Friday, July 23, 2010

Zambia is Wonderful

Just a little word to tell you of the wonder of Lusaka Zambia.
This place is like a magnet. Many people are drawn here to
do many things. We met two women on the plane from Jo'burgh
to Lusaka to help a pastor and church with their work with people
effected with HIV/AIDS. They together raised $12,000.00 for the
pastor to buy 23 arces of land to build an orphanage for children.

These two senior citizens were an inspiration to me as they showed
me a copy of an article written about them. They are busy on this
trip with details regarding their ministry.  They are Australian Baptist
who have a passion to bring the love of Christ to people who are hurting.
Marg and Dawn are drawn to Zambia like a magnet draws metal. They
are a wonder that I wish you could have the opportunity to meet.

Pray that God would use you today that you might be a wonder to
those around you. Make a difference in the lives of others as the
chance presents it's time.

Friday July 23, 2010 - Today we faced pain, eye ball to eye ball.
The lord allowed us to meet some really awesome children today.
The were taught in a large church building with a new roof. It was
a blessing as the older children sang three heart wrenching songs.
They showed us team building exercises that showed how they trusted
one another.

These are just snippets of God's work in Zambia. I have some video
to share at a later time. Please keep praying for us. Please ask God
for wisdom for us.

Pastor Bill and the Zambia Team

Posted via email from williamhsmith's posterous

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

We have arrived to Zambia Safely

Dear Family & Friends,
We arrived at about 1:00 pm today after two days of traveling. All
Went well until we went to pick up our luggage. It wasn't there. Have no fear
The Lord is here. W e are on the way to the airport as I write this
email. Troy has
iPad. The Lord is gracious and His mercy is everlasting. We have met some great
People all along the way. Tell you more later.

Please pass the word to our family members for us.

Thanks for your prayers.

Your Mission Zambia Team

Posted via email from williamhsmith's posterous

Monday, July 5, 2010

Mission Zambia Tips fo Success

Prepare for Good Health in Zambia
The following packing recommendations should help you prepare your traveling essentials.
Recommended Packing List
These are just suggestions. Your particular trip may require other items. Remember that when packing for overseas, less is better.
Clothing
Please keep in mind that the weather may differ from the weather where you live. See http://www.wunderground.com/global/ZB.html.
Toiletries
MedicinesPrescription and over-the-counter, including anti-diarrhea medication, laxatives, and motion-sickness medicines. Bring adequate amounts of all essential medications and pack them in your carry-on bag; some medications may not be available at your destination
Minor first-aid items, such as Band-Aids, etcSee also the "Items to Bring With You" section of http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationZambia.aspx.
Small towel and wash cloth
Bath toiletriesToilet paper (remove cardboard center before packing), Kleenex packets, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
Wet wipes
Anti-bacterial soap
Sunscreen / lip balm
Feminine products
Other
Small Ziploc bagsPack your lotions, creams, and other liquid items in bags in case they rupture on the plane
Space-Saver bagsVacuum bags that can reduce the bulk of clothing
Adapters and converter for electronic equipment(advise against bringing electrical devices)
Camera, film, video camera, extra batteries
Bible/Journal/pen, or small note book
Small flashlight/penlight
Family photos, maybe extra to give awayPlease be sure they are modest and do not show wealth.
Money belt or travel pouch, if you have oneOne that can easily hold important documents
Address list for postcards or possible e-mails home
Photocopy of I.D./passportKeep in different place than I.D./passport
Emergency contact information for USAGive these to other members of the team
Driver's license or alternative form of ID
Trip itinerary and contact information
Extra eye glassesEspecially if you wear contacts
Accessible Items
Keep these items in your money belt or pocket at all times during travel.
Copy of I.D./passport
Airline tickets and all airline receipts (ticket stubs)Never throw anything away
Cash
Carry-On Items
All Accessible ItemsSee above list
Clean change of clothesIn case of misplaced luggage
Basic toiletries
All valuablesCamera, jewelry, money, I.D./passport, etc.
WatchLeave valuable jewelry at home
Reading material for travel time
MP3 or music player with extra batteries
Journal, pens or pencilsBring extra pens in a Ziploc as some explode at high altitudes


Packing Considerations

Smart packing
To more easily identify your luggage, attach a bright-colored ribbon or luggage tag. What you wear overseas does make a difference. Make sure your clothing is neat and modest in all circumstances. Be sure to pack comfortable shoes, as many places require a great deal of walking.

Pack extras

Luggage is occasionally lost in overseas travel. It is a good idea to have an extra set of clothing (including underwear) and essential medications in your carry-on bag.
Leave valuables at home. Expensive and sentimental or favorite items should be left at home unless you are willing to part with them.

Pack lightly

Remember when packing for overseas, less is better. Keep in mind the airline baggage allowance as you pack. Extra weight or extra bags cost you money. Also remember you are limited to the bags you can personally carry; in most cases you will be carrying your own luggage.
Empty your pockets. Bring with you only the necessary ID and credit/debit cards. Also remember to have enough money on hand for "tipping" those who help you along your travel route.

Make copies

Make copies of credit cards and the phone numbers to cancel them if they are lost or stolen. Bring the copies with you and keep them in a safe place, separate from your cards. Make three copies of your I.D./passport. Give one copy to your team leader, keep one in your suitcase, and leave the other at home with a family member or trusted friend.




Are We There Yet?

Are we there yet, relates to the task the Father has given us.
We have been charged to take the gospel of good news to all the
peoples of the earth. We are to start in are hometown, then move
to other parts in our state, after which we fan out to other states
in the US. But that's not all.

We have also been commanded to go to the ends of the earth
with this good news. All the way to what some have called the uttermost
parts of the world. We must go because He told us to. The eternity of
many souls is weighing in the balance. Can the lost depend on you?

We are not there yet! Will you pray, give and go? Will you do what God
commands?

Posted via email from williamhsmith's posterous

Look at What I Found!

Take Ten, Volume 5

admin | Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 | No Comments »

Ten requests are provided for those willing to go before the Father on behalf of the SEA Peoples Affinity Group.  These ten requests can be read through in about 10 minutes.  So little time but, oh what the Father can do through your interceding can have an amazing impact.  Won’t you join with us and PRAY?

Pray for three Thai men who have, happily, become Followers of Jesus.  Ask that their faith would be proved to be genuine and their temptation to be followers of men would be laid aside.  Ask that their interest in language learning from these men would not be the “main attraction” but instead the Son would be the focus of their affections and intentions.

“I am just so tired of working!  They make me haul 20 feed bags of corn before I can take a break! “Y”, a single mom with only a sixth grade education, has worked since she was 11 years old. Her worries used to consume her, but now things are different, she is beginning to depend on Jesus. She shares stories reflecting the care of the Lord. Pray for “Y” to trust in God’s perfect provision and to learn from Him in prayer and from His Word. Please pray “Y” and her daughter will find true rest in the Son and commit their lives to loving and serving Him.

At the end of this month, students from various locations will arrive, teaching and reaching out to students. Please pray that the labor of these groups will bear much fruit for the kingdom and that these students will come away from their experience with a great hunger to be more involved in God’s purposes for the world. Ask the Father to help with all the logistical details involved in these endeavors.

They have been building a relationship with KB, for the past few months. She now has become a follower of Jesus.  As she shares with her family, the persecution begins.  They said she was crazy. Her father said she must deny Jesus or be beaten.  KB said she wants to stay with Jesus. What would you do?  Ask that her relationship with the Son will flourish in the midst of difficulty.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Matthew 5:11-12

Many in the village don’t understand why she would move back to the village since they know she could make a lot more money living elsewhere.  She is the only follower in this Buddhist area.  It is said that no one comes to share the Story in this area because the people have a reputation for being stern and intimidating!  Her greatest desire is to see her family and fellow villagers come to know the Son. Pray that she have many opportunities to share the Story with boldness and clarity.  Pray that she has discernment as a younger family member has heard and believed though now seems to be struggling with many questions. Ask that she that she will be wise in discipling him as he charters new ground as the lone believing boy in his school and village.

“The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful.”  Join in asking for…

  • A rattan shop owner and his family to hear the voice of the Father calling them to salvation.
  • A dispirited leader to have his faith be fanned back to life.
  • The efforts of a hard working shepherd as he shares the Story of the Son to bear much fruit.
  • A lone believer to soon have others in her village to fellowship with her.
  • An older farmer to be empowered to shine as light in his village.

Continue to pray for young people who are living in M communities for several weeks making Him known.  The Word is being proclaimed and lives are being changed and as is to be expected, there has been great opposition. They have had great resistance in one area, having their bags searched and some of their things taken in an attempt to scare them away.  Pray for their faith to grow and with it their boldness to share.  Pray that they will have discernment and clearly hear from Him along the way.  Pray for His glory and for a harvest to be seen in this place.

Training with local believers in 2 areas is going well.  Learning to share their testimonies and the good news presentation and then doing it is a great achievement.  Pray that as goals are set to share, training on how to put this into practice, and boldness will result in the Kingdom being expanded in these areas.

A few weeks ago Mr. M and his crew were asked to make a wooden cross as an Easter decoration.  He had been forthright in sharing the Truth with co-workers on the maintenance crew.  Some co-workers ridiculed him, but he was mostly unaffected by the abuse he invited by sharing.  When they finished making the cross, they placed it against the wall and made Mr. M stand in front of it with his hands outstretched as if he were the one being crucified.  They even placed a crown of thorns they had made on his head – all the while giving him a hard time about being a believer.  Mr. Martin says it was then that he started to cry.  As the men saw his tears, they felt bad and said they were sorry they had pushed things too far.  They really hadn’t intended to offend him.  But Mr. Martin immediately said his tears were not because of their mockery.  It was because, by standing as if he were being crucified, he realized how much Jesus had done for him.  Once again, Mr. M had the opportunity to share.  Ask that the Seeds of the Story he has planted will bear the fruit of Salvation.

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” (Ephesians 6:19:20, NIV).

A new believer was persecuted today because of her faith. Earlier, when she was persecuted for her beliefs she gave strong testimony about her relationship to Isa. She has not only continued to study the Book, but she is sharing with other people in the community. Her faith is known to her family and to religious leaders. After this recent incident, her faith is likely known throughout her community. Ask that God’s presence will guard her heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Ask that God will use her bold witness and transformed life to bring many people in her village to faith. Ask that God will bring deep conviction of sin and righteousness to those who are persecuting her.

Posted via email from williamhsmith's posterous