I met this little boy at a feeding center in South Africa. Everyday he and over 70 other children come to play and to eat dinner. For many of them, this is the only meal they will eat each day.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Friday, July 01, 2005
Our First Fourth of July
We're back in Fla. just in time for the 4th of July. But before we get to that -- what was England like?
As most of you know, we carry a burden in our hearts for the children and youth of England. Most of them grow up thinking that religion is dead, that it belongs in a museum. That it is all tradition and no application. What a joy it was to not only plant the seed of God's Word but to also see it come to fruition.
We were able to take the same church team (only bigger this year) to the same community to work with the same church as last year. Our relationships were strengthened and the impact on the community was even greater. We worked primarily in elementary schools, sharing God's love with the children and giving them the Book of Hope. The children were so precious.
In one of the schools we went to, one of the team members shared about her father's death 2 years ago and how it made her sad. She told the children that God helped her to smile again and to be happy again even though she would always miss her dad. After the assembly one little girl began to cry. She told her teachers that her parents had split up the week before but she was afraid to tell anyone. When she heard Maris speak about her life, she knew that she didn't want to be sad anymore.
At one of the high schools where we ministered it seemed that everytime we turned around, the team was able to pray with students and even a teacher to accept Christ. Their stories are very impacting. The seed of God's Word was planted and definitely fell on fertile ground this year. God had prepared the hearts of children and young people ~ and for that we say thank you to you ~ all who prayed for us and continue to pray for us on each trip. You never know what God is going to do or how he is going to work.
We are grateful for your prayers and financial support. We were blessed to arrive home and find some surprise financial gifts. God is so good because His provision comes right when you need it. Thank you!
And where to now, well we are off to the Philippines in just a few weeks. We'll be leading a team of volunteers from Las Vegas and continue our trip with follow-up when they return home. We are very excited to experience this part of the world and share God's love with many, many children and young people. We invite you to go on this journey with us through your prayers...they are much needed and make all the difference.
And...if any of you are interested in going on a short term missions trip (for 10 days...6 weeks...4 months...1 year..or longer) let us know. We have teams that are going around the world throughout the year to share God's Word and His love with children. But just to warn you, you won't come back the same. We never do :-).
Now, what about the title of this article? Well, this is Ryan and my first 4th of July together in the States. We are really looking forward to thanking God for our country and celebrating with all of you. Yea!
Blessings and Love Always,
Ryan and Jen Smith
As most of you know, we carry a burden in our hearts for the children and youth of England. Most of them grow up thinking that religion is dead, that it belongs in a museum. That it is all tradition and no application. What a joy it was to not only plant the seed of God's Word but to also see it come to fruition.
We were able to take the same church team (only bigger this year) to the same community to work with the same church as last year. Our relationships were strengthened and the impact on the community was even greater. We worked primarily in elementary schools, sharing God's love with the children and giving them the Book of Hope. The children were so precious.
In one of the schools we went to, one of the team members shared about her father's death 2 years ago and how it made her sad. She told the children that God helped her to smile again and to be happy again even though she would always miss her dad. After the assembly one little girl began to cry. She told her teachers that her parents had split up the week before but she was afraid to tell anyone. When she heard Maris speak about her life, she knew that she didn't want to be sad anymore.
At one of the high schools where we ministered it seemed that everytime we turned around, the team was able to pray with students and even a teacher to accept Christ. Their stories are very impacting. The seed of God's Word was planted and definitely fell on fertile ground this year. God had prepared the hearts of children and young people ~ and for that we say thank you to you ~ all who prayed for us and continue to pray for us on each trip. You never know what God is going to do or how he is going to work.
We are grateful for your prayers and financial support. We were blessed to arrive home and find some surprise financial gifts. God is so good because His provision comes right when you need it. Thank you!
And where to now, well we are off to the Philippines in just a few weeks. We'll be leading a team of volunteers from Las Vegas and continue our trip with follow-up when they return home. We are very excited to experience this part of the world and share God's love with many, many children and young people. We invite you to go on this journey with us through your prayers...they are much needed and make all the difference.
And...if any of you are interested in going on a short term missions trip (for 10 days...6 weeks...4 months...1 year..or longer) let us know. We have teams that are going around the world throughout the year to share God's Word and His love with children. But just to warn you, you won't come back the same. We never do :-).
Now, what about the title of this article? Well, this is Ryan and my first 4th of July together in the States. We are really looking forward to thanking God for our country and celebrating with all of you. Yea!
Blessings and Love Always,
Ryan and Jen Smith
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Communication Blunder ~ Where have we been?
Wow, we've been terrible at keeping up this blog. We talk about it alot. I know, I know. We need to do more than talk. Life has been busy but that is not excuse because life is always busy, no matter who you are or what you do.
So what have we been doing?
In April we ventured to South Africa to join Joe and Mishael Newell. What an honor. We were able to have a true African experience and a great time working for Book of Hope. We visited a national park, were trumpeted by elephants and were amazed by the beauty of giraffes and zebras, the agility of the spring buck and the enormous rear ends of rhinos. We even ate lunch with a zebra.
We traveled to several cities to follow up on previous Book of Hope ministry, documenting testimonies and encouraging the volunteers who continue to take God's Word to the children and youth of their community. We met a young man who pushed a wheelbarrow full of Books of Hope 4 kilometers when he didn't have funds for transportation. The dedication of the volunteers and their passion to reach the next generation with the gospel was amazing!
Ryan then journeyed to Swaziland to join a project documenting the devastation of HIV/AIDS on the youth of Swaziland. He absolutely loved his time there, working with the team and learning more about the field of media. But it was also a very impacting time for Ryan. He was moved by the stories of the children and the hope that they desperately need.
Meanwhile, I stayed in South Africa to join the Granny Brigade -- ministering to orphan children and distributing the Book of Hope.
Ryan and I met at the airport in Jo-berg and flew back to FL. We arrived in Fla. on a Thursday and flew to Montana the next day for my mom's graduation from the University of Montana. Our 12 days in Montana was such a blessing! Family, friends, memories and precious moments. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. It was one of those times when you hate to leave. And those are the best because you always look forward to the next trip then. It was bitter sweet.
Once we returned home we had 3 days in Fla. One of those days we went up to Port St. Lucie to train a team that we'll be taking to England in a few days. Great team! We worked with them last year as well in a little community called Wigan. Can't wait to see what God has planned for this year (June 15-25).
The next morning (after the training) we left for Brazil for the 300 MILLIONTH distribution of the Book of Hope. Another incredible trip and time of ministry. We had a lot of laughs and a lot of work. A 14-year-old girl named Deyse recieved the 300 millionth book. Her twin sister Denyse recieved the 3 hundred millionth and one book. It was a festive celebration. We were able to visit the twins' home and get to know them. And hopefully a 300 millionth video will be out soon. After a week of distribution we also followed up on some previous distributions and the testimonies of two adults who were reached with the Book of Hope. One was a young man who belonged to a punk group ~ his life was completely transformed. And a teacher who received a Book of Hope when a team came to speak to her class.
All in all, it has been busy but GOOD busy. We are loving it. We'll get pictures up soon and in the mean time, we're off to England and the Philippines.
All our love,
Ryan and Jen
So what have we been doing?
In April we ventured to South Africa to join Joe and Mishael Newell. What an honor. We were able to have a true African experience and a great time working for Book of Hope. We visited a national park, were trumpeted by elephants and were amazed by the beauty of giraffes and zebras, the agility of the spring buck and the enormous rear ends of rhinos. We even ate lunch with a zebra.
We traveled to several cities to follow up on previous Book of Hope ministry, documenting testimonies and encouraging the volunteers who continue to take God's Word to the children and youth of their community. We met a young man who pushed a wheelbarrow full of Books of Hope 4 kilometers when he didn't have funds for transportation. The dedication of the volunteers and their passion to reach the next generation with the gospel was amazing!
Ryan then journeyed to Swaziland to join a project documenting the devastation of HIV/AIDS on the youth of Swaziland. He absolutely loved his time there, working with the team and learning more about the field of media. But it was also a very impacting time for Ryan. He was moved by the stories of the children and the hope that they desperately need.
Meanwhile, I stayed in South Africa to join the Granny Brigade -- ministering to orphan children and distributing the Book of Hope.
Ryan and I met at the airport in Jo-berg and flew back to FL. We arrived in Fla. on a Thursday and flew to Montana the next day for my mom's graduation from the University of Montana. Our 12 days in Montana was such a blessing! Family, friends, memories and precious moments. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. It was one of those times when you hate to leave. And those are the best because you always look forward to the next trip then. It was bitter sweet.
Once we returned home we had 3 days in Fla. One of those days we went up to Port St. Lucie to train a team that we'll be taking to England in a few days. Great team! We worked with them last year as well in a little community called Wigan. Can't wait to see what God has planned for this year (June 15-25).
The next morning (after the training) we left for Brazil for the 300 MILLIONTH distribution of the Book of Hope. Another incredible trip and time of ministry. We had a lot of laughs and a lot of work. A 14-year-old girl named Deyse recieved the 300 millionth book. Her twin sister Denyse recieved the 3 hundred millionth and one book. It was a festive celebration. We were able to visit the twins' home and get to know them. And hopefully a 300 millionth video will be out soon. After a week of distribution we also followed up on some previous distributions and the testimonies of two adults who were reached with the Book of Hope. One was a young man who belonged to a punk group ~ his life was completely transformed. And a teacher who received a Book of Hope when a team came to speak to her class.
All in all, it has been busy but GOOD busy. We are loving it. We'll get pictures up soon and in the mean time, we're off to England and the Philippines.
All our love,
Ryan and Jen
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Thank you for your prayers!
Thank you for your prayers on our behalf.
Thank you for your prayers for the people we minister to and meet.
Let's continue to go to God on behalf of those serving around the world in missions, in the military and in other service projects ~ especially for Iraq. May God bring peace to those who have longed for it for so long.
Many blessings and prayers,
Ryan and Jen
Thank you for your prayers for the people we minister to and meet.
Let's continue to go to God on behalf of those serving around the world in missions, in the military and in other service projects ~ especially for Iraq. May God bring peace to those who have longed for it for so long.
Many blessings and prayers,
Ryan and Jen
Where are the Smiths?
Wow! It is so good to be able to write to you! I'm not sure who will check this site or when ~ but thank you and I hope you enjoy the adventure that we call the Smith's journey through life.
We just arrived back in Florida after a weekend in the SNOW in Baltimore, Maryland. We were representing Book of Hope at a Missions Convention. We had a great time, sharing the vision of BoH with Church Pastors, Missions Directors, Leaders, College Students and other ministries.
It always amazes me how God entertwines our lives and ministries to do great things for his kingdom and the people of the world.
We really enjoyed talking with the students from Valley Forge and hope that a few of them will join the BoH family for awhile. We were especially blessed by Health Care Ministry Missionary, Ron Drye. Ron ~ thank you for you stories and honesty. We respect you and hope to inspire and help to change as many lives as you and your wife have. JoAnne Butrine, who is now over the Specialized Ministries of the A/G which includes Book of Hope, was also a major blessing.
Our trip was prolonged a day due to the ice storm that hit Atlanta, closing down the airport and apparently creating a power shortage. So we stayed over one more night in Baltimore, visiting the beautiful Inner Harbor and eating at one of Ryan's favorites, ESPN Zone (their chicken/avacado wraps are great).
We made it home in time to check our email and start our laundry and get ready for work tomorrow. We have another couple of weeks here in the States before we head out again. Which is actually a blessing as we have had some water damage in our condo from upstairs and will hopefully have time to get it repaired before we go out again.
Thanks for catching up with us...we hope that you are well and would love to hear from you!
We just arrived back in Florida after a weekend in the SNOW in Baltimore, Maryland. We were representing Book of Hope at a Missions Convention. We had a great time, sharing the vision of BoH with Church Pastors, Missions Directors, Leaders, College Students and other ministries.
It always amazes me how God entertwines our lives and ministries to do great things for his kingdom and the people of the world.
We really enjoyed talking with the students from Valley Forge and hope that a few of them will join the BoH family for awhile. We were especially blessed by Health Care Ministry Missionary, Ron Drye. Ron ~ thank you for you stories and honesty. We respect you and hope to inspire and help to change as many lives as you and your wife have. JoAnne Butrine, who is now over the Specialized Ministries of the A/G which includes Book of Hope, was also a major blessing.
Our trip was prolonged a day due to the ice storm that hit Atlanta, closing down the airport and apparently creating a power shortage. So we stayed over one more night in Baltimore, visiting the beautiful Inner Harbor and eating at one of Ryan's favorites, ESPN Zone (their chicken/avacado wraps are great).
We made it home in time to check our email and start our laundry and get ready for work tomorrow. We have another couple of weeks here in the States before we head out again. Which is actually a blessing as we have had some water damage in our condo from upstairs and will hopefully have time to get it repaired before we go out again.
Thanks for catching up with us...we hope that you are well and would love to hear from you!
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