South Africa
During this season of giving, we asked ITMI partners to give you their heartfelt answers to several questions. This story was the Smith's answer to them. May it bless and encourage you!
Dear ITMI supporters,
We as a family are so grateful to the Lord for all the blessings over the years as we have served in the Olwasini community. There certainly have been many ups and downs in ministry.
As another year is coming to an end, we pause to consider what we are thankful for.
In 2010, God enlarged our family with 3 siblings of our youngest adopted daughter, Zoe. The girls, Slindile, Nobuhle and Bongeka were 18, 14 and 11 at the time.
Immediately our Zulu ministry became a 24 hour commitment.
The Smith Family, 2010.
We had many years of biblical training and Godly input to make up for in the lives of our older daughters. They had all grown up with a Zulu worldview packed with traditions.
Fast forward to 2017: Slindile our oldest, was married on 7 January. Just a couple of weeks ago, she and her husband, Sthembiso welcomed into their family a beautiful little boy.
The Smith Family, 2015.
We were all visiting together after Sli had been released from hospital, and I overheard, Slindile and Nobuhle talking about what a blessing this little child is.
As they named one family member after the other, including themselves, they were astounded to conclude that neither of them, or any in the past generations, had been fortunate enough to be born into a marriage relationship.
In all the business and strain of ministry and parenting, I am clearly reminded that God is in control of it all.
We are certainly not perfect in our parenting or in our ministry, but God uses what we have to offer, and completes His purposes.
I am in awe.
This story is of course, a testimony to God’s faithfulness in Sli’s life, but it also is a direct result of your input into our lives as Missionaries, and the ministry that God has called us to.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. God is good.
Much love and appreciation from the Smith family!
Share Jesus and shine hope into the darkness of Animism and witchcraft among the Zulu people through community evangelistic outreaches and equipping Zulu believers for their calling.
