July 14 2019
MORE THAN WE DREAMED
To help support CHURCH PLANTING & Discipleship
https://abwe.org/work/missionaries/william-lori-smith
To help support the Clinic - medical evangelism
https://abwe.org/work/projects/william-lori-smith-medical-clinic
Thirty four years ago we were two young and dreamy eyed KIDS getting ready to begin the adventure of LIFE together as a husband and wife ministry team. July 20, 1985 we pledged our lives to each other and our family to following after GOD. WE had really great dreams of all we would do to serve the LORD together….but our dreams were so less than ALL the amazing adventures GOD has lead us to and through these decades of married life. I read recently that “this is the gift that GOD gives: a grace that grants us first the power to receive love and then the power to give it” We have learned that our great love has truly grown through the years as GOD’s grace has grown in our lives as well. The GRACE GIVEN GIVE GRACE. The MERCY MAREINATED drip MERCY. Its been more amazing than we dreamed it could or would be!!
Our heart is joined by the very essence of our joy in serving GOD together, and sometimes as in this last week, apart.
WE have seen GOD move and work as we have planted seeds in different places.
THANK YOU for praying for our ladies Bena Conference. We saw GOD do amazing things. WE had about 200 registered (many came just for the evening sessions as the tent was full each night.). I felt totally peace and freedom with each opportunity I had to speak I had every night as well as three sessions during the days. WE were able to invite a whole HOST of ladies that otherwise could not come as our faithful praying partners shared their love gifts to our ladies unable to afford to attend the conference. GOD brought into HIS KINGDOM 16 ladies!! 4 also responded to the invitation to reassure their salvation and make their lives right with GOD. Over 50 came forward at the invitations in the evenings to do business with GOD in their lives. Tears of conviction were replaced with smiles of peace! GOD MOVED. Of the 16 ladies coming to know JESUS as Savior, ten of them at least were women we were able to invite as our guests!! One area we invited ladies from had every single guest come to know Jesus!! One lady, Grace, I have prayed for many years for her to be saved FINALLY learned the meaning of her NAME. She raised her hand in the invitation and I almost LOST IT!! GOD is so very faithful. God’s RICHES AT CHRIST’s EXPENSE now envelope my sweet friend GRACE!! PRAISING GOD with tears of joyful praise!
The whole week was a majorly fun mama’s sleep over at our house (Bill and AMO happily missed that part of the hen party!!) My dad said he felt like a rooster! 😊 Every one had so much fun. WE had from 18-24 ladies staying with us each night. Every night after the service they all came back and enjoyed a late night meal (Png culture) and tea. The fellowship was so sweet. Each morning we enjoyed a big breakfast with more encouragement and uplifting praise starting our day. Our water tank and cupboards are empty but our hearts are FULL!! Dad even had a ton of fun. WE had one of our older workers come and stay with him all day and evening while I was gone. Despite language barrier , the two older men had the best time of fellowship! IT was an amazing week. Great weather, adequate food and freedom of GOD’s Word shared and spiritual seeds planted.
(click picture to watch video)
Bill and Amo had an amazing adventure in the Philippines. Bill, and our national GBBC president, Jack spoke at the Missions Conference, then they went to visit the Bible Colleges. They were there at the commissioning service of our new PABWE (Philippines ABWE) missionary Coworkers as well. WE are so excited for what GOD will do with the new partnership with our Pilipino churches. Amo was well received and really enjoyed the youth there who had a heart for serving the LORD. I think it was a positive influence on him as well. WE have had very limited communication so we look forward to sharing more of all that GOD did last week as a result of their ministry.
Tonight Bill and Amo , Jack and Dorothy will fly back to PNG. Bill needs to stay in the Capital a few days for mission business needs, and to try to get approval for the soon to arrive container being pre-approved with GST (Tax) exemption on GBBC and Clinic supplies. Prayer is appreciated as he has crucial appointments with government offices this week.
We are back to life as usual, but because of GOD’s blessing it will never be the same…..our churches are full of excited new followers of CHRIST! Makia, Kenemaro and Lower Bena , Maranatha and Betsaida churchs all had the same report! TO GOD’S GLORY….its more than we dreamed it would be!!
Please parenter in prayer with us this week.
- Please pray for the family of Selon. WE shared last week that this local school teacher was struggling with a football sized cancerous tumor in his chest. WE had opportunities to minister to him all week, but his condition continued to decline. Last Sunday I spent hours sharing CHRIST with him and his wife……he made the choice to trust in CHRIST this week, and 4am today he met his Savior!! THANKS FOR PRAYING!
“The cross was heavy, the blood was real, and the price was extravagant. It would have brankrupted you or me, so HE paid it for us. Call is simple. Call it a gift. But don’t call it easy,
Call it what it is. CALL IT GRACE!!” That was written in a book I had given him….now he sees that reality! PRAISING GOD.
- Please pray for the many that made decisions last week. Pray for GOD to help them now to grow in their faith as we reach out to help them as new disciples of JESUS.
- PRAY for the MERCY SHIP as it nears our coast in the next weeks. PRAY for BILL as he follows up on the exemptions and preapproved paperwork for a fast, we trust, and easy, we pray, customs approval and relase when it comes. PRAY for Safety, Smooth processing, Sure travel to GOROKA, and Swift meetings so my sweetie can be home by our anniversary! 😊
- Pray for GBBC as this is the first week of classes for this term. Pray for revival in our student body and for a great term of unity and spiritual growth!
We have been so honored to join our lives and serve the Lord together, proclaiming the salvation message wherever GOD has led us. Salvation is God’s business. Grace is HIS idea ,His work and HIS expense. He has provided for us to be the glad proclaimers all these years, and we continue to stand amazed at HIS grace marvelously displayed in human lives all around us!! TO God be the glory!!
No reserves. No retreats. NO regrets. Fearless. Faithful,
Bill, and Amo on the way home. Lori, Aaron, baby Andrew and dad in PNG
