The Shumaker Family’s Blog

Maybe dogs and cats get along better than most Baptists do.  Just kidding but I really did want to share this photo of my dog and cat.

I knew that the American economy was in trouble but when the president had to open up his own hair cutting place, it is really bad.

Thanks so much for your prayers for Celebration Day.  It was absolutely wild, but it was amazing.  Last year we had about 300 for this special day,  and I thought we would have just a few more than last year.  Our people really worked in getting people to the service.  We had well over 500 present.  There were 300 children and more than 200 adults.  To be honest, it was a little difficult with all of the children, but God blessed in spite of the noise.  The youth acted out the story of the prodigal son.  They broke it up into 5 different segments.  I preached in between each segment.  It was wonderful.  We had 10 people come forward for salvation.

We invited everybody to return that night, and we had about 130.  I gave the invitation and tons of children and teens raised their hands.  I told them that if they were serious to stay after the service.  Some left, but about 25 stayed and accepted Jesus.  What an amazing day.  I am so proud  of our people.  They worked hard, and God blessed.  I don’t know what else to say but PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted to talk just  a little about celebration day but first I wanted to thank the Lord for the two salvation decisions that were made last Sunday.  These were some teenagers that have been coming for awhile but never had trusted Christ.  I was thrilled by their decisions.  One of them is about 14 and his name is Andre.  I really expect God to use his life in a great way in the future.

We will be having our celebration day this Sunday.  It is our 2nd anniversary at Water of Life Baptist Church.  Last year, we had over 300.  This year, we are expecting more.  Please pray, as we will have tons of visitors and I know that many of them will be lost.  We need God to move.  We want God to move.  I know I can’t do it.  He must!  He can!!!  Pray that God would move me aside and that He would preach.

Yesterday, we went to Roungou.  My in-laws are here with us right now.  So Bro. Tim Land went with us.  Normally, we go on a Friday night or a Sat. morning but today we had our first Sunday morning service in this village.  God blessed.

I have talked about Salif many times in the past.  He will be going to the village and leading the church.  It is exciting when the young men that you are training begin to hit home runs.  The people love Salif and he loves them.  I told Salif that it was up to him to take the church to a new level.  He is a great young man.

I tried sleeping under the stars last night but it got cold about midnight.  So I chickened out and slept in the church building.  I was broken last night thinking about the thousands villages that need a Gospel preaching church here in West Africa.