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2007 SMITE team
(Summer Missions in Team Evangelism)
Destination: Lafayette, Indiana
Dates: June 16 - June 23, 2007
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Here are some testimonies from the teens that served on SMITE 2007:
Noelle Haynie:
One thing that I really learned and saw through this SMITE trip was how significant each person really is when trying to help others. Often people feel like a nobody, but this trip really proved me wrong. Whether it was helping set up snow fence at the TASTE of Tippecanoe or helping clean at the Faith Community Center, the authorities repeatedly told us that we made a difference. This really encouraged me to realize that an hour of help to someone can truly assist them. Our testimonies and attitudes during this time also impacted those who watched us, and I learned that their views of a teenager can change through us simply helping them. This will help me to know that in the future, my time and effort really can make a difference
Micah Walters:
Hi, my name is Micah Walters, and this is the second year I’ve had the opportunity to participate in SMITE. God has used each of the trips in unique ways to help me change and grow! Here are several ways that I’ve seen SMITE work in my own life.
SMITE has helped me realize all of the opportunities to witness and disciple that I miss ever day. Why should I go half way around the world to minister if I can’t take advantage of the opportunities that are right in front of me? Through study, discussion, and hands on application, I’ve come to see the urgency of telling everyone I can the good news.
Another way that SMITE really encouraged me was the fellowship with likeminded believers. Each person on our team impacted me in a different way. It was so cool to get to serve with other believers who are serious about pleasing the Lord. Our trip leader, Pastor Woodall, is an amazing man who I greatly admire. Being able to be with him for 3 weeks on the trip was an awesome opportunity to learn from him. He is uniquely gifted for leadership, and I am glad that I was able to watch him in action. He has made a big impact on my life.
Finally, SMITE has taught me the importance of being a servant. Observing the servant attitude of others on the trip was really convicting to me. I know that I have a lot of room for growth in this area. I am a very selfish person, (aren’t we all?) and I need to have a better focus on others. SMITE has really helped bring this area to my attention by giving me lots of ways to serve. Whether its cleaning up trash, or teaching a VBS class, SMITE strongly emphasizes building a servant’s heart.
Brianna Engel:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” it was the Taste of Tippecanoe. This was the actual beginning of the SMITE 2007 Experience. I can say with accuracy that every single team member worked hard, but what really impressed me the most was even though we were all tired and hot (and hungry), there were still team members that kept the situation light, and instead of focusing on themselves and their own unmet needs, focused on encouraging others by their humor and positive attitude. It was certainly convicting for me, and I realized that I needed to be genuinely encouraging, not just giving out fluffy feel-good bits, but helpful, uplifting words. Romans 14:19 says, “So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” This Scripture was NOT meant to be applied as cliché words for a mission trip, but it was meant to be lived out in the home, at school, at work, and in the church. You may not go on a mission trip, but how are you treating the people in your Sunday School class? Are you pursuing the encouragement of one another in love? Or are you gossiping about others? Are you hurting the very people who you are supposed to encourage? No one is perfect, but Romans 14:19 should still be our goal. I hope and pray that for all of us, this goal, should start the “best of times”, a new beginning of supporting and loving one another.