Our team of 9 members served in Argentina last month. In addition to helping with some construction work at the Instituto Biblico Rio de la Plata (IBRP), we also planned to host some Ladies Tea events. Early on, we learned the meaning of the word, “flexibility.”

I told the 4 men on the team to be prepared to help with some “finish work.” In my mind that meant things like laying tile, painting, and some trim work. Apparently, “finish work” can have an additional meaning. For example, I never would have thought to define it in terms of mixing and pouring 175 loads of concrete in order to “finish” the base level of the upper 4 floors of the new Student Living and Learning Center. A final “finish level” will be added in the weeks to come.

The 5 ladies on our team had other plans. They intended to host 6 Ladies Tea events; 4 in area churches, in 1 neighborhood Bible Study, and 1 for the female students at IBRP. Our best estimate was to plan to serve upwards of 350 individuals. It’s a good thing they prepared for more. By the end of the trip, our team had served some 495 individuals. Those attending received more than a plate of goodies, a beverage, and a small gift. Many were touched by the love, mercy, and grace expressed by our team. We cried with some, prayed with several, hugged many, and were well-received by all. Imagine our surprise when the pastor of a small church slipped a generous offering into Sheila’s hand and said, “This is to help you continue providing this ministry in the days to come.”

But, the number 36 may mean the most to me.

Each year, OPEN DOORS provides sponsorships for residential Bible School students in Argentina and Bangladesh. For the past few years, we have provided Study Bibles for all of the 4th year residential graduates of IBRP. For most, it is their first Study Bible. While we were in Buenos Aires, we were able to purchase the Bibles for this year’s graduates and I had the opportunity to write a small note of encouragement on the flyleaf and sign each Bible. These 36 graduates will reach hundreds of people over the course of their ministries in the years ahead. How gratifying that we had a small part in helping to provide for their ministry training.

Please notice I said “we had a small part.” Without your help, it wouldn’t be possible. It isn’t about Sheila and me. The 2 of us are blessed to represent you wherever we go.

Sometimes, numbers don’t tell the whole story.

9 team members worked with all their heart; 175 batches of concrete bring the Student Living and Learning Center closer to completion; 495 ladies can now share the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus that they encountered; and Study Bibles for 36 graduating students will provide tools for effective ministry in the years to come.

These numbers don’t lie; they point the way to the Truth.

Blessings to you!

Ric & Sheila Shields

The 1,100 mile drive between Phoenix and Tulsa provides ample opportunity to think and pray. In early-June, somewhere along Route 66, a seed was planted in my heart that took root and grew into an idea. I discussed the idea with only a few, close friends over the course of two months. In the end, the idea became a plan which grew into an opportunity for the Lord to bring about a miracle on behalf of OPEN DOORS.

We are aware that money does not grow on trees, nor is it a by-product of spontaneous generation. The truth is that people sent generous checks and promises of support in envelopes. We also received numerous e-mails and notifications of donations and support from people. In the end, the Lord provided… generous people responded… and we are the beneficiaries of an astonishing outpouring of love and support.

Don’t be mistaken; this was not just a lucky outcome to an ill-conceived idea. Our hearts tell us that an amazing miracle has happened and we believe those who participated will also find the blessing of the Lord in their lives in the days ahead.

In the past 40 days, we have received nearly $120,000 in one-time gifts and monthly pledges. None of it is due to our cleverness. The Lord has done this and we are humbled at His faithfulness and at the love of our partners and friends.

Many fantastic opportunities lie before us. Thank you for helping to bring them within our reach by your support of our ministry through OPEN DOORS.

Blessings!

Ric & Sheila Shields

Weeks later, at the same hospital, I responded again to a similar urging in my heart. But when the elevator door opened to the 3rd floor, no one was there. I walked up and down the hospital hallway, but found no one familiar to me.

Though no one was there, the empty hallway was filled with purpose.

Had I been presumptuous? I hope not. It actually felt like I was just being obedient. Long ago I had learned the Lord uses many different ways to help us hear and respond to Him. Though no one was there, the empty hallway was filled with purpose. I had done what I felt led to do and am confident to this day that it was the right thing.

To those who have already responded to our appeal to raise $100,000 in 40 days, Thank You! Maybe you are one who felt the Lord speak to you about giving but have not yet responded. As humbly as I can ask, would you consider doing what the Holy Spirit urged you to do? Not because of our need, but because the Lord spoke it into your heart. There is a reason why He prompted you. Perhaps, like what happened to me in the hospital that evening, the Lord is providing you with an opportunity to hear and respond in obedience. And, because of your obedience, the blessing of the Lord will come to you, to us, and many to whom we will minister in the coming year.

We have reached 101% of our goal in one-time gifts and 12-month commitments. However, I also know our God loves abundance. Additional funds could make it possible for us to do more than we planned. More student sponsorships. More fresh-water wells. More books written, translated and published. More resources for struggling pastors and churches. Even things we have not yet imagined!

Please understand my heart. I don’t mean to put people into a difficult situation. I am just so confident that the blessing of the Lord rests on generous people (Proverbs 22:9). My hope is that you will be blessed and see the provision of the Lord in all the days ahead.

From the Deepest Part of Our Hearts…Thank You!

Ric & Sheila Shields

These are not people we know.

While we have occasionally seen our photo on the refrigerator of a friend, you won’t read about us in tabloids. You’re not likely to see us on cable or television networks, either.

Others may do a better job of marketing. We’ve tried to stay away from that stuff. It becomes too easy to believe that you’re bigger than life and uniquely anointed.

Like most people, we pay taxes, have a mortgage, car payments, pay taxes, insurance, utilities, all the expenses of living…and we pay taxes. For now, we have suspended making contributions to a retirement program. Maybe next year. We’ll see.

We live in a comfortable home built in 1983 because an amazing friend sold it to us at a price far below market value. We drive used vehicles, and neither the 2007 Malibu nor the 2003 Tacoma are luxury vehicles.

Life and ministry is not all about us. That’s why OPEN DOORS has provided over $1 million dollars to dig fresh-water wells, sponsor Bible School students, and involve people personally in missions and global evangelism all over the world since 1990.

We make every attempt to simply be obedient. We believe God has honored those attempts and the successes of the past 21 years of ministry are due to His blessing upon our feeble attempts.

We are not very popular. That’s okay with us because Jesus never called us to a contest. He called us into a Great Commission. We’re just happy to chip away at helping to advance the Kingdom of God around the world.

Blessings!

Ric & Sheila Shields

“Maybe we should look at it differently,” I responded to my friend. “At the end of last month, it was:
21 years,
6 continents,
24 nations,
90 outreaches,
730 team members,
250 fresh-water wells,
500 Bible School students,
but only one reason.
“The Holy Spirit spoke to our hearts and we responded in obedience. It has taken all of that and 40 days besides.”

Amazing opportunities, combined with hardships, heartaches, and the generous gifts of friends and partners, have brought us to this point. When Sheila and I felt the Lord speak to us about helping people become personally involved in missions and global evangelism 21 years ago, we could not imagine the amazing journey ahead. We are so glad that we took the big step required of us, and will always be grateful to have friends who have helped to make it possible.

Blessings!

Ric & Sheila Shields

Sheila sees things differently now. Actually, these glasses were donated with the hope of helping someone in Mexico. We were glad to not find anyone with such poor vision who could benefit from them.

I have gone to Romania each of the past three years with small teams of ladies. Together, we worked with missionaries and pastors in village churches. In each place, we provided a “Ladies Tea” — a special reception in the churches where ladies were encouraged to invite their friends and neighbors.

We have watched the hard, tired faces of the ladies as they arrived and turned to us with wary glances. Soon, their faces relaxed and their countenances changed as smiles replaced the wrinkled lines.

After playing some games, serving snacks, and performing simple skits, we gave testimonies of God’s activity in our lives and presented a story of God’s love to them. We prayed with those that wanted us to and gave each one a small gift as they left.

Last October, OPEN DOORS provided a Ladies Tea in Egypt for the pastor’s wives at a conference. Because women are still quite marginalized there, they were surprised that someone would arrange something special for them. Some were still talking about it just last month when Ric returned to Egypt!

This year, October 19-29, we will take another team to Argentina. Can you guess what the ladies will be doing? If your first thought was, “Ladies Teas,” you are right! We will work with ladies and their guests from various churches in and around Buenos Aires. We will touch their lives face-to-face, hug-by-hug, and give God opportunities to work through us to show Himself huge on their behalf.

This process has wriggled its way into my heart. It takes so little to impact a life. It is so simple. No spectacular gifts or skills are required.

I have a sense that God may continue to use OPEN DOORS in this way in the future, and I just cannot get enough of watching bleakness turn into hope. We just give of ourselves and reap the rewards of encouraged lives and the giving of hope where hope and encouragement have faded away.

Thank you so much for believing in us. And thank you for giving to help us change lives around the world with the grace, love, and joy found in following Jesus wherever we go.

While some people are worried about the economy, this guy is only worried about the bird on top of his head.

Some people think this is a bad time to ask for money. It isn’t.

We know that God is at His best when the timing couldn’t seem worse. He is like that. And, God is definitely up to something good.

Although our full-time employment situation has changed (not what people hope for in their mid-50′s), we are not ready to become Super Center door-greeters. We have decided to NOT quit.

In order to continue for the next year, Sheila and I need to raise $100,000 in the next 40 days. The good news is that it doesn’t all have to come in at once. It’s okay with us if the money is committed over the next 12 months.

Let’s say you are already supporting OPEN DOORS with $50 per month (some give less while others give even more). Just drop us a note (opendoorsinc@aol.com) and let us know if that is the amount you plan to give for the next 12 months. It is not a legally-binding contract. We will only receive a gift as the Lord provides you with sufficient resources. No, we will not hound you if something happens and you are unable to give.

Or, maybe you don’t like monthly commitments. No problem. We also appreciate generous, one-time gifts. One deposit, one receipt, two happy campers… you and us.

We are asking for your financial help and support in the next 40 days because we do not have time to schedule church services from coast-to-coast. We just have too much to do.

In the past six months, Sheila and I have traveled over 35,000 miles; served in Romania, Detroit (it’s really like another country), Egypt and Mexico. We have witnessed amazing miracles, supernatural healings, and have seen God intervene in impossible situations.

In the next six months, we are scheduled to be in Argentina, Australia and be involved in other ministry engagements on both sides of those trips. We have no doubt that the Lord will continue to do things beyond our ability to imagine. But, as you know, there is a cost for doing ministry. Airline tickets, housing, meals, ground transportation, and project costs are just some of the expenses we face with every outreach. Of course, there are ongoing ministry expenses, too.

Will you join us in believing for a miracle? From now through the end of September we will send out an update of where we stand on every Tuesday afternoon. You will receive a final report on the afternoon of September 30th.

We believe you will be encouraged… and that we will be, too.

Blessings!

Ric & Sheila Shields

P.S. Actually, there may have never been a better time to ask for help. Especially when you know that people believe in the very thing you’re doing.

Please Pray For Us … Especially This Summer

We have an intense ministry and outreach schedule this summer. Thanks for standing with us as we minister the love, grace, and joy found in following Jesus wherever we go.

July 6-12—Dearborn, Michigan
Ric will lead the youth group from Carbondale Assembly of God to work in Dearborn, MI. Music, drama, ESL training, and presentations on satellite television will be used to share the love of Christ.

July 16-25 — Cairo, Egypt
Ric will travel to Egypt to participate in a young adult conference. Young leaders from across Egypt will gather together for a time of worship, teaching, and spiritual encouragement.

July 27–August 13 — Mexico City
Ric & Sheila will travel to Mexico City to minister with churches serving the poor in their local communities. Coordinated by Operation Serve Int’l, medical, dental, optical, hair care, and children’s ministries will help teams to share the love of Christ in Word and Deed.

It’s not too late to join us in Mexico City. Please contact us ASAP for information on how you can be a part of this important outreach, too.

October 19-29 — Buenos Aires, Argentina
We are still planning to lead a team to Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 19-29, 2011. Plan to join us on this extraordinary opportunity to visit the Instituto Biblico Rio de la Plata, be encouraged by the students who sacrifice to attend the school, enjoy fabulous food, and the warm hospitality offered by the Argentines. Sheila and the ladies of our group will be hosting tea parties as outreaches for local churches in the area. These special receptions have previously been well-received in Romania and Egypt. We have every reason to believe they will be effective in Argentina, too. If you would like to join us in Argentina, we need to hear from you by August 1st.

Thanks for all you do to help us do all we can. Without your help… your faithful and generous gifts and prayer support… none of this would be possible.

Blessings!

It’s exciting because we have the opportunity for a greater investment of our time, more flexibility, and additional opportunities to visit with friends and churches to tell the story of the ministry we have shared for over 21 years. The anxious moments come when we realize the resources we must find in order to continue full-time in this position.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer, financial support, and friendship. Without that base, we would have nothing to hold onto in the days ahead. Quite honestly, that base needs to expand a lot and it needs to expand very quickly.

We believe the Lord has ordered our steps. He will be our Provider, our Advocate, and our Way-Maker. He knows we’re human and that we may get anxious at times. But, we know He is God and that He is Good…All the Time!

Blessings!

Ric Shields

Your financial support is needed and appreciated. Please mail your gift to:

OPEN DOORS, Inc.
PO Box 2023
Broken Arrow, OK 74013

Or click here to give online!