A Step at a Time

The past month has been a busy one. But I seem to always find ways of being busy (just ask my college roommates). Among the business, my little sister graduated from high school and I'm so proud of her!

This past Sunday I was able to share at Sand Rock UMC. We had a great time. I've been able to visit there before so it was great to catch up with members of the congregation. Also, the pastor, Darrell Morgan, and his wife Julie, have been like a second set of parents to me growing up. I am good friends with their daughter, Sabrina, so I spent lots of time at their house when I was younger. I am so excited to have them in my support team!

I am making preparations now for an upcoming camp in North Carolina, where I will be sharing about Sudan. Check it out at campwesley.com 

Then in July I will be traveling to Mississippi to speak at Frost Bridge Holiness Camp. I am excited for the opportunities these experiences will bring.

If you are a part of a church, bible study group, or organization that would be interested in learning more about God's work in Sudan, please contact me at whitney.smith@wgm.org (or find me on Facebook).

Thank you for all the encouragement and support! I ask that you continue to be committed to praying for the nation of Sudan. The South is approaching independence, but it is not an easy road. There have been some clashes between rebel groups from within the South and the South's armed forces. There has also been conflict in the border region of Abyei. Read more about this on the BBC website.  These are no small challenges because the division and conflict in Sudan has deep roots. Pray for healing. Pray for Peace. Pray for God's Spirit to abound in the hearts of his children that they may follow courageously after his leading. Thank you for being a part of this team. 

Training team recently traveled from Nairobi. Kenya, to Tonj, South Sudan, 
to train Sudanese pastors in the art of Biblical storytelling

Look for my newsletter coming next month. If you don't receive a copy, but would like to, email me your address (or email address if you would like a digital copy) and I will add you to my list.

Thank you for what you do. I hope you know you are loved.

Peace! 

Don't forget to check out Joy Phillips blog [click here] for current updates from the field!

How Measureless Is the Love of God

Much has happened in the past few months. As I mentioned in the last post, I was able to share with the wonderful people of Mount Carmel Wesleyan Church in Adamsburg, AL. We had an amazing time of fellowship and worship. The youth even made a special donation from their youth fund. This church really has a heart for missions. It was so encouraging to be with them.

I am also making plans to visit again with some churches in Fort Payne, AL, that have been a huge source of support and encouragement. I praise God for the strong support system he has given me through the body of Christ. 

If you belong to a church, group, or club (or even just have some friends) that you think would be interested in partnering with myself and Mango Ministries in South Sudan, or simply want to hear more, feel free to contact me at whitney.smith@wgm.org 

God is at work so let us spread the word as we bring his Kingdom to Earth!

Things are still relatively peaceful in South Sudan! Praise God for answered prayers! Thank you to all who have been and continue to pray for the nation of Sudan (and the soon-to-be nation of South Sudan). Recently, some administrative staff from World Gospel Mission traveled to Sudan with Joy to spend some time praying over this land and people. Hearts were certainly moved as we work to seek out the next steps God has for us there as a ministry and as his servants. 

Please be praying for Joy and the other members of the Mango Ministries team living in Africa as they continue to seek God's direction.

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I want to thank everyone that has been praying for my family. Many of you may not know, but my father, who had been battling cancer for over a year, passed away last month. Because of this I had taken some time off from my homeland ministry. I praise God that my family was able to be together as we went through this difficult time. It is not an easy thing to get use to, but God is our strength every day. I praise God for the life of my father, for the people that he helped, for the example he was to me, and for the glory he gave to God by the life that he lived.

Me and my dad, Larry Smith.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14.27

For Such a Time As This

There's a lot going on in the world today. The revolt in Egypt leading to a change in government, the revolts in Tunisia, Jordon, and many other places in the world. Arsenal beat Barcelona this weekend in a 2-1 come back. South Sudan has voted for independance. (It will officially become a new country on July 9th). A lot of changes are taking place everywhere you look.

Even within my household changes are taking place. Members of my family are getting a new job, going back to school, or looking to start college for the first time.

With so much change, it is easy to wonder, "What am I suppose to be doing?" The world is going by and here I sit. It is in some of these moments that I am reminded just how backwards God's kingdom seems sometimes. Just like the idea of trusting God. It is difficult because it involves what we cannot see. But it is secure because we are trusting in the one who is faithfulness.

Perhaps God has brought Mango Ministries to South Sudan "for such a time as this." (Check out the book of Esther for the original quote to see how God worked in amazing ways through a Jewish girl in the Persian Empire). The stage is set for newness...for change. The people and leaders of South Sudan have the potential now to build up a nation upon a strong foundation. To bring about change and better the lives of its people. In some way, God has lead us, the Mango Ministries Team and all our partners, to be a part of this, however big or small.



In the mean time, Joy-our team coordinator-has been hard at work building relationship amongst our contacts in South Sudan. There are several people who are excited about truly bringing God's kingdom to this part of the earth. Joy is meeting with many of them soon to think together about ways Mango Ministries can be there for them in these exciting times.



Joy Phillips - Check out more about her travels and updates at http://www.joyphillips.blogspot.com/



The road ahead is an exciting one, holding many amazing possibilities. God will give us his heart and his vision if we only ask. We are a part of the most amazing Kingdom to ever exists. And not only are we a part of it, we are it.

Grace and Peace to you.

_______
Stateside:

This Sunday I am sharing at Mount Carmel Wesleyan Church in Adamsburg, AL. I would love it if you could join me there! I am excited to meet with this congregation of mission-minded believers.

Keep me in your prayers as I continue on this journey of building up a support team. We are made to be united by God's Holy Spirit, and it is by that power and unity that we grow more into the image of Christ to spread his Kingdom even farther.

I am at approximately 20% of my monthly support goal. If you are interested in partnering with me in this calling, please consider giving $30 a month (or any other amount) for the two years I will be in South Sudan. We are all called to be Christ's ambassadors. Peace and be blessed. You are in my prayers!

~Whitney

CHE TOT 1

If the title of this blog confused you, let me explain.

Recently, I had the privelege of being a part of a training workshop for a certain development strategy called Community Health Evangelism, or Community Health Eduation in some parts of the world. It is a really remarkable approach to development work with a basis in biblical principles and an emphasis on relationship and holistic transformation of a community, incorporating every aspect of life: the physical, mental, spiritual, and social.

The workshop, though the days did get a little long sometimes, was well worth it, and it has gotten me so excited to be a part of bringing God's Kingdom to earth! The greatest part (to me) is that I will be able to watch the Holy Spirit transform people as they take ownership of a grass-roots movement to change their community, and eventually see the world as their mission field.

The workshop was facilitated by David Hawk, Rick Morse, and Philip Renfroe, who are a part of the Global CHE Network (Check it out. There's some really great info on there).  http://chenetwork.org/

Here are Mr. Phil Renfroe and co-facilitator Mr. Rick Morse during one of our sessions. Both Renfroe and Morse have spent a lot of time in an African setting (while Mr. Hawk has served for many years-and continues to do so-in Latin America).

The thought of using this approach in Sudan, which excited my team coordinator, Joy Phillips to no end, makes a lot of sense in my mind. However, it will certainly not be without challenges. Because of the extreme crises that have plagued Sudan through war and famine, and even the genocide in Darfur, many NGO's and other aid workers have come in to offer relief, which has been very necesary in some places to save lives. However, much of this has created a dependency upon foreign aid for the Sudanese people.
CHE is a very asset-based approach. The desire is that the community can come together to see what resources they already have (materials, skills, knowledge, etc) to help bring about change. Our prayer and hope is to help show the people of South Sudan that they do have worth and the ability to deal with some of the issues they face without having to be dependant on foreigners. God has given each people such value and worth, just as he created humankind in his image!

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If you would like to learn more about the CHE model of doing development work, feel free to contact me, or check out their website at http://chenetwork.org/ where you can find info about upcoming trainings, as well as loads of other useful information. CHE was developed in a rural context, but now there are strategies for urban and even specifially North American settings, called Neighborhood Transformation.