Running with God’s Dream

CALLED TO BE A MISSIONARY

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”. But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them. And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? This is why the scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news.” Romans 10: 13 – 15 (NLT)

It seem so unbelievable that we are in the year 2021. Year 2020 will be a year that will be talked about for years to come. Covid 19 entered and turned the world upside down, bringing with it tremendous fear, panic, deaths, mayhem, and doubt, as well as the introduction of protocols such as wearing of masks, social distancing, restricted gatherings, curfews and vaccine conversations. Many have lost their jobs in the resulting economic downturn, and there is hopelessness and much more.

But, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ WHO LOVES US.” This is a great opportunity for the church to rise to the occasion and be the Salt and Light. We have the answer, because the All-knowing One lives in us and is upon us through the work of Holy Spirit. It was and still is an opportunity for the church. Did we rise to the occasion, or have we missed it?

I quote Isaiah 61 verses 1 – 3:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour.

Last issue, I gave an overview of being a missionary.

HOW DID I ANSWER THE CALL?

I was working as a Police Officer for my nation, Jamaica, and by this time, I was serving in my sixth year. On my way home from work one morning, I saw a child crying and at the same time a Pastor friend of mine was passing. Both of us stopped to investigate why the child was crying. We took her to school which was near-by, explained to the teachers what happened and in a nutshell, the teachers unfolded issues with the child and her family. We left her at school and my friend and I went our separate ways. On my way to my church convention that same day, I could not get rid of the image of the child and I felt the Lord saying to me, “I want you to reach children like these.” I had no idea what that would look like.

I later went to a mission’s conference at one of our churches. There, Youth With a Mission (YWAM) was making a presentation and that was my first time hearing about YWAM. I did research on Discipleship Training School and decided to attend. I deliberately applied for my long vacation leave with the intention of using it to do the D.T.S. as part of my vacation. I went to the Cayman Islands in search of a job to raise funds to pay for the school, as my salary would not have been enough. I obtained an employment permit with a job that paid well, as well as the encouragement from my employer to stay and work long -term as the job was guaranteed. I had a plan and would not be sidetracked.

For a while, I earned some money then returned to Jamaica and in the midst of things, I was informed that the date of the school was January instead of September. My vacation was already granted and could not be reversed. I was between a rock and a hard place trying to decide what to do, as I had no intention of giving up my job. I was also up for promotion in my job and at the same time I had begun making payments on a property. I made another application for Study Leave, but was encouraged to apply the following year as it was too soon after a long leave. I wasn’t settled, still had not made a decision regarding D.T.S. and what the implication where my job was concerned was also a consideration. I worked up to the day before school began without a decision. I went to church the day when school was scheduled to begin, spoke to my Pastor, went home, wrote a letter of resignation, and went in search of a taxi.

There was none in sight. On my way back home, I said to the Lord, “If you want me to go, then cause a taxi to show up by the time I reach home.” Friends, as I arrived home, a taxi came behind, the driver shouted, “I heard you are looking for a taxi.” That was my answer!

My challenge to you is, if you feel that God is calling you to go deeper, to step out of the familiar and into something else, THEN take the step.

More next issue…

LIFE NOW

Our church had our first all night-prayer meeting via Zoom on October 18, 2020, with over 60 participants from Jamaica and the wider world, including Uganda. It was a rich time. SOMEONE DESCRIBED IT AS “EPIC.”

Community Visit and Evangelism

We continue to do one-on-one with individuals in neighbouring communities and as a ministry at YWAM. We are also actively engaged in street evangelism in different forms such as worship on the street, worship and bible reading at the gate of the night shelter in Montego Bay and visiting the shut-ins from time to time.

Recipient of mini I-pod

We handed over 10 mini iPods to the Tower Hill Primary school and one to a family from Moy Hall, courtesy of one of our staff’s family members.

Bible study

It was a privilege to conduct bible study with my church on the second and fourth Wednesday in November. I learnt so much about the book of 1 Samuel and David’s journey. I also got the opportunity to conduct a bible study on intercession with a ladies’ bible study group of which I am part.

Intercession

I am loving prayer as the days go by; I am “in love,” and am privileged to be leading a group who love to pray and we do so every Sunday evening. I AM also honoured to be amongst two dedicated ladies. We meet to pray every day most times at 6am. God has been drawing us to Himself. I am also intentional in engaging more in fasting, and got the privileged to share the word at my church fasting service via whatsapp.

Furlough

I chose to spend furlough in Jamaica this year with families and friends. I got the opportunity to stay one week at a friend’s house and one week at another’s. The rest of the time was spent with parents and siblings, nieces and nephews. I am grateful and appreciative for these safe places that I can call home.

I was also blessed to join two of my supporters in what they were engaged in. I did market ministry with them where we shared the Word, read the scripture and prayed in a market atmosphere where sellers and buyers mingled. We also got an opportunity to share at the Police Station where I once served. We encouraged them with the Word, and prayed for them, after which we were taken to the cells where the prisoners were. There we repeated what was done with the officers. It was a refreshing time and an encouragement to the officers, as one of their squad mates was slain prior to our visit.

Dig-in

Deeper in God

We continue with Dig-in and are currently going through the book of St. Matthew.

Worship and intercession

Worship and intercession continue as we seek to press into God as a ministry by cultivating an atmosphere for Him to dwell.

New Testament Church of God

We were invited by the Montego Bay New Testament Church to present at their Mission’s week. We were led to challenge them and we certainly did. I was honoured to do this with two precious ladies with each of us sharing a night.

Street Feeding

Cooking for street feeding

On Saturday December 19, 2020, we cooked and served the homeless in Montego Bay as usual. However this day was different, we treated them to a sumptuous meal inclusive of Jamaican rice and peas, baked and fried chicken, tossed salad, chocolate cake and sorrel drink.
We served them in an atmosphere of worship as we felt that we needed to raise an altar to the Lord.

Christmas Break

I spent the holidays with my family and for the first time my Dad’s side of the family spent Christmas day together. We ate, played games and just hung out.

Thanks

I want to take the time out to say,” thank you” for being on my team, whether you gave of your resources, encouraging words, opened your homes for me or offered prayer support. Together, we are a team.

Prayer Requests

  • Jamaica as a Nation
  • YWAM Jamaica
  • Wisdom and clarity for 2021
  • Increase
  • Deaf DTS
  • Strength for the staff
  • Direction as they lead the school
  • More partnership
  • My family–Salvation for my Dad, brothers, sister, nieces and nephews

How can I pray for you?

Support

All YWAM staff is responsible to raise their own support through financial gifts from friends, family and churches. Will you prayerfully consider joining my support team for the next two years by giving a monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, or one-time donation?

May God bless and keep you and your family that you may prosper in all your endeavours.

Ingrid

To support, send cheque to Youth With A Mission P.O. Box 8341, Grand Rapids MI, 49518 (make payable to Youth With A Mission) do not write my name on cheque but include a separate note indicating for Ingrid Smith.
You can also go to this link and donate: https://transaxt.com/Donate/MMCGV7/YouthWithAMissionIngridSmith/

If you do not need a tax receipt you can give directly through my paypal account: gracetruth45@gmail.com.

My mailing address is:
Ingrid Smith
Youth With A Mission
Box 198, Reading P.O.
St. James, Jamaica

Thank you