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Written by Dan Smith
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April 10, 2012
Dear friends and churches,
First of all we want to apologize for the lateness of this letter! We got sidetracked and completely forgot to write last month. Please forgive us for this oversight. We have some answers to prayer to share with you.
In January, we asked you to pray again for Sara Jacinto. We had moved her to Lisbon to spend her last days with her family. As much as it breaks our hearts, we are rejoicing that on February 8th the Lord took her home and her suffering here ended. We had her funeral in Lisbon, with the help of Lionel Martin, Beau Moore, and the church in Queijas. In the two days before the funeral, Sara’s son, Luis, was very open to the gospel and spoke with Scott Edwards for a few hours. The funeral itself was another opportunity to tell of the hope Sara had, and her family listened. We will continue to pray for the Lord to work in their hearts just as Sara prayed for so long.
We were also working on getting permission to have a youth Bible class in a center near two of the schools, as a way to disciple the young people saved at camp. The director declined, saying they were focusing on sports-related activities now. As disappointing as it is when our plans don’t work out, we have to trust the Lord and keep praying for a way to reach these kids and their families.
In March, our landlord agreed to replace our broken kitchen floor. So, we took out the cabinets and appliances, and lived in dust for the next two weeks! But, in the midst of it all, the Lord always gives an opportunity to witness. As I was helping the “pedreiro” lay the tile, we were discussing the Bible and religion. He kept arguing and saying that there is just no way to know what is true. As he was laying down his plumb line, I asked him to explain why he does that, and then explained to him how the Bible has to be our plumb line. Only when what we believe measures up to that plumb line given by God, can we confidently say that it’s the truth. At that he slowly smiled and shook his finger at me. Now we just pray that the Lord will give life to the seed planted.
We had our camp planning meeting last week with four other missionary couples. We’re excited to see what the Lord will do this year. Please pray as we invite young people that the Lord will open the way for them to come. It has been the only time the parents have allowed us to disciple those who were saved at previous camps, and a few of them are getting very involved with what the world pushes at them at such young ages. Please pray with us for the lives of these kids and for the new ones that will come.
Your missionaries to Portugal,
Dan Smith and family |
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Written by Dan Smith
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January 10, 2012
Dear friends and churches,
As we look back on 2011, we are thankful for so many things God has done. We finished up a very uplifting six-month furlough in March and returned to Portugal. We were thrilled to have six kids saved at camp this summer and are working at developing ministries with those young people. We have once again been able to witness to the girls’ new teachers and have been invited to teach in a few of their classes about the Biblical view of morality. Several of the kids from camp and band joined us for a time of games at the church during the Christmas break and were very curious about why our church is so different from what they are used to, which gave opportunity for some witness and opened the door for further conversations and invitations.
Most of our holiday was spent this year helping our beloved church member, Sara Jacinto. Many of you have been praying for her, and she wanted us to express her sincere thanks for your prayers. Two weeks before Christmas she was diagnosed with advanced cancer throughout her abdomen. She was very sick and very weak. Her family in Lisbon and in France really began to dedicate time to helping her, a few coming to stay with her for several days at a time. It was very encouraging to her to have this love displayed from her family. Most encouraging was the sensitivity they have all shown toward the gospel, where previously they have been indifferent. Sara would have them read to her from her Bible, and it would turn into wonderful conversations. Her son is very close to accepting the Lord, if he hasn’t already. Sara’s family decided to move her to Lisbon to live with her daughter. So, at the end of December we packed up Sara’s things, moved her to Lisbon, and helped her get settled in. She has been taking a medication which seems to be helping, and she is much stronger than she was a month ago. Though we miss her terribly, it is obvious that God moved her to be with her family during this time. Please continue to pray with us as we watch God work in her and through her to reach her family and others around her.
Thank you again and God bless you as you serve Him in 2012!
Your missionaries to Portugal,
Dan Smith and family |
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Written by Dan Smith
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November 14, 2011
Dear Friends and Churches,
We were finally able to have our after-camp reunion the first week of September, when everyone was back from vacations. We were disappointed that the majority of the kids still ended up being out of town, but were very excited to have one whole family join us for a time of games, singing, meal, and devotional. Inêz’s father told us several times how much Inêz enjoyed camp, how excited she was about what she had learned, and that she taught her sisters all the camp songs. This family amazed us by participating in everything wholeheartedly, even in the singing! Please pray with us for the Chambel family and for the Lord’s continued work in their hearts.
We also had a combined youth activity in October with the church in Queijas. Though our girls had several friends that wanted to come, when it came to the day of the activity, no one was able to come. The church from Queijas bought three and they had a good time of games and Bible study together with our church. We appreciate their attitude and effort in all of this!
Also in October, Rachael and her mother, Norma Edwards, made a trip home for the funeral of Norma’s mother, Guila Hover. Again we were reminded of the wonderful heritage we both have in our families. What a joy to know that we will see our loved ones again.
Sara Jacinto, who we asked prayer for in the past, has been in the hospital for over a week now. They discovered that she has a liver disease and will be deciding treatment for her. She has been very sick, but she looks for opportunities whenever she can to be a testimony for the Lord in the hospital. She is a huge encouragement in our ministry and we have missed having her with us.
Prayer Requests:
· Sara Jacinto – health, salvation of family
· Friend Day – November 20
· Activities during the holidays
· Young people saved at camps: Bernardo, Sofia, Raquel, Clara, Mariana, Inêz, Constança, Fabio, Diogo, Isaac
~Thank you for your prayers and faithful support.
Your missionaries in Portalegre, Portugal
Dan and Rachael Smith and family |
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Written by Dan Smith
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August 26, 2011
It's the end of summer already and it's been a busy one! Summer camp this year couldn't have gone any better! The three young people that were saved last year came again and brought friends. We had nine young people from Portalegre this year, for a total of 28 campers and counselors. Lionel and Carol Martin, Beau and Valerie Moore, David Booth, and Scott and Norma Edwards were the other missionaries involved. Ana Paula, Luis Miguel's wife, the new couple in our church, also came and helped again.
Some highlights of the week were:
The first day of camp, Diogo, who was saved last year at camp, was walking with the friend he had brought and David Booth. Diogo explained to Fabio that at the end of camp he would have an opportunity to give his life to Christ, and Fabio needed to start thinking about that. On Wednesday night, Fabio accepted the Lord!
David Booth taught a salvation message on Wednesday night. Five of the kids that came with us wanted to talk to an adult about salvation, and Fabio wanted to dedicate his life (no one had explained that, he just wanted to do it). Ana Paula was able to lead one of the girls to the Lord and was overjoyed for the Lord to use her in that way. Clara, Mariana, Fabio, Isaac, and Constança all gave their hearts to the Lord. Then that night, Inêz, talked to her friends who had brought her and they led her to the Lord!
What a blessing it was to see the young people who accepted the Lord last year come with such an assurance of their faith in the Lord and desire for their friends to also know Him! These are the kids who have not been allowed to come to church yet. It's amazing to see the faithfulness of the Lord in the lives of His children! When we took the kids back to their parents on Saturday, several were asking permission to start coming to Bible studies.
Please continue to pray for these young people and their families!
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