The Smith Family Commissioning

This last Sunday, we were blessed to have our Chapel family officially commission us to Kenya. During family time at each of the three services, the new campus pastor of the Chapel in Mundelein, Thomas McArthur, invited our family to come on stage. He challenged us and our children to hold true to the Great Commission found in Matthew 28. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded. And, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Thomas specifically reminded our children that God will be with us every step of the way. And they heard it - we all did. We are so grateful for the time we have walked along the road of life with the people at this Chapel campus. And we are so proud of them for paving the way and sending off the first Chapel missionaries. We felt privileged to know these awesome people. We love them dearly and are so thankful for their support and encouragement.

Two Weeks to Go!

Well, the tickets have been purchases and our things are getting packed! We officially travel on Tuesday, August 31 to Kenya! We are excited about going and sad to leave our dear friends.

You can see our updates and that we are 73% of our goal. We are encouraged and prayerful.

Remarkably we are quite non-stressed over this all. Definitely a God thing. Also the result of a tragedy we felt last week. One of our family's friends lost their precious daughter last week. She was a darling girl and will be very missed. It has definitely put things into perspective for us. Her family also generously requested that donations go towards Oasis in Lauren's memory. What a blessing to the less fortunate in the midst of their pain. We were humbled by their request.

This week we will focus on getting our bags packed. The next week we will focus on finishing up the house. Please continue to pray for us. I have updated the prayer wall with things specific to our current needs.