SHIELDS family

the

ETHAN
S H IE L
585
D
B o g a lu 2 1 H ig h w a y S
4
sa, Lo
u is ia n 3 9
a 7042
7
CELL
740-60
7-7086
EMA
m is s io
n s b e y o IL
nd@m
e.com

Third generation missionaries

church planting in Panama
www.missionsbeyond.com

April 2016

Ethan returned about a week ago from a trip to Panama.

His dad was also able to go with him. They were gone for
almost two weeks and had a very fruitful time. The purpose
was to settle some details for our move ahead of time. God
greatly blessed this trip and we held this newsletter back a bit so
that we could share all the exciting details with you.
God truly blessed above and beyond all that we could ask
or think. Within only the first few days of the trip, Ethan had
bought a vehicle and lined up a rental house! We are now the
proud owners of a Kia Carnival, a diesel minivan. A fellow
missionary offered to keep it under his carport and watch it for
us until we move.
The house is so much more than we ever expected! It has
three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and even has a small room
that we will use for school. There is a large yard with fruit trees
and a fence that will be perfect for the kids. The landlords left
us a swing set and gave us a puppy. The kids are beyond thrilled
and are ready to move.

Panama
Ethan preached Easter Sunday at
Iglesia Bautista Nueva Esperanza (New
Hope Baptist Church) in San Felix, Panama.
A little girl named Natalie accepted
Christ! What a perfect way to end a
wonderful time in Panama!
On their way home, Ethan and his dad
went to the country of Aruba. Ethans
brother, Matthew, is a missionary there. Ethan
had the privilege of preaching at Iglesia
Bautista Berea (Berea Baptist Church) in
Oranjestad, Aruba. He delivered sound
equipment to the church and spent some
quality time with our seven nieces and
nephews. We praise God for an incredible trip
full of blessings!

Natalie
New van

Aruba

Thank you to everyone who prayed for Noah when he had his tonsils and adenoids removed in February. Everything went great and
Noah recovered extremely quickly. He didnt feel much pain and ate well the whole time. We believe this truly shows the power of prayer.

Furlough is quickly coming to an end. Its hard to believe that almost an entire year has gone by
since we left Mexico. Our hearts still yearn for the people we left behind, but we are excited about all
that lies ahead in Panama. This time in the USA has blessed us both with many opportunities to speak
or preach at missions conferences, Sunday School classes, mens meetings, ladies meetings, and school
chapels. Not long ago, Ethan went with friends to do some open air preaching at Southeastern
Louisiana University. Ethan recently went door-to-door with some men from a church during a
missions conference and they had the privilege to lead TWO people to Christ!

As we finish up furlough, we have a very full schedule. God has immensely blessed us. We are
excited to report that one church has raised our support and three new churches started
supporting us! This additional support will greatly help as we deal with a cost of living increase.

We have purchased our plane tickets and we are moving to Panama in July. Beth and the kids
are leaving July 19. Ethan will fly down one week earlier to prepare the
rental house for their arrival. It is coming very quickly and there are still
many details to arrange before leaving. Please pray for us as we make the
necessary preparations.
Several of our loved ones are dealing with major health issues
right now. In Ethans family, there are people dealing with thyroid
problems, heart trouble, stomach problems, and chronic pain.
In Beths family, there are people dealing with Parkinsons disease,
cancer, chronic pain, and hip trouble.

The kids started their
new school year a few weeks
ago. (School in Panama runs
from March through
December.) Elena is in 4th
grade this year and Noah is
doing some work from both
1st and 2nd grade. They are
doing well in school despite
traveling so much.

Sofia wants to be like
her older siblings, so she
likes to sit down with
crayons or a pencil and play
like she is doing school too.

Its hard for us to help them
when we arent there and its hard
to know we are moving far away.
Pray for each of us as we deal
with these problems.

Support Address : All Points Baptist Mission PO Box 977 New Philadelphia, OH 44663 | Ethan Shields in memo line