"As cold waters to a
thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25
2005 - News & Updates
Nov 28, 2005 The saints in Ghana are continuing to
do well and are still looking to the Lord to lead them concerning
the school. We are thankful that two motorcycles were successfully
purchased for the use of the ministers. (Pictured Below)
Nov 28, 2005 Africa Famine Relief Update
Thank you to each one
that has contributed funds for the Africa Famine Relief in Malawi
and Mozambique. Tons of maize have been purchased for the saints in
Africa. To date, all of the Church of God congregations in Malawi
and Mozambique have been supplied with food for two weeks. This is
not very long as the famine is expected to extend into April of
2006, but it is a big help as 100's of families have been provided
with food through the generosity of the saints in America.
The supply of maize is getting very scarce and very expensive by
African standards. When compared to how much most of us spend for
food in America, it is very little. A 50kg (110 lb) bag of maize
costs approximately $16.
25 kgs (55 lbs) of maize has been distributed to each family (6-8
people). This will last them in the proximity of two weeks. There is
also a high cost involved in transporting the maize. At this time,
$20-$25 will feed a family for one month.
Money has been sent to
Bro. Failos to oversee the purchase of maize every week for the last
3-4 weeks. Because of the dangerous conditions in Malawi, a
limited amount of money is sent every week. Bro. Failos expressed
that if he was in possession of too much money at any given time, he
would be in danger.
Many of the people are
living on fruit, mangos in particular, since maize is getting
difficult to find and purchase. The need in Africa is obviously
ongoing, and this office will continue to distribute funds for food
as long as there is a need. May God bless each one who has
sacrificed for this worthy humanitarian cause. "I was hungry, and ye
gave me to eat..."
Nov 1, 2005 You Can Make A
Difference
The children are on the front line of famine
conditions in Malawi and Mozambique.
Unfortunately, orphans are the ones that are suffering most.
It has also been reported that there are more and more malnourished
babies in the villages.
Word was received in October and again today, Nov.1,
of a severe shortage of food. Many of our brothers and sisters in
Africa are going hungry.
Nov 1, 2005 I ask a special interest in the prayers
of the saints for the furtherance of the gospel work in Africa. I
have had contact recently with a brother from a country that I have
never visited in Africa. The enemy has worked there as he has in the
United States with various Church of God groups. Because there are
so many professing to be the 'Church of God,' much confusion and
division has been caused. There are sometimes conflicting reports
about various ministers and there is a need for great spiritual
discernment. Our desire is for the purity of truth to be maintained
while being in unity with all of God's people. Please pray that the
Lord will bless our brethren of other lands and give us wisdom as we
seek fellowship and unity in Spirit and Truth. --Bro. Michael
Smith
November 2005 A few months ago I asked Bro. Igbanibo of
Nigeria if he would have a burden to once again travel to Ghana to
minister to the congregations there. The Spirit of God had already
been dealing with him concerning this issue. Money has been
sent and he plans to travel to Ghana this month. As you think of it,
please pray that the Lord would richly anoint in this effort.
October 2005 Further information concerning the
meeting in Port Harcourt was received from Nigeria. God is blessing
His people in this locale. Bro. Igbanibo related a story of one man
who used to be saved but grew frustrated due to false brethren. He
came to the camp meeting and was revived spiritually. He left for
home with a testimony, promising to work with the brethren for other
souls equally demoralized. Thank the Lord.
Below are some pictures
of the camp meeting.
Gospel Workers
It
has been a burden of mine for a long time to see the completion of
the chapel in Port Harcourt. The saints have been working for
years on this building. The chapel is still unfinished and it will
take over $4000 to finish. Here are a couple of pictures of the
uncompleted chapel. -ms
Oct 3, 2005 The
saints from Malawi and Mozambique send their greetings to the saints
in the United States. More money was sent over for the purchase of
blankets for which we thank God. We were burdened to hear that the
famine is still continuing due to lack of rain. The information that
I have obtained states that the famine will grow worse in November
and December. Money was sent this month to help purchase some
maize, but it is woefully inadequate.
We are thankful to report
that two new congregation have been opened in Malawi and two new
congregations in Mozambique. The Lord is blessing the growth of the
work. Bro. Failos will be traveling around 300 miles to areas of
Mozambique to hold meetings. This is very extensive traveling as
they don't have motor vehicles. Let pray that God would bless this
effort.
The saints in Ghana are
continually pressing on for the Lord. Our prayer is that the Lord
would mature them in spiritual things that they be the light in
Ghana that God desires.
Sept 22, 2005 I want to personally thank each
one who carries a burden for the work in Africa. Every prayer
and sacrifice is making an eternal difference in people's lives. It
is with thanksgiving that we report that the Lord blessed the
campmeeting in Nigeria. I encourage each one to read this inspiring
report. Click here to read
the report from Bro. Igbanibo.
We received news from Malawi
and Mozambique that there are still famine conditions. There has
been a scarcity of rain since January. The people live from hand to
mouth and when the rains don't come, the crops suffer. This office
is sending money for the purchase of maize as the Lord provides.
I would appreciate a continued interest in your prayers. My
physical condition has worsened the last week as I am beginning to
have seizure-like episodes. I am holding on to the Lord for a
complete physical healing. Since I am unable to travel and minister
as in the past, I am working at home. I am spending the time I am
able to work, in writing and in building a Church of God website. I
welcome each one to visit this new website on a regular basis.
www.churchofgodeveninglight.com
Encouraged In the Lord, Bro. Michael Smith
Sept 1, 2005 I continue to maintain contact with
the various congregations and missions in Africa. I want to thank
each one that financially supports the Africa Mission work. In the
last month, 100 more blankets were purchased for orphans in
Malawi/Mozambique. As the Lord provides, monthly support is still
being sent to some of the native ministers. Someone this month
generously donated funds for the purchase of more blankets for
Central Africa and for a motorcycle in Ghana.
Due in part to my continued physical inability to travel to
Africa, Bro. Igbanibo from Nigeria has agreed to make another trip
to Ghana to help teach the congregations there. $600 was sent
from this office today to help in that endeavor. We thank God that
Bro. Igbanibo is willing to help carry the burden for the work in
Africa.
Two days ago I received another heart rending appeal from the
ministers in Malawi and Mozambique. They expressed their keen desire
again for me to come and teach them about the Bible. If the Lord saw
fit to heal me today-as the Lord ordered-I would be making plans for
a trip. As the Lord tarries His healing in my behalf, I ask the
settled, spiritual readers, WHO WILL GO? Please pray that the Lord
would send out qualified laborers to this field.
Please continue to pray for the work everywhere in Africa.
Especially remember the National Nigerian campmeeting that will be
held in Port Harcourt on September 14-18.
I thank each of you again for your continued prayers and support.
July 23, 2005 This last month, I have heard from
various ministers in Africa. The work is going on and there is
nothing out of the ordinary to report. I don't always share their
correspondence in this forum, but from time to time I will post a
letter that was received. I was especially inspired with a letter
that came from a minister in Mozambique this month. His name is Bro.
Daimoni Mukonele. I have met and traveled with this brother on
different occasions. The first time Bro. Bob Sallee and I went to
Africa, Bro. Daimoni walked 70-100 miles to be with us in services
in Malawi. He is a sincere man who loves God and is interested in
the gospel being spread. Click
here to read the letter from Bro. Daimoni.
It
has been a burden of mine for a long time to see the completion of
the chapel in Port Harcourt. The saints have been working for
years on this building. The chapel is still unfinished and it will
take over $4000 to finish. Here are a couple of pictures of the
uncompleted chapel. -ms