Africa Update

Kim Smith

Dear Family and Friends,

Mel and I sit on a board that oversees God’s mission in Liberia that we are partnered with.  Since Kim (our partner in Liberia) has been home, we have been meeting almost on a weekly basis planning and praying for Liberia.  During these meetings, God has been stirring our family’s heart regarding our part in the Liberian ministry.  We believe God is opening the doors for us to move our family to Liberia.  Here is a summary of what has been taking place lately.

1. We have met with all of Prabhat’s doctors / therapists and have asked them if a move to Liberia would have an adverse effect on Prabhat’s development.  All of the doctors and therapist have told us that Liberia would not have an adverse effect on Prabhat.  Praise the Lord!  
2. We have felt the Lord telling us that it is now time for us to get rid of all our non-essential possessions.  Lately, we have been radically unloading our possessions.  For example, I currently don’t own any drums, just yesterday I got rid of my favorite guitar, etc.  We are finding wonderful freedom in simplicity.  We have a friend who has a garage sale every year.  All the proceeds from the garage sale go to support the ministry in Liberia.  Most of what we own will be sold at this garage sale.  We are now in the process of moving our non-essential possessions to his barn to sale by the trailer load.  We have asked our family members to let us know if we own anything they want.  We don’t want to sell things that are precious to our families.  Please let us know if there is anything we own that you want.  

1. I have temporarily turned my attention from completing the house we bought to flip to touching up our personal house to sell.  We believe God is calling us to drop the price of our personal house by another $10,000.  
2. We are beginning to look at health insurances that will match our calling.  We have looked into our current insurance and it will not work for us while we are away.

Our hearts are to make a 2 year commitment to Liberia.  We would like to sell both of the houses we own and use some of the equity to support us during these 2 years.  After serving 2 years we will come home and evaluate everything.  At that point we could make longterm plans or conclude that our mission is complete.  

How can you pray for us?  

1. Pray for unity between our family and Kim.  Our family believes God is calling us to Liberia soon.  We believe God must confirm this in Kim’s heart before we can go.  We will not move our family to Liberia unless Kim also believes now is the time.  At this point in time, Kim has not had the opportunity to seek the Lord regarding the Lord’s timing.  We are being very careful not to try to force a door open.  We deeply want to walk in step with the Spirit.
2. Please pray that our house would sell in God’s timing.  We know that sometimes God’s timing is not ours.  We deeply desire to walk in God’s timing.
3. Please pray for wisdom as we prepare our children for Liberia.  

Thank you for your prayers and support!  We love you!

Don and Mel