Mission Work

Equip had their first mission trip this month! They were back at Camp Circle K. They got to help with maintenance and help cut down dead trees, but mostly they got to get away from the campus and into God’s creation in the woods. The peace and tranquility this camp offers is amazing. It helps to get the guys back into a bond and working together as a team again, but also gives more time to focus intentionally on their spiritual walk. All distractions are gone, phones do not work well here and there is only a small group of people. It is so good for all involved. It is also a lot of fun to be goofy and do campfires, swim in the pond, and eat really good camp food.

Aidan and Caleb got to help plan and prepare for this trip and work on their leader skills. They got to see how much background work goes into setting a mission trip up. So neat.

Equip also served with This Little Light Ministries for their Fall Fest Fundraiser! We love helping other ministries!

The church we met while in McAllen, Texas sent us photos of Jared and his team from Monterrey, Mexico, stopping by their church to collect 500 Bibles! They fellowshipped and praised Jesus, because that is 500 more people that will be given God’s Word of Life! We are so thankful that God is building bridges and connections through us.

Home Life

We went on our annual Cape Henlopen Beach trip this month. It is great to be able to get some bonding and intentional family time with our children. Unfortunately, Ace was not able to join us as he had just started his full time job the week before we left. It is weird, and a little sad, not having all of our children with us, but this also gave us a great opportunity to talk to our kids about one day joining us at their own campsites and possibly starting the tradition of our adult children coming with their spouses and children.

All of our school year ministries have started up as well. Kylie is in 9th grade and now a high schooler, so she joins Sr. High Youth Group. Parker is now in 6th grade and a middle schooler, so she has joined Jr. High Youth Group! We now have 5 children in youth group. Jase is the only one not there yet. Our Children’s Ministry has also started this month and part of what we do as a family is serve together. Sr. High Youth Group is on Tuesday nights, and Jr. High Youth Group and Children’s Ministry is on Wednesdays, so we ask our Sr. High children to serve alongside us at Children’s Ministry. I really do love it. Ace now meets us after work at a local library to carpool, and Aidan, our E2 intern has begun to serve at church as well on Wednesday nights.

Ace and Peyton have decided to continue with Ministry Team and Kid’s Church 1 on Sundays. There they get to learn how to teach, minister, relate, and have small group skills with elementary age children to be better equipped for future purposes that God has planned for them. What I love about this training is that it helps them learn things now that some of us have to wait to be adults to learn. This gets them a step ahead, but also helps them see if this is how God has gifted them. Teaching is an awesome gift, but not everyone has it, so this opportunity to learn if God has called them to this is great. I really love what God is doing in Ace and Peyton’s lives, and that He is teaching them consequences, for example, if they do not study enough or become familiar enough with what they are teaching. This also helps them to be comfortable in large groups and standing in front of large groups. All great skills to learn!

Ace and Peyton also got to go on a Caving Trip with their youth group. They had an awesome time and got muddy and squeezed into some tight areas, but they were with a great group and had a blast.

I made a 2nd “Home Life” page this month as a lot of my (Danielle) time has been focused more on my children than ministry for the last couple months. Between school starting, Peyton preparing to get his permit and looking for a job, Ace almost graduating high school, and Devin’s wedding, my focus has been on family. It doesn’t mean ministry has stopped; it’s beautiful when you have a fully capable team able to keep doing what God is leading the mission to do. They know the vision and mission here and are honoring God in that. That has given me the opportunity to focus more on family for this bit and it has been wonderful.

It has been a weird and challenging season for Joel and I as our kids are getting older and hitting so many milestones quickly. It has been a scary, but really fun season too. I am looking forward to seeing what God does with each child He has given Joel and I the opportunity to raise. I am honored to be their mother, to be a part of their lives, and to get to see what God is doing in their lives.

We had a great month! Devin’s Bridal Shower and also looking for clothes for each child for the wedding happened. We live in a great place where we were able to get suits for each child at a really great price. Salvation Army and their 50% off Wednesdays were a real life saver! LOL A lot of my children are not used to dressing this nice, so it was a stretch for them, but they all had great attitudes as they were reminded this was for their sister.

I love seeing their personalities shine through as they try on their clothes.

Homeschool Corner

Our homeschool co-op has restarted! Parker and Jase are in a pottery class and Kylie has been doing a Life Skills/Exploring Jobs class to learn a few skills, but also see what she may be interested in for a possible career.

Kylie had to go on a mushroom hunt and find a few different kinds of mushrooms to look at the spores under a microscope. She did not enjoy this at all. LOL

Upcoming Mission Trips

Texas, USA

November 14-18, 2024, Joel and I will be headed to southern Texas, again! Yes, again! WooHoo! While we were in Texas this past June we were praying to meet up with people that God wanted us to talk to and meet and make relationships with. While down there we met up with a local pastor in McAllen, TX and a leader from the congregation and they had researched us A LOT! We have formed a really good relationship with them and they want us to come back down to share about the ministry in his church and on his local radio show. The purpose of this visit is to share what we do, make more connections with this border city, and the possibility of getting supplies across the border. As well as the potential of another base nearby to set up a warehouse to prepare shipments to go across the border AND reach a whole other area with the impact of what God has done through CMTS Bernville. We are walking PRAYERFULLY and so intentionally seeking HIS guidance with this, we do not want to go where God has not prepared the way, we are praying for doors to be opened and God to make this possible if this is HIS will.

Mayreau, St. Vincent

December 8-14, 2024 We are taking a team of skilled and unskilled people to Mayreau. We will be helping to rebuild the base, community houses, and anything else that God leads us to. We will also be praying with the community and doing kids’ ministry. Joel and Peyton will the parts of the Smith Clan that will be going.

Prayer Requests

• Support: We are still not fully supported and are actively raising support.
• Homeschool: that is an ever going prayer
• Guidance, wisdom, and discernment as God leads us as we lead the ministry.

Ministry Prayer Requests

• Mission Trips: Prayer for getting connected with people to match needs for teams
• Shipping: We have many shipping containers going out soon full of supplies to help ministries share the gospel around the world!
• Staff: We are in need of another front office staff member and another mechanic to meet our growing needs in those areas.

Family Needs

Support

We are very grateful for the team of supporters we have. Thank you! We are currently at $2,500 monthly and where we need to be is $3,570. This covers what we need to live each month as this is our only income. It has been by the grace and provision of God that we are making it. We could really use your help. Prayers and awareness of this need to others is much appreciated!

Would you like to join our team? We need your help to continue to accomplish God’s vision for us at the ministry. Would you join us as a monthly supporter so we can continue the work God has started? We want to take you along for the journey and we would be honored to be able to share the experience with you. You would become part of the team and we would share how God is working and the impact it is having on His Kingdom. Please pray and ask God if you should join us.