Winter RetreatWe have just returned from AIA’s winter retreat in Chicago with the other Great Lake’s schools. God has historically done some pretty cool things at retreats like these and He did not disappoint this year. 10 athletes accepted Christ into their lives. One of the highlights for us is seeing all of the college athletes worship through song. Usual ly calm and composed, like athletes are “supposed to act”, it was incredible to see them lift hands, dance, and sing to the God who created them. One theme for the weekend was that we have been saved by God to go out and tell others, not just to keep it to ourselves. They not only learned about that but had the chance to put into into action. What’s the point of practice if you never get to play?

SATURDAY OUTREACHOne of the coolest parts of the weekend was that every athlete that came was trained in how to share Jesus with another individual. Then, they were each given the chance to share one on one with a teen from inner city Chicago (working with Heres Life Inner City Ministry). 12 teenagers indicated decisions to follow Jesus and around 30 rededicated their lives to Him! Please pray for a fire to be lit in the athlete’s hearts to share boldly back at campus.

Thank you all for praying for our leadership overnight at our house to start the semester. We were able to map out the entire semester, but more importantly, the extended time together allowed us to get to know one another on a deeper level and really seemed to unite our group. Our theme for the semester is “Fruit of the Spirit “ from Galatians. Our leaders have

committed to memorizing Galatians 5:16-26 and each week at BadgerLife, we will be speaking on one of the following: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control. Would you join us in prayer as we hope to communicate that the Fruit is the EFFECT of God working in our lives, not the CAUSES?

Leader’s Retreat

Hudson is turning into a little man before our eyes. It has been so much fun to watch him grow up. We are constantly reminded through being parents of how BIG God’s love is for His children.

Just another morning at the Smith house!

We are THRILLED to share that all of the money has been raised for Hadassah’s adoption! We actually had to inform one of the grants we recently got that they did not have to give as much as they awarded to us!

THE SMITH’S JANUARY NEWSLETTER

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR IN INSIDE LOOK AT OUR LEADER’S IN ACTION AIASMITH.COM

Above: Chatting about sharing the Gospel with a few of our leaders