wellborn my hometown

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..