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Dear Praying Friends and Supporting Churches,
Pro 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
My family and I sure appreciate all the prayers that went up on our behalf this past month as we traveled to Germany. We want to also thank all of you that helped make the trip possible by your sacrificial giving!! Your prayers and support were not in vain! We had a very good time in Germany and Switzerland.
We were able to stuff tons of mailboxes with the gospel of Jesus Christ, give some scripture bumper stickers out, and help out on many ministries of the two churches we visited. As the verse above states “…he shall direct thy paths.” the Lord made it clear on the trip to Brother Hemmer's that we do not have the same conviction on doctrinal issues and we both have decided with much prayer and the Lord's guidance it is best for me NOT to work with Brother Hemmer. Brother Hemmer and myself agreed that it would be best if I did not come. I sure would hate to go there and cause him problems in his church on doctrinal issues!!! We decided it best for me not to come and to be able to maintain our friendship then to come and be divided. So praise the Lord for His direction!!! I sure would have hated to go and then be in a mess!
However the Lord did allow us to meet some great people in Switzerland and from Austria as well (both of which are German speaking countries). It seems as if the Lord might be opening the door not just for the souls in Germany but in the German speaking countries of Europe all together. Please keep this in your prayers as we continue to follow the Lord in His leadership!
While in Europe we were able to help out with a children's meeting with Brother Hemmer, as well as preach in his church. It was a real blessing for me to be able to give my testimony in German in two churches. I also was able for the first time to teach Sunday school in German. What a blessing! While it was my first time behind a pulpit in the German language, I nervously stumbled through my lesson in hopes to get some truth across. It was an experience to say the least, and a real encouragement to me!
Please keep in prayer the many souls my wife and I were able to give a clear presentation of the gospel to as no one that we know of got saved. However one man that I sat with on the streets of Nuremberg, Germany for about 30 minutes with an open Bible went from “not being a sinner” to realizing he was a sinner on his way to Hell that needed Jesus Christ for salvation. He did not want to pray on the street and asked if he could take the tract with him and pray at home. I told him yes. So please pray that if he has not gotten saved yet that the Lord would really deal with this man. Also, a young 15 year old boy who was a atheist after 45 minutes of talking and some what preaching Jesus Christ to him, he hardened his heart and told me “don't even pray for me, I don't care”. As I stood there with utter amazement of such a young soul “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin,” I wondered within myself how many souls in Europe are just like that boy going to Hell and are blinded by Satan. Oh how the Quick and Powerful word of God needs to be preached among the Heathen!!! Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” As we left Europe on the 22 nd of May I saw town after town with no preacher and wondered “who will go…?” Then said I “HERE AM I OH LORD SEND ME”!!!! Please Friends and supporting churches pray the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labors in to his harvest!
Upon our return home we were able to set our son Levi's grave marker, and I do thank you all for the prayers as my father-in-law helped as well as my wife's grandfather. The Lord opened the door a bit to talk of the rapture and tell them that “all those saved saints of God, their body will bust through the ground one day!!” I was able to tell them of John 11:25 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” and I told them of “what a day that will be”. My father-in-law listened with much respect, but Grandpa began to change the subject. However thank God a seed was planted! And thank you all for your prayers.
My Sister Kelly is doing well as we have started our bible study on Friday nights over the phone and I have already began to see her start to grow and hunger for the word of God. What a blessing to personally disciple some one, especially your own sister!
Our prayer requests this month : My mother Ronda's fellowship with Jesus Christ, Devin, Todd, cousin Ronnie and Evan for salvation, my sister Kelly's growth, deputation travels, SUPPORT TO BE RASIED, THE MANY SOULS IN EUOPE IN NEED OF A SAVOIUR!
May God Bless,
Mark, Kacie, and Naomi Smith
Missionaries to Germany