wellborn my hometown

Labels: October "09, WELLBORN WHISPER

The Methodist Conferences all across our country are putting forth national & local TV ads this fall season on a Back To Church theme, simultaneous to so many families being directly involved with Back To School. WELLBORN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH invites you to come and see if it is true that doors are always open wide in welcome. Hearts and minds are too. OPEN DOOR SUNDAY is OCTOBER 4th, 2009

David Smith was Youth Pastor at Wellborn United Methodist Church 1997-2000. Since then David graduated from U of F, Gainesville and has completed seminary studies. He works for the Resource Development of The Source for Youth Ministry. It is a non denominational group successfully providing useful material for youth Pastors around the world via the internet. David's prayerful supporters receive monthly newsletters and special prayer requests as needed. This e-mail came from David today:

It’s finally Friday, and that means that the missionary team headed to S. Africa leaves in a few hours. I’m pretty sure that everyone on the team is excited as me. Hopefully, no one on the team is as tired as me. (It’s taken a lot to just get ready for the trip!) J

This missionary team is like the Chicago Bulls from the 90’s! In other words, they are the Dream Team! I am so happy to be taking each one of them with me. The kids in S. Africa will be blessed to meet them and be loved by them.

So, of course, I’m asking for your prayers. Our 10 person team consists of Jason, Tom, John, Linda, Kelli, Sarah, Angela, Kati, Jeannine, and myself. Please pray for us each and every day of the trip. Obviously, we will need safe travel. S. Africa is a dangerous place (with the latest news reports not encouraging travel to the country right now). That’s OK, we work for God. J So, please pray the team leaves and arrives safely.

Since we are going to spend time with orphans and other vulnerable children, please pray there are no barriers to the communication. Angela will be planning tons of activities to do with the children and Jeannine has the teenagers’ days planned. Pray that our activities are meaningful and we can talk with them about Jesus effectively. That’s the purpose of the trip. We want to build relationships with those who have no relatives or family or friends. James 1:27 has been on my heart for the last few weeks as we prepared to leave. It pretty much sums up what we’re hoping to do in God’s power.

Finally, after you pray for safety for the team and effectiveness for the orphans and vulnerable children, pray for the team members that THEY would be blessed. Ask God to allow them to experience Him in ways otherwise not available to them. Will you please lift each person up in prayer, daily? Yes, every single one of us want to be a blessing, but each of us are wondering what God has in store for us…what He wants to reveal to us.

Please help.

As always, I will send out a report of the trip when I return home. The team returns October 3rd, but I won’t be back until October 5th. You can expect to hear from me then.

Sawubona!

David R. Smith
Resource Development
The Source for Youth Ministry

Blogger Jinny took his picture a year ago when David returned to Wellborn to tell the story of his first trip to South Africa. David's wife Jennifer did the power point part and added a musical dimension to the missionary evening. Their little boy Josiah came with grandparents Russell and Colleen Smith. WUMC family dares to hope for a repeat missionary program with the Smiths again this fall..

Top Center foto: They might be sisters. They are really mother and daughter. This is Leilani Clarke and her mom. Lannie's singing was the special treat for this year's WNW BLOCK PARTY IN THE PARK, Saturday. Sept 19, '09.
Russell Smith M.C'd the block party and also enjoyed his role as grandfather. Troy(almost 2) knows Russell's wife Colleen as "Big Mama". When cousin Josiah Smith comes from Tampa, the Smith homes out Bulb Farm Road relive the days when daddy David and daddy Michael and their cousins James and Aaron played there and the Burnhams were the happy grandparents.
See Ovie Long behind Russell and Troy. At age 90 Ovie rejoices at her recovery from a broken foot. Here she enjoys a day in the park with friends one more time.
BarBQ on a roll, Tim Steichen's baked beans,and slaw with cake for dessert and soda of your choice were the center of interest in the picture under the shelter. It was good food and good conversation and a good time of caring about neighborhood well being in our hometown.
Myrtle Prinicpatio had spent the day as a Haven volunteer at the Museum in Liv e Oak where Railroad Days festival gave opportunity for Haven Hospice volunteers to tell their story.
Ruth Ford's story was that five family members from points north rally'd at her home in connection with the Florida/University of Tennessee game.
George Scott and I left the WNW earlier than we would have chosen so as to catch Pastor Matt Dillard speaking at Unity in the Community once a month-er.
Multiple Choice for weekend activities is the way it is around town now.

Labels: Wellborn Neighborhoodc Watch Block Party

Mexican Train is a game played with dominoes. The Bowman family are new friends. Youngest daughter Grace came as a customer and then a helper at the Community Library on Saturdays @ 12005 CR 137(Wellborn Methodist Fellowship Hall). She and her family welcomed Carmen and me to supper with their family of 2 girls, 3 boys, mom and dad. This is a picture of our return invitation when we asked them to bring their dominoes and teach us the game. GREAT FUN! Long live the art of home hospitality !

Chris Williams and her dad Wendell Snowden were the cheerful meeters and greeters at this months First Saturday Blueberry Pancake breakfast which happened to land on Labor Day weekend. The three gooduns behind the counter stopped pancake flipping and serving customers long enough for a photo: Kathie Snowden, Beanie Brooks & Jackie Slaughter. If not extra pay for these volunteers(2x0 is still zero) there surely is lots of praise and thanks from us stay-at-home Wellborn folks.
NEXT MONTH a combo breakfast and yard sale is planned: OCTOBER 3. 7 am to 10 or later if needed. See you there!