Author: sandismith
"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still" -Dorothea Lange
Photographer // Peru, South America ➡️ Atlanta, GA // specializing in family photography
Merry Christmas // Feliz Navidad
Wishing you all the hope, peace, love & joy that comes by resting in the one king who makes all things right, Jesus Christ!
Merry Christmas //Feliz Navidad to all our friends, family & gospel partners,
Allen & Sandi Smith
Abigail (13), Adeline (11), Mary Allen (8) & Eva (5)
Easter Island: One of Our Best Vacations Ever
With 4 years of saved up airline miles, the income of lots of photography jobs, and some awesome friends to babysit our 4 daughters, we were off to discover the world’s most remote inhabited island.
Our first day on Easter Island we rented a little jeep, bought a guide book, and were off! Once out of the Hanga Roa village, we were completely alone on the island 90% of the time. We kept asking ourselves, “Where are all the people?” We explored everyday, all day until the sun set at 9:10 pm – allowing us to squeeze as much of the island into one day as possible.
There are certain trips you take that you build so much in your mind that once you arrive, you’re like, “Ah, this is not that big a deal.” Easter Island was not like that at all – it definitely did not disappoint! We went to see the Moai stone statutes, but we discovered that there was so much more: beauty of untouched landscape, three volcanoes, 3,000 wild horses running loose, white sandy beaches, intimidating cliffs, surfing and diving, and beautiful polynesian people speaking their native Rapa Nui language. Since the island is 2,200 miles from civilization, it forced us to unplug from all internet, social media, and TV. It felt like what a vacation should feel like.
Easter Island is one of the those places where it was hard to take a bad picture. Here are some of our favorite pictures from our trip.
The volcanic quarry at sunrise: the birthplace of the Moai.
Overlooking one of the volcanic craters.
Can you see the Moai statues through the imported palm trees?
Running wild and free!
Exploring the caves where many Rapa Nui lives in the 1960s
One of our best vacations ever!
Stay tuned for some reflections about what we experienced on this mysterious island.
Feliz Navidad from Peru!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours.
(smile Eva, or we will make you 🙂
Smiths in Peru November Update! (new video & family needs included)
Dear Faithful Friends:
With only several weeks left in 2013, we are finishing up our first year with the Apprenticeship Program. The goal of the Apprenticeship Program is to form a church planting team to be sent out in a few years. All three apprentices have grown in their knowledge of the Bible, deepened their walk with Jesus, and developed better leadership skills. Esdras told me that the program has really deepened his love for God and the church. I am very excited to see what God has done in such little time!
- To see an introduction video to the Apprenticeship Program, click on the You Tube video above or go here .
- Also, check out how this year has gone so far, check out this recent interview.
Prayer Notes
- Please pray that the future church planting team would continue to take form, deepen friendships, expand their vision, and development a more robust theology.
- Our family is behind on financial support. Our prayer is that God would raise $14,000 by the end of this year to meet our annual budget. In the past, God has provided for our needs through unexpected gifts from many of you. We still depend on your support in order to be able to minister the gospel in Peru.
Support the Smiths
A one-time gift of $30 or $50 can go a long way! If you would like to contribute to our family, here are the ways you can give:
- You can give online by going here.
- You can send a check to the following address, with a memo note saying “Smith Family Support”:
Christian Missionary Society
P.O. Box 14563
Greenville, SC, 29610-4563
P.O. Box 14563
Greenville, SC, 29610-4563
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Allen & Sandi Smith
Family Retreat for Iglesia Cristo Rey
We held our first overnight family retreat for Iglesia Cristo Rey. It was well attended and a great time of fellowship, teaching about the family and fun. You can check out all the retreat pictures here.
Eva Lu turns 3!
Evangeline Lucille
The smallest of the Smith girls, prefers speaking Spanish over English, a Memphis, TN native, loves her big bed and big sisters, fully potty trained before age 3 (which is extraordinary in our household), doesn’t like her golden locks brushed, doesn’t like being too far from her Mommy, called “Evita” where she resides in Peru, loves going to her Montessori preschool, kitchen dancer, likes her personal space.
Her name means “Bearer of the Gospel Light” named after her mother’s south Louisiana roots and her great grandmother who had a huge heart for serving and providing for the needy.
Happy Birthday Eva Lu!
Smith Family in Peru VIDEO update!
Covenant Presbyterian Church, Little Rock, AR visits us in Peru!!
We have had an incredible short term team season this year! One of our highlights was having Covenant Presbyterian Church, Little Rock, AR here for the first time. They are one of our amazing supporting churches that faithfully and generously gives financially, prays for us, sends us care packages and keeps up with us throughout the year. They were such servants and only God knows all the seeds that were planted during their hard working week with us. They served through word and deed in our new Arevalo hospital on the outskirts of our city. Here are some highlights from the week. . .
