My First Week

My internship is going awesome. I have been put in charge of getting flights to Guadalajara. This was a more difficult task then what I previously assumed, but nevertheless the internet makes things like this task simpler than it should be. I think the real problem is that I don't know what exactly I'm looking for, but it's all a learning experience.

The team that is already in Mexico, has sent us a packet of things we need to know before we go down there so that we are prepared to serve. There are things like common Spanish phrases that will be helpful, and things that we should come expecting. In the packet, there is a section of research questions and statistics. One of the questions we should know is the difference between Christianity and Roman Catholicism.

I've been wrestling with this question more than I thought I would have. For some of us, this is an obvious answer, and others it's not so obvious. I've come to the conclusion that Catholicism, which a giant percentage of the population in Guadalajara claim to be of, is a religion. Ok, I know some of you reading this are thinking that Christianity is just as much a religion as anything else, but that's just how it appears on the outside.

Those following Jesus, or Christians, know what I am talking about. That following Jesus isn't a religion that we proclaim to be "in faith of." It is the greatest love relationship we could ever be apart of. I have a Catholic friend, and the way he describes Jesus compared to the way I do, is so vastly different that it seems as if we are talking about two different Jesus'. I'm pretty sure there aren't two different Jesus', nor does Jesus appear to some one way and others another way.

Jesus Christ is God the Son. And God is love, so why does seem as if the "Jesus" of other "religions" is just someone who wasn't what we expected, or someone that tells us what to do and if we don't, we will suffer eternal damnation. I don't think Jesus is either one of these.

Jesus is our Savior, our King, and most important, our True Lover. Jesus doesn't force us to do anything, nor does he tell us we will suffer in hell forever if we don't follow his law down to a T. Our efforts at being perfect will never save us, only truly accepting Jesus as our Savior, Leader, King, and Lover, gives us life with our Maker.

Jesus, if we let him through the Holy Spirit (that other part of God, transforms us into people who desire to live a life of righteousness and purity, and of service and love. God wants us all, thats why He sent His Son to take the death we deserve thus giving us the choice to live in Heaven for eternity with Him. It's just our choice.

When we give in to Him, we don't all of a sudden have a perfect and easy life. The Bible actually says that as Christians we will be persecuted and endure suffering. But as we serve our Leader with love and fully committed hearts, we find that the lives we gave up, our fulfilled in Christ.

In Shane Claiborne's book, The Irresistible Revolution, he asks that "If heaven and hell didn't exist, would you still follow Jesus?" He said that he would. I have really wrestled with this since I've read the book, and I think now I can say that I definitely would.

MBMSI Internship Support Letter

December 2009

Dear Friends and Family,

This summer I got a chance to serve with Mountain View Community Church in Port Alberni, British Columbia. While I was there, my team ran a sports camp for the community. I had the privilege of praying with 2 kids to begin a relationship with Jesus. This was my first time ever leading someone to Christ. Now, every opportunity I have to pray with someone to become a Christian, I believe God is empowering me to share the Gospel.

When I gave my life to Jesus about two and a half years ago, I didn’t really understand what a walk with Jesus was all about. I’m learning that God wants us to serve Him wholeheartedly and with everything within us.

Since attending Fresno Pacific University, I met Mark Thompson, the mission organizer at Mennonite Brethren Missions and Services International (also known as MBMSI). He has offered me an internship for the spring semester with MBMSI.

I have a heart for missions and evangelism and feel God is calling me to go outside of my comfort zone. This internship will do that. I will help lead and attend Soar Mexico (Mar 25-Apr 2), help coordinate summer mission teams going to Thailand, Peru, and possibly Brazil.

At MBMSI, the staff members are asked to raise salaries and support for their positions. I need to raise $3.500 for the entire spring semester to cover my salary, mission, and ministry expenses.

There are 3 different ways to support me:
• Monthly donation
• One Time Donation
• Pray for me regularly

I have enclosed an envelope that you can use to make a monthly or one time donation. Please fill out the card tear-off and send it with your gift within the envelope. Address the check with my project code: 997800 in the memo. If you prefer to make a credit card donation, please call Kathy in the Fresno office (559) 456-4600. Or, if you have additional questions, please contact me. My email address is westontsmart@gmail.com and I have started a blog to update on what I am doing at westontsmart.blogspot.com. My cell phone number is (559) 246-4779. Thank you for your prayers and your generous gifts.


Blessings in the name of Jesus,

Weston Smart



PS- This letter is being mailed to friends and family. If you wish to support me in my internship, you can contact me at my cell phone, or better yet, email me with your address and i will be glad to send you a support letter.