smiths2argentina

Well, we apologize for not having updated the blog a bit sooner, but we're glad to report that what has kept us from it is being busy with meetings! We've also been able to design our letterhead and write our first prayer letter. 

During the month of June, we were in 10 different churches, though only Bible Baptist in Beaver Dam, KY, and Faith Promise Baptist in Portland, TN, were scheduled meetings. In all the others, we were able to meet the pastors and get prayer cards in their hands. In several churches, we were invited to play and sing, and in others, even set up our table and give a short presentation. I wish we could thank them all here, but we would like to give special thanks to Pastor Eddie Calloway and Sugar Grove Baptist Church for not only allowing us to set up our table at their Missions Conference that we unknowingly dropped in on, but also for inviting us back each night for meals and meetings, and being a great source of encouragement!

Also during the month of June, God led us to go full-time with deputation. Jenn was looking diligently for a job, and several opportunities were beginning to open up, but the more we prayed about it and asked counsel of other missionaries and pastors, the more we felt that God was leading us to step out by faith. So, with much prayer, we launched out into the deep, and God has blessed! Our needs have been provided, and we are confident in God's faithfulness concerning our future.

Thus far, in the month of July, we have been in seven churches, besides our home church, and at Camp Victory for a couple days of Teen Week II. Five of these meetings were scheduled, and my home church of Calvary Community Church in Belpre, OH, took us on for support. Many thanks to Pastor Fullerton and Calvary Community for their generosity! During the same trip to that area, an individual in Pleasant View Baptist in Parkersburg, WV, committed to take us on as well. Praise the Lord for progress!

We will do our best to continuously keep you updated. We really appreciate the emails and notes of encouragement. Please keep us in your prayers!

We are now residents of Franklin KY! Thank you to my little brother Matt, for all your help moving. Tuesday was one of the busiest days of my life. My brother and I woke up at 6:45 in the morning, loaded the last couple of things into the 26 foot uhaul (they were out of the 17 foot variety and upgraded us for no extra cost.) and left for Franklin. Matt followed me in his car which had some troubles that turned a 4 hour trip into 6 hours. But the Lord is good- it could have taken a lot longer.


We got to the storage building where we are storing most of our things until we find an apartment of our own and unloaded. Halfway into that, a storm came. After the downpour, we finished unloading there-then we moved the piano into the house. That was fun. 


Matt and I drove back to Knoxville in his car. We didn't get there until close to 11:00 PM due to road construction. At 11:30 PM, I began the drive back in our (new to us) minivan. Praise the Lord, I arrived safely at about 3:30 AM! 


The last couple of days have been spent, getting settled and organized. Please continue to pray for Jennifer to find a well paying, flexible job soon.

This past week was as busy as we thought it was going to be, with a few other events thrown in! 


Wednesday, my last day at Semperian, a co-worker asked me if I was interested in selling my little 1990 Corolla. We hadn't really thought about trying to sell it yet, because of how much we had going on this week, but since we were in great need of a mini-van I told him I was interested. That particular deal fell through, but the seed was planted in my mind. Jenn drove down to Powell with Joel, instead of me driving to Franklin Wednesday night, so we could leave the Corolla there in case it did sell.


Thursday afternoon, we met with the board of All Points Baptist Mission; http://www.allpointsbaptist.com Bro. Robbie Morrison, Bro. Alan Morrison, Pastor Don Snow, and Bro. John Burns. After a thorough interview, we were unanimously accepted into the APBM family! 


We then drove over to Parkersburg, WV, to visit with my family. We purchased a minivan from my granfather. We posted the Corolla for sale on Knoxville craigslist before we left Grandpa's house on Friday, and it sold Saturday afternoon! Praise the Lord for his perfect timing! 


Jenn needed to get on the road Friday evening after we made the deal on the van, since she was driving about a 7 hour trip alone with Joel to get back to Franklin, KY. She left, and after a slight miscalculation that had her end up in Louisville, KY, instead of 50 miles south of Louisville where she should have come out, she made it home safely. 


My brother Matt and I took off for Powell after the paperwork on the van was finished. We had a bit of an adventure ourselves, and didn't get home until about 2:30 AM. We are now here in Powell, finishing up the packing and getting ready to rent the U-haul. Since so much car stuff was going on today (the van needed a few minor repairs that were taken care of this afternoon), our plans for moving have been set back a day, and we now expect to finish moving to KY Tuesday instead of Monday. 


I apoloGod has been blessing greatly. We want to thank everyone for their prayers, and please keep them coming! All that has happened have been praise reports, but I do need to throw in a couple of prayer requests. Jenn is still looking for a job in the Franklin area. She's applied at quite a few places, and has a few calls to make next week for follow-up. Pray for God's will in this! Also, we are still in need of a pack and play for Joel when we travel. These are not too expensive, and we're looking into purchasing one soon. Pray it will be sturdy and inexpensive!


Thank you so much for your interest in keeping up with us, and for your prayers. God bless you!

This week will be pretty busy, as we are still working on moving to Franklin, KY. It's Sunday night, and Jennifer and Joel are still in Franklin, as I make my way back to Powell, TN. Jenn will be looking for employment this week, please pray that she'll find a good job with flexibility. I will be working Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, my last days at Semperian. Wednesday night, when I get off work, I will be headed up to Franklin again. Thursday morning, Jenn, Joel and I will be headed to New Philadelphia, OH, to meet with the folks at All Points Baptist Mission. The next morning, Jenn will be dropping me off in my hometown of Parkersburg, WV, and then she'll take Joel back to Franklin. My brother, Matt, and I will go down to Powell and spend the weekend packing up the rest of our things. Monday, the 15th, is the target date to have the u-haul packed and to leave for Franklin.  

We have been wonderfully blessed in beginning deputation. So many opportunities to sing, play, and speak have already come our way. I would like to thank everyone that has already had us come to their church, and those who have already scheduled meetings with us. We look forward to the rest of deputation! We pray that we'll be a blessing in every meeting we're in, and that we'll bring God glory. 

While at Faith's Camp Meeting, I met Bro. Gene Dame, who invited us out to Portland, TN, for Sunday evening. He gave us the opportunity to sing a couple of specials and present the ministry. The blessings keep coming!

Sunday morning, we visited Bro. Cleatus Bowman and Bible Baptist in Beaver Dam, KY. Bro. Cleat gave us the opportunity to sing, play, and asked me share our burden for Argentina. The visit was a blessing! Bro. Cleat preached and one young mother accepted Christ as her Savior. We had a good time of fellowship with Bro. Cleat and his wife, Mrs. Donna, after the service.