CONFERENCE...Our week started out with a bang at the YWAM Global Leadership Conference in San Juan, Costa Rica. Over 57 nations were represented. The week was filled with amazing worship in 4 different languages, daily prayers, teachings and table conversations. I was excited to be able to attend, a little miracle in itself. Our base director was praying about the possibility of us being able to afford the trip, with needed room and board for 15 people, when an offer was made to house, feed and transport us daily for $5.00 per person. God provides.

HURRICANE...Many prayers were centered around Hurricane Irma and the devastation it had caused in numerous areas. Towards the end of this conference, the leadership was led to petition the different groups to take action and commit to helping those most in need to rebuild, starting in Caribbean. Our base decided to take on the challenge. It would entail securing containers and outfitting them as living quarters, and classrooms, and using YWAM ships to ship them to the Islands that were destroyed, thus providing housing for the people who were displaced. What an awesome way to be a shining light to those now in darkness.

I, too, felt deep inside my heart that I was supposed to help in this effort. We can not continue to turn our heads and disregard those that are suffering and hurting around us.

We need your help in partnering with us to make this happen. If you are willing to purchase or commit to fund a container, we will purchase it in our location,outfit it and ship it via the Panama Canal to the designated location in the Caribbean. Each container costs around $3000.00. What's more important than the amount you give is your attitude towards giving. Please search in your hearts what God is calling you to do.

FROM MY HEART TO YOURS...This is what my journey is all about: Going where God leads me to go, even when I can't make sense of it; doing what He tells me to do, although I may be trembling inside; stretching me beyond myself to accomplish something way too big for me, requiring me to lean confidently on Him and trust in His directions. If it is just one He has called me here for, it's all for His Glory. The routine of my life has been taken away.

So, if you are looking for me to have all the answers, I'm sorry. It required an attitude change for me. My trust must be in the Lord. I don't have the capacity to understand all His ways,His thoughts. This one thing I know for sure, He is good! Ok, maybe more than one: faithful, loving, gracious, merciful, powerful, awesome, magnificent...I could go on and on.

WHAT ELSE...Our time at the Boys home is going wonderful. A number of them have been very receptive to the Word and our time together. Several other teams have arrived and now staying at the base location, stretching this community living over the top (smile). I must admit, some days are really challenging. I pray daily that my life is a reflection of Jesus and that I am able to reach those He places in my path, being a witness, showing compassion, serving and helping, and building relationships. I am learning quite a lot in our bible sessions and seeing the Word in a different light. Thank you for your support and prayers. They are ALWAYS welcome.

FAITH BUILDER...The little things matter to God. He tells us to call on Him and He will answer. So, we were on our way back from the conference, riding on a bus for an 8 hour trip back across the border to Panama. Our driver appeared to be in a pretty bad mood and took every opportunity to let us know. That didn't bother me too much, BUT his driving was a different story. It had started raining pretty hard and he was just whipping this humongous bus around the sharp curves, often not being able to stay in the lane. It seemed the harder it rained, the faster he went. After sliding a couple of times, I became a bit concerned that he might lose control and we go tumbling over the mountainside. I knew it would not make things better by saying anything to him, so I began to pray feverishly and asked God to just slow him down so we would reach our destination without incident. A few minutes after praying, we ran into bumper to bumper traffic. He could do nothing but come to a screeching halt. Hallelujah, I have never welcomed traffic as I did this day. GOD STILL ANSWERS PRAYERS!!! Try Him!

Many Blessings & Love,

Marion (Virginia) Smith

Contact: Text and calls only thru WhatsApp (678-347-0423)

Email: [email protected]

Mail: P.O. Box 151, Hampton, GA 30228

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