Thanks so much for your continued prayers for us. Here is a quick update on what the Lord is doing here in Queretaro, Mexico:
1. We had about 75 community children, the majority unsaved, in attendance for our first day of VBS yesterday - a great turnout for the first day! Please continue to pray that God would prepare and touch the hearts of the children who are attending and for strength and joy for the staff. We praise God that we also had a great turnout of helpers from the church.
2. Please continue to pray for our church property purchase. There are still some details to be cared for in order for the purchase to go through. The process has been quite time consuming and at times frustrating. Also please pray for a miracle to happen, and that all the funds would come through in order for us to pay the property in full very soon.
Thanks! We trust your summer is going well. Drop us a line to let us know how we can pray for you too!
God Bless,
Bryan & Lori, Kendra, Tara, and Ben
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Smith Prayer & Praise - July 2011
Some exciting things are happening here in Mexico! We would appreciate your prayers.
1. After an almost two year process our church will finally be a legally recognized church. Tomorrow one of our national co-workers, Mauricio, will receive our A.R. (Religious Association) from the government in Mexico City. We PRAISE GOD for this important step in the life of the New Birth Bible Church!
2. The church was thrilled to have missionaries that we support in Turkey, Alex and Liz Pantoja, in our service this past Sunday. It was exciting to listen to the Pantoja's report after their first term on the field, and to hear the enthusiasm of the church people in their questions for and interest in the Pantoja's ministry. We PRAISE GOD for what He is doing with Latin American missionaries in different parts of the world, and ask you to PRAY for the Pantojas as their third baby is due at the beginning of August and as they prepare to head back to Turkey later this year.
3. We PRAISE GOD that the church is close to receiving a mortgage in order to finish paying for the church property. God has provided for about 53% of the total so far, so the necessary mortgage is for less than half of the total. The owner urgently needs to be paid, so please PRAY that everything would go through soon, and that God would continue to provide for the project to be completed and the mortgage paid off quickly.
4. This coming week, July 18-22, we will be having up to 120 kids running around our church property - we will be holding our yearly VBS. Please PRAY that God would use this time to impact the lives of the children who attend and the lives of their families with the Gospel message. Please PRAY for strength and energy for those of us who will be working with the kids.
5. We PRAISE GOD for a quick trip Lori was able to take to Dallas to spend some time with her sisters and mom. The trip is also helpful for picking up our home schooling books, VBS supplies, and other needed items. Please PRAY for safety in her return flight tomorrow.
Thanks for your time and effort in prayer for us and the ministry here in Mexico!
Bryan & Lori, Kendra, Tara, and Ben
1. After an almost two year process our church will finally be a legally recognized church. Tomorrow one of our national co-workers, Mauricio, will receive our A.R. (Religious Association) from the government in Mexico City. We PRAISE GOD for this important step in the life of the New Birth Bible Church!
2. The church was thrilled to have missionaries that we support in Turkey, Alex and Liz Pantoja, in our service this past Sunday. It was exciting to listen to the Pantoja's report after their first term on the field, and to hear the enthusiasm of the church people in their questions for and interest in the Pantoja's ministry. We PRAISE GOD for what He is doing with Latin American missionaries in different parts of the world, and ask you to PRAY for the Pantojas as their third baby is due at the beginning of August and as they prepare to head back to Turkey later this year.
3. We PRAISE GOD that the church is close to receiving a mortgage in order to finish paying for the church property. God has provided for about 53% of the total so far, so the necessary mortgage is for less than half of the total. The owner urgently needs to be paid, so please PRAY that everything would go through soon, and that God would continue to provide for the project to be completed and the mortgage paid off quickly.
4. This coming week, July 18-22, we will be having up to 120 kids running around our church property - we will be holding our yearly VBS. Please PRAY that God would use this time to impact the lives of the children who attend and the lives of their families with the Gospel message. Please PRAY for strength and energy for those of us who will be working with the kids.
5. We PRAISE GOD for a quick trip Lori was able to take to Dallas to spend some time with her sisters and mom. The trip is also helpful for picking up our home schooling books, VBS supplies, and other needed items. Please PRAY for safety in her return flight tomorrow.
Thanks for your time and effort in prayer for us and the ministry here in Mexico!
Bryan & Lori, Kendra, Tara, and Ben
Monday, June 20, 2011
Smith Prayer & Praise - June 2011
Thanks again for your faithful support and encouragement for us! Here are a few current prayer items:
1. VBS will be held here July 18-22. Last year we had 120 kids in attendance and expect similar numbers this year. As you may recall, one of the church neighbor girls who attended last year trusted in Christ. She got baptized earlier this year, and her parents started studying the Bible with us. They recently trusted in Christ as well, and are now faithfully attending church as a family and being discipled. Please pray for God to work in hearts this year as well, and for strength for all the staff during this busy week.
2. Praise God that Bryan graduated and has now completed the first draft of his thesis. It is now in the editing process. The thesis topic is the holistic care of couples in church leadership, and we are praying that God would use us to support the churches in our area of Mexico in this way if it would be His will. Please pray for the final editing of the thesis and the conclusion of the Masters' program.
3. Please pray for our opportunities for discipleship. Here are some specific names of some of those whom we are currently discipling: Rut, Lupita, Pedro, Mario & Anabel, and Lucina. Also please pray for a marriage study group we are leading in conjunction with Jose Luis & Estrella. Please pray for the marriages of Rodrigo & Alejandra, Carlos & Letty, and David & Paty.
4. Please continue to pray for the Square Meters for Christ church property purchase project.
Thanks so much for your partnership with us for the expansion of the Gospel in Central Mexico!
Bryan & Lori, and kids
1. VBS will be held here July 18-22. Last year we had 120 kids in attendance and expect similar numbers this year. As you may recall, one of the church neighbor girls who attended last year trusted in Christ. She got baptized earlier this year, and her parents started studying the Bible with us. They recently trusted in Christ as well, and are now faithfully attending church as a family and being discipled. Please pray for God to work in hearts this year as well, and for strength for all the staff during this busy week.
2. Praise God that Bryan graduated and has now completed the first draft of his thesis. It is now in the editing process. The thesis topic is the holistic care of couples in church leadership, and we are praying that God would use us to support the churches in our area of Mexico in this way if it would be His will. Please pray for the final editing of the thesis and the conclusion of the Masters' program.
3. Please pray for our opportunities for discipleship. Here are some specific names of some of those whom we are currently discipling: Rut, Lupita, Pedro, Mario & Anabel, and Lucina. Also please pray for a marriage study group we are leading in conjunction with Jose Luis & Estrella. Please pray for the marriages of Rodrigo & Alejandra, Carlos & Letty, and David & Paty.
4. Please continue to pray for the Square Meters for Christ church property purchase project.
Thanks so much for your partnership with us for the expansion of the Gospel in Central Mexico!
Bryan & Lori, and kids
Monday, May 23, 2011
Prayer Update - May 22, 2011
Here are a few current prayer items:
1. PRAISE GOD for the salvation of Mario and Anabel! Bryan, and one of his disciples, Cesar, have been studying the Bible with them and they trusted in Christ this past Saturday, May 21. For those who have been following their story, they are neighbors of the church property. It is their daughter, Isa, who trusted in Christ at our VBS last year and got baptized last month. Her parent's interest was sparked by her testimony and baptism. PLEASE PRAY for their new life and growth in Christ as we continue to study with them.
2. PRAISE GOD for His provision for some good focused time for Bryan to work on his masters' thesis the last two weeks. Some great headway has been made. PLEASE PRAY for him as he wraps up his thesis process. Lord willing he will graduate on June 4, and have about two months to completely finish the thesis project.
3. PRAISE GOD for His continued provision for the Square Meters for Christ church property project. We still have a good ways to go on our fund-raising, about half of the total, but the Lord is continuing to provide. PLEASE PRAY for the Lord to provide the financing necessary. The owner needs the church to pay him the total amount due at this time, so the church is working on taking out a mortgage which can be paid off as soon as possible without penalty.
4. PRAISE GOD for the four leaders who recently graduated from a two-year leadership training program that Bryan facilitated. PLEASE PRAY that God will continue to use them for His honor and glory in the New Birth Bible Church of Queretaro. Follow this link for some photos of the graduation: https://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/LeadershipTrainingGraduation?feat=directlink
Thanks for you prayers for us! God is working!
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, and Ben
Monday, May 9, 2011
Smith Praise, Prayer, & Pictures - May 2011
Here is the latest from Queretaro. Thanks for praying!
PRAISE:
- Bryan was able to conclude the two year leadership training program with the four men from the New Birth Bible Church here in Queretaro. We will hold a small graduation ceremony during part of the church service this coming Sunday, May 15. We praise God for these men and their families and for how He is using them to build up His church here in Queretaro.
- We are in celebration mode this time of year in Mexico. Last week we held a special service in celebration of Children's Day - the kids enjoyed a special program while the adults were taught some Biblical principles for parenting by a fellow missionary and friend, Brock Hower. We concluded our time together with a Christian clown show and a cake. Yesterday we had a special Mother's Day service. We praise God for the 24 mothers who were in attendance. The men and youth surprised the mothers with a breakfast of tamales. During the breakfast they were serenaded with some special Mother's Day songs. We then had an interactive teaching time geared toward the moms. We praise God for these special times as a body of believers. (See a link for pictures below)
- Our children are completing their school year here at home. Kendra is finishing 6th grade, Tara 4th, and Ben 2nd. Ben is also enjoying learning and growing in Taekwondo. He is also into spinning tops - a current fad here in Mexico - and building with Legos. The girls are enjoying some dancing lessons and the both love reading. They all love our dog, Tanner, and help care for him. They recently enjoyed an MK spiritual emphasis camp. (See links for pictures below)
PRAYER:
- Bryan needs to dedicate some concentrated time on completing his thesis. It is progressing well, but sometimes it is hard to get some good focused time with everything else going on. The goal is to finish the thesis by the end of July. Please pray for some good, concentrated time to be able to be dedicated.
- We would ask for your continued prayers for the church property purchase project. We are currently at the halfway mark and trust that the Lord will continue to provide for the project to be completed. In the mean time the church is in the process of taking out a mortgage to in order to finish paying the owner. If you are interested in more details you can either write to us or visit the following link: http://www.smithconnection.com/2010/10/square_meters_for_christ_prope.html
- Please continue to pray for our new Bible studies. Mario and Anabel continue to study faithfully and seem to be very close to trusting in Christ as their Saviour. Luis Enrique still seems to be far off, but we know God can touch his heart. Pedro continues to be very committed to grow in his faith. Lucina also continues to attend church and Lori is following up with her. We praise God that other church families are also reaching out to friends and relatives and we are seeing growth.
PICTURES:
- You can see some pictures from the Children's and Mother's Day events at the following link: https://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/ChildrenSMotherSDay?feat=directlink
- You can view some pictures from the MK spiritual emphasis camp here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/SECAmealco2011?feat=directlink
- You can see some recent pictures of the kids here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/KendraTaraBenMay2011?feat=directlink
Thanks for being an important part of our team!
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben
PRAISE:
- Bryan was able to conclude the two year leadership training program with the four men from the New Birth Bible Church here in Queretaro. We will hold a small graduation ceremony during part of the church service this coming Sunday, May 15. We praise God for these men and their families and for how He is using them to build up His church here in Queretaro.
- We are in celebration mode this time of year in Mexico. Last week we held a special service in celebration of Children's Day - the kids enjoyed a special program while the adults were taught some Biblical principles for parenting by a fellow missionary and friend, Brock Hower. We concluded our time together with a Christian clown show and a cake. Yesterday we had a special Mother's Day service. We praise God for the 24 mothers who were in attendance. The men and youth surprised the mothers with a breakfast of tamales. During the breakfast they were serenaded with some special Mother's Day songs. We then had an interactive teaching time geared toward the moms. We praise God for these special times as a body of believers. (See a link for pictures below)
- Our children are completing their school year here at home. Kendra is finishing 6th grade, Tara 4th, and Ben 2nd. Ben is also enjoying learning and growing in Taekwondo. He is also into spinning tops - a current fad here in Mexico - and building with Legos. The girls are enjoying some dancing lessons and the both love reading. They all love our dog, Tanner, and help care for him. They recently enjoyed an MK spiritual emphasis camp. (See links for pictures below)
PRAYER:
- Bryan needs to dedicate some concentrated time on completing his thesis. It is progressing well, but sometimes it is hard to get some good focused time with everything else going on. The goal is to finish the thesis by the end of July. Please pray for some good, concentrated time to be able to be dedicated.
- We would ask for your continued prayers for the church property purchase project. We are currently at the halfway mark and trust that the Lord will continue to provide for the project to be completed. In the mean time the church is in the process of taking out a mortgage to in order to finish paying the owner. If you are interested in more details you can either write to us or visit the following link: http://www.smithconnection.com/2010/10/square_meters_for_christ_prope.html
- Please continue to pray for our new Bible studies. Mario and Anabel continue to study faithfully and seem to be very close to trusting in Christ as their Saviour. Luis Enrique still seems to be far off, but we know God can touch his heart. Pedro continues to be very committed to grow in his faith. Lucina also continues to attend church and Lori is following up with her. We praise God that other church families are also reaching out to friends and relatives and we are seeing growth.
PICTURES:
- You can see some pictures from the Children's and Mother's Day events at the following link: https://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/ChildrenSMotherSDay?feat=directlink
- You can view some pictures from the MK spiritual emphasis camp here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/SECAmealco2011?feat=directlink
- You can see some recent pictures of the kids here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/KendraTaraBenMay2011?feat=directlink
Thanks for being an important part of our team!
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Smith Prayer & Praise - April 11, 2011
We praise God for...
...a baptismal service held yesterday, April 10. We praise God for the 11 believers who got baptized from the New Birth Bible Church, including our son, Ben. Four others from other churches that joined us were baptized as well. It was special for Ben to be able to be baptized by his dad, and by both his Grandpa Wenger and Grandpa Smith. We praise God for those who were baptized and trust that they will continue to grow in their faith. You can read more about the day and see some pictures at the following link: https://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/2011Baptisms?feat=directlink
...a visit from Lori´s parents. We have greatly enjoyed having them here in Mexico with us for a few days.
...an MK spiritual emphasis camp that our family will be involved with starting on Wednesday, and through Saturday. Our kids are looking forward to being with some of their friends, and Lori and I will be helping with the camp. My (Bryan's) parents will be involved as resident grandparents for the camp!
Please pray for...
...a Bible church in the nearby city of Celaya that is going through some difficult times of division. I have been asked to help them sort through the situation, and have tried to help. It has been sad to see how the enemy is attacking the church. Please pray that the problem may be resolved and that those causing division will either leave or submit to the church leadership.
...continued opportunities that we have to study God's Word with believers and unbelievers. Pray that God would continue to work in hearts and open eyes. It was exciting to see Issa, the little church neighbor girl, be baptized and have her parents, Mario and Anabel, attend the service. They have been attending church regularly now, and are studying the Bible with us. Please continue to pray for Luis Enrique, Pedro, and Lucina as God works in their lives.
...a marriage study group that we have the opportunity to be leading along with José Luis and Estrella. Pray that God would continue to work in marriages and families here for His honor and glory.
Thanks so much for standing with us through your prayers as we make disciples in Central Mexico!
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara. and Ben
...a baptismal service held yesterday, April 10. We praise God for the 11 believers who got baptized from the New Birth Bible Church, including our son, Ben. Four others from other churches that joined us were baptized as well. It was special for Ben to be able to be baptized by his dad, and by both his Grandpa Wenger and Grandpa Smith. We praise God for those who were baptized and trust that they will continue to grow in their faith. You can read more about the day and see some pictures at the following link: https://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/2011Baptisms?feat=directlink
...a visit from Lori´s parents. We have greatly enjoyed having them here in Mexico with us for a few days.
...an MK spiritual emphasis camp that our family will be involved with starting on Wednesday, and through Saturday. Our kids are looking forward to being with some of their friends, and Lori and I will be helping with the camp. My (Bryan's) parents will be involved as resident grandparents for the camp!
Please pray for...
...a Bible church in the nearby city of Celaya that is going through some difficult times of division. I have been asked to help them sort through the situation, and have tried to help. It has been sad to see how the enemy is attacking the church. Please pray that the problem may be resolved and that those causing division will either leave or submit to the church leadership.
...continued opportunities that we have to study God's Word with believers and unbelievers. Pray that God would continue to work in hearts and open eyes. It was exciting to see Issa, the little church neighbor girl, be baptized and have her parents, Mario and Anabel, attend the service. They have been attending church regularly now, and are studying the Bible with us. Please continue to pray for Luis Enrique, Pedro, and Lucina as God works in their lives.
...a marriage study group that we have the opportunity to be leading along with José Luis and Estrella. Pray that God would continue to work in marriages and families here for His honor and glory.
Thanks so much for standing with us through your prayers as we make disciples in Central Mexico!
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara. and Ben
Friday, March 11, 2011
Smith Prayer & Praise - March 2011
Please keep us in your prayers as the Lord opens doors of opportunity for us here in Mexico:
1. You may remember Isa - an eight-year-old girl who lives in an apartment next to the church who attended our VBS last summer and has been faithfully attending church by herself. We are holding a baptismal service on April 10, and she signed up to be baptized. We have been trying to reach out to her parents, and they have been a little slow in responding so far, but this seems to be a perfect opportunity to bring the Gospel to them. We have a meeting set with them for this weekend to explain what baptism entails and get their permission for their daughter to be baptized. When we set the meeting up her father sounded very positive about it and said that they have seen many good changes in their daughter! Please pray that Isa's parents will come to Christ through this opportunity.
2. Please be in prayer for Luis Enrique, a man that God brought to us in an interesting way. He had been in communication with one of our national co-workers, Mauricio, who owns a medical network company, and had asked him if he had anybody in his network who does hypnosis. Mauricio said he did not, and asked him what he was dealing with. He mentioned the problems he was dealing with, and Mauricio asked him if he had ever considered biblical counseling and gave him our number. We have had the opportunity to meet with him twice now, and he seems very interested, although he is quite intellectual and skeptical. We know God can soften his heart. Will you please pray to that end?
3. As many of our fellow missionaries have had to leave this region due to various circumstances we find that we are increasingly being contacted about different needs and issues and a variety of ministry opportunities. Please pray that we would have wisdom in knowing when and how to help in each situation, and that we might not stretch ourselves too thin.
4. Please be in prayer for Bryan's masters' ministry/thesis project on providing holistic help to couples in church leadership. Good progress is being made. The thesis will cover and propose many more opportunities than we will be able to personally pursue, but this ministry excites us.
5. Please be in prayer for the Square Meters for Christ property project. At about 48% of the total needed we have almost reached the half-way point. The owner has been patient with us, and very helpful in giving us time to keep paying little by little. We praise God that there have been good offerings here at the church in Queretaro the last two months. Would you ask the Lord how He might use you in this opportunity? Here is a link to more information about the project on our website: http://www.smithconnection.com/2010/10/square_meters_for_christ_prope.html
Thanks for taking the opportunity to pray for us. God is working!
Bryan & Lori and family
1. You may remember Isa - an eight-year-old girl who lives in an apartment next to the church who attended our VBS last summer and has been faithfully attending church by herself. We are holding a baptismal service on April 10, and she signed up to be baptized. We have been trying to reach out to her parents, and they have been a little slow in responding so far, but this seems to be a perfect opportunity to bring the Gospel to them. We have a meeting set with them for this weekend to explain what baptism entails and get their permission for their daughter to be baptized. When we set the meeting up her father sounded very positive about it and said that they have seen many good changes in their daughter! Please pray that Isa's parents will come to Christ through this opportunity.
2. Please be in prayer for Luis Enrique, a man that God brought to us in an interesting way. He had been in communication with one of our national co-workers, Mauricio, who owns a medical network company, and had asked him if he had anybody in his network who does hypnosis. Mauricio said he did not, and asked him what he was dealing with. He mentioned the problems he was dealing with, and Mauricio asked him if he had ever considered biblical counseling and gave him our number. We have had the opportunity to meet with him twice now, and he seems very interested, although he is quite intellectual and skeptical. We know God can soften his heart. Will you please pray to that end?
3. As many of our fellow missionaries have had to leave this region due to various circumstances we find that we are increasingly being contacted about different needs and issues and a variety of ministry opportunities. Please pray that we would have wisdom in knowing when and how to help in each situation, and that we might not stretch ourselves too thin.
4. Please be in prayer for Bryan's masters' ministry/thesis project on providing holistic help to couples in church leadership. Good progress is being made. The thesis will cover and propose many more opportunities than we will be able to personally pursue, but this ministry excites us.
5. Please be in prayer for the Square Meters for Christ property project. At about 48% of the total needed we have almost reached the half-way point. The owner has been patient with us, and very helpful in giving us time to keep paying little by little. We praise God that there have been good offerings here at the church in Queretaro the last two months. Would you ask the Lord how He might use you in this opportunity? Here is a link to more information about the project on our website: http://www.smithconnection.com/2010/10/square_meters_for_christ_prope.html
Thanks for taking the opportunity to pray for us. God is working!
Bryan & Lori and family
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