Summer is here! This Newsletter covers what I have been doing leading up to summer and what I am doing throughout. Read it to find out about our FIFA ministry, Mission Adventures, and more!
As usual, HERE is the browser version of the Update if you prefer that. There is also a PDF version at the bottom of the page.
Hello! I pray you are doing well and enjoying summer! I have had the privilege of being busy with a lot of cool things since my last newsletter, and there are lots of fun things coming up. I hope you enjoy reading about it all.
DTS
To start with, the Discipleship Training School (DTS) outreach team returned from Japan at the end of May. They had an incredible 2 months of sharing God's love with locals and partnering with churches and ministries, teaching English, preaching, and making a difference in Japan. It was strange not being on the team this year, but I trusted that our team had their eyes set on God and were following Him into this trip, which made it much easier to be present and focused on what I was doing. If you want to know more about how their outreach went, please send me an email, and I can forward you one of the outreach leaders’ newsletters.
Once they returned from Japan, they had a week of debriefing and preparation for re-entry. Returning home after a DTS is often quite difficult, so we want them to be prepared for what they will experience once they are home. At the end of the week, we had a graduation ceremony and said our goodbyes as they slowly went home, one by one, throughout the following week.
England Trip
For the first time in two years, I went home to visit my family and friends in England. It was lovely. I am so happy that I got to see so many people that I love and miss so dearly, and to meet new friends as well! The four weeks I was there flew by; next time I will go for longer, yet I think it will still go by just as quickly. As I reflected on my trip during my flight back to Vancouver, God showed me that it is not just me who is making the sacrifice of separation to be overseas following Him; my family is also making that sacrifice. I hadn’t really thought of it this way before, now I have much more appreciation for their support and encouragement, even if it means we are physically separated for long periods. It is very difficult to miss so much of my family’s lives, yet it makes the moments of connection so rich. LOVE YOU ALL!
FIFA World Cup - Jesus Saves!
This year, Canada is one of three host countries for the FIFA World Cup. So our city is brimming with people from around the world. For that reason, we have been attending the festival site in Vancouver and going to the stadium to evangelize by praying for people and handing out Bibles. We received a donation of almost 1000 Bibles in 5 languages (English, French, German, Italian, and Chinese); we made bible covers, stickers, and bracelets to go with the Bibles. We have opened up this ministry to the public as it is an incredible opportunity for people to experience missions without leaving their city. Already, we are having many incredible encounters with people who are open to receiving the Gospel. We have handed out over 100 Bibles and prayed for almost 20 people.
I had a conversation with a young guy who had never been to church, but was thinking about going the night before, so he was shocked that we were there to talk to him and tell him about Jesus. I shared my testimony with him, gave him a Bible, and invited him to come to my church, but he was working that Sunday. However, I got his contact, and we are planning to meet for a drink and talk more about faith. This is one story of many situations where God is putting people in our path who are ready for the Gospel. There have been lots that are not ready, but we are not discouraged by rejection, because we know God is preparing people.
What’s Coming Up?
Mission Adventures
This summer, I am co-leading our Mission Adventures (MA) program, where we host teams from all over for a week of service, prayer, and learning what it means to be a missionary in every context. It is like a condensed version of our DTS, open to all ages. We often have many schools, youth groups, and churches coming to participate.
We have a team of 22 people coming for the 1st week of July, another for the 3rd week of July, one for the 1st week of August, and a team of 55 in September.
The first team will overlap with our FIFA ministry, so they will get to join us in evangelizing during the games.
If you want to learn more about Mission Adventures, or even send a team to us, click here.
Fundraising Update
Thank you so much to everyone who is partnering with me financially. Truly, I would not be able to do any of this without you.
My average support is currently around $850 CAD/month, which is a huge increase from what it was last year! My goal is to raise $2000 CAD/month so I can sustainably serve long-term, covering rent, groceries, health care, ministry costs, travel, and gradually paying off my student debt.
Also, for UK supporters, I am in the process of setting up a Stewardship account so that you will be able to receive gift aid from your donations. Thank you for your patience as I figure that out!
If you feel led, please pray about joining my monthly support team. Even small monthly amounts make a big difference.
Check out the support page on my website for ways to give. Click here!
I have also created a Facebook group where I try to post more frequent updates on what God is doing through my life. If you would like to join, you will find the link to my Facebook account at the bottom of this page.
Prayer Points
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For the DTS students, their transition home would be smooth.
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For the FIFA World Cup ministry, that God would continue to bring us to people who are ready for the Gospel and that they would receive it.
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For all the Mission Adventures teams coming to us this summer.
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For continued provision as I pursue long-term ministry with YWAM Vancouver.
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That I would continue to trust God in all that I do. Allowing Him to lead the way in my relationships, finances, and future.
Thank You!
Thank you for praying, supporting, reading my newsletters, and cheering me on. I am so blessed to have you in my corner. If you want to chat, hear more stories, or ask questions about what’s next, feel free to reach out anytime. If you would like to read more of my newsletters or find ways to support me, check out my website.
God Bless you,
Ezekiel Smith
Facebook: Zeke Smith Instagram: @smith_zeke
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