Today, Michael held service with a congregation nearby. About 25 gathered in for service. Michael preached about being on the road to heaven and used the illustration that if they wanted to travel to Accra, they wouldn't get there if they were on the road to Techimen (a town in the opposite direction.) Almost half of those in attendance came forward to pray.

In the afternoon, the ministers gathered at the mission house in Akumadan for a bible study on the doctrines of Salvation and Sanctification. They began in Genesis with the fall and were following through the Old Testament on the condition of man after sin entered the world, and the importance the law played in revealing sin. They plan to continue on with the topic tomorrow. Michael says that these Bible studies are some of the most rewarding times he experiences on the mission field.

Michael seems to be in good health and spirits and I am thankful to be able to contact him if needed since the pastor living in the mission house has a cell phone. So much has changed since the first time he went to Ghana. At that time you had to travel to town to a communication station where there was a phone you could pay to use.

We thank each of you for your prayers.

Today Michael is traveling north by public bus to Akumadan. He had hoped to arrive at the village before dark since the bus will drop him on the main road and he will have to navigate his luggage down the trails to the mission house.

Note: Local time in Ghana is CST+6 hours.

Bro. Igbanibo and company, of Nigeria, had a successful missionary journey to Ghana. This trip was supported financially from the Africa Mission fund. We greatly appreciate the support that makes these trips possible.

Lord willing, I will be leaving Monday, Nov 29 for a quick trip to Ghana. I will be visiting each of the five congregations and having meetings with the ministers. Please pray for my wisdom, safety, and strength. I will be returning on Dec. 9.

In Christ, Michael Smith

The work continues to grow in Kenya and Tanzania. Sis. René sent an in-depth VBS program to the orphanage and 100's of children have been learning and enjoying the lessons, crafts, and songs. A CD was sent with the music on it. It never arrived, so Bro. Peter said he made up a tune to go with the songs. That should be interesting!

One of the ministers in Tanzania just had a son to pass away, so let us remember him in prayer.  There continues to be interest in the truth from Tanzania and we look for God to establish the work there.

There is a lot of effort and energy that goes into the African work from this office, even when I'm not 'on the ground.' I desire a continued interest in your prayers and support that the work can go forward as the Spirit directs. --mws

It was also a blessing to be able to distribute 100 Bibles - primarily to young people.

God was ever present on the trip and gave traveling mercy. The work is great but I thank God for the understanding and growth that He is bestowing on the people. Thank you for your prayers while I was gone.

-Michael Smith

From this point, the trip is winding down. After the roofing has all been delivered, at some point Michael will be returning to the city to begin the process of traveling home. He is to arrive home on Thursday morning. We thank the Lord for your prayers and for His blessings. We are looking to Him to bring Michael home safely.

Tomorrow morning Michael will be with the congregation for morning service and visit several congregations in the afternoon to deliver roofing. Thank you for your prayers. Michael said he got some relief from his headache last night and today though it returned in the afternoon.

The women prepared a pot of rice for Michael to eat for supper last night along with a few small pieces of beef. He took a few canned goods and crackers for the most of his eating. Last night Michael had a pretty bad headache in the night and was praying this morning for the Lord to give him some relief. He said that it did ease during the teaching but was returning this evening. He and Brother Master were in town arranging for rental of a flatbed truck to use in delivering the roofing on Monday.

Today marked the beginning of the ministers meeting. Sixty to seventy ministers and gospel workers gathered for teaching sessions. The morning session was teaching in nature and in the afternoon the ministers participated in some interactive teaching and activities that seemed to be effective. Michael's burden this time is to emphasize the importance of practical Christian living and holiness. Some can follow for the loaves and the fishes, but it is imperative that we realize that following Christ brings about real changes in the heart and life.

I am thankful to be able to reach Michael through a local Brother's cell phone. Years ago when Karen got malaria they had to walk or ride a bike for miles to make a phone call. The village still has no electricity or running water, but they do have cell coverage. It is such a boost to morale on both sides to be able to communicate regularly.

Please continue to pray for Michael that the Lord would give him strength. His health is still somewhat compromised and combined with jet lag brings a real exhaustion. The Lord has been so good to him this far and we believe He will continue to do so. Thank you also for your prayers for our family. I know God has heard them, for he has removed all fear and anxiety from my heart. That is a real blessing to me.

It is nearing 5 o'clock there and they still have a trip ahead to reach the village. Most likely, Michael will be setting up his net in the dark as there is neither electricity or running water there. The ministers have already gathered in and are waiting to begin ministers meeting in the morning. There will be sessions all day for three days. Please pray for these meetings that the Lord will anoint the teaching, translation and hearers alike. Some of these people have traveled for days themselves to learn more about the truth. Also, please pray that the Lord will give Michael physical strength and endurance.

Lord willing, I will be leaving for a short trip to Malawi on August 16. I will be conducting a three day ministers meeting and general services on Sunday. I will also have two days to distribute roofing material to congregations in the area. Most of the congregations are without proper roofing. On average, it will cost $250 per chapel. There are about 46 chapels in need of roofing. Please remember me in prayer that God will give health and bless in these efforts.

-Michael Smith

I thank God for life and salvation. I appreciate every prayer and fast that took place in my behalf. God heard prayer and we are thankful that the time of divine healing is not past. The work of God is often not smooth and there are obstacles in the path, but so it was for our Lord.

I received word that one of the orphan girls in Kenya died two days ago. Let us pray that the Lord will comfort and help the children and the congregation. There has been a lot of sickness recently. Bro. Peter is continuing to travel and have meetings in different places. There has been good response to the preached Word.

There are continual needs with the orphanage operation. When it rains - which it does frequently, it makes it very muddy in the courtyard of the orphanage. The children are having to get muddy and wet and mosquitoes are breeding in the standing water. It would be good if we were able to make a concrete pad to eliminate this problem. There are monthly needs for food as well as clothing and shoes for the orphans. The children are doing very well in their school work and continue to outperform the government schools.

Storms have been been a real problem in Malawi as well as in Ghana. In Ghana, a wind/rain storm ripped the roofing off of the new chapel that Bro. Alen has helped build. The mission house in Ghana is leaking badly and is in need of repair.

The saints in Malawi just finished a meeting where a number of people were saved and baptized. I was made aware that 12 congregations in Mozambique desire some kind of weather proofing for the roof on their chapels. This has been a hindrance in the gathering of the saints during the rainy times.

I am thankful for all of the spiritual blessings and for every report we receive of souls being saved. The needs continue to be great. The Africa Mission Fund is getting very low as there have been mission trips and a number of projects and needs this last year. We are looking to the Lord to provide that we can continue to assist our brethren in various African countries.

--Michael Smith

This has been a long time coming and we thank the Lord for everyone that has made this possible. This is a life-changing event for the orphans. They have had to walk for long distances to get water. Many suffer and sometimes die from typhoid and other diseases due to contaminated water.

Rather than a cheaper shallow well, we are drilling a deep water well which we trust will serve them even during the dry seasons. The well is primarily for the orphans but will also be available for community use. Our original plan was to have a hand pump installed. But, since the company is on site and electric lines are nearby (although not yet in operation) we are going to have an electric pump installed. A 15-20 foot steel tower will be built and a large holding tank placed. From there, we will pipe the water to the orphanage. We will purchase a generator to use until the government gets the electricity.

The cost of projects such as this can be 2-3 times the amount in Africa as in the U.S. This is due to lack of competition and the high cost of imported goods. For example, the electric water pump costs twice the amount in Kenya as here in the U.S. We have ample funds designated for Phase 1 (deep well drilling) of this project. While we don't yet have designated funds for Phase 2 (steel tower, holding tank, piping, generator), we are proceeding while we have the opportunity and the company is on site.

We thank the Lord for giving Michael S. and Michael G. a safe trip home. Michael apparently contracted malaria. He was critically ill and the Lord definitely worked in sparing his life. He has been sick for over five weeks now. While he is much better than when he returned home, his body is still fighting the disease and we are praying for a complete recovery.

We thank the Lord for His blessings on the trip. Souls were reaped in the harvest and we thank the Lord for His faithfulness to accompany His word with the Spirit.

Malawi/Mozambique:

Bro. Master called to inform us that the lack of food due to flooding in Mozambique is still critical. This is not a call for funds, but rather a call for prayer that God would bring relief to these people. We recognize that the numbers are far too great for us to be able to provide. 15 ministers traveled from Mozambique to tell Bro. Failos that 50 people have died. Most of these are children who have succumbed to diseases since their bodies were in a weakened state due to the lack of food. The people are still in camps in the government schools. However, the government aid has not been sufficient to sustain them. Please keep these people in your prayers.

The resident orphans joined them for a joyous feast of chicken, two kinds of fruit and cookies for dessert. The children were singing and allowed to stay up until around 10 p.m. One of the young girls stood up and asked, "Do you eat like this all the time?" They eat meat once a week and fruit only about twice a month.

The young boy that has a problem with his leg was visited by a nurse today. She determined that he is suffering from a boil and that he also has malaria. Please pray for his healing.

Today held a visit to Bro. Joseph's congregation. Bro. Joseph also keeps orphans and operates a school, though more of the students are from families in the community. Several came forward for salvation, healing and other burdens.

Saturday, they will travel over the roads to Tanzania to be with them Sunday and Monday for services. Thank you again for your continued support and prayers.

As I mentioned before that the staff at the Huruma Orphanage school is working at a personal sacrifice to themselves. In a government school, they might earn 15,000 shillings/month. The headmaster at Huruma earns 3,000. The teachers 2,000 and some helpers 1,500/month. Seeing their own dedication is inspirational. The children are receiving a quality education and perform better on tests than those given a government education. If they have money to take a test upon completion of their education and pass, the government will pay for them to go on to the University.

They feed the children a midday meal along with the schooling. Most of the children stay with villagers at night. Sixty orphans live in the orphanage. In the orphanage, thirty children sleep on eight mats that are three feet wide.

Since they have been in Stellah, one of the orphan boys has suffered with his leg being swollen to the point of being hard. It is also feverish. They don't know if it is broken or if he is suffering from a disease that some of the children there get. He is having trouble walking. They desire prayer that this boy be healed to the glory of God. Please join in this burden. Michael G. has also been helping out some of the children by giving them first aid, cleaning out cuts and disinfecting.

Tomorrow, they will travel to two congregations for service and return for the evening meal with the children. The children are usually fed meat once a week. Today they purchased seven chickens and told the children they wanted to sit down and eat a meal with them tomorrow evening. They are looking forward to that with great anticipation.

Our hearts go out to those in need. I think of Jesus whose heart was moved with compassion when he saw the hungry multitude. When the disciples would have sent them away, Jesus said they would perish on the way and he fed them until they were satisfied. How I wish He were here today to feed them from five small loaves and two fishes. Please pray that the Lord will provide for these people in the way He sees best. I will be sending a little more over for food today, but it is less than we were able to send the last time. We will do what we can and ask God to fill in the gap. I often pray in these times of need that the Lord would succor these dear people who live with many hardships to be drawn closer to Him in these trying times.

Brothers Michael Smith and Michael Gellenbeck departed today for Kenya. They were to meet up in Atlanta and travel through Amsterdam to Nairobi together. I will try to avoid name confusion by referring to them as Michael S. and Michael G. Thank you for every prayer in their behalf. There is a burden for evangelism of souls on this trip. Please pray that the word will be preached in power and the the Holy Spirit will convict and reveal. The Lord knows the burdens of the heart, the tears of life, the bondage and despair that souls experience and these brothers are keenly aware of their dependence on the Holy Spirit to be the one to lead in every interaction.

Thank you for your prayers for Sarah and me and the families remaining at home. We have felt the effect of your prayers already. -René Smith

Lord willing, I will be leaving for Kenya this Wednesday, January 27. I will be gone for 2 1/2 weeks and return on February 12.

I plan to have meetings in Kenya. Bro. Peter (of Kenya) and I will also travel to Tanzania where there has been some fruit of past labors.

I also intend to re-examine the needs of the hundreds of orphans in Kenya that are being cared for by the saints. We appreciate the support for the well project at the orphanage.  The final government permits were delayed and finally they were obtained. Then, the company that we are under contract with to drill the well had an equipment breakdown. This has delayed the process by a number of months.

I desire your prayers that the Lord will bless my family in my absence and also that He would give me strength and protection for the journey. Most of all, we want to see the work of God grow and prosper. There are some very precious people in Africa and there remains a hunger for truth in many areas.

I love the saints of God. This work is a joint effort of all who have sacrificed and prayed for it.

Updates will be posted on this site as my wife, Rene, is able to be contact with us in Kenya.

In Christ,

Michael Smith

UPDATE: Bro. Michael Gellenbeck has expressed a burden to join me on this trip. A ticket has been purchased. We are thankful for his burden and desire to help in the work of the Lord. Please remember him and his family.
 

Malawi: The saints in Malawi and Mozambique had a minister meetings that concluded successfully. Bros. Failos and Master traveled three days by bicycle to be in a gospel meeting in Mozambique. They continue to have various meetings and to spread the gospel.

They are still in need of prayer as no rains have come since October. The seeds have been destroyed by the sun, hence they won't have a maize harvest this season. The brethren from Malawi send their greetings to the saints here in the United States.