer your questions, yes, it is indeed difficult to work in India. There is much persecution of Christians and especially pastors. However, to date there has been no interference in our ability to send funds for helping the orphans, widows and our sponsorship program. We do ask for your continued prayers. 

  Recently Colton spent 3 months in the Philippines learning sustainable agriculture. Our goal is to teach our foreign partners how to be as self-sustaining as possible. We are also looking at opportunities to start businesses. These businesses would be owned by our foreign ministry partners with the goal of providing employment for our widows and our graduating orphans.  Please pray for wisdom and discernment as we seek God’s will. Pray that our decisions will bring Him glory. And pray for the Christians in India.
Again, thank you for your prayers and support!
 
  -Don and Kathy Shire




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APRIL 2017

Prov. 21:13 "He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need."

LAST CHANCE, BUYING TICKETS SOON FOR GHANA, AFRICA: Would you like to travel with Don to Africa this summer? The remote village of Kulungugu is located in the Upper East region of Ghana where DSM with the Faith in Action team has been privileged to plant and build several churches. Ghanaian Pastor David Alale has asked us to join him to participate in evangelistic meetings in this village. It is primarily a Muslim village, but there are some Christians there and they would love to see their church grow. The dates are July 1-11. The cost will be $2,800. This includes airfare and all related costs to and from Ghana. Children’s ministry, sharing testimony, or even preaching the evangelistic message are all optional ways to use your gifts. Contact Don at don@donshire.com .

 

​Our children keep growing! We want to thank all of you that help support our orphan care. We try to buy most of their clothing from local vendors to help the local economy as well as to get clothes for our growing children in a timely manner. Can you imagine providing clothes for almost 300 children? I was informed by Pastor Cenor that the clothes are getting pretty tight on our Haiti children. Because of your help we are able to purchase clothes that fit! Our India children are also in constant need of clothes and shoes. Thank you for remembering that just like our own children, the expenses never end. 

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​Colton is still in the Philippines until April. He is studying and practicing sustainable living with a missionary friend that specializes in teaching people to survive/thrive off of their property. It is our desire to not only teach our orphans to be self-sustainable, growing their own organic vegetables and meats, but to also teach others how to best use their land to its potential. Please continue to remember Colton in your prayers. Praise: Colton and Mia have a farm to live on after they are married with land that will  help jump start his newly learned gardening techniques.


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MARCH 2017
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​1 Samuel 12:24 “But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.”

​Don and Kathy have spent the past month in the RV in Florida. Don has been doing concerts and sharing about DSM’s outreach to orphans and widows. There are many “snowbirds” that visit Florida in the winter months. They represent churches all over the USA. Already there are many promises to share our information with their home churches. Many have indicated that God used the concert in a powerful way in their lives. What an honor it is to serve in this way. And, yes, the bonus of escaping the Wisconsin winter is pretty nice as well!
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​ROATAN: This month Don and Kathy will be leading a team to Roatan, Honduras.  They will be visiting and working through Sandy Bay Lighthouse Ministries. While Sandy Bay Lighthouse Ministries is not a part of DSM, we have been involved almost since it started. Don is president of the board that oversees the children’s home and school. We are very excited to see God at work on the island of Roatan through those who serve children. The Beacon School, part of SBLM, is accredited and our children are receiving a quality education. We will begin accepting students from the community next school year. We have a team of 8 that will be in Roatan serving at the children’s home with us. Your prayers are appreciated.  You can find out more at www.sblmroatan.org.
 

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Colton is in India for 11 days visiting our orphanages and widow homes. He is hoping to research ideas that can help them be more self-sufficient. He is also sharing the good news of Jesus at meetings. We are praying God will use his time there in every way. Colton will return to the Philippines after India to continue his internship learning sustainable living. We are excited to see how God uses this skill in his future ministry. We are hoping he will be able to teach our orphans and widows gardening skills to make the best usage of our properties.

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NEEDS AND REQUESTS:

* We are still looking for someone to join our ministry that can focus on our internet, computer, video and brochure needs.

* We need sponsors for our orphaned children in India (see sponsor page).

* Please consider putting our ministry on your daily prayer list.

* There are still Sundays and lots of week days available for concerts. Will you look at our schedule on the Schedule page and see if there is an opportunity for Don to visit your church?

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FEBRUARY 2017
​Proverbs 25:25  “Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”
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Memory from a previous trip to Kulungugu

GHANA, AFRICA: Would you like to travel with Don to Africa this Summer? The remote village of Kulungugu is located in the Upper East region of Ghana where DSM with the Faith in Action team has been privileged to plant and build several churches. Ghana Pastor David Alale has asked us to join him to participate in evangelistic meetings in this village. It is primarily a Muslim village but there are some Christians there and they would love to see their church grow. The dates are July 1-11. Cost will be $2,800. Includes air fare and all related costs to and from Ghana. Children’s ministry, sharing testimony or even preaching the evangelistic message are all options for this trip. Contact Don at don@donshire.com for more details.
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MISSION CRUISES 2017 WENT VERY WELL!
HIGHLIGHTS BELOW:

Over $1,000 of groceries for orphans

Church painted in Belize

Ministry to prisoners in Roatan

​· STAFF POSITION: We are looking for someone to help in all of our creative and technical needs with computers, videos, web site, brochure, etc.

· PRAISE: INDIA VAN - We now have $22,080.83 saved for a van for our India orphanage. The one we have chosen is around $30k. We are getting close!

· PRAISE: The Haiti team in January built a new widow’s home  and she is thrilled!

· MISSION CRUISE videos are available on YouTube. Search for “Mission Cruise 2017”
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​Colton is in the Philippines until April. He is studying and practicing sustainable living with a missionary friend that specializes in teaching people to survive/thrive off of their property. It is our desire to not only teach our orphans to be self-sustainable, growing their own organic vegetables and meats, but to also teach others how to best use their land to its potential.
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ALSO BIG NEWS: Colton is now engaged! Mia Hubach and Colton will be married in June. They met when she was on a mission trip to Haiti. Mia is from Virginia. Please put them both on your prayer list as they prepare for their wedding and make decisions for their future. Colton plans to continue serving with our ministry full time after marriage. Mia will continue her studies to be a doctor.

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JANUARY 2017
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New Year’s Thought: Being 61 years old to some sounds ancient and to others it is still young. To me it is simply a wakeup call that the years seem to be flying by and the urgency is even greater to share the good news of Christ with as many as possible. We rejoice as we reflect on all those that accepted Christ through our efforts and God’s direction last year. We anticipate that 2017 will be an exciting year of serving Christ. You have made this possible through your financial support and prayers. Thank you so much! Now, let’s get this year started! This month we start in Haiti and then, through our Mission Cruises, minister in Honduras, Belize, Mexico, Haiti, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. And that is just January!!!


 

Yes, it is an old song, but it reflects our hope for 2017

1. I love to tell the story of unseen things above, 
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love. 
I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true; 
it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do. 

2. I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems 
than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams. 
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me; 
and that is just the reason I tell it now to thee. 

3. I love to tell the story; 'tis pleasant to repeat 
what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet. 
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard 
the message of salvation from God's own holy Word. 

4. I love to tell the story, for those who know it best 
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest. 
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, 
'twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. 

Refrain: I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory, 
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love



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NEW MINISTRY IDEA:
A lady in Virginia has a new ministry. She buys scarves made by our India widows and gives them to ladies she meets that need some encouragement. Our widows are helped and those that receive them are blessed as well. Could you do something like this? Contact Kathy and have her pick you out a nice assortment of scarves.





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​Colton recently ended his one year commitment in Haiti and is now planning for a few months of ministry in India and the Philippines. In the Philippines he will intern at an orphanage that has been extremely successful at self-sustainable living. Every inch of their property is in some way producing food or income from selling the excess produce to the community. The goal is to learn and bring this knowledge to our orphanages and widow’s homes. Please pray for Colton as he serves.

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DECEMBER 2016
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Matthew 1:21 "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 

​INDIA: With each annual visit we marvel at what God is doing through our efforts to minister to orphans and widows in India. We also see the overwhelming need to do more. This year twelve street widows asked if they could live at one of our orphanages and help with the children. There wasn’t room for them, but, the pastor in charge warmly received them. They sang songs of praise to God as we all celebrated their new home. We hope to do better for them in the future as God allows. But, for now they have a home. We are confident God will provide for them as He always has through our support team. It is a privilege to help these dear ladies.


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MEET OUR Accounting Manager Employee and Orphan Sponsorship Volunteer PRISCILLA EASTMAN

I live in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, Virginia with my husband and our infant son. I began working as the accounting manager for DSM in 2013. At the time, I knew next to nothing about the ministry. It was not very long before I was blown away by the work God was doing, and I  realized what an awesome opportunity I had just walked into!
I became the coordinator for the Orphan Sponsorship Program about a year later when the lady who previously held the position resigned. Having worked fairly closely with her during my time at DSM, I felt that my familiarity with the program gave me a head start in stepping into her shoes. I am a passionate believer in the goals and purpose of this program. It is simply amazing to see so many children being cared for both physically and spiritually, being given the chance to have a family, and an education. Giving children, who once had no hope or future other than begging and abuse, the ability to make something of themselves. I am so fortunate to be even a small part of it, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for these kids in the years to come!

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FROM DON AND KATHY: In recent newsletters we have introduced you to some of our staff and volunteers. As you have seen, we are truly blessed! There are many others that help, throughout the year, by calling churches to recommend Don for concerts, those that travel with us to the mission field, and certainly those that send us through their prayers and financial support! As we celebrate this Christmas and all that it stands for, we thank our Lord for all of you! We are excited to see what will happen in 2017 as we continue reaching out to a lost world! 

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Current Needs and Prayer Requests:

· PRAISE:  We recently sent over $51,000 to India to pay off the new orphanage, buy cots for widows, chairs for them to sit on, food for almost 500, gifts for all of them and even some extra for their Christmas celebrations! God is amazing!

· NEED: Your year-end gift means a lot to us as it will carry us through the leaner winter months ahead. Gifts to our general fund allow us to use the funds where needed most.  If you would like to give to a specific need, we promise that 100% will go to that fund. 

· PRAY for Don as he was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Life on the road presents it challenges as he tries to make lifestyle adjustments.

· PRAY for Colton and Don as they lead teams this month to Haiti.

· PRAY for our Haiti orphanage and how to proceed into the future as we are looking for property and leadership.


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 ​HEMA UPDATE: While we were in India last month I  had the opportunity to visit with Hema. She is still a very sick little girl, but, she is showing positive results from her continued chemo and other treatments. Our recent wire transfer to India also included another $2000 for her treatments. Thank you to those who are praying and contributed to our Emergency Medical Fund!
 

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​HAITI: This month Colton will host 2 teams to Haiti. They will build homes for the homeless and reach out to very poor communities with medical and spiritual outreach. Colton has also been using his experience working in his grandfather’s bakery by volunteering to help a local bakery in Haiti, which has offered wonderful opportunities to share God’s gift of salvation. Colton would also like to thank all those that are supporting him to serve with DSM and his hope is that you will all have a blessed Christmas.
 


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NOVEMBER 2016
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2 Chronicles 5:13 - The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; His love endures forever.”
 

As we enter the Thanksgiving season, Kathy and I want to take this special time to express our sincere thanks to all of you for your financial and prayer support. Only Heaven knows the impact of your gifts in sharing the Gospel and reaching out to those that desperately need help.

​INDIA: Don and team are in India this month. As of the writing of this newsletter the reports are that the new orphanage will be complete and ready to dedicate! Praise the Lord!! Please remember to pray for the team this month as they travel to visit the widow’s homes and orphanages. If you want to keep up with them, go to the “Don Shire Ministries” Facebook page. Don plans to send updates as often as possible.
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Current Needs and Prayer Requests:

* Each year at Christmas we give each orphan and widow in India a new outfit. Our annual cost is around $8,000. We have an India Christmas fund for this purpose. 100% of your designated gift will go to that account.

* We are still looking for land in Haiti to build an orphanage. Please pray for God’s direction and provision.

* End of year gifts are a large part of the funding that carries us through the new year.  If you will, please remember us as you allocate your year-end giving.

* Don has planned a winter concert tour in Florida. He still has dates available in February, March and April. You can help by putting in a good word for him with your friends and contacts. Your prayers are appreciated that the Lord will open the doors for ministry.

* Praise the Lord! The Mission Cruises are completely full for January. You might want to plan ahead for 2018. Applications will be available in January. Or, you can write Jane Pierson, our Mission Cruise Coordinator, and ask her to put you on the list for 2018 and to send you the info when it is ready. It broke our hearts to tell several that we could not take them this year as we are filled to our maximum.
 

​HAITI: Despite delays caused by a hurricane, flooded out roads, a broken Earthblock machine and other minor issues, Colton reported that production has started and they now have over 1000 earthblocks made. These will be used in December as teams arrive to build homes for those that desperately need one. Colton definitely has learned to practice the phrase; “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape!”

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NEW!!!

We are now ACH capable! This means we can now offer the convenient option of scheduling your regular donation directly from your bank account, without the fees that credit cards incur. If you are interested, please contact our accounting manager, Priscilla, with the following information: your bank account number, routing number, whether it is a checking or savings account, business or personal account, payment schedule (how often), amount of donation, what day of month for withdrawal,  and designation of the gift. Priscilla can be contacted at: (920) 809-8615

OCTOBER 2016
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​“The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.”  Deuteronomy 28: 12 (NKJV)

THE STUCCO IS GOING ON WHICH MEANS GREAT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE! EXCITING!!

​ PRAISE THE LORD WITH US!!
 Last month we shared how  God had provided half of the  $60,000 needed to finish the  orphanage in India, and that  we still needed $30,000 to  finish it. The day we sent out  last month’s newsletter, Don received a phone call. The call was from someone who had generously given last year to help us get the building underway.  He was calling to say that he was sending another check for...get this…$30,000!!! He said as he sat down to write the check he noticed my newsletter had arrived by email. He said “It looks like you need $30,000. Funny how that works!”
Yep...funny...no...AMAZING how God works!!!
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MEET ANOTHER ONE OF OUR AWESOME VOLUNTEERS:                  SHAN GLEWEN                      (Mission Trip Coordinator)

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​My husband Matt and I live near New Holstein, WI where we raised our two sons. I first heard of Don Shire Ministries when Don played a concert at our church, but the most significant "contact" came through a woman who attends our church.  She asked if we would be willing to financially sponsor an Indian orphan so the child could be adopted by a Christian pastor.  We  agreed to sponsor two boys feeling this was how God wanted us to use His money and excited to be able to make a difference.
The sponsorship program was fairly new and I felt led to contact Don to offer to help coordinate this sponsorship program in some way-if he needed help.  His reply was that he really needed help coordinating mission trips and the rest is history!  I will only add that it is very fulfilling to be involved in work that is so clearly God's work.  It is a joy to partner with Him.

Current Needs and Prayer Requests:

· We desire to provide a Christmas present for each orphan and widow in our care. Please consider a gift to our Christmas fund.

· We are now scheduling concerts for Don in 2017. Is your church or group interested? Write                 concerts@donshire.com. Ruth is waiting to hear from you!

· Continue to pray for Hema, our girl with leukemia in India.

· We are still looking for property in Haiti to build a new orphanage. Please pray for God’s leading.
 

​Colton is back in Haiti for a few months. Please pray for him as he is leading a church Bible study and counseling. He is also making plans for teams that will be visiting in the months to come. They will be building homes for widows.
Colton put together a very nice video report on the earth-block business we helped to launch while in Zambia. The business will help to support the Zambia national AWANA program. Here is a link if you would like to see it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSMdi-wzWeU
 

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SEPTEMBER 2016
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                            INDIA BUILDING UPDATE (PTL!!)

We began the finishing stages for the ground floor of the orphanage! Praise God! Funds were donated to put the workers back on the job!  We still need your help. We would love to get our children in this home by the end of this year.  About $30k is still needed. 100% of your designated gift will go to the India building fund.

WINDOWS

SLEEPING ROOMS

BATHROOMS

MAKING EARTHBLOCKS IN ZAMBIA

FROM COLTON:

​Dear Friends, I have just arrived back in the U.S. after a very successful journey to the country of Zambia in Africa. Don Shire Ministries sent me off one month ago today, in hopes of creating a small business to empower a local ministry (Salt and Light International Ministries) to become self-sustaining, and have the financial freedom to continue to reach out to their own people with the Gospel of Christ. That small business came in the form of compressed EarthBlocks; the same technology we have used to build homes for widows in Haiti. The first two weeks in Zambia were spent testing soils and making test bricks. After we found the strongest and most economical mixture, we promptly began production! Not long after we began producing the bricks, the ministry’s first order of 11,000 bricks came in! Today we testify to the goodness of God in bringing all of the pieces together, and giving us the grace to overcome many challenges! Please pray with us for SLIM as they nurture this project into a beacon for good, and a platform for Christ! 

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AUGUST 2016

    Hebrews 6:10  “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
 

IT TAKES A TEAM!
Last month you met Ruth. This month we want you to meet Crystal, another of our valued volunteers. What a blessing it is to know that our email list stays current and it is sent in a timely manner. We are so thankful for the team God has assembled here at DSM.

Crystal DeLong

I moved back to Virginia in 2012 after serving overseas for six years. Teaching in Turkey and Morocco had forever changed me and a passion for missions was still there when Don visited our church, Trinity Baptist, early in the spring of 2013.   I had been looking for ways to serve now that I was back in the states. Don had visited our church several times before, but this time he mentioned a specific need; someone to send out his newsletter electronically. I knew this was a way that I could help serve. I love how God answered both of our prayers; God is good!
 

 INDIA BUILDING UPDATE

We have temporarily halted construction on the new orphanage in India as we have gone over budget due to unexpected material costs. We are close, but additional funds are needed. Please pray with us and, as God leads, please help us complete this project.
 
 

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​HEMA UPDATE
The latest word from India is that Hema continues to receive her treatments and is continuing to show signs of positive recovery as she battles leukemia. She has a long way to go. Please keep praying! Thank you to all who have contributed to our medical fund.

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It was great to have Colton home from Haiti for a few weeks. He is  now in Zambia setting up a microbusiness teaching pastors how to make earthblocks so they will have an income. Then, in September, he goes back to Haiti until February. Please keep Colton in your prayers.

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STILL ROOM - MISSION CRUISE/INDIA

We still have room on our November trip to India and also on the Mission Cruises in January. See our Missions tab at the top of the page for India details and application. Go to www.missioncruise.org for details on the Mission Cruises.




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JULY 2016

Luke 6:38  “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” 
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MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF:
Kathy and I realized several years ago that the Lord has blessed and grown DSM to a place where we could no longer manage it alone. We began to pray for help in specific areas. One of them was in the area of communication with churches, pastors, worship leaders, and mission committees that ask for me to come to their church for a concert or missions conference. With my travel schedule often taking me out of the USA, it was sometimes weeks before I could respond. Then God sent us Ruth! Please read about her in this month’s letter. She is an answer to many of your prayers for us. Thank you!!
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​Last month a man approached me before a concert and wanted to talk to me. He wanted to thank me for coming to his prison several years ago. It was that day he committed his life to Christ. He said his life changed that day. He is now out of prison and doing well.
Thank you for making it possible for us to minister anywhere the Lord opens a door!

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Ruth Mauriello Garcia

​Over four years ago Don came to my church, Minooka Bible, to present his ministry through music, word and pictures. Without hesitation I jumped up from my seat and signed up for my first missions trip, knowing that the Holy Spirit was the source of this prompting. So in Haiti, Jan. 2012, my missions journey began and I have been forever changed. I have been assisting Don with concert scheduling details since 2012 as I was so impressed with the integrity and impact of the ministry. I have since been to Haiti twice and India once with large imprints left on my heart from the orphans and widows. I hope to participate in more trips and encourage anyone considering to go!
 
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PRAYER REQUESTS:

· For Colton as he plans for future mission trips and serves in Haiti.

· For Caleb and Payton as they are in India this month taking pictures, videos and doing interviews to help us improve our presentation of the ministry to orphans and widows.

· For completion of phase one of our new orphanage in India, and the raising of funds for phase two .
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· Praise for God’s provision for our Haiti orphanage through the Haiti Garage Sale at Judson Baptist in Joliet. $17,577.58 was raised! Thank you so much to the army of volunteers. that made this event a huge success!

Twitter and Facebook Updates

JUNE 2016
1 Peter 4:10 ESV  “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.”

In May, Colton led a team from Minooka Bible Church (Minooka, IL) to Haiti. The pictures above are of the house that was built by their January team. They came back to paint it! It looks great!!! Cite Soliel is a rough area, but God used the gangs as protection.  The locals really appreciate what our teams are doing for them. Slowly we are seeing an interest as we share the gospel message.

Below is a picture of land we hope to purchase and build 4 homes for widows. We will buy the property, build the homes and turn the property over to the church to care for the widows. We will use the earthblock machines we wrote about last month to build the homes.

Please pray for us as we continue to seek God’s will for us as we minister in Haiti. Pray for Colton as he is living there. Pray for his safety and sensitivity to God’s leading as he serves. Also, please pray for Don as he travels presenting Christ and our    ministry in churches here in the USA.
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THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO REACH OUT IN THESE WAYS!

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MAY 2016

APRIL 2016

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.(Deuteronomy 31:8)

OVERWHELMED!
                                                     
Sometimes we are simply overwhelmed! Last night I was trying to see what could be done to help the situation in India where the wells are dry at four of our widow’s homes and orphanages. We decided to try drilling the current wells deeper. Praise God there was money in our emergency water fund. Please pray that they will get to the water table!

Hema, a little girl in India, has leukemia. The treatments are expensive. We sent enough for about half of the chemo treatments. We wait to see where the rest will come from.

In Haiti there are  many issues to deal with, including finding a new home for our children as our lease expires in June. Possibly we will be able to renew for another year if nothing is found. One of our workers there has cancer on her lips and throat requiring multiple surgeries. How much can we afford to spend in helping her?

In Honduras we still have issues with the property deed at the children’s home. We live day to day wondering how it can be resolved. So far all we have found are lawyers that take money and then do nothing. Our monthly budget at DSM now exceeds $20,000 just for the support of widows and orphans, and that is  before we pay our own bills. 

I AM SO GLAD THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!

Here’s the good news: Our children are doing well in school in all locations. They LOVE to worship the Lord! A rice farmer volunteered free water to one of our India orphanages until we can resolve the problem. Colton’s outreach is going very well in Haiti and he is making wonderful contacts. Teams continue to visit and encourage us in all of our ministry locations. This fall Colton will oversee the building of a school in Zambia. At concerts there is a wonderful presence of the Lord. Hearts are being changed!  We are making plans to build 4 new homes for widows in Haiti. And there is much more to  be thankful for!!!
NO, GOD IS NOT OVERWHELMED!! THE FUTURE IS AND REMAINS IN HIS HANDS!

BUILDING AN EARTH BAG HOME FOR A WIDOW IN HAITI

Colton spent time this month with the children at our children’s home in Haiti teaching them how to grow box gardens on the roof. They LOVED it!  Please continue to pray for Colton in Haiti! 

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