Serving with CitiIMPACT in Disaster Zones

   www.CitiIMPACT.org www.facebook.com/CitiIMPACT.org

www.CitiIMPACT.org
www.facebook.com/CitiIMPACT.Ministries

We really do need you to bring your HELP & HOPE to disaster zones, because impacted people are falling through the cracks…and THEY NEED YOU.
Please read & follow the steps so that your Mission Team can have the best experience possible without putting a burden on the people and community you desire to serve.
We’ve worked with close to a half million volunteers in the last 8 years, so we’ve been able to discover a functional structure that brings great sustainable impact to people’s’ lives.
Blessings,
JD Smith
CEO CitiIMPACT Missions
www.CitiIMPACT.org

TEXAS Tornado Response

We have Mission Teams on the way & Relief Aid shipments.
Get connected.
CitiIMPACT Missions
Blessings,
JD Smith

West, Texas and Boston and…

We’re all living in some very chaotic times, as we were up all night with the newest disaster in West, Texas. The rise of evil and terrible tragedies truly seems to be coming at an increasing rate. It’s as if evil is being made to seem to be good and good to be evil. I urge you to go to one of the ultimate warrior stances of perhaps all time. There are some Sparks in the Dark as we stand strong together.

Ephesians 6:10-18 We all need this, truly.
The attached video of Amanda Thatcher reflects that (the text follows the video):

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God,so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

May the Lord bless us all with His Peace again, one and all. After all, Love will conquer all.

JD Smith

Cliche: What’s LOVE Got To Do With It?

“What’s Love Got To Do With It?   Well, pretty much everything!

Nearly every life story we get involved with comes down to a search

LOVE 7

LOVE !

for , loss of, or grand expressions of, LOVE !

Following are a few ways to love with temporal and eternal sustainable merit. Please feel invited to add and share your own ways!

Some WAYS TO LOVE

1) Listen without interrupting (Proverbs 18:13)
2) Speak without accusing (James 1:19)
3) Give without sparing (Proverbs 21:26)
4) Pray without ceasing (Colossians 1:9)
5) Answer without arguing (Proverbs 17:1)
6) Share without pretending (Ephesians 4:15)
7) Enjoy without complaint (Philippians 2:14)
8) Trust without wavering (1 Corinthians 13:7)
9) Forgive without punishing (Colossians 3:13)
10) Promise without forgetting (Proverbs 13:12)

OK! Let’s all get out there and share the LOVE !

Follow this link for more ways to engage with Agape LOVE, in practical ways! CLICK HERE

Blessings & Much LOVE ! JD Smith

No Time to Die

Ecclesiastes 3 “There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens:  a time to be born and a time to die,..”  

Meet Tim Davis! A few months ago, I met Tim and his wife Pam during CitiIMPACT’s earliest First Response efforts for Hurricane Isaac in La Place, Louisiana. I shouldn’t have met Tim at all. Tim is supposed to be DEAD. Tim Davis

Friday night March 8th around midnight, while waiting with Tim for an overdue tour bus full of college students, I learned that about 20 years ago Tim was given 2-5 years to live due to a catastrophic lung ailment. His life changed dramatically from a highly paid contractor for a major oil refinery to near death and poverty. Tim and his wife, Pam, had four little children and what seemed to be no hope….but God..

At the bottom points of their lives, they discussed the nearing end. At that moment, by faith alone, Tim decided, with encouragement from Pam, to live every day he had left for the glory of God, rather than lay down and die; to believe God wasn’t finished with him rather than merely believe the fatalistic but real doctor reports. That’s been about 15 years ago now. Tim no longer contracts nor makes a six figure salary, he doesn’t even have insurance. He has raised his kids. He serves in a local church in La Place Louisiana as the maintenance supervisor. I call him The Maintenance Missions Minister. I have yet to meet anyone in Louisiana who can keep up with the pace Tim has everyday as he serves, with less than half a lung. How many times I’ve heard Tim say, “JD, I can rest in heaven, people need HOPE.”

Your Missions Team can be served with HOPE, too!

Your Missions Team can be served with HOPE, too!

As we all go through our lives, we have the awesome opportunity to live every day for the glory of God, or just wait to die. It may be less obvious a decision than Tim made, possibly not as overt. Yet, the decision must be made.  Tim and Pam have experienced the grace of God for real in their lives and give Him all the glory for that. They have served about 200 Mission Teams in the last 7 months alone, who have come to the area to bring HOPE and HELP to families overcoming Hurricane Isaac. Those teams have received the same amount of real life HOPE as they have brought, from such people as Tim and Pam.

What ways are you deciding to live daily rather than die? 

HOPE given on Staten Island by college women!

HOPE given on Staten Island by college women!

When have you met God at a dead-end and received new HOPE in life?

You can be part of giving HOPE and receiving HOPE in places torn by tornadoes as in Henryville IN, West Liberty KY, Hattiesburg MS, Petal MS, Tuscaloosa AL, Joplin MO.

AND in places like Hurricane Sandy. Hurricane Isaac and other disaster occurrences in life, like the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting.

My prayers for God’s richest Blessings and HOPE for all of you as you LIVE! JD Smith

2 Things in common: Liberia and Myrtle Beach

logo
YY

 We are so excited to announce this, we just couldn’t wait! Join us in celebrating what the LORD is doing! JD Smith and CitiIMPACT Ministries

There are many new developments to share with you concerning Liberia!The details are being hashed out but we couldn’t wait any longer to share with you some of the headlines!
GET YOUR PASSPORTS READY!!  We anticipate the need for teams in Monrovia, Liberia this summer to get our school building ready for students come September!!  Specific needs for those with construction experience and teachers. Let us know if you are at all interested as the details come available.  Also looking for teachers who would like to serve there for the school year.
CitiIMPACT’s Meal M.A.N.I.A. (Millions Are Needing Immediate Aid):Gearing up to pack ONE MILLION Meals at the Myrtle Beach convention center this October (World Hunger Awareness Month)! These will go to malnourished children worldwide. Including  Liberia; our school, the sponsored children, and further into the interior village regions (as we scout out future school locations where there are NO SCHOOLS at all).  Would you like to take part?  Can you facilitate such an event in your city?

bridgebrewSPECIAL OFFER:      CitiIMPACT’s own fair trade coffee, (Proceeds go towards starting the school in Liberia.) Now through April 30th you can buy 20 bags at $10 each, and get 5 bags FREE including Shipping charges.  Consider selling these at your church or workplace on or before May 11th – National Fair Trade Day! Form a coffee club at church or with friends, neighbors, and co-workers to share the 25 bags or keep them all to yourself!  Help us Help the Children of Liberia. To get you must email us or like us on FB and mention this offer.

 
ITEMS Needed for the School:

Hoping to send a container of supplies to Liberia in May or June full of:

  • Books and School Supplies (paper, pencils, crayons, etc.) for K-3rd graders.
  • Tables and Chairs (have a donation now near Philly can anyone store them for a few months and/or transport?)
  • Copy Machine
  • Computers
  • Generators (no electricity in Liberia)
  • Child Sponsors
  • Teacher Sponsors
  • Cash DONATIONS to purchase supplies and cover shipping charges
Info on becoming “Sister Schools” and “Sister Churches” coming soon!

Helping People Help People,
JD and Toni Smith
Blessings to all of you! JD Smith

Volunteer Updates for CitiIMPACT Missions

Some fabulous opportunities to grow in and through serving others.

See how much we all need & HELP each other with HOPE.

Blessings!
JD Smith

CitiIMPACT Missions
www.CitiIMPACT.org

www.JDSmithOnline.com/about
www.facebook.com/JDSmth
www.twitter.com/JDSmith_ONLINE

Christmas LIGHT in light of Recent Events

Let Your LIGHT Shine even more in light of these recent tragic events…
 “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”  — Albert Schweitzer

A few short days ago, our nation trembled.
The hustle and bustle of the season abruptly ceased.
All hearts united in disbelief, sorrow, and outrage.
This stolen innocence will have long lasting after shocks.
How do we function in the midst of the all consuming, “WHY?”
 
Yes, these are dark dark times.  But One has come who overcame the dark.
Jesus was born in another very dark time in history.
He came to  bring light.  To bring HOPE.  The Light of HOPE.
Though we may never know or come to terms with “The Why”.
We do know “The Who”.
Lets agree to not let darkness win. Let’s share His light of Hope.
After all is that not the real meaning of Christmas?
Many are hurting deeply.  We are.  Maybe you too.
Undoubtedly, few greater than the families of those 20 babies.
Even in your own darkness, you can be a spark to another.
A simple act of kindness.  A smile.  An anonymous gift to one in need.
An encouraging word.  A prayer.  A hug.  An act of service.
In doing so, your flame will grow.   Light will spread. Hope will win.
* * * *
We do have some personal connections in Newtown.  Look for ways to bring tangible direct HOPE to this community in 2013.  For now,  there is no greater way to honor the victims than to BE that spark.
   

  The Light shines in darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.  John 1:5

Thanks for the Light that You Have Spread in 2012
Thanks to you and your generous giving CitiIMPACT was able to help millions of people represented in 15 states and Liberia.  These folks were in hopeless situations from disasters such as Tornados, Hurricanes, Floods, Forest Fires, extreme poverty, and most recently Super Storm Sandy.  Well over 150 semi loads of supplies were delivered.  Hundreds of thousands of hot meals were served.  Hundreds of homes worked on.  Thousands of volunteers served.  Children in Liberia were fed and able to attend school for the first time.  Countless hugs, prayers, and lifelong friendships built.  Millions received HOPE in the midst of their personal times of darkness.
 In addition, we were moved beyond words  to see people “Pay it Forward”.  Passing on the spark of hope they received to help others in their time of need.  Almost half of the funding received so far for Sandy has come from Churches and ministries CitiIMPACT has served earlier in the year.
We were blessed to receive many personal Thank-you’s  from Church and Ministry partners following Sandy.  Following is one from Metro Ministries’  Bill Wilson.  Please take time to view others from the Youtube gallery.   Here is also one from JD to all of you.

HOPE is Possible! Thank YOU!
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.   Matt 5:16
May The Light of HOPE Shine Brightly In and Through YOU this Christmas and throughout the New Year,
 
                  www.CitiIMPACT.org
                       Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter    bridgebrew

 Merry Christmas to all of you as we celebrate THE LIGHT of the world, Jesus Christ. 

Merry Christmas HOPE is Possible

At this time of year the world, not just America or your neighborhood or CitiIMPACT, is focused one way or another upon the long ago first arrival of Jesus Christ. See our video thank you for 2012 and read on please!

His arrival was highly regarded at the time, rightly so, to be the Messiah; the long-awaited HOPE. Enslaved, impoverished, forsaken, and forgotten people hoped against hope with the seeds of faith they had for a soon coming King who would free them. He was also highly hated by those who saw the reality of His power and love, and the threat He posed to their established control.

So much like He always does, the only true and living God looked past the cries of the people for hope, and granted HOPE! He granted through His son Jesus Christ eternal HOPE well past any temporal hope they may have desired, and temporal hope as well.baby Jesus

So it is this season every year, that by the design of the great and mighty God, Jehovah is His Name, that we celebrate his first arrival with an eye upon His Second Coming.

We wanted to take a moment to thank you for your partnership this year. This simple video clip doesn’t rightly share all the impact that you have had through our serving together. We hope to hear from you again soon about how we can serve you as together we Bridge HOPE to a lost and dying world.

Blessings, JD Smith     CitiIMPACT Missions      Leadership Development

No Home for Christmas

As Christmas 2012 approaches, many are not going to “Be Home for Christmas”, as they have NO Home for Christmas. 

Tens of thousands across the USA have NO HOME.

CLICK HERE to read a recent post on this subject from our CitiIMPACT Missions group,  as they share information about CitiIMPACT Disaster Response or read on below.

Testimonials of how you have been or can be part of reaching tens of thousands with HOPE here:

Video Reports and HERE and HERE.

As we continue on together in reaching the at-risk kids through local churches and ministries, be prayerful and active with your continued participation; for which we are so filled with gratitude. Blessings, JD Smith

No Home For Christmas . . .
As we busily prepare for Christmas, let us not forget those desperately hurting this year.Over 60,000 people have been left homeless due to Sandy.  There is little temporary housing, emergency shelters have closed, and gracious friends and families who opened up their home are feeling the “inconvenience” of extra bodies.  Many are left with little choice but to live in the debris.  How you can bring HOPE to the hopeless:

  • Bring a Team:  Nothing would be better than being HOME for Christmas.You can help get them closer.

What's it like to be heroic?

The team from  Montgomery Community Church brought along 10 men recovering from drug addictions. Listen to their amazing stories of how helping others helped them.

  • Donate  $10 puts a gift into a needy child’s hand.  Through our partners we will be serving close to 50,000 children.  We are still short about  20,000 gifts.
  • Give Thanks and Continue to Pray.  After the 15 of Dec. We, through our sponsors,  will have delivered over 100 semis of relief aid to Isaac and Sandy!

 Here are two video thank-you from church partners in NY and NJ thanking CitiIMPACT, thus all of you, for relief supplies.  Thank you for giving to make it possible.

CitiIMPACT-Sayre Woods NJ
CitiIMPACT Old Bridge, NJ Disaster Response
CitiIMPACT Staten Island NY Disaster Response
CitiIMPACT Staten Island NY Disaster Response

______________________________________________________________   

People went weeks without electricity or running water after Sandy.  Yet, this is the norm everyday for the people of Liberia.  There is no electricity in the country.  Neighborhood water pumps are even short supply.  School is a luxury most can’t afford.  How you can bring HOPE to these, the least of them:

  • SPONSOR A CHILD – provides tuition, clothes, and food. 
  • Think of doing this  on behalf of a loved one as a Christmas gift or in memory of one who has passed.

    Sponsorship FAQ

  •  Provide a one time special holiday meal and gifts for needy family.  $50 covers gifts for a family and rice for the month.
  • Buy Bridge Brew Coffee.  Makes excellent hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, or teacher gifts.  Not only does it taste great, it’s fair trade, AND the proceeds go towards starting schools in Liberia thus preventing child trafficking.  Buy ten or more through Dec. 15th and shipping is on us.  Email for details.

www.CitiIMPACT.org
Like us on Facebook     Follow us on Twitter