The Tabernacle Community

Dear Friends and Family,


Wedding

The knot is tied. A three strand cord is not easily broken. On June 21st, Allison and I were married with many friends and family members present to witness it and to celebrate it with us. How can words describe the joy and gratefulness that we felt for all that our Father in heaven has done for us, to lead us to that day and this life together. Many times throughout the wedding weekend, Allison and I and others were overwhelmed with tears at the goodness of God. Thank you, all of you who have prayed and loved Allison and I through our respective journeys. Both of us have stumbled through rough terrain, but Christ has redeemed us. Praise the great I AM with us. His love endures forever.

Then through the generosity of my dad and his wife, and others, we enjoyed a two-week honeymoon in the Canadian Rockies. It was as wonderful as can be! Attached are some photos of some of the beautiful places we visited. Please continue to pray for us, that God would be glorified in our life together as Larry and Allison Smoak.

Sabbatical

Now, through the end of 2008, we are staying in the United States for a sabbatical. Our goals for this sabbatical are
1) to let God build a strong foundation for our marriage,
2) to be renewed in body, soul and spirit for continued ministry in Honduras , and
3) to reconnect with many of you, our friends and family members.
During July through mid-September we will be living in Minnesota , growing our relationship and spending time with people in Allison's family, her home church and our friends who make up the Great Oaks International board. Then from mid-September through mid-December we will travel in the midwestern and eastern United States to visit many of you, attend three conferences and run the Chicago Marathon. Christmas and New Years will be celebrated in Minnesota and then back to Honduras January 8, 2009.

Las Mangas

Meanwhile Jonathan Zoba along with Doña Maria Montes hold down the fort in Las Mangas. Please pray for Jonathan and Maria, along with her younger children and Joel, who are learning how to be an intercultural community through daily responsibilities and some tough circumstances. Petty but nagging robberies continue to take place, and on two occasions Maria's husband Santos has arrived drunk and violent. Jonathan had to intervene and finally Maria and Jonathan put out a restraining order for him. Pray with us not only for protection and wisdom for Jonathan and Maria, but for Santos to find the freedom available through faith in Christ.

Praise the Lord for:
1. His grace which brought Allison and I together to be married and to rejoice in him with so many friends and family at our wedding
2. His grace that provides this sabbatical for our strengthening and renewal
3. Jonathan Zoba and Maria Montes and their faithfulness to serve him

Pray to the Lord for:
1. him to strengthen our marriage, renew us for future service and lead us in our travels
2. protection and wisdom for Jonathan and Maria as they carry on the work in Las Mangas
3. Gustavo, Adolfo and Enemecio who are working at an orphanage in the Mosquitia
4. IER graduates Lesbin, Jacob, Melvin and Anna as they adjust to life and University studies in Tegucigalpa


That the Ransomed will return,


Larry and Allison

"Love never fails."