Hello supporters/blog readers!!!
I know it has been a few months since i have sent an update! I was waiting to see what God had in store for me. If you are a Facebook user you probably already know this news already. But for those of you who do not stay connected via FB, i want to share what my new path/ministry career is now! Six years prior to the World Race i started volunteering as a Probation Volunteer with Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries.Every Monday night i would go into Juvenile Hall and lead Bible Studies for 6yrs. I also helped out at different annual events each year. This was my ultimate passion. On my 11 month World Race trip i truly missed these Juvenile Hall teens and i missed the family of Chaplains/staff/volunteers who were a big part of my spiritual growth and i enjoyed serving alongside them.
After a long time of seeking prayer, guidance and direction….. God has CALLED me to be a Para-Chaplain with Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries (PYCM) which is a nonprofit Christian Org. I am signing a contract to be FULL TIME staff with them for 3 years= raising full time support as a missionary/independent contractor.
What is a Para-Chaplain? A Para-Chaplain comes alongside the Chaplains to accomplish the Great commision of not only sharing the Gospel to the incarcerated youth but making disciples. Not only are the lives of the youth Eternally effected but the staff in the units, the families, communities and so on.There are currently about 400 incarcerated teen girls and boys at Juvenile Hall. PYCM has been ministering in Juvenile Hall and other detention facilities in Orange County, CA for over 30years. I will also be serving at other facilities that house/treat youth who have committed drug/violence related felonies.I will be discipling youth, teaching Bible Studies, mentoring/counseling, helping teach Sunday services within Juvenile Hall, helping with annual events for the youth, and many more responsibilities! I am beyond honored and humbled to be a part of this amazing team who have been passionately serving the youth for many years. I am in the process of creating a new personal blogsite, so i hope to have that up soon so i can send my last blog update on this site. I pray that all of you are doing well and of course i thank you once again for ALL of your prayers, encouragement, and financial support.
Needs:
**I do not have any income coming in and in Nov or December i should have my account set up to receive support. When i do get that account link, i will let you all know for those of you who are interested in partnering up with me in this new adventure: prayer wise, financially, or both. God has always been faithful to provide.When He calls you somewhere He equips you!
**In need of a laptop (which has Microsoft Office-Word,Excel, Powerpoint) and a printer in order to do my home office work as a Para-Chaplain.
**Please be in prayer for me as i’m training right now/interning as a Para-Chaplain. Even though i was a part time volunteer for 6yrs, this is a whole new ballgame! Lots of new things to learn. God is raising me up as a leader here and I have never been happier, more fulfilled and more content! It’s great to be in His will, and doing what you KNOW you were created for. I enter this facility and exit this facility with a smile on my face and a skip in my step. It gives me so much joy to share His hope, love & truth to the youth who are so broken and hurting!
After traveling the world for many months, i realize that God’s calling for me NOW was to be a full time missionary here in my own community in Orange County,California. I am also taking a Gang Intervention Training course right now with a program called Lives Worth Saving=reaching out to gang youth/families/communities in Santa Ana, Orange County. It is heart breaking and fascinating. God loves these troubled youth and so do i. God bless you guys. Here’s my contact info in case you don’t have it and want it: [email protected] cell (714) 514-7006
His Servant,
Michelle Smith
