2011 has had a lot of bad press lately. Most of the TV people are saying "good riddance", but 2011 was a good year for our ministry and our family. We finished the year with an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) Family Camp in Baguio, Philippines. We had over 100 in attendance, and the couples in attendance went through a "I still say 'I do'" seminar. We ended the camp with a real wedding (a couple who had been together for 10 years and had a 9 year old son) and a renewal of vows for the other couples there. Parents and siblings of OFWs accepted Christ, marriages were restored, and the camp was great success. Thank you for praying! We are grateful to our US Churches who gave special offerings to support the Family Camp. God used you to touch the lives of these OFW families.
OFW Family Camp topped off a good year for the Smiths and our ministry, Arrow Employment Services. I've created a collage (below) to show a few of the highlights of our year. I hope you can match the event to the pictures.
- we conducted numerous "pre employment seminars" in the Philippines, at which many ladies not only found work, they also found the Lord.
- our church, Jubilee Int'l Filipino Fellowship (JIFF) was officially accepted into CBAP (Conservative Baptist Association Philippines) as a member church. We'll apply to HKCBA this year.
- Allan and Ione went to Thailand for some meetings and stayed over for a couple of days to do some fun activities like elephant riding and zip-lining.
- Ethan went to China with his school, and in September, was admitted to International Christian School (a huge answer to prayer for our family, since he has struggled in the Chinese schools)
- Colleen spent a month + in China to work on her Mandarin and is returning for another 2 months tomorrow.
- Jennifer and Ethan moved out of our home into a village house about 45 minutes from here. Ethan spends most weekends with us, and we treasure the time with him, and also the time apart! (Grandparents, you know what I mean).
- We opened Arrow, Philippines, rented a house there, and now have our trainer, Nely, living there full time, training ladies and ministering to their needs.
- Arrow celebrated 5 years of operation with a party, and lots of food. Around 200 people attended the worship celebration and party.
- Ione and I visited the US, visited my parents and celebrated dad's 90th birthday! We spoke in a few churches, attended meetings in Denver, and took a day trip to Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods.
Thanks so much for praying for us and supporting our ministry.
Allan and Ione, Hong Kong
