We made it! The Smiths have safely arrived across the pond in England!

We touched down in London Thursday morning (Aug 10th) around 7:30 after a very long but smooth flight. The kids were tremendously well behaved, clearing customs was a breeze and ALL of our luggage and fragile instruments made it safely on the journey. Praise the Lord! After a few more hours on the road, we arrived in Launceston, Cornwall where we are staying. 

Jet lag is finally starting to fade, and we’ve been so blessed to spend our days here thus far with our best friends and ministry partners, Chris and Nikki Uglow of Oriel Ministries (click here for more info about how we'll be working with them), with our beloved friends and pastors, David and Joy Flanders of Souls Harbour Church and then this morning’s Sunday service with our precious church family at Souls Harbour in Camelford. Even though we’ve been gone 3.5 years, in some ways it felt like we were just here a few weeks ago. There are moments where we stop and ask ourselves… is this really real?!? Yep, it sure is!

We’ll have another week off to get our bearings, continue the hunt for a vehicle and long-term home, and work out other vital details such as schooling and pre-school for Brooklyn and Lincoln. From there, we’ll begin right into ministry work, with our initial focus on the ramp-up for the upcoming Innocence Conference (for teen and tween girls) in late October — the only event of its kind in this area. [More details to come on this in future updates.]

Meanwhile, we’re adjusting to the cooler temps (not to brag, but we’re talking highs in the low- to mid-60s) and moving forward one step at a time. So much significant change happening so fast is truly overwhelming, but God’s reassurance and confirmation along the way has us continuing forward with peace. Does that mean it’s not scary? No. No, it doesn’t. It is super scary at moments, but doubt isn’t an option. We do it afraid.

Your prayers are especially important over these next few weeks. We’ll have to make some significant financial decisions for buying a car and renting a home. We’ve been tremendously blessed with one-time financial giving that’s made much of the upfront costs for both of these possible. However, our confirmed monthly support is only just over 1/3 of the amount we’ll need to sustain living and ministry expenses ongoing. Just as it’s been with everything else to this point, it’ll be an exciting, faith-filled journey to see how it unfolds and how God provides and is glorified in all of it.

If you follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ukforjesusfb), watch for our one-minute-update videos for quick peeks into what’s going on with our family and ministry. We archive these on our UK for Jesus YouTube channel as well.

For more details about our financial needs and/or how to give, just visit www.ukforjesus.com/donate. Donations to UK for Jesus are tax-deductible. [NOTE: Giving statements for monthly gifts made directly to UK for Jesus will be sent out in January. Giving statements for one-time donations will be sent out sooner. However, that process is still in the works, so we appreciate your patience and please rest assured that one is coming!]

Thank you again for all your prayers and support thus far and to come. Our hearts are bursting with gratitude and our spirits overflowing with excitement to be here. God has great things in store, and we are honored and humbled to answer His call to be a part of it.

Blessings and more to come soon,

- The Smiths (Trevor, Connie, Brooklyn & Lincoln) // UK for Jesus