At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. (Philippians 4:18-20, NLT)
With just a few small changes his words are still applicable today for the Shogren family: “We too have all we need – and more! We have been generously supplied with the gifts many of you have sent online or through the mail. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of us will supply all YOUR needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now ALL GLORY TO GOD our Father forever and ever!”
Every day there are unlimited reminders of your generous faithfulness: every time we go food shopping or pay our electric bill, it is a testament to God’s faithfulness through you. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts! Without you we would not be able to focus on our ministries in Costa Rica and elsewhere, training church leaders and missionaries through teaching, mentoring, and writing.
Now there is a new reminder of God’s generous provision at our house – in the garage! Thank you, Rose family, for your over-the-top generous gift of a 2011 Nissan Murano with only 43,000 miles logged on it!
As I was beginning to write a new program for training church leaders how to combat sexual abuse, I suddenly realized that a safe and reliable car would be critical for me to be able to travel around the country for teaching sessions. We have a beautiful, powerful, trustworthy car ready for work! And the Rose family also gave us enough money to repair our old car, so the ultimate luxury is that for the first time in 20+ years, Gary and I EACH have a working car!
Thank you. Thank you Rose family, thank you supporting churches, thank you to each of you who support us monthly or occasionally. There aren’t big enough words to express our gratitude for how you make it possible for us to do volunteer ministry full-time. Not only that, but Paul reminds us that your gifts “are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.” God himself is pleased that you have generously given to us, and he considers it to also be a gift to him. Kind of like two-for-one credit!
I also thank God this month, and my team, for getting us safely and successfully through another Missionary Kid retreat in Honduras!
We take joy in knowing that “this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches”. And together we echo Paul once more: “Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
Karen Shogren
Gary Shogren
Shogrens in Costa Rica 