The Smith Saga Shifts and Speeds Up
(God works in mysterious ways.)
Greetings from Orlando where our ‘Life Road’ has taken another major turn and the pace has sped up significantly.
We are excited to fill you in at this time but FIRST~
Thank you for your patient, persevering partnership with us despite our lack of communication over the last few months.
We KNOW you’re praying. We’re VERY grateful for your giving so we can go and for your prayers that sustain us .
Here is a synopsis of some of the amazing things God has done:
August 2009
After much soul-searching and prayer we accepted the call to be part of Covenant World Mission’s New Congo Team in 2010.
The Hubbling Clan reunited at Niece Tabitha’s wedding in Massachusetts this year.
September-December ’09
With the help of a Coach we underwent Healthy Lifestyle training, both losing weight and feeling much healthier.
In Sept. we went to Community Health Evangelism training where we learned exciting ways of helping our Congo Church.
God gave us a wonderful new Pastor and Wife at our Orlando Church Home who are guiding us through revitalization.
January 2010
As always, the Mid-Winter Conference provided enriching teaching and good reconnection with many pastor friends.
We began the 5 month Perspectives on the World Christian Movement Course and Helen began to brush up on her French.
February ’10
The New Congo Team met in Chicago for team-building exercises and planning.
We’re blessed to have the wise and loving care of our Home Office Staff to help us prepare as a team for the challenges ahead!
March ’10 Highlights:
~Participating again in the Trinity, Greensboro, NC Missions Conference.
~Hosting E.G. Missionary colleagues from Texas
April Highlights:
~A visit from Brother Greg and wife Cheri Smith
~Daughter Deb graduated from Goshen College in IN with an ASL Interpretation Degree!
May ’10
Perspectives and French studies ended. Re-inoculations and New Passports were acquired.
Great to have teammates Paul and Sheryl Noren and Son Erik visit!
One more time in OR with Dad Smith, his wife Donna, and others of the Smith Clan thanks to the generosity of friends in NC.
June ’10
Life is chaotic now with purchasing, packing, and other preparations for departure for Africa on July 1st!
June 23-27 In MN to attend the Covenant Annual Meeting with entire Congo Team.
The Plan:
June 23-27 – With Congo Team in St. Paul. MN at Annual Mtg. July 1 – Depart Orlando for Africa
July 2-Arrive Yaounde, Cameroon – July 3-Drive to Eq. Guinea
July 4-25 – Visit the Churches in Eq. Guinea and sort ‘stuff’ in storage and re-pack to take to Congo
July 26-Drive back to Cameroon – July 27-29 Re-pack and prioritize cargo for Congo
July 30-Fly by mission plane with all the cargo possible to Gemena, Congo
August-Hopefully have another cargo flight to Congo from Cameroon. Work hard to move into our new home by month’s end.
PLEASE PRAY:
~ for God’s peace to reign over us through all the details
~for success in completing the tasks that are God’s priorities
~Blessings on team members attending CHE in CA this week
~Healing for Cindy Ekstrand’s ruptured and infected eardrum
~for comfort in good-byes to our daughters and Church Family here in Orlando and in Eq. Guinea
~for safe and smooth travels between Cameroon, Eq. Guinea, and Congo
~for good relationships with Congo Church colleagues
~for success in getting our Congo Home ready quickly
~for continued giving to FOWM project #191 to cover set up costs for the team
Thanks so much for being part of the Congo Team too!
Tim and Helen Smith
Although internet may be difficult we’ll try to do better at keeping you informed by e-mail and/or blog updates
Short Plain Text Messages at: smithsineg@yahoo.com Blog site: http://blogs.covchurch.org/smith/
Support/Gifts: Dept. of World Mission 5101 N. Francisco, Chicago, IL 60625
Changes of MAILING Address
If you have a change of mail address please notify Marilyn Moore at 104 Brooksby Village Drive, Unit #410, Peabody, MA 01960-1473.
If you would like to change to emailing list, please inform Marilyn Moore at marwee@comcast.net who is continuing as our letters coordinator. We will not be able to help correct addresses from Congo.
