SMCTX October 2023 Newsletter

Hello Family & Friends,
​
In James chapter 4, James gets all the way through an explanation of our dependence on God then says
on the last line (vs. 17) “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Between that, and Jesus Himself saying, “love each other as I have loved you,” - that sets an excellent standard for how we should go about our lives in this chaotic world. In our experiences we see walls and barriers come down on a personal level when we stick to those two principles of doing good, and love’em like Jesus. The miracles we see in this Bastrop community are a daily fascination to us, and we so love to share the remarkable things God does with the lives of those around us! (Acts 2:46-47).

Since our last newsletter in August, there has been a whirlwind of activity within the ministry, as well as in the world. What we realize is that our willingness to help others just looks different lately. In fact, it has opened our eyes to see the wide diversity and unique needs that were used to magnify and glorify the Lord by just answering the call and allowing Him to do the work through the ministry. There seems to be no limits to God’s grace. Our stories here reflect on some of these instances.

Edie has been someone that Brent and I have been walking with for the past year. We have seen how her spiritual life has been drawing closer to the Lord and witnessed her baptism in a private pool this past summer. So, it was no surprise when she asked us for help with her sick dog Duchess. Duchess was her 13 yr. old Rhodesian Ridgeback dog that could no longer use her hind legs to get around and her weight was too much for Edie to carry in and out of the house. Edie hated what she knew she needed to do, and that was to release Duchess from her suffering. The problem she had was there was no way to get her to the vet. One morning Brent decided it was time to help Edie with Duchess and he called her and told her to get ready, we are taking Duchess to the vet. Brent was able to load up Duchess in his backseat and proceeded to spend the rest of the afternoon taking all the steps with Edie as the vet released her Duchess from pain. Edie was not prepared for the instant grief that would follow, but it meant much to have Brent there to comfort her. Brent took Edie and Duchess back home and dug a grave for Duchess in the backyard. When Brent returned home, he said it was a very taxing, emotional experience for both Edie and him as well. Brent allowed me to debrief him and then I prayed peace over him. I love how Brent loves like Christ. Another request came from Wayne, a childhood friend of Brent’s who lives in the Corpus Christi area. Wayne had a coworker, we will call him Tom, who was injured in a motorcycle accident, had not returned to work, and was spiraling downhill into depression. Wayne could tell that Tom needed help like counseling or something, and so he reached out to Brent, thinking Brent could talk to him. Brent was prompted to contact an ex-employer, Frank – a strong man of God, who retired from construction work and became a life coach with Serenity Counseling and Life Coaching Services. Frank told Brent that if Tom were ready to attend counseling, he would set him up an appointment to have him come in for consultation.

Brent reached out to Tom, and he agreed to counseling but had no income to pay for his visits. Shepherd Ministries agreed to pay for six counseling sessions for Tom with Serenity Counseling and Life Coaching Services. The sessions proved to be successful, Tom received his dignity back, is now back at work and getting his life back in order. Tom was very thankful for the counseling sessions, and Wayne witnessed firsthand the touch of our faithful God.

Shepherd Ministries received a phone call from a nurse at Humana Hospital looking for help for a patient. Seems Darla, a disabled elderly woman, who lives in Georgetown, an hour drive away from Bastrop, had her friend Kelly, a nurse, calling around to help her find someone, anyone to help put together a leather recliner that was delivered in three separate boxes and needed assembly. We still are not sure how Kelly received our number but an act of God, no doubt - Brent knew it was something he could do. We asked people we knew who lived in the Georgetown area, but we could not find help, so Brent drove to Georgetown and pieced together the recliner for Darla. While he was there Darla, and her younger caregiver were given hope through Brent sharing Jesus Christ is the only answer to it all. No doubt it was a divine appointment and he loved how Jesus used him to speak truth into their lives.

Brent and I continue to maintain discipleship through men’s and women’s groups including state jail ministry, and chaplaincy meetings weekly. We are fascinated and honored to be called on to bring the love and the messages of Jesus Christ to those around us daily. You see, Shepherd Ministries of Central Texas is who we are and loving and caring for people is what we do. We appreciate your love, prayers, and support which we know is God’s gift to us. Do you have any
concerns or need a listening ear? Please call, text, or email us - we would love to hear from you. You are on our hearts too, let us pray with you. God bless you family!

In Faith, Hope, and Love,
Brent & Laura Jones

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