I realize it's been over a year since I posted a new blog! Since 2013:
I'm still fulltime on Chaplain team with Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries as a Para-Chaplain reaching out to incarcerated youth in 4 different Orange County locations. In 2014 I have traveled to Salinas, Northern CA for 3 trips, ministering at the Monterey County Juvenile Hall also. The last 2 years the Lord has opened up many new platforms to share His Word, my testimony, & His love/truth at many public high schools in Orange County. [mostly in the city of Santa Ana]
This is my 3rd year doing gang intervention on the streets of inner city Santa Ana with Lives Worth Saving group. I have ministered to at-risk youth for 12 years but the last 3yrs God has shifted my passion & focus to gang members more specifically! This is my calling & I never imagined it would be. Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles has reached out to thousands of gang members in the last 25+yrs & a program has started in OC area called Project Kinship. This vision God showed me about 3yrs ago so I am excited to see how God uses this much needed program in OC to reach the gangs & help with rehabilitation/restoration. I have been busy teaching bible studies, church services, biblically counseling, doing discipleship, & mentoring/continuing care of teens/young adults. Raising up leaders for next generation & pointing the hurting to the Healer!
Had an amazing opportunity to be a Co-Author of an International Best Seller "I Am" book, so I'm now officially an international author! Praise God. Book can be found on Amazon. Lord's using this compilation of testimonies to reach many youth & adults struggling around the world.
I will be returning to the beautiful country of Uganda Nov. 28th-Dec 16th 2014 to serve the Lord & the Ugandans in prisons, schools, villages, orphanages, hospitals etc. But we all know we GO to bless them but THEY always bless US in return! please pray for the 7 of us who will be going.
This spring I was humbled to receive an award from the Senator of California, Lou Correa, for being nominated & selected as one of the "Women Making a Difference" in Orange County! It was so encouraging & a reminder for me to continue doing the hard work God has called me to & He will bring the Harvest! Thank you for everyone's prayers & financial support each month. I'm still praying for more monthly supporters so can continue to do this work fulltime.
May we continue to live BOLDLY for Christ, not in fear. For if the Lord is our light & Salvation, who are we to fear? God bless you!!! Go out & fearlessly love others.
-Para-Chaplain Michelle Smith
