January 22, 2007
Dear Family and Friends,
When I last wrote, you learned of my plans for Christmas. God
blessed those plans and gave me a wonderful holiday season. One of
the highlights was an after-Christmas, six-day visit from my African
family, which included a two-day trip to towns where the three
daughters go to school (Niablé, Bongouanou, and Daoukro). The next
time we are together, please remind me to show you a sample of my
"grandson's" art work. He loves to draw his "Auntie Alice", always
including my glasses, watch, and ever-present hat. Yes, I've proof
that I'm obeying doctor's orders, always wearing a hat when outdoors.
During my thirty years in Africa, I've attended my share of funerals,
both pagan and Christian. And, as expected, there is a vast difference
between the funerals of those who have rejected Christ and those who
have received Him. Last week, Bini Koffi (who works for the
Andersons) lost his elderly father. Though many efforts were made to
share the Gospel with him, he left no testimony of having known the
Savior.
Koffi was very saddened that his father went into eternity without
Christ. Knowing that village elders will try to force him to observe
certain pagan customs, we've prayed much for Koffi. I am confident
that God is enabling him to stand firm. Attending this sad funeral has
been a reminder for me. It is truly wonderful to be "in Christ".
Because people like you pray and give to send missionaries, many
Africans are now "in Christ". Thank you.
Please pray for me as this year is beginning with a busy schedule.
1. February 13-21, I will be at Doropo to work with the Hannah Project
Team which is coming from the States. I'm very pleased that a fellow
West Virginian, Dr. Jay Cox, will be coming with the group. Please ask
the Lord to give needed travel safety, health, stamina, and wisdom as
we endeavor to share the Gospel and, also, bring physical healing to
the sick, mostly through surgery. I will be going to villages to help
teach health and hygiene lessons and to distribute the kits which
many of you so generously supplied.
2. In March, the Andersons and I hope to do another training session
(at least forty hours) for the Gouméré Community Health Evangelism
team.
3. I've now started a weekly Bible study with a Ghanaian lady named
Emelia. And, as time permits, Pastor Adou wants me to help
"energize" the Bondoukou church's Sunday School classes.
4. Pray that I will be faithful in being about the Father's "business".
You are loved and appreciated by your missionary. God bless you.
Alice F. Smith
BRIDGE BUILDERS FOR THE CROSS
MEXICO DECEMBER 2006
Our Mexico trip was long, hard, cold and wet! It was disappointing and yet very rewarding! It was definitely
a learning experience!
As Christians we need to be taught ever so often that God is still in control and He will accomplish his goals
according to HIS time table and NOT OURS. Most of the time we think that we are in control and we are
going to do all of these great things for the Kingdom! We need to occasionally be reminded of a sign
Sandy has posted over her desk, “Good Morning. This is God. I will be handling all your problems today. I
will not require your help.”
We had everything planned out! We were again teaming up with “Sharing God’s Love With All” ministries in
Eagle Pass, Texas and looking forward to carrying out all of the well coordinated details with Brouning
Lentz, Shaun Yingst, and Joe Tovar. These guys are pros. They know what they are doing. However, their
plans didn’t fit in with God’s schedule either.
With us on this trip from Ada, OK were Chuck & Linda Lancaster, Stanley & Vanessa Sawyers and Gary &
Sandy Curry. Joining us were Chuck & Fleda Snow from Decatur, GA and Jonathon Dudley from Wimberly,
TX.
Vanessa Sawyers shares….
The goal of the mission trip was to prepare a Christmas lunch for the people living at a gleaner’s camp in a
mining area at Buena Vista and to give Christmas gifts donated by Harmony Church to the children. As we
made the trip up the mountain to the camp it started snowing and became very treacherous I knew the
Lord was with us as we had no problems driving on the very hazardous roads. We only
had about 24 miles to go to reach the camp, but were not allowed to pass through the check point due to
the weather and road conditions It was very disappointing and everyone’s heart was heavy. How could we
have come all that way and through all the weather just to be turned away? We all knew in our hearts that
if it was God’s will we would have been allowed through the check point. It was important for us to
remember that God was still in control and had different plans for us.
We turned our vehicles around and drove another hundred miles to San Miguel where we delivered tables,
chairs and food baskets to Pastor Pepe who was very grateful. He pastors 4 different churches and would
put them to good use. The Christmas gifts for the children were left at the mother church for the gleaner’s
when they came down from the mountain for Christmas. Although we didn’t accomplish what we had
planned, we had a great time of fellowship and made new friendships that will last for eternity. I was once
again reminded of how the Lord has blessed America. I am very thankful for everything that God has
entrusted to me and my family.
Bouning Lentz writes….
The first part of December we took the group to the Tunnel, high in the Mexican Rockies. Well at least we
tried to get there. After months of planning and acquiring a permit at the Central offices for the mining
company to enter their property, we left early the next morning from Muzquiz for the 125 mile trek to the
Tunnel. However, when we arrived at the guard’s gate we were denied entrance because of the snow. Yes,
I did say “Snow” in Mexico! We were high enough in the Rocky Mountains that the snow had made the
pass too dangerous for the mining company to accept the risk.
We decided to cross the mountain at another pass and visit another brother in San Miguel. Pastor Pepe is
the overseer of four Baptist works in the area. This brother needs a good pickup so he can visit all these
villages. After 911 the US closed a little-used International bridge in West Texas. This has forced West
Texas mission teams to drive hundreds of miles farther to reach these northern villages in the state of
Coahuila. The rest of the story is most of the church groups have chosen not to drive the extra mileage
and have abandoned these projects and these people.
We greatly appreciate the donations of gifts for the children, food items and money for food items. We
were able to provide quite a few food bags with a variety of rice, beans, fruit and vegetables. Pastor Pepe
was able to give these items to members of his congregations and they were greatly appreciated.
FUTURE MISSION TRIPS
Bridge Builders has another trip planned to Mexico in February and to Cuba in March.
On February 20-25 we will return to Mexico to minister further south in the state of Coahuila. We were
there in January 2006 and enjoyed ministering and discovering some isolated communities in the deserts
that seems the world has forgotten (or never knew existed).
On March 9-16 we will travel to Cuba with a group of twelve and explore some areas that we haven’t seen.
The Cuban Convention has been expanding the Free Will Baptist work East of Havana for several years
and had wanted us to eventually take a group in that direction. We have decided that now is the time
Jim Dycus, Fred Hansen and Gary Curry made a trip to Camaguey and Bayamo three years ago to
investigate the new churches and observe the progress. The Eastern part of Cuba is not as well off
economically as the western part. They require different needs. The work is spread out and we will need to
spend a lot more time traveling and our accommodations will be a bit more primitive and unfamiliar.
Please, pray for these two trips. The majority of both groups are experienced traveling to both countries
and are familiar with the routine. However, there are always safety issues and the concerns with unfamiliar
territory. Put these dates on your prayer calendar and remember us at those times. Let us know when you
or your group would be interested in traveling with us. We would be happy to have you. Thanks again for
your continued support.
