Friday, July 5, 2013

Making Disciples

Dear Prayer Partners,

Make disciples . . .
These past months have been very busy and exciting for us as a church. We were able to see the mother of two of our young men make a profession of faith in Christ and begin discipleship lessons. We had been praying for her (Mama Urasa) in our church for several months and to see the Lord answer our prayers was a great thrill. Also, one young man named Kopriano, who had been attending our church off and on for nearly a year, repented of his sins and trusted in Christ as his Savior. Now begins the difficult process of discipleship. Please pray for them as well as two others, Brenda and Karolina, that they become mature and grounded in their faith.
Baptizing them . . .
Just three weeks ago we had the privilege of baptizing four young people. Jared (whom we mentioned in the last prayer letter), Jackson (his younger brother of 17), Herman (a 17 year-old orphan), and Jessica (who accepted Christ on Christmas day last year). Please continue to pray for Saidi and Gupta. Saidi has been given permission by his Muslim father to be baptized, but Gupta still awaits permission. Lord willing they will be baptized later this month.
Teaching them . . .
We also had the privilege of having Pastor Chris Luppino from Chapel Baptist Church in Claremont, Florida, teach a week-long leadership seminar on the doctrine of the church. His straight-forward Biblical approach to the doctrine of the church was much needed to help these men stand for the truth of God’s Word. It also provided me an opportunity to translate a sermon “live” from English to Swahili for the first time. Just one year ago I wouldn’t have been able to do that, but God’s grace is sufficient for the challenge at hand. Thank you for your prayers for our Swahili. We covet your continued prayers for this matter.

Dependent upon and thankful for your prayers,

Aaron and Nicole Shipe

P.S. We plan to be home for furlough from January-June of 2014. If you would like us to visit your church please contact us at the e-mail listed below.