Round Two

To my dearest supporters, friends, family, and fans-

I have some very exciting news!  You know how I just spent three and a half months in Uganda?  Well, I now have the opportunity to spend two months in another country!

I will be going on another mission trip this summer, but I do not know where to yet, and it doesn't really matter.  The place doesn't matter this time because this time I am going as a leader, and my ministry is the students on the team.

The trip dates are June 1st to July 29th, but as a leader I will need to be at the training camp in Georgia (where we meet the team and do a briefing of what the trip might look like) a few days early and stay a few days late at debrief (where we say goodbye to the team and talk about what happened on the trip).  I personally will be spending some extra time before and after my trip in Georgia to visit some friends and my boyfriend.  I am not exactly sure of when I will be leaving or returning to Minnesota yet- there are some details that still need to be worked out.

I am super excited for the trip that I will be leading.  God has been giving me so much joy in my life as I follow Him in obedience, letting Him shape me and stretch me, and He has asked me to help lead others into the same freedom I have found in Him.  God has given me a strength that is not my own, and He wants me to use it for the Kingdom.  I have told God I will.

The trip will only cost $1500 this time because I am leading.  Even though the trip is less money now than my trip to Uganda was, I still have a huge financial burden to face.  I have bills that need paying, loans with interest, and large medical expenses that I will need to have paid off soon.  After all my visiting and traveling is said and I done, I will be away from home for approximately 3 months, which is three months in which I will have no income.  I am asking you to prayerfully consider helping me with the obvious expenses of the trip, and the hidden expenses of the trip that await for me here in the states.  If you are interested in supporting me, you can send me an email at: kiersten.smith@hotmail.com for information on how to best support me, or just give a quick call to talk to me.

I have no lack of need for prayer, either.  This is my prayer list while preparing for the trip taking place this summer:

-for God to put His hand in selecting the team I will be going onto the mission field with
-for God to give me wisdom and discernment in knowing how to approach leading the team
-for God to gift me with spiritual authority and strength
-for endless joy in my daily school-work-study life as I eagerly wait to go on a mission trip again
-for God to meet all my financial, physical, and spiritual needs

Thanks so much for everything you have already done in supporting me and helping me make sure I was taken care of!  I appreciate all contributions, prayers, and encouragement sent my way.  I will continue to keep you updated on how the Lord is moving in my life!

Kiersten
kiersten.smith@hotmail.com