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“It was my first time doing something big for my kids that required me to cook,” reflected ITMI’s Fifi Smith, “A few years back, I…”

In the cluster of 3 villages that occupy the hilly terrain outside Durban, South Africa where ITMI’s Kelly and Cherise Smith minister, they have a unique procedure for the transfer of property. It is not done in a title office, or with a lawyer or notary. …

In this video, hear from both Fifi Smith and Kelly Smith as well as others from their team about this exciting new opportunity.

Fifi Smith, South Africa

A Special Meal of Chicken Curry for Zulu Children: A Story of Setbacks and Faith

“It was my first time doing something big for my kids that required me to cook,” reflected ITMI’s Fifi Smith, “A few years back, I…”

smith, south africa, thola

The Unique Process of Purchasing Property in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

In the cluster of 3 villages that occupy the hilly terrain outside Durban, South Africa where ITMI’s Kelly and Cherise Smith minister, they have a unique procedure for the transfer of property. It is not done in a title office, or with a lawyer or notary. …

Kelly Smith, South Africa

Announcing the Thola Center Project! (Video)

In this video, hear from both Fifi Smith and Kelly Smith as well as others from their team about this exciting new opportunity.

Iminathi* was not yet 9 when it happened. …

Amahle and Fifi met a few years ago and the two have gotten to know each other well. Fifi has shared the Gospel with Amahle countless times.

You Send. They Reach. Your support of our partners is an important part of each of these fun stories of giving and celebrating!

south africa, smith

Endangered! “Young Girls are Not Safe at All.”

Iminathi* was not yet 9 when it happened. …

smith, south africa, beads, fifi smith

How Crafting Jewelry led to a Shembe Church Member Studying the Bible

Amahle and Fifi met a few years ago and the two have gotten to know each other well. Fifi has shared the Gospel with Amahle countless times.

India, Kumar, Project Joseph, prayer

How Godly National Believers and ITMI Supporters Reach People for Christ

You Send. They Reach. Your support of our partners is an important part of each of these fun stories of giving and celebrating!

THE CONTEXT

According to the CIA's 2019 estimate, South Africa ranked number one in HIV/AIDS related deaths, with about 72,000. South Africa also has the highest reported number of people living with HIV/AIDS, about 7.5 million.

Much of this is related to the Animistic practices that are common among South African tribes.

Because of their commitment to their Animistic witchcraft religious practices, they are widely accepting of the message of Christianity, but few find the courage to renounce Animism all together and confess Jesus as the one and only Lord, particularly if that message comes from a person outside their tribe.

Since the message of the Gospel is exponentially more powerful coming from a fellow member of their tribe, the testimony of Zulu believers is the ideal way to share the Gospel.

 

WHAT YOUR SUPPORT DOES

Proclaim the Gospel

Your support of Fifi allows her to live in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, creating ways to share the Gospel message with the Zulu people in her community - in the Zulu language - as often as possible. This is done through various outreaches as doors are open and resources are provided.

Demonstrate that Jesus is Lord

Set an example with her life, speech and acts of service what it means for a locally-raised Zulu to follow Jesus as the only Lord and Savior. This is vitally important because most Zulu are accepting of Christians, but unwilling to leave ancestral worship behind to follow Jesus as the one true Lord and Savior.

Community Outreach and Service

With your support, Fifi works hard to serve the elderly and widowed in her community, sharing Jesus while she fills their water jugs, washes their dishes and serves with a cheerful heart.

Serving Widows and the Elderly

Fifi's Children's Ministry

The Chwabasi Bead Shop

Many young women and girls in this area are abused. This can lead to poor choices and difficult situations and single motherhood.

The transportation to the city for work is often more expensive than the possible wages, making it difficult for anyone to support a baby or family.

The Chwabasi Bead Shop is a weekly opportunity for girls in the community who have had to drop out of school to walk to 7 Rivers Farm where they create handmade jewelry made from seeds from the chwabasi plants that grow in abundance on the farm.

Earning income while crafting builds redemptive relationships and leads to Biblical perspective on finances and parenting.

Fifi and making necklaces with a young girl from the community.

 

 

 

HISTORY

Fifi grew up in this Zulu village, so she is uniquely equipped to reach this community with the Good News that Jesus, the Great Healer, wants to walk next to them through their sorrows and joys.

She is also one of few who can demonstrate what it means to make Jesus your Lord and Savior and abandon all others.

For the past 3 days there have been mass looting, rioting and burning of buildings in the provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal. …

The team knew to expect dishonesty as they planned the outreach. But they were undeterred.

Here’s how three of our partners have seen Him at work during the Covid pandemic.

smiths, south africa

Riots, Looting and Chaos in South Africa

For the past 3 days there have been mass looting, rioting and burning of buildings in the provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal. …

Fifi Smith, Project Joseph, Kelly and Cherise Smith, South Africa

Undeterred: Avoiding the Landmines of the Mission Field

The team knew to expect dishonesty as they planned the outreach. But they were undeterred.

3 stories of His trustworthiness during the pandemic

3 Stories of His Trustworthiness During the Pandemic

Here’s how three of our partners have seen Him at work during the Covid pandemic.

In this episode, Kent Reisenauer takes us on a visit to our partners in Zambia and South Africa…and what happened when Eugene Kalunga put him on the spot!

The day of the Project Christmas Blessing event dawned with dark clouds hanging low over the grassy hills of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, but the event could not be rescheduled. It was today or never, so…

In part 2 of this interview with ITMI’s Kelly and Cherise Smith, they’re letting us in on some exciting new places God is taking their ministry in KwaZulu Natal. 

Kent Reisenauer, Zambia, South Africa, podcast

On the Spot in Zambia featuring Kent Reisenauer (Podcast Episode)

In this episode, Kent Reisenauer takes us on a visit to our partners in Zambia and South Africa…and what happened when Eugene Kalunga put him on the spot!

South Africa, Smith

How God Intervened to Avert Disaster

The day of the Project Christmas Blessing event dawned with dark clouds hanging low over the grassy hills of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, but the event could not be rescheduled. It was today or never, so…

south africa, kelly and cherise smith, fifi smith

Sharing the Gospel Among the Zulu featuring Kelly and Cherise Smith (Podcast Episode)

In part 2 of this interview with ITMI’s Kelly and Cherise Smith, they’re letting us in on some exciting new places God is taking their ministry in KwaZulu Natal.