T2 Team in Action

So what are these Transformation Teams all about? A good way to find out a little more is to visit the T2 Blueprint site. We are excited to be on a team with the B. Hower, McManus, and O'Brien families. We will be encouraging each other in ministry and personal accountability and generally be caring for each other. We trust that through fellowship and interaction as a team we can grow to be better disciples and more effective disciple-makers.

So what does this look like? One example happened just recently as the O'Briens arrived back in Mexico after their home assignment. They are moving from Cuernavaca to San Juan del Rio. One team member came up with the idea of getting a little welcome gift together - snacks, cleaning supplies, etc. So we all got a few things together. Some painting needs to be done in their new house, so the guys got together to help paint last Friday. In general, it is caring for and serving one another. Of course, while the painting was being done the guys had a chance to fellowship and goof off, and so did two of the gals. We are excited about our T2 team, and look forward to seeing what God will do in and through us!


Alan and Brock rockin' and rollin'


Tim does a painting balancing act


We'll try not to kill each other!

Smith Prayer & Praise - January 2009

Your prayers for us are a blessing! We had a whirlwind finish to 2008, and are excited about all that God is doing as we start 2009. We have posted some new photos here: http://www.smithconnection.com/2009/01/photo_highlights_winter_0809.html for you to check out. After this “catch-up” photo update, we plan to update you a little differently this year through more regular blog posts and photos. For now here are a few prayer items:

- We praise God for a great family time in Guatemala over the Holidays. It was so nice to be together with all of Lori’s family and have some down time together.
- Please pray for the vision and plans for the New Birth Bible church in 2009. We are excited to be working together with a good group of fellow missionaries and national leaders, and the church is growing.
- We praise God for His leading in our transition as a mission. Bryan is continuing to help make some changes, and things are starting to some together. Please keep praying.
- Please pray for our involvement in the discipleship of some believers at church – our desire is to help facilitate growth in their love and service for God
- We praise God for our new “Transformation Team” – these teams are designed to help us in BEING and MAKING disciples. Bryan is leading our team of four young missionary families.
- Please pray that we will be consistent and effective in training Kendra, Tara, and Ben for God’s glory. We are excited about a new MK homeschooling co-op that just started in our area.

Thanks again for your prayers! We will be in touch.

Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

Photo Highlights - Winter 08/09

Click on the thumbnail to go to our Picasa photo site, or watch the slideshow below.

Winter 08/09

Prayer Letter - Dec. 2008

Click below for our Dec. 2008 prayer letter in either PDF or Word

PDF: Download file

WORD: Download file

Smith Prayer & Praise - November 2008

Just a quick update from the midst of a busy time:

- Praise God for the safe trip I had to Texas earlier this month – the meetings having to do with our mission’s transition were tiring, but good.
- Praise God for our pastor, Dr. Randy Pelton, from Calvary Bible Church in Mount Joy, PA, who is here in Mexico with us. He gave an excellent seminar at our church for preachers and teachers from our region about how to preach and teach the Bible more accurately. We heard a lot of good reports from those who attended. He then preached in our church on Sunday – a great message. This weekend he will be the keynote speaker at our CAM Mexico Missionary Fellowship Conference.
- Please pray for some upcoming activities that we are responsible for organizing: our Field Conference this weekend and a Christmas Pastor’s Appreciation Lunch in our region next weekend.
- Please pray for me as I help lead part of our mission’s transition to a new focus and structure – there are quite a few deadlines to meet between now and the end of the year! Pray for wisdom and time.
- Please pray for Lori’s health as we check into some recent ongoing difficulties and look for the right direction for treatment.

Thanks for your prayers! We value them greatly!
Bryan, for the Smith family

Smith Prayer & Praise - October 2008

We would appreciate your prayers for us in these busy times. See some new photo highlights from the last couple of months here: http://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/PhotoHighlightsFall2008#

Here are some prayer items:

- We praise God for…
…the many miles traveled and activities carried out safely over the last few months
…three new homeschooling coop opportunities with other MKs (science, music, & reading)
…being able to hold our Sunday services in a new, bigger area – more visitors coming to church regularly
…the arrival of a new missionary family, Brent & Le’Ann Downs, to Queretaro – they plan to assist the New Birth Bible Church in the development of a new community outreach center
…the safe arrival of Dinorah, who has been on an OM missions ship over the last two years, back to Mexico – her time seems to have been life-changing

- Please pray for…
…Bryan’s involvement in meetings in the Dallas, TX area from October 26-31 regarding a refocusing and restructuring of our mission – for wisdom and direction
…safety and health (physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental) of our family in the continued busy weeks and months ahead
…the development of the new community outreach center – for God’s provision for all aspects of this new ministry – that disciples will be made through this for His glory
…the planning and carrying out of our annual CAM Mexico Fellowship Conference – the circuit we are leading is in charge of it this year – we are excited to have the pastor of our home church, Dr. Randy Pelton, as the main speaker at this conference. He will also be giving a conference to the churches in our area on Preaching and Teaching God’s Word Accurately.

Thanks for your interest and prayers!
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

Photo Highlights - Fall 2008

Click on the thumbnail to go to our Picasa photo site, or see the slideshow below.

Photo Highlights - Fall 2008