Report from “Ricky” William Shanks in Gainesville GA
4565 Persian Trail; Gainesville, GA 30507; Phones: 843-569-8729-Home; 843-725-9283-Cell

Website: AnswersFromTheBible.ORG - Dial A Bible Study: 770-835-4000 (Ext. 3 for Spanish.) Gainesville church of Christ (GCOC.org) 2815 Wallace Rd. Gainesville GA 30507 meeting location.

October 2022

Brethren,

The efforts to find those who “ask , seek and knock” are continuing. The UNG efforts have slowed down this month due to fall break and weather. Never the less, the studies with repeat students continue to get deeper and more pointed to helping them into Christ. Some study sessions go over 2 hours at a time. There are now over a dozen that I periodically study with. They continue to show great promise. Most of them live 30 minutes to two hours away and commute to the campus.

A year ago I studied with a sharp young man named Tim. He took careful notes. At the end of the study he repeated points that we had read from the Bible. Encouraging right? Then he said, “that is the most hopeless teaching I have ever heard.” He was a strong Calvinist. Fully convinced of once saved always saved. I went over a couple of other verses where God give us the hope as we walk in Him as we repent of sins we commit. Well, fast forward a year. He is still on campus and the more I saw him the more my heart was compelled to prepare a study on the subject that is very clear and compelling us to know how to have hope in Christ. It included over 2 dozen passages to show what God has to say about eternal security. The next time I saw him I gave him a copy of it. He studied through it...but with a view to rebuttal it. He did not stop there he actually copied it and gave it out to a room of his Baptist friends and tried to tear it apart. I’m thrilled he did that. Even though his motive was wrong and he did not submit to the teaching from God’s word, I can’t help but think God will use this for good. I think that some of those young people might have a good and honest heart and will study the many verses and come to the truth. It has already resulted in a 2 hour study with one of the young people who sees the error of Calvinism.

The two Brenau students (J & J) still seemed to be interested but severely distracted. Recently a couple of saints made harsh comments about ungodly behaviors in the world. It hampered and may have destroyed their seeking after more Bible studies. Hopefully they will not let those kind of distractions sidetrack their pursuit of God. Please pray for these efforts that they will follow through with their obedience to God.

The business cards shown in last month’s report have been very useful. 100’s have been given out personally face to face and left places like gas pumps and waiting areas. In October there were over 600 videos downloaded from website. I also made banners, car magnets and yard signs made. But the QR code somehow changed from what was put on the card. Which made the QR code useless. I’m in the process of doing them over. This time making certain it is correct each step of the process. I did not even notice until I took a picture of the set up table and my phone gave me a unknown message. I have no idea how it changed on the magnets, signs and banners.

The flock has continues to slowly grow (swell). All three of our deacons are very reliable and responsible. Which enables everything to be moving in the right direction.

Janice and I are well. The only hiccups are age related. To God be the glory, Ricky

SEPTEMBER 2022 REPORT ON THE WORK IN CORRIGAN, TEXAS [email protected]

Dear Beloved Brethren,

281-756-7957

ROBERT RAIF
171 CALDWELL ST.

LIVINGSTON, TX 77351

I pray that you are all well and pressing on in the Lord’s service. I am thankful that the Lord has opened the door back into the prison. We are meeting in a very small room, but we got 15 in there. We are supposed to move to a little bigger room soon. God has given us an open door. Pray for more open doors.

I spent my 4th week at the prison this morning with 15 men. We have a two hour session studying what the Bible says about being real men. Not about physical strength or popularity, but about being the kind of men the Bible describes. We are using Robert Harkrider’s book “I Sought For A Man.” It is, of course, Biblical, and it teaches the responsibilities of man as God created Him. Ten of these are Christians, and the others are searchers who have been studying with us for several years.

In Corrigan, I study with Curtis and then with Charlie on Fridays. They were both baptized. They probably won’t ever become leaders or teachers, but they bring joy to our group. I went door-knocking afterward and found a few people home and used the bulletin that we mail out as a door opener. But, there have been no takers when asking them for a home study. But they know where we are and that we have an interest in them. We just keep sowing the seed and the Lord will bring the growth.

Now that I study with 15 at the prison, I won’t be doing Correspondence courses with these men. That will free up some of my time. I have fallen behind in that area.

There have been 5 typhoons that have wiped out the food supply in the northern part of the Filipino islands. Rice, corn, bananas, etc. in some parts are totally gone. They are now really crying out for food. Just like the Jerusalem brethren, these and the Zimbabwe brethren seem to be the ones almost constantly in need. One preacher’s wife (Loli) has to cook under an umbrella because the tin roof over their stove is so leaky. Another preacher and his wife (Jimmy and Eden) have to spend a day cleaning out the water after every rain. They just don’t have the money to fix the damage that the typhoon caused years ago. But these feel blessed because they have homes, whereas some brethren are still living in tents after earthquakes destroyed their villages three years ago. This way of giving is much better than any Red Cross or other human benevolence Company. 100% of what you give goes to the ones in need, and it goes to brethren. Please give when you can!

Thank you so much, my beloved brethren, for standing with me in sharing the gospel with others and encouraging the saints here in Corrigan. My needs are fully supplied. Let’s pray that the Lord of Harvest sends for reapers and pray for open doors.

In Him who saves, Robert Raif

(Read on for more information on the benevolent work to those overseas.)

Here is the aid sent out for September. Over $5500 was sent. Some is for support of preachers. Most of these men are out almost every day teaching house to house and often baptizing - - sometimes 1, sometimes 4, and sometimes in the teens at one gospel meeting. They need money for their house, food for the family, and petrol to go and spread the truth. The first number is the benevolence, and the second number is for the preachers’ support.

Zimbabwe
600 300 Kudakwashe Bangure. 200 400 Brighton Makurudza.

Uganda
500 300 Kule Bisathu

Kenya
200 300 John Ositu.

Philippines

100 200 500 300 100 500 400 500 0 400 0 200 0 150 200 0

Glenn Fiesta.

Manny Pader.
Simeon Vargas.
Jimmy Domingo.
Rosendo Gumpad.
Andy M Dappas.
Felipe Jr Tan Tula.
Zurdan & Fe Baliog. The family of 3 were down for 8 weeks with the Monkey

Pox.

Nicaragua
300 200 Jose Ruiz.
120 0 Paulita Lopez. She has lingering medical needs from Covid damage.

dear brothers, I greet you in the holy and glorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, wishing you are in good health, and also that you are enjoying great spiritual prosperity.
I am pleased to be able to address you through this email, to make you participate in the good news from Peru.
Thanks to the goodness of our God, my family and I are quite well, and in good spirits to continue working in the work of the Lord.
after a tour of the northern churches, such as ZAMBA, chepén and catacaos where we were confirming the spirits of many brothers made 14:22, and preaching the gospel, to persuade men of sin, we were greatly blessed and full of joy at see the obedience to the gospel on the part of four people in ZAMBA who were added to the kingdom of our lord jesus christ acts 2:47, and if the kingdom continues to expand in this part of the world, thanks be given to our God.
Here are the names of our new brothers in Christ.
Clarita Calderon Mondragon, 27 years old, Cunyarache Castillo, Mercedez, 68 years old, Maicol Pintado Pintado, 13 years old, and Nerlly Jiménez, 15 years old, all of them from ZAMBA. participation of many brothers who directly accompany us on these trips and also to you my beloved brothers who are indirectly working with us, because with your help you greatly contribute to the spread and preaching of the gospel.
I return my deepest gratitude to each one of you and I pray that our GOD continues to bless you abundantly, if the Lord grants us another chance of life I will be reporting good news in the future, I hope you can rejoice with the photos of our new brothers,
please excuse these short news from this server.
Sincerely: David Guerrero Ayala.

Christ’s church

Hamilton, AL

Move To Quarterly Reporting

I have recently come to the conclusion that quarterly reporting is best suited for my work here in Alabama. I hope my readers will be supportive of this change. When I worked in the city, the work was very fast paced. New adventures, new dangers, and many new contacts. There was always “something new” to report! However, in my current work, there are months that pass in which I’m involved in the same things. I continue to study, preach, and teach. I interact with many of the same contacts. We continue to experience the burdens of caregiving and parenthood.

Appreciation For Rural Work

Like many young preachers, I was initially attracted to large cities. We all want to be involved in important work and urban evangelism has received as much attention as foreign evangelism in recent years. Many rural works have been characterized as old and dying. However, I’ve developed a greater appreciation for rural living. There has been a different set of challenges. One challenge involves people moving out of rural areas for school and work. However, online learning and remote work opportunities are allowing more Christians to leave the city for various reasons. Some desire greater safety and security for their family. Others are choosing to care for aging parents. And as governments become more wicked and oppressive, we are seeing more Christians flee to the “wilderness” in order to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness.

Preaching Updates

I recently had the opportunity to present a series of lessons to the brethren meeting on 4th St in Cullman, AL. The series was an exposition of John’s epistles (1-3 John). These lessons are available at www.4thstreetchurchofchrist.com. I

3rd Quarter 2022

also presented a series on Colossians to the Northside church in Brilliant, AL. For these lessons, visit www.churchofchristnorthside.net. On Sundays, I’m preaching a series through the book of Mark. I’ve been particularly interested in how the overall narrative fits together and allowing applications to arise more naturally from the context. I want the focus of every sermon to be the focus of God’s Word.

The Mute Shall Sing

An older couple who worships with us has been caring for their adult son, Jim, after a major stroke. Jim has lived a wayward life. The church rallied around the family for prayer and support. At first, Jim was expected to die. Then, he began to make slow progress. He was unable to walk, speak, or feed himself. We continued to pray and visit the home. As months passed, Jim improved. He began attending worship and bible studies with his parents. While he was unable to communicate his ideas, he began singing joyously with the brethren. He listened intently to the preaching and teaching. Finally, he communicated to his parents he wanted to confess his sins and seek God’s forgiveness. With the help of his father, they addressed the congregation. I’m not sure how much the stroke or the years of hard living will affect Jim’s recovery. However, I know the Lord can use a stroke to bring a child home. I also believe God’s Word and Spirit can give Jim a new heart. Pray that Jim may recovery and proclaim God’s glory to others (Isaiah 35:3-6).

Building Relationships

Brethren from the 4th St. church in Cullman, AL came to help us work on the meeting space. We worked together doing demolition work and priming the walls and ceilings. This was a great opportunity to get to know these brethren better. We are very thankful for their visit!

~ Joe Hamm ~

Your Help Is Needed

1 Personal Growth 2 As I mentioned previous, our family of nine (soon to be 10) has been living in my grandfather’s 2 bedroom house for over 8 months. The kids continue to grow. My wife continues to grow

more pregnant. Hopefully, our patience continues to grow, but some days it diminishes. I contacted the same contractor mentioned above to help us complete our home renovation. Phase 1 of the remodel should be completed by Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to complete our home addition for a year and a half! We were disappointed, but continue to trust in the Lord’s provision and timing.

In the mean time, pray for our growth...both spiritual and numerical. The Lord teaches through every personal trial.

Stay strong in the faith!

Joe Hamm

151 Chestnut Circle Hamilton, AL 35570 256-398-0225 [email protected]

The work is plentiful, but the laborers are few. In order to complete the building project in a timely manner, I think we need to hire some help. The church as been meeting in our home for about 8 months. It has been a joy and great blessing, but also an added burden on my family. We live in a small home and the size of our family makes keeping things tidy very difficult. After Fiona has the baby in November, we’ll be unable to open our home for at least several weeks while she recovers. I would like to relieve her of this burden as soon as possible.

I have contacted a local contractor who has agreed to help. The total cost for labor and materials will be $25k. Brethren have already committed $12k for the material costs. If you are in a position to help us complete the project, please let me know.

NEWSLETTER FROM THE NESTOR F. SANCHEZ’S DESK

[email protected]  [email protected]

July 9, 2022.

Dear Brethren in the College Station church of Christ.

Here I send you the inform about our work in the Lord’s things that you and I are doing in this side of the world. Please, let me know if you have received well it.

MY WORK HERE IN PAN DE AZUCAR, COQUIMBO, CHILE:I continue sharing the gospel with our neighborhood. We meet here some time 29 or more people on Sundays. We have two visitors: Amparo Morales 17 years old, Nayely Ito Alanguía and now come back to meet with us miss Antonella (20 years old).

On Sunday I present one Biblical lesson and one sermon. On Thursday I present one Biblical study to the congregation. In these moments we are studying the Ephesians book. We are in chapter 5 of this book.

Six members left the local church because they were to live in other city and now, they are persevering in the local churches of that cities.

From here I have several preaching by Internet with people of different places like, Argentina, Perú, Colombia, México, Ecuador, Portugal Cuba; Guatemala; Nicaragua and Chile. Like a consequence of this work, several people have known the Lord’s word and have decided to obey in the commandment of the baptism in other countries.

BIBLE STUDY WITH BRETHREN IN ARGENTINA:

On Monday and Tuesday, I have bible study with some brethren in Mendoza and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Right now, we are studying the First Peter Book. Right now, we are in the chapter one and verso 21.

Also, I received some invitations to preach in different platforms of other churches of Christ. This have been on weekdays and on Sundays. In the last month I have preached in the platform of the Church of Christ in La Florida, Santiago de Chile (in four opportunities), Turbaco in Colombia, and in Cali in Colombia, Also I have been invited three times to preach in the church of Christ in Ambato, Ecuador.

On the other hand, I receive petitions of some people that need that I send Biblical studies to present personal lessons to other people,

How you can see, I have not one day free, but I am very happy, because this is the best of the best work in the world. I am working for my Lord and God Jesus Christ.

BIBLE STUDIES WITH BRETHREN IN VENZUELA:

In my platforms of Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube, Google Meet, every Sunday I transmit one bible study that preach brother Mario Arellano, from Caracas. These studies go out at four O’clock p. m. In the beginning only six people were in the study, but now this number has go growing and in the last Sundays sometimes we have had until 28 people. Mario Arellano is preacher in Chacaito, in Caracas, Venezuela. In these studies, we meet brethren from different countries such as, England, México, Chile, Venezuela, Panamá, Nicaragua, Argentina.

Romans 10:15; says: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”

I CONTINUE WORKING IN MY PLATFORMS OF ZOOM, YOU TUBE AND FACEBOOK:

I have thirteen months working with my platform “¿What does the divine answer says?” Romans 11:4). Also, I have a Facebook and a YouTube channel. In these platforms I have more than one hundred and fifty videos with different preachers that I invite to present themes of the bible. In these platforms I have hundreds of followers that like of Biblical themes.

I am working from Monday to Friday. On Saturday we present Biblical class to the young people.

By messenger I have more than seven hundred people to whom I send video of the Lord’s things every day. Many of them share these videos with another contacts. Many people in Cuba have benefited from this system to receive biblical teaching through these videos.

Every day I am receiving petitions and consult of Biblical themes, in my computer or telephone by WhatsApp, e-mail, or messenger. I dedicate time to answer all this questions and maintain the contacts.

FOUR BAPTISMS IN CUBA:

On June 14 I initiated my trip of preaching to Cuba, and it finished on June 29. During this period, I traveled together brother Eddie Paden who is an elder in the Elizabeth Town church of Christ in Kentucky. To continuation I inform you the result of this work for the Lord.

As a resulted of the work in the Lord`s things preached in Holguín and in Moa we have had four baptisms during this trip to Cuba.

In Moa I baptized to Adriano Matos sixteen years old. He was studying with the church there and when we were visiting there (brother Eddie Paden and I) he decided to be baptized. Obviously, we courage him to obey the Lord’s in the commandment of the baptism. This baptism was on June 22; 2022.

Then when we were preaching in Holguín I was preaching to one young couple and here are their names:  the name of he is: Lazaro Lalana (he is 30 years old); and the name of she is: Xiomara Coello 25 years old. When they listened the bible study that I presented them, they decided to obey in the commandment of the baptism. Then I baptized them immediately. It was on June 23, 2002.

Then there was a young couple that she is a Christian, but he was not a Christian yet. His name is Alejandro Góngora Doallo, he is thirty years old. Brother Eddie Paden presented them one bible lesson in English (because they both speak English, too), and he decided to obey to the Lord in the commandment of the baptism. This time was our brother Eddie Paden who baptized him. It was on June 24, 2022.

Also, we visited and preached in the churches of Christ in Sagua de Tánamo and in Banes. We have had to do larges trips and many hours in buses and cars of very old and in bad conditions to get arrive to different places to preach the Lord’s word. Sometimes we traveled sixteen and fifteen hours by bus and in very bad conditions, too. The transport in Cuba is very bad and is hard to get it. Other problem that we had to infront was the place in the hotels to get rooms. We couldn’t travel to visit and preach in the churches of Christ in Santiago de Cuba, Palma Soriano, El Cobre and Quemado de Güines in Villa Clara because we couldn’t get hotel rooms. But we used the time preaching to the churches in the province of Holguín.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE WORKING IN PERÚ:

Now we (Eddie, you and I) are working in the Lord’s things here in Perú, In the next report I will tell you about the resulted of our (your and we) work for the Lord in this country.

Well brethren; I hope that this inform encourage you to continue working with me in the Lord’s things in this year 2022.

Please, maintain this work and your server in your prayers. Don’t forget that in all this work you have a very good part, too.

Sincerely in Him.

Nestor F. Sanchez