Following our recent month of travels, things seem to be moving at warp speed. Since July 1st we have travelled nearly 6000 miles, thru 20 different states, one province in Canada, crossed countless bridges & tunnels, including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge / Tunnel; incredible engineering.
During this time we have had the privilege of visiting six churches throughout the USA & Canada. We had wonderful visits with numerous friends & family members all along the way.
What Was Accomplished?
Besides visiting friends, family members, mission partners, & seeking opportunities to share the vision in various churches, we also completed a very important task in the Visa Application process for the Philippines.
Because I was born in Ontario, Canada (take off eh!) I have been needing to obtain a copy of my Birth Certificate which would then need to be Authenticated at the Philippine Consulate in Toronto, Ontario. Our hopes were that this could be done in one day but as it were it took four days & extended our stay in Canada. Of course this cut short some of the time we had planned with other friends & family members but we were grateful for the extra time with friends & family in Canada.
What’s Next?
This is where the warp speed comes in. Having obtained this final piece of the puzzle for a permanent visa to the Philippines, I will now need to travel back to California to turn in all puzzle pieces at the Philippine Consulate in Los Angelas. After everything has been turned in and we are reasonably sure that there is need for nothing else, we will purchase our plane tickets to depart for the Philippines in late August.
As you can see, just getting started in the task that God has called us to requires an amazing amount of engineering. Things don’t always go as planned, delays happen, but God’s grace is ever present. Our work now is still very much in the early stages & we still have numerous bridgesto cross & tunnels to pass thru.
Your prayer for this work is grately appreciated.
1. Praise the Lord that we have purchased our plane tickets to arrive in the Philippines on August 28th.
2. I, Robert, am still waiting for my Philippine visa to be returned so please pray that we will encounter no delays.
3. Praise the Lord that currently we have approx. 70% of our recommended support.
4. Please pray for an additional $270 of monthy support within the next month.
5. Praise God for the great time we have had with friends & family. Pray for our transition to the Philippines.
Robert and Cirena Smith Making Disciples in the Philippines 