The Smith Connection

Happy Independence Day, at least here in Mexico. The celebrations will begin this evening at midnight and continue through tomorrow and the long weekend. Here at the New Birth Bible Church in Queretaro we will be celebrating Mexico´s independence day on Sunday with a special fellowship meal together after church. After eating lots of yummy Mexican food, the activities will include a hot salsa eating contest, a Mexican "grito" (scream) contest, and a best Mexican outfit contest. Sound like fun? Wish you could join us! Please at least pray that this time of fellowship will be used by the Lord for the encouragement and building up of the church. Often many unsaved family members and friends join us for this type of activity, so please pray for much fruit for God's glory.

Some other items for your prayer time:

1. We are heavily involved in the planning of three events for the months of October and November:
October 15 - Biblical Grandparenting Conference for the churches in our Bajio region
November 18-21 - Church Leader Retreat for 5 families in our Bajio region
November 23-26 - CAM Mexico Fellowship Conference for our fellow CAM missionaries here in Mexico
Please be in prayer for each of these activities - that they would be used by the Lord to impact lives for His glory.

2. One of the church leaders here at the New Birth Bible Church, Gerardo, is going through a very difficult and unjust situation related to his job. Please pray that the Lord might work things out for His glory and that Gerardo would be encouraged through this trial.

3. After a lengthy set-back with the church property purchase (the seller needed to correct some legal issues) it seems that we are back on track. Please pray that we might soon be able to close on the purchase and that the Lord would continue to provide the needed funds in order to finish paying for the property.

Thanks so much for your prayers! We value your partnership with us for God's glory.

Bryan and Lori

Posted by Bryan at 04:53 PM | Permalink

We so appreciate your teamwork with us through prayer! Thanks for taking some time to support us in this way.

- We praise God for a great week of VBS with an average attendance of 90 kids per day. Of the 110 kids who registered only 20 were church kids - the rest were kids from the surrounding communities who, along with their families, need Christ as their Savior. We are beginning the follow-up process and would appreciate your prayers for open doors to the Gospel. You can view some pictures from the week here: https://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/VBS2011?authuser=0&feat=directlink

- Our children started school this week - Kendra in 7th grade, Tara in 5th grade, and Ben in 3rd grade. We praise God for our children, and ask that He would give us wisdom in raising them for His glory. You can see some recent family pictures here: https://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/SmithFamilySummer2011?authuser=0&feat=directlink

- Please continue to pray for the church property purchase. We are still in the midst of going through the steps in order to finalize the purchase. We are praying that everything will go through before the end of August.

Partnering with You to Make Disciples in Central Mexico,
Bryan and Lori & kids

Posted by Bryan at 10:03 AM | Permalink

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

Posted by Bryan at 12:35 PM | Permalink

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

Posted by Bryan at 04:32 PM | Permalink

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

Posted by Bryan at 10:52 AM | Permalink

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

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

Posted by Bryan at 12:25 PM | Permalink

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

Posted by Bryan at 04:16 PM | Permalink

Thanks so much for your prayers! Here are a few current prayer items:

1. Please pray for Eva and Jonathan, mother and son. They are believers from the church here in Queretaro with whom we have recently been doing a study on communicating biblically. Just this morning we helped Eva take Jonathan to a drug rehab center where he will be receiving help for the next several months. Please pray for Jonathan to be able to allow God to take control of his life, for Eva as she struggles through this as a mother, and for us as we try to help them both with God's love and Word.

2. Please pray for a marriage study group that we are starting this Saturday, Feb. 26, with three couples from church. Another couple from church is leading a second study group. They were part of a study group we lead last year, and we praise God that they are now ready to lead a group. Pray that marriages and families will be impacted for God's glory.

3. Please pray for the Square Meters for Christ church property project - that God would continue to provide the funds needed in His perfect timing in order to complete the purchase of the property.

4. Please pray for Bryan's thesis/ministry project process - Lord willing he will finish his Masters' degree in July of this year. The topic of the thesis is caring for couples in church leadership in a holistic way. We pray that it might be used for God's glory.

Thanks again for partnering with us through prayer!
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, and Ben

Posted by Bryan at 12:49 PM | Permalink

Thanks so much for your prayers for us today. We praise God that we were able to leave our children with some fellow missionaries here in Queretaro and travel to Mexico City to spend some time with Margarita and her family. We had a clear opportunity to present the Gospel with those present at the wake, and Margarita gave a wonderful testimony to her family and friends as well. Many seeds were planted, and we trust and pray that Margarita will have an opportunity to water and eventually harvest some of those seeds.

On the way home to Queretaro from Mexico City (about a two and a half hour drive) we came within seconds of having a head-on collision and/or being crushed by a semi that veered into the median guardrail as we passed on the other side of the highway. We literally saw the truck barreling toward us, and the Lord gave Bryan the presence of mind to swerve right as debris hit our van. Thank you Lord! We are safe and sound and our van doesn't appear to be damaged. We often take our safety driving here for granted, but we were reminded again of how important your prayers for us are.

This experience gives new meaning to the way we unknowingly signed our e-mail this morning:

"In His Service and Care"
Bryan and Lori

Posted by Bryan at 06:41 PM | Permalink

Please be in prayer for Margarita as her father went to be with the Lord last night. (See the excerpt from our last prayer update below) We praise God that he had the opportunity to trust Christ as his Savior, and is now in His presence. Lori and I are headed in to Mexico City today to be with Margarita and her family. Please pray for opportunities for Margarita and us to share God's comfort through the Gospel message and that her other family members would come to Christ through this difficult time. Thanks for your prayers! We'll keep you updated.

In His Service and Care,
Bryan & Lori

An excerpt from our last prayer update:
"Her father was just recently hospitalized and not given much hope for recovery from heart and lung illness. Margarita decided that it was time for her to move to Mexico City temporarily to help care for her parents and reach out to her family with the Gospel. We praise God with her that her father trusted in Christ shortly after she arrived last week! He is now ready to meet his Savior when the time comes. Please pray for the rest of her family to come to Christ and for her to have strength in following God's leading in her life."

Posted by Bryan at 08:34 AM | Permalink

Happy New Year! We trust that 2011 will be a year of blessing and growth in Christ for you. As we start another year we praise God that you are part of our prayer team. It is such a blessing to know many are praying as the Gospel goes forward here in Mexico. Here are a few prayer items to get you started in the new year:

1. Please praise God with us for Margarita. She has been taking a course in missions over the last few months, and felt the Lord strongly leading her to consider her family in Mexico City as her mission field. Her father was just recently hospitalized and not given much hope for recovery from heart and lung illness. Margarita decided that it was time for her to move to Mexico City temporarily to help care for her parents and reach out to her family with the Gospel. We praise God with her that her father trusted in Christ shortly after she arrived last week! He is now ready to meet his Savior when the time comes. Please pray for the rest of her family to come to Christ and for her to have strength in following God's leading in her life.

2. Please pray for opportunities with our neighbors. Over the holidays we went to each neighbor and gave them a Daily Bread 2011 calendar and an invitation to study the Bible with us. One of our goals for this year is to start at least three new evangelistic Bible studies. One of the calendars went to a family that lives next door to our church building. A little girl, Isa, (pictured below) attended our VBS this summer and has come to church by herself very faithfully ever since. We would love to start a Bible study with her parents.

3. We praise God for the progress that was made during December in the Square Meters for Christ project. A little over $9,200 came into the project between gifts here in Mexico and the US. We now stand at about 45% of the total needed. We praise God that the man we are buying from continues to be gracious in extending our time to pay the total. For more details on the project visit this link: http://www.smithconnection.com/2010/10/square_meters_for_christ_prope.html

4. Please pray for the New Birth Bible Church in 2011. The focus at church this year is “Until we all arrive…” based on Ephesians 4:13. The goal is maturity in Christ. We are looking forward to a year of growth for each believer and trust that God will work in each heart.

Thanks for taking the time to be involved with us through prayer. We would love to hear from you. Please let us know how we can be praying for you.

Making Disciples in Queretaro,
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, and Ben

Posted by Bryan at 04:17 PM | Permalink

We appreciate your prayers for us!

1. We are preparing a marriage dinner at church on Friday evening. We will be sharing about the "Love Bank" principle in marriage. We trust that it will be a good opportunity for marriages to grow and for new couples to hear and respond to the Gospel.
2. Our CAM Mexico Fellowship Conference will be held next week in the state of Veracruz. Please pray that it will indeed be a good time of fellowship with our fellow missionaries here in Mexico, and that we might be spiritually refreshed through the teaching and worship times. Our children look forward to this conference as they get to see all their missionary "cousins" again and participate in a special program for kids.
3. I (Bryan) continue to make progress on my thesis as I finish my Masters' program in leadership. Right now we are interviewing couples in church leadership in our area about the stresses they face in their ministry and how they can be supported and helped. Please pray that things will continue to come together for this thesis/ministry project.
4. Lori's two sisters and part of their families will be visiting us here in Mexico in a couple of weeks. We praise God that we can spend some time with them and would ask you to pray for safety in all the traveling and special times together.

Thanks again for lifting us up in prayer! We highly value your support in this way. Happy Thanksgiving a little early! We hope your time spent with family and friends will be special and meaningful.

Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, and Ben

Posted by Bryan at 11:07 AM | Permalink

Thanks so much for your prayers! Please use the following picture
update to continue praying for us.

We thank God for our missionary team here in Mexico. Here we are
enjoying fellowship with part of the team. Please pray for teammates
Alan and Beth McManus and Bryan's parents, Rolland and JoAnn Smith,
as they cross the border and travel back to Mexico this Saturday, Nov. 6.

We praise God for José Luis and his growth. He preached for the first
time a week ago. He is one of the 4 men Bryan has had the privilege of
training over the last year and a half. Please pray for him and his family
as they continue to grow in their love and service for God.

We thank God for this young couple, Mauricio and Jessica, who have
recently returned to church. Bryan had the honor of dedicating their
new baby, Mateo, to the Lord last Sunday. Please pray that they would
desire to continue to grow along with their four boys.

Lori has been involved in the ladies' ministry in helping to teach. In the
first picture some of the ladies are visiting a sister from church who had
surgery. Please pray for unity and growth among the ladies of the New
Birth Bible Church.

We praise the Lord for a marriage study group that concluded a study
together this past Saturday. The Lord did some really special things in
the group through this time of study. Most of the couples are interested
in starting and leading their own marriage study groups. Please pray
that God would continue to work in the marriages of many here.

We praise God for continued progress in the Square Meters for Christ project.
The seller has given us a three month extension to the original contract, so we
have through the end of December to continue raising funds for the property.
We have paid 35% of the total so far between funds raised in the US and Mexico.
Would you consider a special year-end gift toward the project? For more
information please visit this link:
http://www.smithconnection.com/2010/10/square_meters_for_christ_prope.html

Thanks again for your prayers and support for us! You are a valued part of
our team as we make disciples in Central Mexico!

Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

Posted by Bryan at 01:03 PM | Permalink

Dear Partners in Prayer,

We so appreciate your ministry to us in prayer. Please take a moment to pray for these specific needs:

- Please pray for two legal paperwork processes that are currently under way: our religious worker visas and the official church registration with the Mexican government. Pray that all the paperwork would go through with no further delays if God would so choose.
- Please pray for Margarita, a sister in Christ that we have had the privilege of discipling over the last several years. She is beginning a course in missions, and is very interested in serving the Lord in any way that He would choose for her. Pray that she would continue to be faithful in following God's leading and that she would continue to grow in her faith.
- We praise God for our family. Please continue to pray for Lori as she home-schools Kendra, Tara, and Ben. Please continue to keep our spiritual growth, our health, and our safety in your prayers.
- We praise God for our mission team here in Mexico, and would ask you to pray for our fellow missionary families. I (Bryan) am currently team leader, but will be handing this task off to a fellow team member in January.
- Please continue to pray for God's provision for the Square Meters church property project. We continue to trust God to provide for the full amount needed in His perfect timing. The owner of the property continues to work with us, and is open to giving us an extension of time to pay, for which we are thankful. Please pray for the details of the extension to the contract to be worked out well. If you are interested in more details about the project or how you can contribute toward it please follow this link: http://www.smithconnection.com/2010/10/square_meters_for_christ_prope.html

A SPECIAL NOTE:

The Puebla Bible Seminary is CAM's theological training institution in Mexico. It is also the seminary that I am working on getting my Masters' degree from. I am currently working on my Thesis and hope to finish it by next summer. The seminary would like to communicate with you. Would you like to receive e-updates from the Puebla Bible Seminary? If so, please let me know and I will pass your e-mail address on to them.

Thanks again for you partnership with us!
Bryan & Lori

Posted by Bryan at 01:42 PM | Permalink

Square Meters for Christ

The New Birth Bible Church and Community Center here in Querétaro, Mexico is purchasing the property which we had previously rented for a year and a half. We praise the Lord for His provision for this opportunity. The corner property is 378 m² and includes a large open roofed area which we have been using for the sanctuary. It also includes a house and two apartments. The property is ideal in many ways for the church to continue to grow and reach out into the surrounding communities. We praise God that the church here has been working creatively and giving sacrificially toward this purchase. The owner is a believer, and has given us a very fair price.

The property seen from the corner

So how can you help?

~ Give a gift:

Each square meter has a cost of $350. An account has been set up with CAM International to receive tax deductible gifts toward this project. Would you pray about this and consider helping us with one or more square meters? This is an opportunity to invest in a wonderful gift for Christ’s glory to be proclaimed in Querétaro and around the world!

There are two ways for you to make this gift:

- Make a secure online donation with credit/debit card or paypal:

Go to www.caminternational.org - Click the “Give” tab and select “donate online.” Select “Special Project” and enter the number 063608

- Send a check by mail:

Send your check made out to CAM International and earmarked for “Project #063608 New Birth Bible Church Property”

Send to:
CAM International
8625 La Prada Dr.
Dallas, TX 75228

~ Become a “champion” for this project:

Would you be willing to help us promote this project in your circles of influence? We would be glad to provide you with some brochures which you can use to promote the project. Simply e-mail us and let us know how many you would like, and where to send them.

~ Pray!

Please help us by praying for God’s provision as funds are raised both in the US and here in Mexico. We know that God “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

Thank you!

Posted by Bryan at 02:28 PM | Permalink

Just a quick note to thank you for your prayers and let you know we made it safe and sound back home to Queretaro a little while ago. We had a very smooth border crossing and no problems on the road. Our new puppy did really well traveling. The kids did good too - they enjoyed the trip, but are also really glad to be home again. We found everything in good order here at home.

Thanks again for your prayers!
Bryan, for all of us

Posted by Bryan at 01:41 PM | Permalink

Greetings from Laredo, TX! As promised, here are a few recent pictures from our trip this summer. The most recent highlight: a new addition to our family - Tanner Eugene, a Jack Russell. See the pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/bryanandlori/USTripSummer2010?feat=directlink

US Trip - Summer 2010

Thanks!
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben (and Tanner!)

Posted by Bryan at 01:34 PM | Permalink

Thanks so much for your prayers for us. Here are a couple of recent praises and prayer requests:

- We praise God for the safety He has given to us in our travels. We are making our way back South now, and plan to be back home in Mexico by August 23. Please continue to pray for our safety in our travels, especially on August 23 as we cross the border and travel in Mexico. We plan to caravan with a fellow missionary from Mexico.
- We praise God for a great time of seeing family, friends, supporters, and supporting churches. It has been a whirlwind trip, but very good and refreshing as well.
- Please pray that God would continue to provide what is needed for the Square Meters property project. We had many good opportunities during our trip to share our vision for the church/community center property, and we are trusting God to provide for it in His timing.
- Please pray for us as we get back to Mexico and get back into life and ministry there next week, including Lori starting the new homeschooling year with our children. We are looking forward to all that God will do in our lives and the lives that He continues to bring into our path.

We'll post some pictures to our website soon and let you know when we do.

Thanks again for your faithful prayers!
Bryan, for Lori and the kids

Posted by Bryan at 01:30 PM | Permalink

We would greatly appreciate your prayers for us over the next several weeks. Here are three specific ways you can pray:

1. Please pray for the Vacation Bible School being held here at the New Birth Bible Church starting TODAY and through Friday. We are praying for 100 kids to attend and that many would hear and respond to the Gospel.

2. Please pray for our trip to the US from July 17 through August 23. Bryan has a week of team leader meetings in Dallas, then we will head north for a Smith family reunions in Chicago and Michigan and to speak in four churches in Indiana and Michigan. Our travels will then take us east to speak in two more churches and visit family and friends in Pennsylvania before we head back south to Dallas, and then on back to Queretaro. Please pray for safety over the many miles, especially in northern Mexico as the drug-related violence there has escalated this year. We would love to see many of you! Here is our church attendance/speaking schedule:

- Sun, July 25 evening (youth)...Pleasant View Bible Church, Warsaw, IN
- Sun, August 1 morning..........South Boston Bible Church, Lowell, MI
- Wed, August 4 evening..........Merson Church, Gobles, MI
- Sun, August 8 morning..........Chester Gospel Church, Charlotte, MI
- Wed, August 11 evening........Christian Fellowship Church, New Holland, PA
- Sun, August 15 all day..........Calvary Bible Church, Mount Joy, PA

3. Please pray for our Square Meters for Christ project for the church property purchase. In the month of June 2.5 more square meters were raised. Our goal is to raise 100% by September of this year. We currently have raised 112 of 378 square meters, 30% of the total. It seems like a big mountain, but we serve a BIG God! Please pray with us for this need.

Thanks for your faithful prayers! They do make a difference.

Serving HIM with You,
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

Posted by Bryan at 01:14 PM | Permalink

Your prayers for us are much appreciated as we come into the busy summer months:

1. Please pray for a missions trip that Bryan will be taking to the rural areas of the state of Hidalgo June 18-22. Our 10-year-old, Kendra, will be going along. Please pray for health and safety as we travel, and for much fruit for God's glory during the trip. One challenge will be the heat with temperatures in the 100's. There will be 15-16 of us total traveling, and we will be involved in a variety of activities including conferences, evangelistic outreach, kids' clubs, and dentistry.

2. Please pray for our VBS at church scheduled for July 12-16. We hope to have 100 kids attend this year - many of them from the community surrounding the church property. Please pray that many might come to know Jesus as their Savior, and that the church might continue to have a positive impact on the community.

3. Please continue to pray for our church property purchase fund. We continue to raise funds both here in Mexico and in the US. As of this writing we have enough funds for 109 square meters, or 29% of the total needed. We praise God for His provision, and trust Him to meet the need by this September. If you are interested in knowing more about this project please hit reply and let us know.

4. Please pray for a trip to the US we will be making from July 17-August 22. Our first stop will be Dallas, TX for some meetings at CAM's headquarters that Bryan will be involved in. Our next stop will be Chicago for a family reunion on the Smith side. The last time we were all together was over five years ago! Our next stop will be Michigan to visit Bryan's extended family and share in three churches. We will then head out to Pennsylvania to visit more family and friends and speak in another two churches, before heading back to Texas, and then Mexico. We would love to see as many of you as possible! We will send out our speaking itinerary once it is finalized.

5. Please pray for our continuing ministries here in Querétaro:
- Bryan continues to meet with four men from church on a weekly basis for leadership training and discipleship. It is exciting to see the church leadership continue to develop and grow into their roles. Please pray for continued unity among the group of church leaders and for the well-being of their families in every way.
- We are meeting with five couples twice a month for a marriage study group, and are very encouraged to see what God is doing in and through these couples. Pray for the salvation of one of the couples, Moises and Noemi. Pray for the others as they deal with things in their lives and marriages in order to grow more in love with God and each other.
- We are reaching out to our neighbors, Carlos and Lucy. Their daughter, Naomi, has responded the most at this point. Not only is she attending our church youth group, but she usually takes three or four of her friends! Pray for a continued open door to this family.
- We are meeting with Margarita on a weekly basis for training and discipleship. She continues to grow, and it is exciting to see her involved in reaching out to many of her friends and family members with the gospel and follow-up studies. Pray that she might continue to be sensitive to God's leading in her life.
- Bryan is involved in helping preach through the book of Revelation at church this year. We thank God for the response so far, and for the many visitors that have been attending. Lori continues to be involved as a Sunday School teacher, and we are both involved with the worship team. God continues to develop the church for His glory, and we are glad to continue to take steps in pulling back and turning ministries over to others.

We thank God for these, and many other opportunities that we have to serve Him here in Mexico. We value your participation with us through your prayers and support!

For God's Glory in Central Mexico,
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

Posted by Bryan at 01:25 PM | Permalink

Thanks so much for your faithful prayers! We have not been as faithful with our prayer updates! Please take a little time to read through and pray over our photo prayer update.

These World Cup Tracts are currently being handed out all over Mexico and other parts of Latin America as the world gears up for the soccer tournament. The tracts give the World Cup schedule as well as a brief plan of salvation and offer a free Bible study. Our team ordered around 12,000 of these for our Bajio region of Mexico. Praise God that a few weeks ago we got the information of a man that had received a tract and is interested in a Bible study. We visited Jose to drop off a study, and have been in contact with him about getting together to study the Bible. Just today we gave a young couple a tract and started a conversation with them. We hope this may lead to another evangelistic Bible study as well, although they live in a small town outside of Queretaro. Please pray that these tracts might continue to have an impact here and all over Latin America.

MK Spiritual Emphasis Camp

In April our three kids enjoyed a few days at camp with some of their fellow MK's. It was Ben's first year to attend as a first-grader. While they were at camp we had a chance to get away for a few days and celebrate our 15th anniversary a little early. Please pray that our family would continually grow in our love for God.

Children's Day celebration at church

Children's Day celebration at church - Luis & Miriam did a great job
with an Ephesians 6 Armor of God presentation

Mother's Day service at church

José Luis, Cesar, and Gerardo organized the Mother's Day service
and sang to the mothers with the help of the youth group

We praise God for what He is doing in the New Birth Bible Church. We recently had services celebrating the children for Children's Day and the mothers for Mother's Day. Part of the excitement for us was that we did not have much to do with planning either one of these special services! Please pray for the leadership of the church as we are moving toward naming elders and deacons, and continue to organize the church leadership.

Cesar updating the square meter chart at church

Foosball for square meters!

We continue to raise funds for the property purchase project. Right now we are at 26% of what we would like to raise in the US, and at 32% of what we would like to raise in Mexico. This means that as of today we have purchased 101 m² and have 277 m² to go. One of the creative ways that the church here is raising funds is through a foosball table. The youth group raised funds in order to purchase the table, and all proceeds from the table are going toward the property purchase. Please pray that all the funds would be provided in time to make the last payment in September. Would you consider helping us with a square meter, or whatever God lays on your heart? If you are interested in helping us in this way, please see the Square Meters for Christ article below.

Time for cake!

Quest training event with our team

Ben (right) had his friends Silas and Tucker Hower over for a few nights

We have so appreciated our CAM missionary team. We get together about every two weeks to pray, encourage one another, and fellowship. We recently celebrated Ben's seventh birthday together. We are made up of four families - 13 kids. We also recently enjoyed some training together at the camp. The topics were Finding a Balance Between Family and Ministry and Cross-cultural Conflict Resolution. Our team seemed to benefit greatly from our time together. Bryan is currently leading the team, and preparing the next team leader who will take over in 2011. Please pray that our team would continue to be unified and grow together.

We recently started a marriage study with five other couples using Gary Smalley's Making Love Last Forever study in Spanish. We have met twice, and it is exciting to hear and see what God is doing in each couple. This is a great study that God used to help us make some changes in our marriage about five years ago. One of the couples have not put their faith in Jesus yet and we are praying they will see their need for a Savior. Another one of the couple's, Jose Luis and Estrella, and from our church and are interested in taking the study in order to share it with some other couples. Please pray that this study would be used for God's glory to see his work accomplished in these couples.

Thanks so much for taking the time to pray and support us in this venture together for God's glory!

Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

Square Meters for Christ

The New Birth Bible Church and Community Center here in Queretaro, Mexico is purchasing the property which we have been renting for the last year and a half. We praise the Lord for His provision for this opportunity. The corner property is 378 m² and includes a large open roofed area which we have been using for the sanctuary. It also includes a house and two apartments. The property is ideal in many ways for the church to continue to grow and reach out into the surrounding communities. We praise God that the church here has been working creatively and giving sacrificially toward this purchase. The owner is a believer, and has given us a very fair price, and about a year to pay the balance.

The property viewed from the corner

So how can you help?

~ Give a gift:

Each square meter has a cost of $350. An account has been set up with CAM International to receive tax deductible gifts toward this project. Would you pray about this and consider helping us with one or more square meters? This is an opportunity to invest in a wonderful gift for Christ’s glory to be proclaimed in Queretaro and around the world!

There are two ways for you to make this gift:

- Make a secure online donation with credit/debit card or paypal:

Go to www.caminternational.org - Click the “Give” tab and select “donate online.” Select “Special Project” and enter the number 063608

- Send a check by mail:

Send your check made out to CAM International and earmarked for “Project #063608 New Birth Bible Church Property”

Send to:
CAM International
8625 La Prada Dr.
Dallas, TX 75228

~ Become a “champion” for this project:

Would you be willing to help us promote this project in your circles of influence? We would be glad to provide you with some brochures which you can use to promote the project. Simply e-mail us and let us know how many you would like, and where to send them.

~ Pray!

Please help us by praying for God’s provision as funds are raised both in the US and here in Mexico. We know that God “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

Thank you!

Posted by Bryan at 07:15 PM | Permalink

Thank you for your prayers. Here are some answers to prayer that the Lord has given us:

- I am doing better after a week of medicine and rest. My case of shingles did not seem to be too bad, or at least we caught it on time.
- Our website (www.smithconnection.com) is up and running again virus-free and hopefully more secure. We have turned off the comment feature which may have been a weak point in security. If you would like to comment just drop us an e-mail: bsmith@caminternational.org
- We have almost reached the 25% mark of the funds we would like to raise in the US for the Square Meters for Christ property purchase project. We praise God that we were recently able to make another substantial payment toward the total due in September of this year. See the Square Meters for Christ note below if you would like to help us with this project.
- On a related note, the Governor of our state of Querétaro granted our national co-worker, Mauricio Pérez, an appointment with one of his officials to hear our plans for the property purchase and community impact project. Mauricio was able to present the project and give the Governor some Christian literature. Please pray that God might work in his heart, first to trust in Christ as his Savior, and second to help us with the property purchase project.
- I recently got word that my Masters’ level classes from Lancaster Bible College will be credited toward the program I am currently enrolled in at Puebla Bible Seminary. This being the case, the only thing left to complete my Masters’ in Leadership Development is my thesis.

Thanks so much for being part of our team in prayer!

Bryan, for Lori and the kids

Square Meters for Christ
~ Give a gift:
Each square meter has a cost of $350. An account has been set up with CAM International to receive tax deductible gifts toward this project. Would you pray about this and consider helping us with one or more square meters? This is an opportunity to invest in a wonderful gift for Christ’s glory to be proclaimed in Querétaro and around the world!

There are two ways for you to make this gift:

- Make a secure online donation with credit/debit card or paypal:
Go to www.caminternational.org - Click the “Give” tab and select “donate online.” Select “Special Project” and enter the number 063608

- Send a check by mail:
Send your check made out to CAM International and earmarked for “Project #063608 New Birth Bible Church Property”

Send to:
CAM International
8625 La Prada Dr.
Dallas, TX 75228

~ Become a “champion” for this project:
Would you be willing to help us promote this project in your circles of influence? We would be glad to provide you with some brochures which you can use to promote the project. Simply e-mail us and let us know how many you would like, and where to send them.

~ Pray!
Please help us by praying for God’s provision as funds are raised both in the US and here in Mexico. We know that God “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

Posted by Bryan at 07:50 PM | Permalink

Please be in prayer for us these days. There have been many blessings, but at the same time some difficulties. We have suffered two virus attacks:

VIRUS #1 - We just found out yesterday that I, Bryan, have come down with shingles to the right side of my head. I am now taking medicines for it, but we understand that it can affect the eye if not properly cared for. We trust that with God’s help and the medicines I am taking I will be well again in a few days. Please pray with us about this. Today I am missing a great missions conference here in the New Birth Bible Church of Querétaro as am at home resting.
VIRUS #2 - On another note, it seems that our website was hacked and a virus added to it. Our server system found and cleaned out the virus, but we are be blocked by Google as an attack site. I hope to correct this soon, but in the mean time please use our back-up website: http://bryan-smithconnection.blogspot.com/ At the same time it appears that my laptop has crashed once again and needs to be fixed. It appears to be the video driver.

Thanks so much for your prayers for us! We know God is in control and has a perfect plan for us – we just need to keep trusting. I have been reflecting on my life verses a lot recently:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Prov. 3:5-6

What a great opportunity to put these truths in practice!

Thankful for Your Prayers,

Bryan, for Lori and the kids

Posted by Bryan at 11:46 AM | Permalink

Your prayers for us are much needed and appreciated! Please take a moment to pray as you read this pictorial prayer update:

The 2010 New Birth Bible Church mission logo

The New Birth Bible church mission/goal for 2010 comes from Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go ye therefore…” During the month of January our focus for teaching has been on evangelism and discipleship, concluding yesterday with an evangelism workshop. After the service those who wanted to went across the street to a community park and shared their faith. We praise God that two people responded to the Gospel by trusting in Christ as their Savior! One of them is a man who does maintenance at the park, and the other a 14 year old boy who lives near the park. We praise God for a great start to the year in this way. Please pray as we follow up on these decisions.

Our family with friends Isela, Diana, and Ivan

We praise God for Isela and her children who visited us yesterday evening (Her daughter Gaby is not pictured above. She was in school and not able to come). We had the privilege of leading them to the Lord about four years ago. Even though they now attend another church they are active in their faith and Isela is making disciples of her own. We concur with John, “[we] have no greater joy than this, to hear of [our] children walking in the truth.” (3 John 4)

The chart we have up at church shows the
progress for the property purchase


Bryan giving the owner of the property a partial
payment in December.

We praise God for a good start to the Square Meters for Christ property purchase project in the months of December and January. We have reached 18% of what we would like to raise in the US, and 25% of what we would like to raise in here Mexico. Each square in the above chart represents one square meter. Please pray that we will be able to reach our goals and be able to pay for the property completely by this September. If you are interested in helping us with this project please scroll down and see the Square Meters for Christ article below.

Mauricio, Luis, José Luis, Bob, Cesar, and Bryan –
6 of the 7 church leaders at New Birth

We are excited about the church leadership that God currently has in place at the New Birth Bible Church. Bryan has greatly enjoyed being involved in training three of the above pictured men, Luis, José Luis, and Cesar, plus Gerardo who is not pictured. We praise God that the leadership team continues to grow in unity and is working well together. “To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.” (Ephesians 3:21)

Celebrating a “Happy Birthday Jesus” party with
Grandma and Grandpa Smith on Dec. 25

Fishing with Grandpa Wenger – our
only catch for the day!


Playing piano with Grandma Wenger

We praise God for the special family times that we were able to enjoy over the Holidays. We had the joy of having both sets of grandparents here over that time! We also praise God for His protection and provision for our family. Please pray for our van which has been giving us a few problems recently. We would love for it to last us a few more years yet.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this update and pray for us. Please give us your feedback: what do you think of this format for our prayer updates? Should we do it again?

By the way, we enjoyed getting e-mails and cards from many over the Holidays! We especially enjoy receiving updated family pictures. Thank you! Please keep reading below if you are interested in helping with the Square Meters for Christ project.

Being and Making Disciples in Central Mexico,
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

Square Meters for Christ

The New Birth Bible Church and Community Center here in Queretaro, Mexico is purchasing the property which we have been renting for the last year and a half. We praise the Lord for His provision for this opportunity. The corner property is 378 m² and includes a large open roofed area which we have been using for the sanctuary. It also includes a house and two apartments. The property is ideal in many ways for the church to continue to grow and reach out into the surrounding communities. We praise God that the church here has been working creatively and giving sacrificially toward this purchase. The owner is a believer, and has given us a very fair price, and about a year to pay the balance.

The property viewed from the corner

So how can you help?

~ Give a gift:

Each square meter has a cost of $350. An account has been set up with CAM International to receive tax deductible gifts toward this project. Would you pray about this and consider helping us with one or more square meters? This is an opportunity to invest in a wonderful gift for Christ’s glory to be proclaimed in Queretaro and around the world!

There are two ways for you to make this gift:

- Make a secure online donation with credit/debit card or paypal:

Go to www.caminternational.org - Click the “Give” tab and select “donate online.” Select “Special Project” and enter the number 063608

- Send a check by mail:

Send your check made out to CAM International and earmarked for “Project #063608 New Birth Bible Church Property”

Send to:
CAM International
8625 La Prada Dr.
Dallas, TX 75228

~ Become a “champion” for this project:

Would you be willing to help us promote this project in your circles of influence? We would be glad to provide you with some brochures which you can use to promote the project. Simply e-mail us and let us know how many you would like, and where to send them.

~ Pray!

Please help us by praying for God’s provision as funds are raised both in the US and here in Mexico. We know that God “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

Thank you!

Posted by Bryan at 09:43 AM | Permalink

We would appreciate your prayers for us over the next few weeks. Please use part of our upcoming schedule to pray for us:

- Oct. 18-21: Lori will be attending a Women of the Harvest Retreat – please pray for safety in her travels as well as for a relaxing and beneficial time with the other missionary ladies
- Oct. 22-Nov. 3: Bryan will be attending a Quest conference in Big Sandy, TX – please pray for safety in his travels, for the family as they stay home in Mexico, and for a time of blessing and growth in this training opportunity
- Nov. 4 and 6: Bryan will be concluding the third of ten books with the four men from the church here that he is discipling/training – it has been an excellent ministry opportunity that Bryan has greatly enjoyed – please pray for continued growth in these four men and their families
- Nov. 7: our church youth group, which we are helping to lead, will be involved in putting on a Life Festival as an evangelistic outreach into the community – this is in light of and in response to the Day of the Dead celebrated along with Halloween here in Mexico from Oct. 31 - Nov. 2 – please pray for many families to attend and hear the Word in their hearts
- Nov. 8: Bryan will be preaching on Daniel chapter 10 at church – the Daniel series has been excellent for the church here. In the new year we plan to go into the book of Revelation. The Lord is coming soon! That afternoon we will be hosting the four families of the men Bryan is training plus our fellow missionaries, the Buhlers, for lunch, a time of fellowship, and some ministry tips from the Buhlers – please pray for continued growth of the church and its leaders
- Nov. 9-12: Bryan will be attending another class in his Masters’ program at the Puebla Bible Seminary – this course will be on Animism and World Religions – please pray for safety in travels, safety of the rest of the family at home, and for a good class and much learning

One more exciting note: The New Birth Bible Church here in Queretaro has signed a contract to purchase the property where we are currently meeting, and has made a down payment on it. We have about a year, interest free, to pay the balance of it to the owner, a Methodist believer. We praise God for this step of faith, and His provision for this meeting and outreach place for the church. We will be seeking to raise funds for this project both here in Mexico and in the U.S. More details to come in the near future, but please be praying for God’s provision for this project.

Being and Making Disciples in Central Mexico,
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, and Ben

Posted by Bryan at 12:23 PM | Permalink

Thanks for your prayers. We have not been real faithful in getting requests and praises out recently because we have been in a whirlwind of summer activity, but we do appreciate your continued prayers for us. Here are some praise and prayer items:

PRAISE:

1. For the teams that came to minister here in Querétaro this summer from Pennsylvania, Texas, and Indiana. Each team was a blessing to the ministry here.
2. For the recent remodeling that was done to our church meeting area. It is a new place! We have a new floor and stage, painted walls, a storage room, a new wall, and security bars on the windows. We praise God for His provision for these projects.
3. We praise God for the people that have been touched in recent community outreach – children, teens, and couples have been impacted with the Truth, and we have much follow-up to do.
4. It was a joy to see eight believers baptized in July, including our daughter Tara.

PRAYER:

1. For Lori and our three children, Kendra, Tara, and Ben, as they start homeschooling again next week. Ben will be at home for first grade now after having completed his stint in a Mexican kindergarten. This will be an adjustment for the new school year.
2. For Bryan as he catches up on his Masters’ studies after a busy summer. He would like to go to his next class at the end of August all caught up.
3. For a new Bible study with a couple that we will be starting on Friday. They are interested in knowing more about Jesus and God’s Word, as well as learn more about marriage. Pray that Jorge and Mari Carmen would come to Christ.
4. For God’s provision for the purchase of the church property that we have been renting. The owner is interested in selling the property to the church, and the church is interested in buying if it is the Lord’s will. Please pray for wisdom and provision.

Thanks so much for your prayers! We appreciate your faithfulness in lifting us and the ministry here up to the Lord. Stay tuned for some new pictures soon.

For His Glory in Mexico,

Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

Posted by Bryan at 02:42 PM | Permalink

Thanks so much for your prayers and concern for us in recent days. Mexico has certainly been in the news a lot! Here are a couple points of general update on the situation and on our family:

- Lori’s Surgery - we thank God for the recent visit of two ladies from our home church in PA. They were a GREAT blessing here as Lori had her surgery and the beginning of her recovery. They made it back to PA safely on Monday. Lori continues to do well and recover more each day.

- Swine Flu – even though the news has been inconsistent and it is hard to know the truth, here are a few facts we think we know:

- There are no officially confirmed cases of the flu here in our state of Queretaro, although we are right next to two states that do have confirmed cases

- The government has closed all schools at all levels in the entire country until May 6 – this includes Ben’s Kindergarten, but not the girls’ home school! :)

- The government has asked that people avoid public gatherings for now, and has closed many museums, parks, convention centers, restaurants, and sports arenas.

- The leadership of our church decided it would be best to suspend all church activities at least until May 6 and focus on praying as families at home for this situation

- The US Department of State has issued a travel alert encouraging Americans to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has encouraged U.S. citizens living in Mexico to take precautions, including having a two-week stockpile of essentials such as food, water, and medicines

We are taking the necessary precautions and trusting in God to keep us safe and healthy in the midst of everything. It has been a blessing that things have slowed down on the church side of ministry so that we can focus on catching up in some other areas, as well as to allow Bryan to continue helping Lori around the house as she continues to recover.

Thanks so much for your prayers for us during this time.

Trusting God,
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, and Ben

Posted by Bryan at 01:34 PM | Permalink

Thanks so much for your continued prayers for us. Here are a few current things to praise and pray for:

PRAISES:

- That Lori’s surgery went well last week, and that we have the help of two sisters from our home church in PA. Many people have been such a blessing to us during this time of need. We praise the Lord that Lori got her stitches out today, and is healing well

- God has kept our family healthy and away from all the bugs that are going around right now – this has been a blessing with Lori’s surgery and recovery

- For a clear opportunity Bryan had to share the Gospel with a doctor at a blood bank here in Queretaro. Pray that this doctor might come to Christ

PRAYER:

- Lori’s continued recovery from her surgery and regaining of her strength

- Paty, a mother of three, including a baby, whose 36-year-old husband passed away last Thursday. She is a dear believer who has been through so much. If you are interested in reading the whole story see below. Some may remember us mentioning her for prayer in the past

- For our “Children’s Day” service at church this Sunday – they celebrate children here in Mexico on April 30, so we will have a special service for them on April 26

Your prayers are a blessing!
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Paty’s Story

Friday morning when I arrived home from the hospital after spending the night with Lori I got a message on our answering machine from Jose Luis and Estrella. They asked me to call them back ASAP. When I called they informed me that Paty’s 36-year-old husband, Mario, had died of a massive heart attack the previous evening. To make a very long story short, Mario had a history of abusing Paty and their children in many ways. She is a believer, and if you read 1 Peter 3:1-6 you will see a beautiful picture of the way she has been toward her unbelieving husband for many years. Paty had been in a group Bible study that I taught about 6 years ago. She and her daughters had been going to our church, but stopped going to church because he did not allow them to attend anymore. I could give countless stories of the way he ridiculed and abused them. I had even counseled her to separate from him for a time for her own protection, and that of their children. She remained quietly and faithfully with him. After MANY opportunities to come to Christ, God said enough is enough. We can only hope that in his last moments he came to the foot of the cross.

Now the rest of the story – Jose Luis asked me if I could possibly accompany him to the funeral home where the vigil was being held. Because these two sisters were caring for Lori in the hospital and our kids at home, I was able to go. When I arrived at the vigil Paty was sitting in the back of the little chapel all alone while his family, staunch Catholics, were doing the chants and prayers for the dead soul. I pulled Paty and her daughters to another corner of the room and Jose Luis and Estrella arrived a short time later. We cried, we prayed, we read some Psalms, and we encouraged and comforted Paty and her daughters as best we could with God’s comfort. God was so gracious! It was also an excellent opportunity to mentor Jose Luis, a budding church leader, in how to handle these types of ministry situations. We talked about the stark contrast between the two groups in the little funeral chapel. This contrast is often seen at a funeral in Mexico. Our focus was life – comforting the family, praying for the salvation of the lost, reading the living Word of God. We gave Paty two evangelistic “Life Kits” to share with whomever she wanted of the unsaved family and friends and a love offering to help this widow in her time of need. Their focus was death – praying for Mario, that God would show him mercy, that the virgin of Guadalupe would be his intercessor, and that he would soon be able to be released into God’s presence. The singing was sad, without hope, without life. The prayers were meaningless repetition.

We heard Paty bare her soul as she shared about her husband – she felt guilty because not long ago she had prayed to God that He would remove any obstacles in her life that were not allowing her to serve Him and love Him. Now her husband was gone, and she felt the guilt. We assured her that she did not need to feel guilty. God is sovereign and in control. We knew how she had been a 1 Peter 3 wife to her unbelieving husband. She shared how he had eaten lunch with them that day, something he rarely did, and how he had asked to hold their baby boy, just born a few months ago, so that he could spend some time with him – something else he rarely did. He asked Paty to iron his shirts because he had an appointment somewhere that day at 6:00. He died at 6:05. Lori later reflected that for that appointment it didn’t matter how nicely ironed his shirt was if his soul was un- ironed and wrinkly. At one point during our time Paty asked if there is a vacancy in a ministry at church – maybe in the nursery or Sunday School. She has a burning desire to serve the Lord and can’t wait to get involved in church again.

Paty and her children, Andrea (16), Mariana (11), and Marioni (months), need our prayers.

Posted by Bryan at 01:07 PM | Permalink

Just a couple of quick items for this week:

- We praise God for a good turn-out to an evangelistic film this past Friday evening – we showed the first Narnia movie and had quite a few from the community in attendance. Especially pray for Mariano, the brother of a church member, who watched the film and was impacted. We want to pursue a Bible study with him.

- We praise God for our Sunday service – we are going through some of the sects and world religious systems and how to witness to them and be firm in what we believe. This Sunday we looked at Islam with a Mexican missionary couple who will be headed to Turkey next month. We had a great time of fellowship after church at our home with the missionaries and some church families. We also had some unsaved folks with us and had a really neat time of sharing and fun together.

- Please pray for a difficult church situation that Bryan is involved with helping another missionary in another city. Pray that God would be glorified in the results of this very complicated situation, and that all involved would have wisdom from on high.

- Please pray for an evangelistic marriage supper we will be having at our church this Friday – especially pray that Mariana and Pablo will attend – they were here at our house yesterday and were invited

Thanks so much for your prayers!

Bryan & Lori

Posted by Bryan at 12:52 PM | Permalink

Thanks so much for your support and encouragement through prayer. Here are some prayer items:

Praise:

- Bryan’s recent travels went well, and he now is finished with traveling for a time. We praise God that we can be together as a family again.

- The transition our mission, CAM International, is going through to a team structure is going well – Bryan’s involvement in helping to make the changes is nearing completion for the time being. We praise God for the strength and health He has given us as a family during this busy time.

- The evangelistic outreach efforts of the New Birth Bible Church through English classes, evangelistic films, and marriage suppers – much seed has been spread and we trust that God will cause it to give fruit for His glory.

Prayer:

- Lori’s surgery coming up on the 16th of April – she will be having a partial hysterectomy – please pray for the surgery and recovery. We praise God for the help of two ladies from our home church in PA who are planning to come down to Mexico to help us over that time.

- Our “Transformation Team” – the new structure we minister within here in Mexico – that we might encourage each other in being and making disciples. If you want to know more about these teams you can check out the following links: http://www.t2blueprint.com/ (this one shows the general structure plan) and http://20ohms.blogspot.com/ (this one is for our team in particular).

- For God’s continued provision for our needs – we praise Him that even in the midst the global economic challenges our support has slightly increased. That being said, our support needs have also increased by about $300 a month due to an increase in our medical insurance. For the first time in the 10 years that we have been with CAM our monthly support account has dipped into the negatives the last two months. Please pray for God’s provision.

Thanks so much for your prayers! They are vital to our ministry here in Mexico.

Being and Making Disciples in Central Mexico,

Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara, & Ben

Posted by Bryan at 12:48 PM | Permalink

Your prayers for us are a blessing! We had a whirlwind finish to 2008, and are excited about all that God is doing as we start 2009. We have posted some new photos here: http://www.smithconnection.com/2009/01/photo_highlights_winter_0809.html for you to check out. After this “catch-up” photo update, we plan to update you a little differently this year through more regular blog posts and photos. For now here are a few prayer items:

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - January 2009" »

Posted by Bryan at 11:40 AM | Permalink

Thanks for praying!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - November 2008" »

Posted by Bryan at 07:32 AM | Permalink

Your prayers for us are MUCH appreciated...

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - October 2008" »

Posted by Bryan at 11:45 PM | Permalink

Thanks for praying!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - September 2008" »

Posted by Bryan at 10:43 AM | Permalink

Thanks for your prayers for us! We have had a busy month of August. Here are some prayer highlights:

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - August/September 2008" »

Posted by Bryan at 10:16 AM | Permalink

Thanks for praying for us! Click below for some recent items to bring before the Lord.

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - July 2008" »

Posted by Bryan at 10:08 PM | Permalink

Thanks for praying!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - June 2008" »

Posted by Bryan at 09:01 AM | Permalink

Here are some fresh prayer items. Thanks for praying!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - May/June 2008" »

Posted by Bryan at 01:34 PM | Permalink

Please hold us up in prayer! Click below for some current prayer items. Thank you!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - April 2008" »

Posted by Bryan at 01:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Thanks so much for your prayers concerning the radio and TV spots. Things went well, and it appears that we will have a weekly opportunity to share a verse from the book of Proverbs! We gave a Bible away to a caller on the TV show, and later found out that others had called in wanting a Bible as well. This may be another way to make contacts and open doors – give away Bibles to callers including an invitation for a Bible study in the front cover. We’ll keep you posted on how this develops. We will also send or post pictures of our new church meeting place soon.

With much appreciation,
Bryan & Lori

Posted by Bryan at 07:07 PM | Permalink

God provided an open door on the air waves...

Continue reading "Special Prayer Update - Feb. 15, 2008" »

Posted by Bryan at 06:21 PM | Permalink

Here is our latest prayer update. Thanks for praying!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - January 2008" »

Posted by Bryan at 02:54 PM | Permalink

Here is a special update:

Continue reading "Smith Photo Update - Fall 2007" »

Posted by Bryan at 01:24 PM | Permalink

Click below for some prayer items. Thanks for praying!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - Oct./Nov. 2007" »

Posted by Bryan at 12:31 PM | Permalink

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

Click on the photo below for some recent pictures.

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

Posted by Bryan at 11:36 AM | Permalink

Here are some recent items for prayer:

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - September 2007" »

Posted by Bryan at 04:40 PM | Permalink

Here are some recent prayer items:

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - August 2007" »

Posted by Bryan at 12:17 PM | Permalink

Praise God we found a house! Click below for more details:

Continue reading "Special Prayer Update" »

Posted by Bryan at 06:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Click below for some recent prayer items. Thanks for your prayers for us!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - July 2007" »

Posted by Bryan at 05:10 AM | Permalink

*Click below for an update and prayer requests. God bless!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - June 2007" »

Posted by Bryan at 09:04 AM | Permalink

*Click below for a few prayer items for May 2007

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - May 2007" »

Posted by Bryan at 02:08 PM | Permalink

Use the link below for some April prayer items. Thanks for taking us before God's throne!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - April 2007" »

Posted by Bryan at 10:28 AM | Permalink

Click below for some March prayer items. Thanks for praying!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - March 2007" »

Posted by Bryan at 04:37 PM | Permalink

*Click below for some February 2007 prayer items.

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - February 2007" »

Posted by Bryan at 09:55 PM | Permalink

*Click below for some January prayer items. Your prayers really make a difference!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - January 2007" »

Posted by Bryan at 03:04 PM | Permalink

*Click below for some December prayer items. We always appreciate your prayers for us!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - December 2006" »

Posted by Bryan at 01:40 PM | Permalink

*Click below for some November prayer items. Thanks for your prayers!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - November 2006" »

Posted by Bryan at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Click below for some October prayer items.

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - October 2006" »

Posted by Bryan at 01:34 PM | Permalink

Click below for some prayer items for September 2006

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - September 2006" »

Posted by Bryan at 07:17 PM | Permalink

Click below for some prayer items for August 2006

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - August 2006" »

Posted by Bryan at 12:26 PM | Permalink

Click below to see some July prayer items. We appreciate your prayers for us!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Priase - July 2006" »

Posted by Bryan at 07:48 AM | Permalink

Please click below to see some prayer items. Thanks for your prayers!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - June 2006" »

Posted by Bryan at 10:40 AM | Permalink

Please pray for this evangelistic effort at a soccer game.

Continue reading "Smith Prayer Blurb - May 20, 2006" »

Posted by Bryan at 01:05 PM | Permalink

*Click below for some recent prayer and praise items

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - May 2006" »

Posted by Bryan at 09:15 PM | Permalink

Click below for some April prayer items. We appreciate your prayers!

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - April 2006" »

Posted by Bryan at 05:19 PM | Permalink

CLICK BELOW FOR SOME MARCH PRAYER ITEMS

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - Mar. 2006" »

Posted by Bryan at 10:46 AM | Permalink

CLICK BELOW FOR SOME RECENT PRAYER ITEMS

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - Feb. 2006" »

Posted by Bryan at 10:26 AM | Permalink

CLICK BELOW FOR SOME RECENT PRAYER ITEMS

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - Jan. 2006" »

Posted by Bryan at 07:56 PM | Permalink

CLICK BELOW FOR SOME RECENT PRAYER ITEMS

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - Dec. 2005" »

Posted by Bryan at 05:09 PM | Permalink

CLICK BELOW FOR OUR CURRENT PRAYER ITEMS

Continue reading "Smith Prayer & Praise - Nov. 2005" »

Posted by Bryan at 07:25 PM | Permalink

"For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." Romans 12:4-5

Thank you for taking the time to care about and to pray for this extension of the body of Christ here in Queretaro, Mexico. Visit our webpage for some recent pictures: http://homepage.caminternational.org?bsmith

We are praising the Lord for:
a) the positive results we are seeing in Kendra as she homeschools.
b) the 4 new guitar students, the 2 new Sunday school teachers in training, and for 1 new prayer group.
c) bringing Lori safely through a series of physical problems last month.

We are praying for:
a) a full or part-time worker to help in the church.
b) the provision of housing for us, for when we return to PA in July of 2006 for home assignment.
c) continued growth and commitment of the believers in the church.

Your partners in prayer,
Bryan, Lori, Kendra, Tara and Benjamin Smith

Bryan & Lori Smith
Islas Griegas #120
Fracc. Loma Linda
Querétaro, QRO C.P. 76030
MÉXICO

Telephone:
From the U.S. 011-52-442-222-7799
From Mexico 01-442-222-7799

Posted by Bryan at 10:18 PM | Permalink