The Smith Connection

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

Posted by Bryan at 01:08 PM | Permalink

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

Posted by Bryan at 07:54 PM | Permalink