In Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC

Praise the Lord Everyone

We arrived safely in Lubumbashi, a 'major' city in the Katanga province of DRC. Just a little 'trouble' to clear customs since 4 of our group did not have the proof of their Yellow Fever vaccine. The Lord gave us favor and we were cleared.

We are staying at a hotel called Planet Hollybum! Only one person in the establishment speaks English. The rest speak French.

Sat was our first full day of ministry, in a small rural city southwest of Lubumbashi called Kipushi. It is an old copper mining town. We spent some time at the 'clinic' where babies are delivered. We reconnected with the young woman doctor we met in 2005. Her staff has expanded but they are severely hampered with a lack of equipment. The great news is that this is the clinic that had no water the last vist.
Thanks to many of you we dedicated the new well there that has four spigots that deliver fresh water. Many told us it has changed their lives for the better. Praise God. Water is the elixir of life and because of the well they are thriving and in much better health!

We also did home visits to those who have been affected or infected with HIV. Each situation is desperate, and we joined the families in prayer and left gifts of cooking oil and maise. We promised to not forget them and to pray for their future welfare.

Today is Sunday. We just finished ministering at three churches!! Bis Mark Tolbert ministered at a Pentecostal church, Bis Carl Turner at a Methodist church (where they praised God and danced!) and I was blessed to minister at a wonderful Pentecostal assembly. At all three churches there was fantastic worship and praising God!

We, God bless you all. We are going to meet with about 20 pastors in a few minutes. They are eager to share with us the challenges they have. I trust we can help and support them.

There is so much work to do. The 'team' with us has been fantastic, each sharing and ministering in their own way.

Keep your thoughts and questions coming. We will try to stay connected as the technology allows us.

GOD BLESS YOU. HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY!!!

Dr. and Sis Smith and ministry team

Time in Johanesburg

Praise the Lord Everyone

We are in Johanesburg. This is a very modern city, similar to Chicago. The downtown area is filled with highrises, banks, malls, etc. The country has fantastic superhighways and infrastructure.
However the townships are filled with millions living in houses made of cardboard and newspapers. Most do not have electricity or running water. The contrast between the haves and the have nots is disturbing. We are so blessed in the United States.

We will be leaving for the DRC Democratic Republic of the Congo is about two hours. A short flight from Joberg to Lumbumbashi.
There we will do orientation for the group as we prepare to do ministry. We as so blessed to have multiple medical and other caring personnel with us. One MD, two nurses, a pharmacist, a Phd psychologist, and other caregivers. We plan to hold clinics in Lumbubashi this week. We have brought some supplies and medicines.

We are eager to see the children that we began to sponsor three years ago. We want to document the difference World Vision sponsorship means to them as individuals as well as to the surrounding community.

Another highlight will be meeting with pastors in the Congo. On our last visit we connected with over 25 who shepherded churches throughout the rural area. These servants are eager to broaden their knowledge so that they can better equip their congregations.

Well, Bless you all. A special 'shout-out' to the faithful supporters of Apostolic Faith. All of you are dear to us. Your continued generous support allow us to connect with thousands who would otherwise have little hope.

Keep us in your prayers. Keep sending your comments and questions.

Bis Horace Smith, Sis Smith and ministry team

International Vision

Praise The Lord!



During the month of April, my wife and I, along with members of our church will be traveling to Africa with World Vision. This partnership with World Vision began yeas ago, with a pledge from Apostolic Faith Church to sponsor children who are infected or affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa. I am also a member of the World Vision US Board of Directors. This parternship has lead to over 2,500 sponsored children through the Apostolic Faith Church and the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.

As we speak, we are sitting in the airport in Chicago, traveling to Washington Dulles, then on to Joberg South Africa. The flight from Chicago to Joberg will be about 17 hours!!! During that time we (My wife, oldest daughter and her husband, my sister Geraldine, Dr. Karen Douglass, Pastors Mark Tolbert and Carl Turner, along with our friends from World Vision, will be sharing and planning our work in Lumbumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kitwe in the copper belt of Zambia, and then Capetown, So Africa.

Please pray for us. Please post your comments and questions.

We will be back in contact when we arrive in Africa.

God Bless

Horace E. Smith