John & Sophie Smith & Family

Zambia

The Republic of Zambia is landlocked in the southern central region of Africa. It is mostly a plateau region. A one house legislature is elected every five years, as is their president who as of 1996 limited to two terms. Nationalized oil and copper interests in the 1960's helped cement the rule of Zambia's first elected president which lasted until 1991. Economic reforms, privatization, and the development of a freer market are all efforts to free Zambia from its own soaring debt and crippling inflation.

Area:
290,586 square miles

Population:
10,220,000 (2000 est.)

Major Religions:
50-75% Christian
24-49% Muslim or Hindu

Official Languages:
English and 25 other ethnic tongues.

Economy:
Corn, tobacco, rice, sugar cane. Also copper, zinc, lead, cobalt, and coal mines. Manufactured goods, transportation machinery, and engineered machinery.

Literacy Rate: 73%

TBC Family,

The past few weeks have been quite busy for us. We left for Michigan on September 21 and have had four meetings (three in the Upper Peninsula and one in the Detroit area). Being on the road so much has its limitations, especially in the internet connections. Thus we have not been able keep you all as informed as we like to. This finds us at for a few hours (we arrived home at 2:30pm and will leave in the morning for Virginia).

Praises:
1. Our trip through Michigan went well. There is good potential that a couple of these churches will take us on for support.
2. John's wrist continues to heal. His last stitches were removed this evening after arriving back home for the day.
3. Amongst our travels we were able to take a side trip to see the locks at Sault Saint Marie. While watching from one of the observation decks Becky took a tumble down the cement stairs. Thankfully it was only three stairs tall and we think she was on the bottom steps. She only had a good scrape above her eye.

Requests:
1. We leave Wednesday (tomorrow) morning for Alexandria, VA for a missions conference. Not only do we have the opportunity to minister at the church but also at their Christian school. Please pray that we will be a blessing and encourage them to serve the Lord.
2. Pray for John's left wrist to continue to heal and for the surgery
on his right wrist that will take place in December.
3. Pray for more meetings to be scheduled for early next year.
4. Pray for that next supporting church.

Thank you for continued prayers on our behalf.

Your Missionaries to Zambia,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

September 21, 2005

Praises:
1. John's surgery went fine on Saturday. Though his wrist still hurts a bit, he is beginning to use it more. Doctor is to take out half of the stitches out on Friday morning before we leave for Michigan.
2. Sunday's meeting in West Virginia went well. John skipped his pain medication that morning so he could think clearly enough to be able to preach. Please pray for this church as it is a good potential that they may be a supporting church.
3. Many more meetings have been scheduled for this fall. Just this morning October filled up and another meeting for next week in Michigan. Two more potentials for next spring have been discussed.
4. John's mother continues to recover from her surgeries a few weeks ago.
5. Everyone has been healthy this week!

Requests:
1. Friday we begin a trip for 3 meetings in Northern Michigan, then a missions conference in southern Michigan, and then we head for another conference in Virginia. We won't return home until October 10th. Pray for health and safety along the way.
2. Pray for John's wrist to continue to heal.
3. Pray for more meetings to be scheduled for early next year.
4. Pray for that next supporting church.

Thank you for continued prayers on our behalf.

Your Missionaries to Zambia,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

September 8, 2005
Praises:
1. Joshua's pulminology visit went well. We have some new options for his breathing treatments, but doctor thought he sounded good on Friday.
2. Thank you for praying for more meetings. A few more were scheduled this past week, and still a few more good possibilities are in the works, so keep praying!
3. Almost all of our things were moved to the "Big House" (as our kids refer to our new residence on the farm) before we left Monday morning.
4. Our trip to South Carolina went well. Even though Caleb woke us up early Monday morning, him being sick but only one incident on the trip. Gas prices across the east seemed fairly regular (right around $3/gal), but noticed more shortages the further south we came.
5. With Caleb sick and John's mom going in for surgery, we were able to find a place to stay the past few nights, as we did not want to get mom sick.
6. John's mom came through surgery today ok. Started at 7am this morning and she went into the recovery room around 12:30pm. She seems to be doing fine, as she is resting. Doctor thinks all went well.

Requests:
1. Pray for John's mom that she would have a speedy recovery.
2. Pray for John's carpal tunnel surgery on Sept 16, they will be doing my left wrist.
3. Pray for Caleb, he seems to be doing better but still is not eating
too well.
4. Keep praying for meetings to be scheduled for this winter.
5. Pray for our teammates: The Hafler family as they minister in Lusaka, Zambia. The Knipe family as they continue on deputation. The Beaman family as they begin deputation.
6. Pray for that next supporting church!

Thank you for continued prayers on our behalf.

Your Missionaries to Zambia,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

August 30, 2005

Praises:
1. We had a great time with one of our supporting churches on Sunday, August 21. John had a great opportunity to go out with several of the men on Saturday evening in their soul-winning outreach. One particular couple, he spoke with, had just moved to the area recently from Montgomery, AL having just left the Air Force (Sophie's brother was stationed at the base there until this spring).
2. Our meeting this past Wednesday in Berryville was also a blessing.They were busy getting ready for the school year so Sophie was able to helpsome of the teachers prepare their rooms and John was able to help set up their computer lab. It is always amazing how the Lord brings opportunities to use your talents for His glory.
3. Much prayer must have been going on these past few weeks - five new meeting have been scheduled and a good possibility of three more!
4. Much more has been accomplished on the house - Sophie is finishing the last few windows upstairs today so hopefully we can get our stuff moved over before we head to South Carolina next week. Downstairs we are getting ready for new flooring to be laid, another room already has a new ceiling and then the walls will go up after the floor - then the cleaning will continue.

Requests:
1. Pray for John - he has poison ivy. Started just before we left for Virginia, but is now it is seeming to begin drying up.
2. This next week, John's mom will be having surgery. Please pray for the doctors skill and wisdom. Also for a quick recovery.
3. We will be traveling down to SC on Monday or Tuesday (depends how much we get moved this week) to be with our family during this time.
4. John went to see the surgeon about his wrist. The surgeon has recommended surgery and scheduled to do one of the wrists on September 16.
5. Joshua is scheduled to see a pulmonologist on Friday this week about
his asthma.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Your Missionaries to Zambia,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

August 10, 2005

Thanks to all who prayed for our meeting this past week in Johnstown OH, even though it did not occur. It was a blessing to find out John had made a mistake in looking at the calendar and found out that this meeting does not happen until this next Sunday. Why was this such a blessing to us? Well, we were all sick. Last Wednesday night we ended up in the ER with Joshua because his asthma flared up to the point he was having extreme difficulty in breathing. We did not get back from the hospital until after 3:00 am. Thursday morning John woke up with a sore throat, and the kids colds worsened. By that night John was running a fever and on Friday Caleb was running a fever. Saturday we were all miserable. When John called the pastor to get directions to the church for Sunday and to let him know that the family may not come, the pastor said - you mean for next week.
Looking at the calendar John has missed that the first was a Sunday and thought we had a meeting a week ahead of time. I guess better a week early than be a week late. Once again our sovereign Lord has taken care of our needs. I have lost count of the times that we have not been able to schedule a meeting for some reason and we ended up sick or something that day.
Presently we are doing much better, we all have a lingering cough but that is about it. Joshua continues his breathing meds, but seems to be getting back to normal as well. Please continue to pray for us not only for our physical health but for the spiritual as well. Pray that we would continue to be founded in the Word of God each day. Pray that we would be a blessing and witness to those we meet. Pray that the Lord would get us to Zambia in His timing. Sometimes it is easy to get discouraged along the way, especially when you don't see that support level increasing much or when we have a lack for meetings. This past week has been a reminder that indeed God is in control. We must simply wait on Him and look to Him for guidance while working at the task He has for us right now.

Knowing that you are praying for us, is such a comfort - thank you.

Your Missionaries to Zambia,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

July 20, 2005

Praises:
1. Our meeting on Sunday in Grand Rapids, OH was a blessing.
2. Another meeting have been scheduled, August is almost completely full!
3. Our trip to South Carolina for meeting the next few weeks was made safely.
4. Kids seem to have fully recovered from colds and Joshua is back off
his breathing treatments.
5. Another family has been added to the GFA Team for Zambia. The Beaman Family called and let us know that they have officially been accepted by GFA. We are excited to see how the Lord will use all four families in Zambia.

Please pray:
1. Pray for our meeting tonight at our home church in Greer SC.
2. Pray for John's wrist, doctor has ordered an electromyography for both wrists on Aug 1.
3. Pray more meetings to be scheduled for this fall.
4. Pray for that next supporting church.
5. Pray for our co-workers: Hafler Family - as the minister in Lusaka, Zambia. Knipe Family - as they continue deputation Beaman Family - as they prepare for deputation

Your prayers are much appreciated- Thank you!

Your Missionaries to Zambia,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

June 21, 2005

Praises:
1. John was able to schedule another meeting!
2. Our 10th anniversary was celebrated during a special evening out together (we had counted part of our trip to Zambia last month as our anniversary gifts).
3. Work continues on the house we are to move into with Sophie's parents - much more to be done.

Please pray:
1. Pray for our meeting this Sunday in New Paris, PA.
2. Pray for our co-workers: Haflers in Zambia, Knipes on deputation, and that others will join our team soon!
3. Pray more meetings to be scheduled this fall.
4. Pray as we prepare for VBS here in Litchfield starting this next week.
5. Pray for that next supporting church.


Thank you for your continued prayers!

Your Missionaries to Zambia,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

June15, 2005

Praises:
1. Our meeting this past Sunday in Dunbar, PA went well.
2. A few more meeting have been scheduled for later this year and into next year
3. Our van past its annual inspection this past week.

Please pray:
1. Pray more meetings to be scheduled this fall.
2. Pray as we prepare for VBS here in Litchfield starting June 27.
3. Pray for that next supporting church.
4. Pray as we help clean the new house and prepare to help Sophie's parents move.

We appreciate your continued prayers!

Your Missionaries to Zambia,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

June 7, 2005

Praises:
1. We had a great time at our meeting this past Sunday in Davis, WV.
2. Three new meetings where scheduled this past week!
3. The kids have been able to enjoy the recent warm weather outside, it has been in the 90's here in OH this week.

Please pray:
1. Pray for our meeting this Sunday as we will be in Dunbar, PA.
2. Pray for the many contacts with churches that we continue to make.
3. Pray as we prepare for VBS here in Litchfield, coming in a few weeks.
4. Pray as we help prepare to move with Sophie's parents to another house on the farm.
5. Pray for that next supporting church.

Your prayers are much appreciated.

Your Missionaries to Zambia,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

June 1, 2005

Praises:
1. Our meeting this past Sunday in Smithville OH was a great blessing.
2. Our presentation was complete enough to show this past Sunday, although it still needed a few adjustments all went well.
3. Our co-worker, Steve Hafler, is back on his feet. We are sure that he would appreciate your continued prayers as they continue to settle into Zambia.
4. Sophie had a great time with the ladies at Litchfield Baptist
Church. Many visitors came and were presented the gospel.

Please pray:
1. Pray for our meeting this Sunday as we will be in Davis, WV.
2. Pray for the GFA Office and Missionaries as they are at the WILDS this week for the annual conference.
3. Pray as we continue to contact churches that many would schedule us for meetings.
4. Pray for that next supporting church!

We value your prayers for us and our ministry.

Your Missionaries to Zambia,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

April 27, 2005

Praises:
1. Our meetings in IL are going well. We are currently in a missions
conference in Geneva IL.
2. So far we have remained fairly healthy (most of the other
missionaries have succumbed to the stomach virus going around the
conference).
3. The Lord has provided all the funds to pay our airfare of our survey
trip to Zambia!

Please pray:
1. Pray for our continued health.
2. Tomorrow (Thurs) we will be traveling to northeaster Missouri to
visit John's grandmother and help celebrate her 88th birthday. Then
Saturday we travel to Aurora IL for our next meeting.
3. We leave next Tuesday, May 3 for our survey trip to Zambia! Pray
for the Lord's guidance.
4. For that next church to take us on for support!

We appreciate your prayers for us and our ministry.

Your Missionaries,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

April 20, 2005

Praises:
1. Our last few meetings have gone well. We were in Peoria IL for part of a missions conference on April 8-9. On April 10th we were in Wilmington IL for three services. This past Sunday we were in Galesburg IL. We thank the Lord for the many opportunities to serve Him in each church.
2. Joshua continues to do well. Even though it is the peak of pollen season here, he continues to go without any of his breathing treatments or medications.
3. Our plane tickets have been obtained. John and Sophie leave for Zambia on May 3 and we will return on May 14. The kids get to spend that time with Grandma and Grandpa in Ohio.
4. We are enjoying spending time at John's home church in between meetings.

Please pray:
1. As we continue our busy schedule. Next week we are in a missions conference in Geneva IL Sunday thru Wednesday. Then we get to visit with John's Grandmother in Missouri. She will turn 88 while we are there. Then we are off to Aurora IL for a meeting on May 1. Then travel back to Ohio in time to leave for Zambia.
2. For our co-workers: The Hafler Family, as they settle in Zambia. The Knipe Family, as they continue on deputation.
3. As we continue to work on our new presentation and order new prayer cards.
4. For that next church to take us on for support!

We appreciate your prayers for us and our ministry.

Your Missionaries,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

Mon, 4 April 2005

Subject: Prayer Requests from the Smith's
Sorry for not getting our requests out to you all last week. We were feeling a bit better so we made a mad dash to Greenville to try to get our new presentation audio recorded and mixed and then get back to Ohio for our next meeting.

Praises:
1. Our audio did get recorded and mixed thanks to friends who specialize in these matters.
2. The family is feeling much better. Joshua is even off his breathing treatments once again!
3. The trip to and from Greenville was made safely.
4. Everything has been packed as we left on Friday for over a month of meetings.
5. Currently we are in Dublin OH at a supporting church, getting to know the folks here better and enjoying their fellowship. Our meetings with them this weekend have been a blessing.
6. Airline schedule for our Zambia survey trip has been confirmed.

Requests:
1. We have a busy schedule over the next few months. From OH we stay in IN for a few days and then head to IL for the rest of April. The day after we return from IL, John and Sophie fly out to Zambia.
2. Pray for our health and safety as we continue deputation.
3. Pray for us as we continue to make plans for the survey trip to Zambia, May 3-14.
4. Pray for that next church to take us on for support!

We thank the Lord for those of you who pray for us and our ministry.
Your Missionaries,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

23 Mar 2005

Praises:
1. Our meeting this past weekend in WV went well. However, John had to enjoy the fellowship of new Christian friends by himself as Sophie and the kids stayed home with the flu.
2. John has stayed well so far through our bout with sickness.
3. Airline tickets for our Zambia survey trip have been ordered.

Requests:
1. We are traveling down to Greenville, SC today (Wednesday).
2. Pray that the recording session for our new presentation's audio
goes well.
3. This Sunday we look forward to worshiping with our home church in
Greer, SC.
4. Pray for full recovery. Sophie, Joshua and Caleb have had / still
have the flu. Joshua also has an ear infection.
5. Pray for us as we make plans for a survey trip to Zambia, May 3-14.
6. Pray for that next church to take us on for support!

We thank the Lord for those of you who uphold us in your prayers.

Your Missionaries,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

09 Mar 2005

Praises:
1. Our meeting this past Wednesday in Cochranton, PA went well.
2. We thank the Lord for safety He as provided on the many miles of
winter roads.
3. We received notice on Monday that another church has taken us on for
support!

Requests:
1. Today (Wednesday) we are traveling up to Buffalo, NY where we will
be in a mission conference the rest of the week. Please pray that we
will
be a blessing as we have opportunity to minister in two churches and a
Christian school.
2. Pray as we make the many changed that are involved in our going to a
different country: new prayer cards, record a new presentation, display
board, a so much more.
3. Pray for us that we make plans for a survey trip to Africa in early
May.
4. Pray for that next church to take us on for support - we are
currently at 57%!

We appreciate your prayers made on our behalf.

Your Missionaries,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 13:37:49 -0500

Praises:
1. Our meeting this past Sunday in Eaton, OH was a blessing.
2. Just today another meeting was scheduled for later this year.
3. Our family has been pretty healthy so far this year- other than a
few colds we have had no major sicknesses.

Requests:
1. Please pray for us, we desire the Lord's guidance in the next step
we take in our ministry.
2. Pray for us as we travel south for the weekend. We will be at our
home church's annual retreat and also have an opportunity to take care
of
some items in preparation for changes in our ministry.
3. The following Sunday, Feb 27, we will be in Bellevue, OH.

Thank you for praying for us!

Your Missionaries,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

November 2004

Praises:
1. Our meeting this past Sunday morning in Middlefield, OH went well. They are a church plant endeavor, and it was nice to be an encouragement to them.
2. This week we have been feeling fairly well, healthwise.
3. A few more contacts were made this last week for meetings during first half of next year.

Requests:
1. Pray for the tax situation in Kenya. The government is imposing a hefty income tax on all foreigners, including missionaries. This has affected many already, caused some missionaries to come home early, and may cause our needed support to increase.
2. Pray for many churches who will be discussing their missions budget for next year and that some would remember us.
3. Pray for us as we make preparations to go south and be with John's family for the holidays.
4. Our meetings have ended for this year, pray for our rest during the few weeks off that we would be rejuvenated for the busy schedule this next year.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Your Missionaries to Kenya,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

12 November 2004

1. This past Thursday morning we received a call from a pastor who's church we were in earlier this year.  The church voted to take us on for support - it brings our support level to nearly 49%!!! :-)
2. Our meetings in Marion, OH and Vanderbilt, PA went very well.
Requests:
1. This weekend we are in Clyde, OH for Sunday school, Children's church, and the morning service.
2. Pray as we continue to contact churches and schedule meetings for next year.
3. Now you can pray for that next church!
Thank you for your prayers - the Lord is listening!

Your Missionaries to Kenya,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith  

September 15, 2004

Praises:
1. Both our meetings went well this past Sunday. Our Sunday morning
meeting in Joliet, IL was especially interesting since the church has a
Kenyan family who attends. It was great to meet them and have a chance
to also have lunch with them.
2. This past Sunday, Caleb took a tumble all the way down a wooden
staircase. We thank the Lord he only has a slight "ouchy" on his arm.
3. Our trip from Illinois to South Carolina was made without incident,
again we thank the Lord for His protection over the many miles.
4. As we travel we enjoy seeing much of God's creation. On the trip
down we were able to take a side trip and see the "rrrocks" in Mammoth
Cave.

Requests:
1. Joshua's asthma did flare up with his cold over the past week and is
now back on a breathing treatment once a day. Pray that this would
only be temporary.
2. This coming Sunday we will be in Mountain Home, North Carolina.
3. Pray that we would get necessary business taken care of while we are
in the Greenville area over the next two weeks.
4. Pray for that next church which the Lord would have support us.

Your prayers on our behalf, as always, are much appreciated.

Your Missionaries to Kenya,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith

August 2004

Praises:
1. The family has recovered from the first round of recent sickness.
2. Our meeting in Massillon went well. It was a special blessing to meet Toni Hafler's parents.
3. A church in Illinois contacted us about scheduling a meeting. (It is rare to receive a call from a church.)

Requests:
1. This Sunday our next deputation meeting will be in Washington Court House, OH.
2. Pray for improved health for our family.
3. Pray as we make plans to head to Illinois the middle of August through the middle of September.
4. Pray for a mission team that is helping the Hafler's (our teammates) in Kenya the next few weeks.

We covet your prayers. Thank you for being a part of our ministry.

Your Missionaries to Kenya,
John, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, and Becky Smith