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May 18, 2009 |
Read a report of the most recent
mission trip to Kenya & Malawi and view
photo galleries and video clips.
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April 22, 2009 |
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Bro. Doug Wall and I will
be leaving on Sunday, April 26 for the African continent. We plan to
have a three day ministers meeting in Kenya and purchase building
and personal supplies for the orphanage that is being built. Bro.
Doug will remain in Kenya and visit other congregations and contacts
while I fly on to Malawi. He also plans to have some Revelation
teaching with the brethren.
Lord willing, I will hold
a three day meeting with the ministers from Malawi and Mozambique. I
will fly back to Kenya and then Bro. Doug and I will return home
together on May 13. Please remember us in prayer that the Lord will
meet every need and that God would bless those who are hungry for
the truth.
It is only in God -
through the prayers and support of the saints - that these trips are
possible. I want to thank each one who has sacrificed in behalf of
the work of God in Africa. The work has expanded greatly and the
needs continue to be many as we are working with many people in a
number of different countries with diverse needs and spiritual
understanding. My heart is continually touched when I see the
poverty and suffering of many in Africa. My heart also rejoices at
the spiritual hunger and happiness that I behold in God's children
in this land.
Christ taught His people
to minister to those who are hungry, thirsty, and naked. While our
primary objective is to share truth, we in part share the love of
Christ as we fulfill the commission in reaching out our hand with a
blanket, clothing, shelter, a Bible, etc. as we share the hope of
Jesus Christ.
In the Lord,
Michael Smith |
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Ghana: Bro. Alen returned home safely a couple of months ago.
One night the bus he was riding was stopped and everyone was robbed.
Bro. Alen's passport, plane ticket, and some money were stolen in
this hold-up. We are thankful that the passengers were not harmed. God
blessed his trip. I have spoken by phone to the ministers in Ghana
and am very thankful that the Lord is blessing them with peace and
unity. |
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Kenya: We are looking for the Lord to continue the good work
which He has begun in Kenya. Interest is high and we are looking for
God to bless in this ministers meeting. There will be ministers from
many different groups and backgrounds. Some will be in attendance
that have been in African religions and have little to no
understanding of salvation.
Bro. Peter has been working on building an orphanage to
accommodate some of the 100+ orphans that they house and school. As
funds are provided, there will be eventual need to expand the
orphanage. The need remains great due to the large number of orphans
that the church in Kenya is helping. |
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Malawi: Let us continue to remember this impoverished
country. There continues to be a hunger for truth. We are looking
for God to continue to help the work to grow. There are plans for
about 100 ministers to attend this meeting. Although we speak a
different language, we are looking for the Lord to witness to them
through the Holy Spirit that they might be established in the truth
and love of Christ. We continue to buy blankets as funds are
available for the 100's of needy children and orphans. |
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Nigeria: There are a number of building projects being
planned in different congregations in Nigeria. They have limited
funds and I desire to see the Lord provide help to our established
brothers and sisters in the Lord. |
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February 18, 2009 |
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Malawi: The rain in Malawi has stopped and 600 of the
2000 saint families have been able to return to their homes. Around
300 families found their homes had fallen down due to the extensive
rainfall and flooding. In addition, many of their crops have been
damaged. They can't began rebuilding until the ground dries out
enough to begin making bricks. |
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Ghana: Bro. Alen Laukert, of Germany, is currently in
Ghana. He plans to continue work on two chapel buildings as well as
sponsor a meeting while there. Let us remember him in prayer that
the Lord would give him health and prosper his efforts. |
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January 31, 2009 |
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Kenya: As the Lord leads and provides, we are
planning a trip to Kenya and Malawi in April/May. The purpose is to
hold ministers' meeting in these two countries where we will be
conducting studies on Christian living and Bible doctrines. There
are hundreds of people in Kenya planning to attend this meeting.
While this is a new work, there has been much interest in the truth.
Bro. Peter is continuing to share the gospel in Kenya and is helping
to oversee and school 250 orphans. We desire to see the
accommodations for these orphans completed. Currently, Kenya is in a
drought so the people are having to walk many miles to find water. |
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Malawi: The saints in Malawi are still out of their
homes due to the flooding and wet ground. We are continuing to send
humanitarian aid as we are able. Every $28.50 is able to purchase
110 Ib. bag of maize. The brethren are purchasing bags of maize in
the city and having it trucked down closer to the village where they
are distributing maize and beans to the hundreds of families which
we are trying to help during this difficult time. |
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Ghana: |
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View pictures from the 2009
Ghana trip.
 I am very thankful for the blessed trip to Ghana that the Lord gave
to Bro. Matthew Gellenbeck and myself. We left on January 12 and
returned home on the 23rd. Our purpose was not evangelistic but was
rather to address some needs among the ministers and to encourage
them in the way. God met with us and blessed in our fellowship and
time together with the brethren.
Bro. Naths-Igbanibo (from Nigeria) traveled to Ghana to enter into
the burden with us. We appreciate his spiritual leadership and
support of the work in Ghana. The brethren are encouraged and have
expressed a desire to work in unity for the furtherance of the
gospel.
 There is a minister we met that had left the truth over twenty
years ago. In the last two years, he has left Babylon and desires to
labor in God's true church. We are looking for the Lord to lead this
new congregation into all the light and make them a blessing in
Ghana. The night we had service with them, a number of people came
forward and prayed to start a new life in Jesus Christ.
In the mornings we had Bible studies with the ministers; and in
the evenings, we went and had services in the different village
congregations. On Sunday, people from the various congregations came
to Akumadan and we fellowshipped together.
God was gracious to give us good health and strength for the
trip. My heart is full of thanks for the presence of God.
Please
remember the work in Ghana that the Lord will bless and help them to
be rooted and grounded in truth that the light of Christ will shine
in that country.
In the Lord,
Michael Smith |
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January 26, 2009 |
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Funds were again successfully transferred to the saints in need in
Malawi this morning. The rain is beginning to ease up but the people
are not yet able to return to their homes. The last funds that were
sent were used to purchase maize and beans. There was enough to feed
the hundreds of people for two days. We thank each one who has
carried a burden for this humanitarian need -- as the scriptures
says, "Faith without works is dead." Please continue to pray for
this ongoing situation that the saints will be able to return home
this week. |
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January 24, 2009 |
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We praise the Lord for the safe return of Matthew and Michael last
night. We thank the saints for their prayers and the Lord for His
blessings on this trip. A more in-depth report will be posted here
soon. |
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January 19, 2009 |
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Malawi: Bro. Master Gustor and Brother Failos
Namaozongo got on a bus at 2 a.m. to travel to the nearest Western
Union to receive the first offering that was sent for their aid.
When I spoke with them it was raining so hard it was difficult to
talk, but they expressed heartfelt appreciation to the saints for
their care and concern. Please continue to hold them up in prayer.
The aid that we sent will not go very far with the large numbers of
people that were affected. Most of all, we desire the Lord to be
very real to them at this time.
Ghana: Brother Igbanibo has returned to Nigeria. We
are so thankful he was willing and able to lend his support and aid
in this trip. Tomorrow, the brethren will travel together to the
furthest outlying congregation for service. It is partway back to
Accra, so they will part ways after that service. The local
ministers will return to their villages and Brothers Michael and
Matthew will be making their way back to Accra. They will arrive
home on Friday evening. Michael expressed that the visit was timely
and that the Lord has blessed. We sincerely appreciate the support
of your prayers for this trip. |
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January 17, 2009 |
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Ghana: Services were held this morning in Akumadan. This afternoon,
they traveled to Tanoso for a service with the congregation there.
Bro. Igbanibo will be returning to Nigeria Sunday or Monday. The
schedule is physically wearing, but the Lord is giving them strength
for their days. |
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January 16, 2009 **Urgent Request for Malawi** |
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Update: We will be sending funds as the Lord provides to assist
those displaced from their homes by flooding in Malawi. Time is of
the essence as they have already been away from their villages for
several days. If you desire to be a part of this relief, donations
may be sent to this office: Church of God c/o 605 Bishops Court,
Nixa, MO 65714. Please make a notation that the donation is
designated for flood relief.
I spoke again with Brother Master this afternoon and he told me
that the food they had was already gone and the people were going
out to gather what they could find. With it being the weekend, the
financial institutions will be closed until Monday. He said they
would send out messengers tomorrow, informing the saints that some
help is coming.
Our hearts are moved by the trials these people experience. As
someone mentioned to me today, Malawi is a harsh land. It is among
the poorest in the world. The people go from flood to drought and
famine within the span of a single year. Please keep them in your
prayers.
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I received word from Bro. Master Gustor in Malawi that they have
been displaced from their homes due to massive flooding. They are
taking refuge in a school in Chiringa, a nearby village. I have
verified this information with various news reports. The southern
part of Malawi was struck with rains this past week as well as
cyclones and the rivers have swollen beyond their banks. Bro. Master
reported that the water is still standing in their home village.
Some homes have fallen down. They had to "run from their homes".
They have since been joined by other saints families. He tells me
that 2,000 saints have been affected of an estimated 8,000 of the
general population.
The government is not giving them aid. This is
the fourth day they have been out of their homes. The Seventh Day
Adventists are now distributing aid in the form of food etc., but it
is only made available to their church members. He called us to put
his plea before the saints. The children, orphans and elderly are
especially in need. I told him that we would pray for the Lord to
care for them and ask Him to help us determine the best way to
assist. Please join us in prayer. |
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January 15, 2009 |
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Wednesday was a travel day. They left the city of Accra on a large
public transport bus which took much longer than a car by private
hire. They arrived safely in the village and are staying in the
mission house built when Sis. Keizer was there. They plan to visit
each of four congregations in the area over the next four days as
well as have Bible studies with the pastors. Bro. Igbanibo is
expected to join them from Nigeria today. |
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January 14, 2009 |
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Brothers Michael Smith and Matthew Gellenbeck left Monday afternoon
and were to arrive in Accra, Ghana Tuesday evening. Wednesday was to
be spent gathering needed supplies in the city and arranging
transportation for the 6 hour drive to the village of Akumadan where
they will be staying for the duration of their stay. They will be in
Akumadan and surrounding villages until next Wednesday. Time in
Ghana is CST+6 hours. Pray that the Lord will accompany them in
the power of the Spirit and keep them from all harm. I will endeavor
to update the website for those interested whenever I receive word.
--René Smith |
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January 5, 2009 |
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On January 12, Bro. Matthew Gellenbeck and I will be flying to
Ghana. It has been a number of years since I have been able to visit
the congregations there. We are in special need of wisdom and
guidance from the Lord on this journey. This trip is a little
different than some in the past. We are going with some specific
burdens to address some existing conditions. Bro. Igbanibo from
Nigeria plans to meet us in Ghana to support this endeavor. We
desire your prayers that the work will prosper in Ghana and that the
Lord would give us physical health as well.
.--Michael Smith |
