Final Edition

Deputation Notes

May - June 2007

“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Brethren, pray for us.”

I Thessalonians 5:24-25

Dear Praying Friends,

When we began deputation we chose the above theme verses. In every church we have been in we have shared what these verses mean to us – how we know that it is the Lord who has called us to be missionaries, and that it is He who will get us to the field and enable us to serve Him, but we ask the brethren in the churches to pray for us. What a joy to announce that we now have a date for departure to Zambia!

A few weeks ago our support moved from the last announced level as another church took us on bringing our support to 97%. At that point, we started seriously looking at airline prices. We noticed online that airfare was increasing, but we were pleasantly surprised to get a quote from a missionary travel agency for less than half of our budgeted amount. The next e-mail was to our mission agency, GFA, asking permission to accept the bid for plane tickets and leave at the end of June. They agreed to let us go. Thus we are excited to announce that we leave on June 24^th from Atlanta and will arrive in Zambia a little after noon on the 26^th, Lord willing.

It has been so amazing over the past few weeks to see the Lord put each step of our pathway in place in His perfect timing. We have tickets, passports and visas in hand. Another missionary in the Kitwe area is coming home on furlough, and has allowed us to stay in their home while we look for a house to rent. Yet another missionary has offered to sell us their vehicle at a very good rate – and is willing to work out payment options as we do not have the funds in hand presently for this need. God has led us each step of deputation, and we trust in His guidance as He leads us to the field.

Our home church, Trinity Bible Church in Greer, SC is planning a sending service for Sunday evening, June 17^th. Anyone who will be in the area is more than welcome to come. We are praying that the Lord would be magnified as we praise Him for his faithful provision and leading along the deputation trail.

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray for us as we say goodbyes to family, friends and churches.

2. Pray for us as we finish packing the container and ship it to Zambia. Still many details to be worked out.

3. Pray for us as we travel to Zambia (we will have layovers in London and Johannesburg, South Africa)

4. Pray for us as we begin the next phase of ministry – being missionaries IN Zambia.

5. Pray for the Zambians with whom we will have opportunity to meet and minister to as we settle into their country.

With a Zeal for Zambians,

John and Sophie Smith

Joshua, Caleb and Becky