Friends - you can find our latest newsletter HERE!
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
STILL ON MISSION
STILL ON MISSION. There are varied opinions of what a "missionary" is, and we don't necessarily fit the typical model, especially since we're not overseas. The fact that we depend on the generosity of God's people to makes ends meet does not, by itself, make us missionaries - though, I do believe it is a significant part of the missionary life. The work we get to do with Africa New Life is phenomenal and largely involves the spreading of the gospel and advocating for the poor, hungry, sick, widow, orphan, etc... as we're clearly called to do in Scripture. But while God has given us a huge role in making these things happen, I'm not convinced that it, by itself, is enough to call us missionaries either.
We started out this gig with a strong calling to personally help people in need and tell people about Jesus. Our apartment ministry provided a tremendousplatform for doing this, but the time commitment and stress on the family were too much to sustain this long-term. So we moved into a home two years ago with the intention of taking all that we'd learned from our apartment ministry and implementing it into effective relationships with our neighbors, connections at the kids school, grocery stores, etc... For awhile, we were not doing this well. It's not that we weren't doing anything, but our hands were pretty full tackling the kid's struggles, and I think our family needed some time to recover from the apartment living.
Recently, God has reminded us of our full calling. Yes, we are still very much called to invest in the people of Rwanda! And no, it does not pay, so we are completely reliant on God's movement through His people in this area. But we are also called to personally spread the gospel, meet needs right in our back yard, and to disciple others. This has been our heart from the beginning. I'm happy to say that we've experienced a renewed passion in this area, have a strategy in place, and have had good movement lately! And our kids are very much a part of it! We don't really want to report all the ins and out for various reasons, but we do feel that you - our prayer and financial supporters - deserve to know that this is still at the forefront of our minds and hearts, even if you aren't hearing all the details.
I believe a missionary is someone who God calls to set aside personal ambitions in order to be witnesses of the Gospel and to make disciples, often to a certain people group.
So are we missionaries? I believe so, but it doesn't really matter. Call it whatever you'd like. What matters to us is that we are still on mission. That we are following God's call on our lives no matter the cost. We are still called to serve the people of Rwanda and our neighbors. We are still 4 Smith's on a Mission.
Would you please pray for that fire to stay kindled? For opportunities to come our way? For boldness?! For effectiveness?! We are honored and humbled to have you by our side. Thank you for your incredible encouragement and faithful prayers over the years!
We started out this gig with a strong calling to personally help people in need and tell people about Jesus. Our apartment ministry provided a tremendousplatform for doing this, but the time commitment and stress on the family were too much to sustain this long-term. So we moved into a home two years ago with the intention of taking all that we'd learned from our apartment ministry and implementing it into effective relationships with our neighbors, connections at the kids school, grocery stores, etc... For awhile, we were not doing this well. It's not that we weren't doing anything, but our hands were pretty full tackling the kid's struggles, and I think our family needed some time to recover from the apartment living.
Recently, God has reminded us of our full calling. Yes, we are still very much called to invest in the people of Rwanda! And no, it does not pay, so we are completely reliant on God's movement through His people in this area. But we are also called to personally spread the gospel, meet needs right in our back yard, and to disciple others. This has been our heart from the beginning. I'm happy to say that we've experienced a renewed passion in this area, have a strategy in place, and have had good movement lately! And our kids are very much a part of it! We don't really want to report all the ins and out for various reasons, but we do feel that you - our prayer and financial supporters - deserve to know that this is still at the forefront of our minds and hearts, even if you aren't hearing all the details.
I believe a missionary is someone who God calls to set aside personal ambitions in order to be witnesses of the Gospel and to make disciples, often to a certain people group.
So are we missionaries? I believe so, but it doesn't really matter. Call it whatever you'd like. What matters to us is that we are still on mission. That we are following God's call on our lives no matter the cost. We are still called to serve the people of Rwanda and our neighbors. We are still 4 Smith's on a Mission.
Would you please pray for that fire to stay kindled? For opportunities to come our way? For boldness?! For effectiveness?! We are honored and humbled to have you by our side. Thank you for your incredible encouragement and faithful prayers over the years!
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Support Update
We were oh-so-close to getting back to a healthy(ish) 90% again. And then...
As you might expect, we consistently have donors that lose jobs or are in a financial pinch and have to drop out. ALL. THE. TIME. On the flip side, new donors are jumping in (praise God!) It's always changing! Unfortunately, we're losing far more per month than we're gaining, because some very large donors have had to step down.
As I write, we are still $330/month behind in reaching 90% of our goal just to meet budget (the other 10% is meant to be a buffer - ha!). At the end of February, we're likely dropping another $500/month, which would put us $830/month behind. Thankfully, we do still have a little bit extra in our account to help with this for a short time. Meanwhile, our HSA reset in January...which means every medical bill (and there are a lot) is going on our credit card and we're once again incurring debt at an alarming rate. At least we'll meet our deductible by March!
We've certainly had setbacks before, but this one is on a much larger scale. I'm working hard to take time to pray and make sure I'm focussed on the truth, and to not live in fear! God has a proven track record, after all. All of this simply means that we'll have an incredible story to share once He brings us through to the other side. So keep your eye out for yet another example of God's amazing faithfulness in the months to come!
None of this is a complaint. It isn't even necessarily a plea for support. This is a plea for prayer. THANK YOU, prayer warriors!
-Jeremiah
GIVING CAN BE SET UP HERE: www.reliant.org/jeremiah.smith
As you might expect, we consistently have donors that lose jobs or are in a financial pinch and have to drop out. ALL. THE. TIME. On the flip side, new donors are jumping in (praise God!) It's always changing! Unfortunately, we're losing far more per month than we're gaining, because some very large donors have had to step down.
As I write, we are still $330/month behind in reaching 90% of our goal just to meet budget (the other 10% is meant to be a buffer - ha!). At the end of February, we're likely dropping another $500/month, which would put us $830/month behind. Thankfully, we do still have a little bit extra in our account to help with this for a short time. Meanwhile, our HSA reset in January...which means every medical bill (and there are a lot) is going on our credit card and we're once again incurring debt at an alarming rate. At least we'll meet our deductible by March!
We've certainly had setbacks before, but this one is on a much larger scale. I'm working hard to take time to pray and make sure I'm focussed on the truth, and to not live in fear! God has a proven track record, after all. All of this simply means that we'll have an incredible story to share once He brings us through to the other side. So keep your eye out for yet another example of God's amazing faithfulness in the months to come!
None of this is a complaint. It isn't even necessarily a plea for support. This is a plea for prayer. THANK YOU, prayer warriors!
-Jeremiah
GIVING CAN BE SET UP HERE: www.reliant.org/jeremiah.smith
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Update!
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Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Christmas Newsletter!
2015
Who knows what God has up His sleeve in 2016? Does He even wear sleeves? All we know is that we’re right where He wants us and that none of it would be possible without your prayers and sacrifice. We are forever humbled by this and it motivates us to work that much harder. THANK YOU for believing in our family and ministry and for lifting us up as we do His work.
AFRICA NEW LIFE
Now that we’re no longer working with Apartment Life, things are changing and our role/impact is expanding. We’ve now created a leadership team, are working toward a large-scale gala, have two trips lined up for next year, and will be more focused on building relationships with church partners. In fact, Jeremiah has a new title: “SE Regional Church & Strategic Partnerships Manager” (yeah, it’s a mouthful!). This is a fantastic fit and we’re really excited to continue doing most of what we’ve been doing to build up our region, but to now focus more strongly on some of our strengths. Of course, the bottom line remains the same: To see lives transformed, both physically and spiritually. Please pray for God to deeply increase our impact!
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Frankly, since we work with the truly needy we find it difficult to ask for help. We have it so good. But we have been behind in monthly support for nearly a year now, insurance is going up, we now have a mortgage, the kids have a ton of doctors visits and medication, blah, blah, blah. God has always provided our every need, of course. If you're able to consider an additional gift by this December 31, 2015, it would really make a difference on meeting our shortfall, and would be so encouraging as we focus on the coming new year of ministry. www.gcmweb.org/jeremiah.smith Thank you so much for your partnership in spreading the gospel and meeting needs in Rwanda!
Frankly, since we work with the truly needy we find it difficult to ask for help. We have it so good. But we have been behind in monthly support for nearly a year now, insurance is going up, we now have a mortgage, the kids have a ton of doctors visits and medication, blah, blah, blah. God has always provided our every need, of course. If you're able to consider an additional gift by this December 31, 2015, it would really make a difference on meeting our shortfall, and would be so encouraging as we focus on the coming new year of ministry. www.gcmweb.org/jeremiah.smith Thank you so much for your partnership in spreading the gospel and meeting needs in Rwanda!
FAMILY
A 1st and 3rd grader? What?! It’s true. The kids are growing up. We keep telling them to stop, but they're just so disobedient.
We are loving our home and the area we’ve moved to. As I write, a deer is walking through our woods and a train is blowing its horn in the distance - this is life! The kids have excellent teachers and seem to really enjoy their new school. Church is incredible and we love serving in our various roles. We’re currently working hard to find ways to help families who have adopted or do foster care - this has been on our heart for quite some time. And of course, we’re working hard to establish long-lasting and impactful relationships with our new neighbors. Please pray for God’s movement as we spread the love of Christ!
PRAYER NEEDS
- Effectiveness as we continue to build a foundation in Atlanta for Africa New Life and settle into a new role managing church partnerships.
- Opportunities and direction in conversations with our new neighbors.
- Wisdom in parenting and continued healing from past wounds in Ellie and Elijah.
- Continued financial provision (and complete trust in that provision!)
CONTACT
140 Hartwood Dr
Woodstock, GA 30189
Woodstock, GA 30189
843.304.3436
TO GIVE: www.gcmweb.org/jeremiah.smith
Friday, August 7, 2015
Back From Rwanda!
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
-ISAIAH 61:1-3-
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
-ISAIAH 61:1-3-
RWANDA TRIP 2015
I've been trying to find words to adequately convey all that God did in & through our team last week in Rwanda. This is no small task and I'm quite certain I'm not up to the challenge. We're all still reeling from what we've seen. All I can say is that God moved powerfully through our group and that He very clearly assembled our team. They were simply THE BEST and I am so honored to have served by their side.
WHAT WE DID:
In a nutshell? We loved people. And we did our best to help others understand that God loves them deeply and that they can have hope, life, and purpose through Jesus. We visited many homes of the poorest of the poor. We grievedalongside those who recently lost loved ones. We handed out gifts. We prayed over countless families. We sang. We laughed...HARD. We played with the most beautiful children. We brought hope to the best of our ability. 17 children were sponsored through our team while on the ground! We even got to go back to a couple homes to personally tell the kids that we'd found sponsors for them and to hand them their school uniform and supplies! And we got the smallest taste what it would be like to live the way so many in Rwanda live by spending a few hours wearing the clothes, helping to prep a meal to be cooked over the fire, loosening the soil amongst the banana trees, hiking down the valley to get water, making bracelets out of a plant, and dancing (yes...I danced...it's on video). =)
I can't WAIT to head back next June, and to bring several more friends along so they can experience this country we love so much! God is on the move...
-Jeremiah
WHAT WE DID:
In a nutshell? We loved people. And we did our best to help others understand that God loves them deeply and that they can have hope, life, and purpose through Jesus. We visited many homes of the poorest of the poor. We grievedalongside those who recently lost loved ones. We handed out gifts. We prayed over countless families. We sang. We laughed...HARD. We played with the most beautiful children. We brought hope to the best of our ability. 17 children were sponsored through our team while on the ground! We even got to go back to a couple homes to personally tell the kids that we'd found sponsors for them and to hand them their school uniform and supplies! And we got the smallest taste what it would be like to live the way so many in Rwanda live by spending a few hours wearing the clothes, helping to prep a meal to be cooked over the fire, loosening the soil amongst the banana trees, hiking down the valley to get water, making bracelets out of a plant, and dancing (yes...I danced...it's on video). =)
I can't WAIT to head back next June, and to bring several more friends along so they can experience this country we love so much! God is on the move...
-Jeremiah
FAMILY LIFE.
The last few months have been pure chaos. BUT...we're officially finished with Apartment Life, we've moved into our new home, the trip to Rwanda is behind us, and the kids just successfully completed their first week as 1st and 3rd graders at a new school (whose mascot is the COLTS - God is good!). So we're now able to focus FAR more strongly on the work before us with Africa New Life (we have some HUGE things on the horizon!!). Other than that, we're busy meeting neighbors, trying to get the house ready for the hundreds of guests we're intending to invite (including YOU), and Jeremiah has now joined the Passion City Church choir! Everyone seems to be adjusting well and we are LOVING the incredible home we ended up in (still not sure how we got such a nice house for the price...but we gladly accept!).
PRAYER REQUESTS.
1. For our family to be a strong force for the Kingdom (Africa New Life, influence with neighbors, school, etc...)
2. For new donors to come alongside us. We're still well below 100% of our support.
3. For Ellie & Elijah as they adjust to a new school.
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