Prayer Letter - December 2007

Click on the link below for either the WORD or PDF version of our December 2007 prayer letter:

WORD: Download file PDF: Download file

Smith Photo Update - Fall 2007

We have posted some new photos of our family and ministry:

http://www.smithconnection.com/2007/11/photos_fall_2007.html

EXCITING NEWS!

> Benjamin’s Faith:

We are currently getting some relief aid together for people in the state of Tabasco where they have suffered much flooding. Our church is planning to send some things down along with other churches in our area. As a family we are getting some kids’ care packages together which include a donated t-shirt, toy, and children’s gospel tract. During the process of making the packages we read the tract as a family, and Ben wanted to trust in Jesus as his Savior! We talked with him more, and he decided to take that step of faith. We praise God for this, and ask you to pray for his continued spiritual growth.

> Cheryl & Chris’s Re-dedication:

God has been doing some awesome things in the lives of Lori’s sister, Cheryl, and her husband, Chris. They will be having a re-dedication ceremony for their marriage on December 8, and have invited us to join them in this celebration. We are looking forward to being in PA for a few days at the beginning of December to celebrate God’s faithfulness with Chris & Cheryl. We will also get to be together with all of Lori’s family as well as attend our home church, Calvary Bible Church, on December 9.

Thanks for your prayers for us! God is working here in Mexico
and in our family!

THANK YOU!
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

Photos - Fall 2007

Here is a link for some recent family and ministry photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/Fall2007

Fall 2007

If you prefer, you can see a smaller version of the slide show right here on our site:

Smith Prayer & Praise - Oct./Nov. 2007

We so appreciate your prayers for us! Here are a few current prayer items:

1. Tomorrow morning Bryan and Lori will be driving out to Dallas, Texas for a leadership development seminar. Our children will be well cared for by Bryan’s parents in Texcoco, Mexico. Please pray for safety in our travels, that we would learn what God wants us to learn during our meetings, and for our border crossings.
2. We praise God for good field council meetings that Bryan was part of earlier this week. Please pray for us as we continue to adapt to our circuit director ministry along with our church planting ministry – that we would have a good balance in our ministries and family life and that God would give us wisdom in all situations and opportunities.
3. Pray for Jaquelin and Edgar as Bryan counsels and studies with them – that they would soon see the importance of going to church and meeting other believers. Please pray for others that we are currently studying with as well, that God would cause growth in each one.
4. Praise God for a recent missions conference put on by FAMex and Envoy for the Bajio circuit churches to teach churches how to be involved in missions and start missions programs in their churches. We praise God for what He is doing in raising up missionaries to go from Mexico to other parts of Mexico and the world with the Gospel.
5. Pray for unity and growth in the New Birth Bible Church – two objectives for the church in the new year will be evangelism and pastoral care of the body.
6. Pray for the “Kit of Life” project that Emilio and Christy from our church are heading up. They are assembling kits that include a DVD, Gospel of John, a visual gospel tract, a pen, and a bookmark all geared to sharing the Gospel. They are making 1,000 of these kits to start with, and the church here will begin to purchase and hand them out. Pray that God would use these efforts for many to come to Christ. The hope is that other churches in Mexico will get behind the project as well, and use this as a tool for evangelism.

Thanks so much for your continued prayers and support for our ministry. God is using us together as a team to reach Mexico for Christ! We will post some pictures on the web in the next couple of weeks, and will let you know when we do.

God Bless,

Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

September 2007

Thanks for your continued prayers! You are an important part of our ministry team here in Mexico!

Gracias!
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

*Click on the image above for a larger version of the image

Smith Prayer & Praise - September 2007

We appreciate your involvement in our ministry through prayer. Here are a few things to pray for when the Lord brings us to your mind:

PRAISE:

1. Lori’s parents, Irvin & Janet Wenger, were able to take advantage of a special deal on flights and visit us. They plan to head back to Guatemala tomorrow. We have enjoyed our time with them.
2. School has gone well for the girls at home and for Ben in the Mexican kindergarten. We have been able to get into a good school and family routine.
3. Open doors for ministry: our current ministry focus is on discipleship and leadership training and God has allowed to be involved in 14 different opportunities, some weekly, others bi-weekly or monthly, with a variety of people. More opportunities are in the wings – please pray for our interaction with these people.
4. Bryan was able to attend a missionary men’s prayer retreat which was of great encouragement and blessing.

PRAYER:

1. For our church involvement: we have currently taken on the responsibilities of the Sunday School program and the Worship/Music program here in the New Birth Bible Church. Bryan also preaches about once a month. Our goal is to continue to train/mentor believers in these areas. The other church responsibilities are continuing to be cared for by other church leaders and members. Pray for wisdom and growth in these ministries.
2. For wisdom in leading the missionaries in our Bajio circuit. In the next two months we will be meeting with the other circuit directors here in Mexico, having a prayer/fellowship meeting with the other missionaries in our Bajio circuit, Bryan will be involved in Field Council meetings, and we will be attending a leadership training seminar in Dallas.
3. For the people we are meeting and studying with on a regular basis ranging from other missionaries to unbelievers who need Christ. Pray that God would continue to do the work through His Spirit in people’s hearts.
4. That we would be able to maintain our focus on Christ in the midst of an increasingly busy schedule.

Please let us know how we can pray for you as well.

God Bless,

Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

Photos - Aug./Sep. 2007

Click on one of the links below to see some August/September family and ministry pictures. Or you can view a small version of the slideshow right here on our website.

http://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/AugustSeptember2007

August/September 2007

Before & After House Pictures

Click on one of the links below to see our before and after house pictures. Or view a small version of the slideshow right here on our website.

http://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/BeforeAfterHousePictures

Before & After House Pictures

Smith Prayer & Praise - August 2007

We appreciate your prayers as we continue to get settled back in Queretaro, Mexico again.

Praises:
- For a good transition back to Mexico so far, including the house God has provided for us.

- For ministry opportunities that God is already opening up for us.

- For the health that God has granted our whole family.

Prayer:
- For two couples that we are involved in counseling right now - that their individual lives and marriages would grow and mature in Christ.

- For our son Benjamin as he starts school in a local Spanish kindergarten, and Kendra and Tara as they begin homeschooling with Lori.

- For wisdom in the continued ministry transition - that we would know where and how to be involved in the church and other ministry opportunities.

In Christ’s Love,

Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

Photos - Jul./Aug. 2007

Please click either the picture or the link below to see some recent photos. We will try to post some "after" pictures of our house in the next week or so. God Bless!

http://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/JulyAugust2007

July/August 2007