Ministry Update: Sewing for Jesus
Hortense Clossou (right) and dressmaker with first machine for The Tabitha Project in Benin, West Africa.
Dear Partner,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1Corinthians 1:18, NKJV)
I had a great meeting at a church in a nation in India by Zoom, the online video chat service. Several pastors from other churches in India also participated.
I preached on “The Power of the Cross.” I continue to see that this is the message that is most needed in the world today. It’s about a God who loved us so much He sent His Son to die for our sins that we might receive forgiveness, healing, and deliverance from the pit of despair.
The pastors told me that they were very blessed and encouraged, and that the message brought them back to their roots in the Gospel. You can watch or listen to “The Power of the Cross” here.
The Tabitha Project
Thanks to everyone who sewed (rather sowed) into the Tabitha Sewing Project. As I mentioned last month, we are helping our friends, Apostle Isaac and Hortense Clossou, to start a sewing center in Cotonou, Benin, West Africa. This is a part of our ongoing outreach in this nation, which also includes the Mt. Moriah Bible School and Ministry Center in the village of Danzounmey, which we are helping to construct.
The Tabitha Project is based on the woman in Acts 9:36-43. Here’s some of what we know about Tabitha:
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- Her name means beauty and grace
- She was a disciple of the Lord
- She was full of good works and giving
- She was loved and well respected for her craft
- She was raised from the dead.
The Tabitha Project has a goal of restoring the women of Benin to life spiritually, emotionally, financially, socially, and physically, and to cause women to see their value and purpose in life and release the beauty which is within them.
In July, we helped with the purchase of a sewing machine and supplies for the center. In August, with the help of our partners, we were able to provide finances for three months of salary for a dressmaker. The dressmaker is also serving as a teacher of young women who want to learn the craft of sewing and dressmaking.
Isaac and Hortense report that there is great excitement about the new center. The center is flourishing in their home and they report, “Our children are very happy for this center and even written on the wall of our home ‘Tabitha Sewing Center.’” Women from their church are getting involved and the center has already made $8.00 by repairing clothes. They are also presently making clothes to sell in the marketplace for 5 to 10 year-old girls.
We are praising God that more than enough funds came in last month for the dressmaker’s salary for three months, so we plan to use the additional funds towards the purchase of a high-quality industrial machine for the center. The second machine will enable them to be much more productive and to involve more women in The Tabitha Project.
Please pray for The Tabitha Project. We are envisioning more sewing centers in the villages of Benin in the future. The average annual income in Benin is $828, and many women are desperate for a way to make a living. Without income, many of them have no hope and are forced into unhappy marriages at an early age. These centers would be connected with Apostle Clossou’s network of churches and be a part of a national cooperative. But before we go forward with other centers, the pattern must be established in the first center. Please pray with us as we test the waters in this new venture.
Please continue to pray for The Benin Bible School Project at the Mt. Moriah Bible School and Ministry Center in the village of Danzounmey in southern Benin, West Africa.. The next step is a concrete roof (approximately $5,000) for the dormitory. This will provide much-needed housing and classroom space for the students, who are eager to learn and take the Gospel to rural areas of Benin. A local church has been established at the center, which allows the students to put into practice what they are learning in the classroom. There is water on the property from the well which the Lord provided through this ministry, and we have been able to provide some food, but the great need now is for housing for the students, who are living in primitive and uncomfortable conditions.
Changing Lives through the Printed Word
We received the following email from Benin, West Africa concerning the French translation of my book, “You Can Touch the World,” which we distributed there last year. It’s encouraging to see that the seeds we have planted are growing. Chapter 4 which he mentions is about how our hearts must be aligned with the heart of God for people who are away from the Lord.
Dear Minister of Jesus, I am going through this little note to bless the Lord for your life. I have read your book “You Can Touch the World,” and I assure you that Chapter 4 totally changed my life. I understood what was missing and I had the impression that my efforts for evangelization were not yielding fruit. The Lord bless you more in the name of Jesus. I write to you from Benin and I answer to the name of Akpahouzo T. Bernadin, disciple of Jesus.
Thank you for your prayers for Susan and me and our family, for all our partners, for the missionaries we support, and the ongoing work of Tom Shanklin Ministries. We are standing with you also as we all face the challenges that are in our nation, around the world, and in our own lives. It is a time for all of us to continue to dig deep in the Word of God, huddle next to the Lord, and find our strength in Him. May God richly bless you in His presence, in Jesus’ name.
Yours for Jesus, the Hope of the world,
Tom Shanklin
Comments on “Winning Over Depression” and “Picture Perfect”
This [depression] is a big issue here I have forwarded to those who I thought would benefit. (Wales)
Tom – Yes! Keep praising the Lord! Such power in praise! Thank you Jesus for your Holy Word and The Holy Spirit who brings the Word Alive!! Susan – Your Pitcher Perfect was Picture Perfect. The Joy of the Lord is OUR strength!! (Arizona)
Hi Tom! Just a note to encourage you. Your last newsletter was outstanding! (North Dakota)
A perfect and timely sermon for today. It’s true depression is affecting many people in the world. You said well that Satan condemns us by reminding us our past deeds. He wants to make us feel guilty so that we lose focus on God. My dear brother, it is as if this sermon was prepared with me in mind. (Kenya)