SPECIAL FORCES UPDATE

Dear friends and family,

This is just a quick note to update everyone on the Smith family and our current ministry with the military.

As many of you are aware, I transferred from the 82^nd Airborne Division to the Special Forces back in March of this year. My time and ministry with the 82^nd was truly a blessing for our whole family. Many friends and relationships made over the 2 years that will last forever. We saw many souls saved and many lives changed for God’s glory through our ministry. But in the military, things change often and I was asked to go and serve with the 7^th Special Forces Group (Airborne) currently stationed right here at Ft. Bragg, NC.

As I write this update, I am in the city of Bogota, Colombia. Each of the 5 active duty Special Forces Groups have a different part of the world as their AO (Area of Operation); 7^th Group has South America and thus my reason for being here. As a Chaplain, once you change to a new unit, it is almost like you start all over. You typically do not know anyone in the new battalion and they don’t know much about you except by rumor – hopefully good!

So the past few months have been all about building relationships and getting to know the new flock that God has given me responsibility to minister to. With one of our companies deployed here to Colombia and other parts of South America, part of my ministry is to go and insert myself into their operations so as to build credibility and open up doors for counseling and even hold field services for them when the opportunity avails itself.

I had just that opportunity this past Sunday. It was a slower day for about 30 of the men and some physical training for the day involved a rigorous two - hour game of “touch” football. (Special Forces definition of “touch” is not what I had envisioned) I was invited to play with them and so with some Divine help and a little Red Bull, I hung in there till the end escaping any major injuries and even managing to put up a few touchdowns. Following the game as everyone was sitting around hydrating, I called everyone together and for the next 30 minutes held a field service for the men. I challenged them from the illustration that Jesus gave following the Sermon on the Mount on building a foundation on rock or sand. I helped them see that in the Operation we call Life, how important it is for them to have a foundation on THE Rock which is Jesus Christ and not on the typical things where they place value.

Many of the soldiers understand all to well the storms of life that come to their family and even to them personally as a result of the job. However, many depend and rely on their own abilities to get through those tough times and they are torn apart when they cant fix it themselves. The storm these men face can be anything from combat injuries, friends killed in combat, spouses leaving them after many years of marriage, financial ruin, and maybe career problems. I helped them see that when Jesus is their firm foundation then there is strength to get through any storm.

When we finished the service, I prayed for each of them and then we all went to the Colombian version of McDonald’s, compliments of the Chaplain. God really used this opportunity as I had many of the soldiers coming up to me and asking to get with me later about some personal things. Others were grateful that I came from the states to be with them in a difficult area.

I will return soon back to the states for a short time and then I will be deploying to Afghanistan for a couple months to be with another one of our companies who are fighting a tough war right now. We have had several injuries already; the latest soldier lost both of his legs in an IED. Again, going over to be with them is what I am called to do and to be with them during the tough times as well as the easy times.

As far as the rest of the family, they are soldiering on very well themselves. Maureen is as always a great help and encouragement for me as well as reaching out to the women of our new unit. She has a special gift in being that soft spoken voice and smile of encouragement to all she meets. Her Latin cultural heritage has been a big plus as well since a large portion of our battalion spouses are from Latin countries. The language for 7^th Group is Spanish so my thinking is that they took me only because I was married to her – she was who they really wanted…since I speak no Spanish!

The kids are growing up at an incredible pace. They are all teenagers and a wonderful addition to our ministry. They are excellent at reaching out to other military kids and building friendships in a quick way. They are back to school and doing very well academically and in great anticipation of the new soccer season to begin this next week. All three have a gift in music and use it quite often in church and with family gatherings. We will be taking a break from music lessons for a bit – at least formally – due to some financial needs this next year, but I trust that God will continue to bless them in their gifts of music as they seek to honor Him.

Again, so much to say but short on time as I have counseling scheduled here soon. God bless each of you for your continued prayers for our family. Please don’t ever assume that it is taken for granted or not needed. The Devil never quits his attacks and sometimes they are a heavy barrage. WE will be at Ft. Bragg for only a few more months, as all of 7^th Group will be moving to Ft. Walton Beach Florida next year. We are scheduled to move down in the February timeframe, we will keep you updated as this solidifies.

We love you and hope to be able to tell each of you this in person one day soon!

In His Service,

Chaplain Mike Smith and Family