The following is a letter written by my 8 year old daughter, Emma, my wife and myself. Please read it, and pray about joining us on our mission.
February 16, 2012
Dear Family and Friends,
My dad is taking his third missions trip to Peru this summer with our church. (Currently scheduled for June 15th - 25th.) I really want to go this year!
Last year when my daddy came home he showed me these pictures of little girls. He was showing them pictures of me and Keira. The girls said, "Muy bonita." That means very beautiful. They told my dad they wanted to meet us.
A couple of months ago I had an idea that maybe I could go to Peru with my dad this year so that I could tell the little kids about Jesus.
My teacher from Mission Friends at church used to be Miss Cheryl Brown. Miss Cheryl has gone to Peru a lot! She just got back from there again last week. (Cheryl and her husband, Dennis, head up our missions committee at church.) So one night I talked to Miss Cheryl. Miss Cheryl was going to a Peru meeting. I said, "How old do you have to be to go?" She said, "A mature eight year old could probably go." As long as I kept my hands out of my mouth. So I told my dad. He said, "Oh, cool!� I kept asking if I could go. He just kept thinking about it.
Today is Valentine's Day. My dad said, "Let's talk about Peru." He told me that if we could raise the support then I could go with him this summer.
I want to go to Peru so that I can tell the little kids about Jesus so that they might get saved and go to heaven someday.
The trip will cost $1200 per person and there are two of us. I don't know how much that is, but it's a lot.
Would you think about helping me raise support? Could you pray for me that I could raise enough money? Could you pray for the rest of the team and for the Peruvians ("What, are you surprised I know that word?" [Yes, I was!]) that they would get saved?
Emma Smith
Age 8
The words you've read are Emma's own. I wrote her words for her as she spoke. As her mother the thought of her traveling to a foreign country with her father is slightly terrifying, but if the Lord is working in her little eight year old heart I would never want to deter her. This is a little girl who drags her father to the neighbors so she can tell them about Jesus. Our next door neighbor calls her the mayor of our street. If only I could be so uninhibited.
The team traveling this June looks like a great group of teenagers and leaders. Many of them have welcomed the addition of Emma to their team with enthusiasm and promises to not to lose her. Emma will be in great hands with them and her dad. Ultimately, she will be in the hands of her heavenly Father. This is the best place for her to be!!!
Shallon Smith
Dear Friends and Family,
In October 2008, our church sent a vision team to Matucana, Peru to see if this was a place that we could strategically partner with. Our goal was to find an area that we could adopt as our own mission field away from New Port Richey. Our team, and the subsequent teams, fell in love with the area and the people. We attempt to send 6-8 teams a year to Matucana with one purpose - to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all of the people in Matucana and the surrounding villages.
In July 2010, we first took a group of teenagers to Matucana. We went back again last June with a larger group, and this year are expecting an even larger group. This will allow us to reach even more people and share with them Bible stories, dramas, and songs all of which will share the true Gospel with them. Many of the people are confused about what to believe. Between the Catholic church and ancient beliefs (which have been blended together) many of the people have indeed been blinded by the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4). We have been called to be salt and light in this world (Matt. 5:13-14), and have been told to go and make disciples in all the world (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). We regularly are teaching and training our students to be local missionaries in their homes, neighborhoods and schools, but that is only half of what we are called to do. We are also to be global missionaries.
I am excited to again be leading our students to be global missionaries in Peru this June. We will be taking some with us who have gone overseas before, but we will also be taking some who have never left the country before, and certainly never to share the Gospel. One of my joys is to take students as global missionaries to other countries and cultures for the first time.
However, this trip is taking on a new shape for me. I went on my first overseas trip with my Dad when I was 10 years old. This year, my daughter, Emma, who is 8, is planning to go with me to reach the children of Peru. In the above letter from Emma, she talks about seeing a picture of me with some children. Here is that picture. It is with great excitement that we are preparing to go together to be on mission as global missionaries together.
Would you please pray for us as we plan to go? And not only for Emma and me, but also for our entire team. Pray for safety, for Gospel opportunities and for finances.
Also, would you consider partnering with us financially? As Emma mentioned, the cost will be around $1200.00 per person (depending on airfare, it could be more). Unlike my daughter, I am pretty sure that is $2400.00 for the two of us. Even $5 or $10 would help us immensely. Every little bit helps! If you are willing and able to give towards our trip, please fill out the enclosed slip of paper and return it to our church with your donation. All gifts of $5 or more are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to:
First Baptist Church of New Port Richey
Attn: Student Ministry Dept.
6800 Trouble Creek Road
New Port Richey, FL 34653
This is truly a family project for us, as we are all involved in the preparations, planning, saving, packing and praying. I am excited to see what God is going to do on this trip in the lives of our students, in my life and in Emma's life! To God alone be the glory!
God bless,
Brad Smith
Minister to Students
First Baptist Church of New Port Richey
PS - Stay up to date with our travel plans, and our trip by following me on Twitter (@BradSmith12two) or on Facebook (facebook.com/BradSmith12two).
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