So I did not get to go back to Spain. So for the second time it has not come together. However, that is okay. God has blessed me with another awesome opportunity. I'm currently working at a special needs camp for people with physical and mental disabilities. It has been hard but good at the same time. It has taken back to the time where my mom told me when I was a kid about how she worked in nursing homes wiping bottoms and cleaning up after people. I remember thinking that is so gross and I hope I never have to do that. Well that time has come and I'm surely wiping bottoms, showering, and cleaning up after people. Long story short it's not that bad. I've been enjoying myself the last few weeks that I've been working here.
It's funny because I've never done these things before, but after doing it over, and over, and over again I've gotten used to it and now it's second nature. I've met so many wonderful people and the staff here is great and they work really hard to make sure people get the best experience possible. I do wonder many times what is the plan that God has for people with strong disabilities? I'm not sure? I have yet to figure that out, but I do know just to love in the meantime. In the short time I've worked here I already have met some unforgetable people!
When first working here I was timid because I was not sure how to act. However, after interacting with everyone, I surely just treating them like everyone else and that's the way they would have it. Lost of memories have been created and good times for sure. God has been showing to look beyond the need and to love the person. At times with people who have disabilities they can be defined by it. God has shown me to look beyond that. To speak life into that personm, and see who God wants them to become. So instead of me knowing the disability I can know and love the person as God loves them.
This past month or so God has been teaching what loneliness really means. Some people believe they are lonely when they have only a few people around them. Some people believe they are lonely, because they don't have that whole couple relationship thingy going for themselves. Some people just do not have any friends at all, and some people are lonely; because they just went through a life changing experience, whether good or bad and no one can relate to them or what they are going through! There are many situations and moments in life that can bring these feelings up and floating around in the air. However, I have come to find that loneliness doesn't relate to the number of people that are around you; more so the number of people that you have a connection with. Connection is a vital idea we all look for when it comes to relationships with people. We many times get who we are and fulfillment from the people we are connected to; whether it's a deep connection or superficial.
The thing is though if we do not get everything from God, and He is not our source of connection then we will continue to be empty, lonely, and always have something missing in our lives. As much as I love connecting with people without Christ being that main source of connection it's all for nothing. The question do we really believe that God has everything we need? Do we really believe that He knows what's best, and He gives us the desires of are hearts? We must remain in Him! Truthfully that's really hard, but as much energy we put in relationship with others; how much more should we with our heavenly Father. Honestly I am no where close to where I should be, but I'm praying for that un waivering relationship with Christ.
I know it's been awhile, but I just wanted to catch up on things since my last blog!! Thank you all whom have been supporting me so for. At the beginning of the year, God has given me the opportunity to attend a Christian leadership academy called G42. I was given tools not only spiritually but physically as well. Mostly every week I was there, there was a different speaker to teach us how to put a vision together. The speakers there have had amazing lives and have life long resumes of serving the Lord and starting well functing ministries. G42 has giving me awesome tools and an amazing network of people to help put me in a direction to make the dream God has given me come true. Thus, I did not get to finish G42 because I ran out of support. I only got to finish three months instead of the full six months. So I came back home and continued my journey of following the Lord.
These last five months back in the states have been good but hard! I miss that time of learning and growth so much. Nonetheless, I did take the opportunity to work at a Christian sports camp called T Bar M. God moved in mighty ways in the camper and coaches lives and other staff members. The things that God has taught me over the last year or so have been passed down to other people. This summer kids have come to know crazy by having an amazing staff of college age people work with them. They are taught how to get better at there sport of choosing as well as how to be a kid running after Christ. Tons of children this summer have given their lives to Lord. It not only changed them but it changed me as well. I desire nothing more but to continue on the wonderful path God has given me.
I write you today, because I would love for you to continue to support me, and join in on a vision to help others that are in need. My hope is to be a provider of jobs for people who are in heavy poverty stricken areas, and are in need for a better life. Being able to provide jobs for people who are involved in sex trafficking and people who just don't have that much in general is something that God has put on my heart. I ask you to come join me in making that vision come true, and G42 is best next step for us to make that happen. I need $4,322 to finish, my hope is to go in October, but I can not go until I have all the money I need to go with. With your help this can happen. With God all things are possible. To help support go to www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate. At the website you will click on donate. Then the donation page will appear. You can select intern support and on the page it will have donation choices you don't have to select
an amount. Under the decision to support an intern, staff member, or a project you will click intern, and under that will be the box for the person's name you can support. My name is Jonathan Smith so you can type in my name then click on intern support. If you don't type in my name there will be a chance to type it in again, but only after all your billing information is typed and put it. After the intern page will be the page where you will give your donation amount and billing information. If you have a PayPal account there will be an opportunity to use PayPal. After you type in your billing information. The next page will conform the amount and who you want to send it to on the next page. Then you are finished. If you have any questions or any ideas to help with the vision. You can email me at jonsmi50@yahoo.com or give me a call at 727-342-4202. Thanks.
Love, Jonathan Smith
P.S I'll be sharing more about what God has been teaching me soon.
So here is the deal so far for G42 I've raised 1,132.50. To continue G42 I need $2,500 by March 8th. The total goal is to have raised $6000. Thank you so much for your support!
During these past few weeks God has really been touching the core of me! He has been getting down to the bits and pieces of who I am. Once upon a time when it came down to walking through life with people I figured I did it pretty well, until God has shown that I need to grow patience in this area. There are many things that God has put on my heart that I chose to share with others that would be helpful, and it was. However, the timing in which I would want people to figure out God's love was maybe a bit quicker then God wanted. At times I would get a bit frustrated with other people when they did not grasp this revelation and concept. I would hope and speak so passionately about how to live through these life situations.
Until God put me in the same position as the other person. Then it came to find out I responded in the exact same ways that I told others not to. God really taught me that I would respond the exact same way as everyone else! This concept took me back a little bit. I'm highly insecure about many things, and it hard for me to deal with social situations, and inside I'm a terrible mess. It's okay though because after I realize those things in my heart it was then that God began to deal with me. That closeness in a relationship with Him is priceless and a process that I must seek daily. God is constantly guiding me to His love everyday. Living in God's love causes an abundance of life and joy. This concept must be understood on God's timing. A revelation is lived in the head to sustain you and in the heart to make it vibrate passionately!
Thank you supporters for making this possible! So my next
deadline for support is on March 8, I need $ 2,500 . The other deadline is April 5 to have $4000 and
the total goal is $6000 please continue to help support. www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate and click on intern donation. Email: jonsmi50@yahoo.com
So my house mate Megan posted a really sweet blog that has things I've been learning here at G42! I liked it so much that I decided to post it!!!! It's pretty sweet, good job Megan!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here it is!
I love how all truth is God's truth!
And I love when He reveals it to me through things like Sheryl Crow songs!
Here at G42, we're learning a lot about the Kingdom of God and what it truly means. And that the hope of glory is Christ in us--His children (Col. 1:27).
I've heard it recently, "Christians are trying so hard to get to heaven, and Jesus is trying to come here to earth...it seems we have a problem."
That point can be broken down into such a long blog. But what I want to write about is how we as Christians often say we're happy and that God is good, but really we don't fully believe that. And deep within our souls, we're itching to get out of here.
But as Sheryl Crow says, "If it makes you happy it can't be that bad. If it makes you happy then why the hell are you so sad?"
This life, this world, was created for greatness. Christ wasn't crucified, dead, then raised from the dead, defeating evil, in order to rescue us from this dreaded place. He conquered this place. We have the keys to success. Because we have Christ in us (the hope of glory), we already win when we try to bring Jesus here. That's what he wants, for His kingdom brought here. What if I told you, that for those who pursue the thing God put on your heart...you'll get it...here!
And one thing that I'm catching is the idea that the glory of God is man fully alive. Live like you're alive. Live like you've won the battle. Because the fact of the matter is, you have! There is no longer a reason to be sad. And it's not that bad...because no weapon formed against you will remain.
Love God! Then do what you want! He is more interested in you living your life passionately, rather than just living to survive this world. The world is no longer the problem. The Problem is whether or not we'll make it a dwelling place for Life, Love, and Peace to live. Those things only occur when our hearts are engulfed with a shameless gusto for living this amazing life.
Do you wonder why I am
holding flowers in my hand? Well I will tell you! Last weekend
there was a group of us that went out in the town to minster to the
prostitutes. We had along with us some delightful goodies such as
muffins, flowers, and cookies. We wanted to make this a special
Valentine's Day for the women on the street. In some areas it could be
hard to find prostitutes, but last Saturday it was really obvious what was
going on.
We got the opportunity to
minister to four different women, one from Romania, two from Nigeria, and one
from Brazil.The women were
grateful to talk to people who actually cared for and not condemn them or judge
them lustfully.I can tell you
this, none of those women wanted to be out on that street either.Probably one of the most frustrating
things to come across is not being in a position to get those women to a better
place and give them options to provide for themselves and families.I definitely felt a little helpless,
but we were able to encourage them and let them know that there are people that
love and care for them!
Some of the aspirations of
those women were to be loved, have families, and some wanted to be hairdressers
as well!Even though times are
hard for them I know the God that created and loves us will come through for
them.The ones that are in not by
their own power God will rescue as well as the ones that went on their own
power.Hope is surely on the way!
I am $5,500 short of being fully support here at g42. The total goal is $6,000 Go to www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate and click on intern donation. Email: jonsmi50@yahoo.com
So, here in Spain I knew God would continue to work on my heart, that's exactly what happened! As a man of God I'm continuing to grow and realize what that looks like. God surely wants us to be people of honesty, integrity, love, purity in the heart, mind, and soul, authentic, genuine, followers of Him. God is rocking my world and making His love known to me. I'm surely looking at things in clear view!
A huge passion that God has placed on heart is to give people better options. I want to provide jobs for those who don't have the means to take care of their families and have to resort to a life of crime. A big part that has gotten to my heart is the sex trafficking industry. That industry is a complete mess and something needs to be done about it. Praying is powerful and a strong weapon, but their has to be a time where we start to be answers to prayers. God has put it on my heart to provide jobs for these people so they can have a way out. Another part of the vision is to offer jobs to parents who are considering giving up their kids into the sex trade.
I know this is a huge dream, but I believe that God laid this on my heart to be part of the solution. I'm going for it and by the grace of God it will happen! Please continue to keep me in your prayers and support. I currently have $310 in my support account I need $3000 support account by March to continue and a total of $6,000 to finish this program and make this dream happen! I also need people who will keep the vision lifted up in prayer, and if you feel like you would like to partner with me in this vision to make this happen let me know! I'm open to any ideas and considerations that anyone has! If you have any input at all just let me know. My email address is jonsmi50@yahoo.com. Here is the support link: http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate and click on intern donation. Love you all! Together we can make this thing happen!
I just want to thank you for everything that you have done, and for listening to God and helping support me. My year has been great and a huge blessing; here are a few things that God has done on the race! In New Zealand God allowed us to minister to hikers on the Edmond Hillary Trail, as well as serving children surfing in the Junior National Surfing Championships. I got an opportunity to evangelize to people in Australia. In the Philippines we got an opportunity to teach values, health, and farming to the misfortunate of the Bohol natives in the Philippines. In Malaysia on our first day of ministry an entire small group that we were leading, came to know Christ. In Thailand we got to work with children who were at risk of being sold into sex slavery. In Kenya 90% of people we spoke to in prison came to know Christ. In Tanzania God worked
in the evangelism ministry and people came to know Christ. In Uganda God allowed us to help do construction work on a playground for children. In Ukraine we got to host a feast and feed the homeless people!! In Romania God allowed us to help with construction work at an orphanage so that children will have a better place to live! In Moldova we got an opportunity to run English camps and encourage the people of Moldova! Thank you so much for your love and support and for taking this wonderful God given journey with me!
As for my next move, I will be heading to Spain on the 1st of January! This is another God given opportunity for me! This school will further me in discipleship as well as start on my future plans! If God allows I will enter into business to provide jobs for parents and participants in the sex trafficking industry! I would love to show them that God can give them another option other than sex trafficking to provide for their family! Another aspect of this business would be to disciple workers on the job! I would love for your support in prayer and in finances if God leads you to. The website is http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate and click on intern donation. I need to raise $6,000 to continue to participate in this academy. Thank you so much for all that you have done! May God bless you!
Let's rewind for a moment to a ministry before comming on the world race. About six weeks before I came onto the world race, I was invited to do ministry and to encourage the inmates. There are a network of people from a local church in my hometown that has been going faithful to a federal prison about 15 min away from where I live. I enjoyed being there so much, and God has touched all of hearts there. I've heard some of the most amazing stories and testimonies of how God has changed their lives.
Now let's move forward to a year later, after the race. Since, I've been back home a major part of my time has been spent ministering to people in the prison. There are three parts of the prison I've gotten a chance to go to. I've been to the low security, the camp, and the medium security departments of the prison. It was awesome to come back and get to share the many wonderful things that God has done on the race. However, the most special part about going is comming back and finding out that those guys have been praying for me. I have a huge network of prayer warriors at the Church of the Reedemed(that's the name of the church in the prison). In that place, are future missionaries, future pastors, and many more amazing people in the future.
A really attractive part about the gospel is God's grace, and those guys in prison can surely testify to it. Sometimes it takes prison and the lowest of the low to truly understand that Jesus is the way. Those guys are no different than any of us, and now through the power of God, their stories will reach and save many others both near and far. God has blessed me to be apart of something special in getting to encourage those guys. They are a unique and powerful group of people!
On Sunday, along with three other people, I've gotten to visit a church about 45min from where I live. There, the pastor of the church was a former prisoner of where I volunteer ministry. He has been out for two years and now he is the pastor of that church. While he was in prison the volunteers new that he loved the lord, and he was going to be something amazing one day. I tell you he truly is, and God has blessed him with a wonderful wife who stuck by his side while he was in prison for eight years. Being out for two years now God has redeemed his life in prison and now he is working for the Kingdom! Please keep the men of the Church of the Redeemed in your prayers. Please pray that God will continue to transform their lives for the Kingdom!
