Thursday, October 31, 2024

Alfred en Leonie Smith from India. Kerksondermure Biduur - 16 November 7:00

 A&L October News: Into (South) Africa

Welcome to join us at the Kerksondermure Biduur 

16 November 7:00 to listen to Alfred en Leonie Smith from India. 

Daar sal spesiale Koffie vir besoekers wees.

Lees gerus hulle laaste nuusbrief hier


A Quick Summary for Our Busy Friends

This month we have been in South Africa visiting people, so there 

is not as much news as usual.

1. We Want to see You!
We will be in Pretoria until end November and Cape Town in January and February. 

Please contact us - we'd love to visit with you.

2. Second Anniversary of the Upper Room House of Prayer
We are so excited that prayers continue to go up from the House of Prayer.

3. What We are Doing in South Africa
We have already visited with over 300 people in South Africa. Find out more.

4. The Challenge
What we are telling folks in South Africa

5. Some Photos
Enjoy!

6. Praise Reports and 7. Prayer Requests
Thank you for your prayers - they mean so much to us.

1. We Want to See you!

Thank you to everyone that has responded to our invitation to meet us -
we have been blessed with some sweet times with special people.
We would like to meet you too. We have transport and can move quite freely.

Our dates are as follows:
  • now to end November - Gauteng
  • 9 December - road trip from Maseru to Cape Town along the N1.
  • mid-January to mid-February - Cape Town, Stellenbosch and the rest of 
  • Western Cape
  • mid February (precise dates to be set later) : 
  • Alfred is on the N2 from Cape Town to Grahamstown. 
  • Current stops are Hartenbos, Knysna, Jeffrey's Bay and Grahamstown and 
  • maybe even Port Alfred, but we would love to add more visits.
Contact Alfred to make an appointment:
WhatsApp +91 82650 37842
Mobile 082 053 6546

2. Second Anniversary of the Upper Room House of Prayer

After nine years in the Himalayas we know very well that for Tibetans to come to
Jesus, we have a spiritual battle for their hearts and minds.

Two years ago Teremi accepted the challenge to establish a House of Prayer in
Mcleod Ganj, right in heart of Tibetan Buddhism. God called us to worship, pray and
devote ourselves to Him. 

Our prayer room with its blue carpet has become a haven of prayer for many.
We never expected that so many people would join us. This House of Prayer has
built partnerships with other groups throughout the world praying that many
Tibetans would come to the love, joy and peace of Jesus.

Thank you to all our friends who have joined in prayer with us. We look forward to
many more hours of prayer and worship as we wait for Jesus to miraculously bring
many souls to him.

3. What We are Doing in South Africa

Our time in South Africa has four objectives. These are (in no particular order)
  • to arrange our visas to India for the next 5 years;
  • to meet our family - it's been three years since Leonie last saw our 
  • grandchildren;
  • to visit with friends and encourage them in their walk with Jesus; and
  • to call the Christians of South Africa to reach out to those in need of 
  • Jesus both at home as well as around the world.
When we arrived in South Africa on the 27th of September, we first spent a few
days with Joy and Jonathan, our children who currently live in Pretoria.
This was a wonderful time of reconnecting and strengthening our bonds with our
grandchildren Kari (turning 13), Joakim (turning 11) and Laila (3).

They will be moving to Cape Town soon, so we also started disposing of our things
that they had kept in their shed since we left South Africa more than 9 years ago.
We will be finishing that job in the coming month.

We then spent some time with Ineke, a long-time friend going back 17 years.
When she bought her house she renovated it with the specific intention of hosting
friends from around the world. For example, when she put in the guest room shower,
 she had Alfred in mind. We even had time for boardgames with Joy's Cousin Ken.

At Ineke, her dogs Sashimi and Krabbels weren't quite sure what to make of these
strange invaders, but pretty soon they took to us. Sashimi even found her place on
the couch next to Alfred, sleeping away while he was busy at the computer. That
was so precious to him.
We then visited Faan in Kempton Park. They have a lovely granny flat that we
regularly spend time in. Their place was our base for our visits around the
East Rand. As usual, Faan and Liezl's hospitality was legendary. Below is a picture
of their daughter Marli with the trifle that they made for us.
 
We  then returned to Pretoria where our friend Grantley invited us to stay in one of
 the cottages that he and his wife Madelyn have set aside for visitors. It is in
Boschkop a few kilometres East of Pretoria. The picture at the top of the page was
 taken at his house and reflects the beauty of the place.

And while we were visiting these precious folks, we were holding meetings.
Up to 29 November we had 28 meetings with around 330 people.

So what do we tell people?

We're so glad you asked. Read on below.

4. The Challenge

Having spent time living among the Tibetans, we have had news experiences that highlighted for us that there are people n exile far from their homeland. 

Our message to South Africans is simple. People around us have needs.
These people are loved by Jesus. When they suffer, he feels their pain.
He is looking to us to love those in trouble or in pain.

Yes, the country is going through trying times. There is a lot of uncertainty and fear
fed by crime, the economic situation and politics. This does not change the fact that
Jesus is in control, and that as we serve him, he will take care of all our needs.
We therefore have to care for others.

This starts with the people in our families - our parents, our children and our greater
family like uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces. This then needs to  be
extended to our neighbours and the people at work. We need to show love to the
folks at the shopping till and the policeman that turns off the road.

We need to be active in the church and giving financially to God's work, whether it
be with the local congregation, the poor or missionaries.

We need to pray for God's will in all these people's lives.

When we do this, we are submitting to Jesus. His life will give us joy as we submit
to him. He will provide all our needs in his way and his time.

So we are asking people to truly make God their king, and see what amazing results
 follow.

5. Some Photos

At a home church that we visited, Leonie led a Bible study with flannelgraph.
The folks were enthusiastic about it and we had a lively discussion. 
As visitors from another land, we were invited to speak to the students of the
Hatfield Christian School. This was special for us because we got married in this
same chapel 39 years ago. 

The children responded to our stories with gusto. May they too be inspired to reach
 out to others!
I (Alfred) was struck by this turn-off from January Masilela Drive, a busy road in
Pretoria. As you can see, it does not go very far. The pedestrian crossing that has
been placed here is surreal. Equally surreal is the on-ramp just a few metres further
 coming from nowhere.

6. Praise Reports

  • It is one year after Leonie's fall while she was in Udaipur. Her back continues 
  • to make progress. We look forward to the day that she will be completely 
  • healed.
  • We are overjoyed that God has been with the House of Prayer for two years 
  • now and look forward to many answers to prayer.
  • We have been blessed by all the people that we have met. May the Lord bring 
  • them closer to him and then send them out to serve others.
  • Last month we asked you to pray for Timothy, one of Alfred's Tibetan friends. 
  • His bank account was frozen without any good reason. Alfred counseled him
  •  to stay patient and to continue to seek redress from the bank. 
  • Timothy contacted Alfred last week with the news that his account had been 
  • unfrozen. He was over the moon, and thanked Alfred for his advice and 
  • prayers. He sees the resolution of his problem as an answer to prayer. 
  • Thank you for your prayers in this matter. 
  • May Timothy come ever closer to Jesus!

7. Prayer Requests

  • Please pray for Leonie's complete healing.
  • Please keep praying for our meetings in the coming months.
  • Please continue to pray for the next Kongki Ka translation that all will 
  • happen in the Lord's time and in the Lord's way.
  • We still need financial provision for our living expenses. We have received 
  • some amazing provision in the last two months that have made a real 
  • difference. Please keep praying for us. This is particularly important as we 
  • have no way to cover the expenses of our visits in South Africa. 
  • We are living in obedience to Jesus and he has his plan to make this work.

How you can support us

We need your prayer support: without prayer and fasting the walls that are 

surrounding Tibetan Buddhists will never be broken down. Our newsletters aim to 

help you focus your prayers strategically.

You can also support us financially. South Africans can pay directly into our 

bank account:

Account name AE Smith
Nedbank
Cheque Account 1556031424
Branch code 155605

We also have an international facility. Simply click the link below, choose an amount

 to donate, and then provide payment details. Click below:

Support Alfred & Leonie

We appreciate you

Thank you to each one that is praying for us, supporting us financially and being 

there for us. We deeply appreciate it that you can be a part of our lives. 

May you be blessed far beyond what you can imagine.

Do you have news? We'd be glad to hear from you. Do you have a need? 

Let us pray for you. You can write to us at writetoalfred@gmail.com.

Be greatly blessed

Alfred & Leonie


Lausanne 2024 Videos from Plenary sessions

Lausanne has posted some 40 videos from plenary sessions which you can download, share, and watch with your group. Here are some of the big topics they covered:

Day 2: The Holy Spirit as the power for mission

Day 3: The whole Church united in mission

Day 4: Learning from and praying for the persecuted Church

Day 5: Mission in the workplace

Day 6: Christlike servanthood, intergenerational mentoring, and more

Day 7: Mission to the ends of the earth

Take a look. Evidently they plan to expand the “Accelerate” collection to include more resources in months to come. Not sure where to start? Consider these videos a Pioneers colleagues said were his favorites:

Rather read? Our friend Justin Long has compiled a roundup of links to reflections on Lausanne.

UITNODIGING / INVITATION Aan...Alle Markte/Verkopers


UITNODIGING / INVITATION

Aan...Alle Markte/Verkopers

Kom verkoop by die…

LIG VIR DIE WêRELD-FEES

@ Voortrekker Monument

15 Maart 2025

Daglange Missions Expo-Fees 

 Lees meer daaroor by - https://tinyurl.com/LIG-Expo

Ons Dagbesoekers sal DV insluit…

- 40 Mission Organizations Exhibitions

- Verskeie ander Uitstallers  

- Parkrunners,  Jukskei spelers,

- Bekende Sangers & Kore

************************************* 

Join this WhatsApp Group for more Details when available and how to Partner in the event.

https://tinyurl.com/Mark-VTM

Kontak ePos: Vischris@gmail.com

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

LIG VIR DIE WÊRELD - FEES - VTM - WMM-EXPO:

Betekenisse van Begrippe:

  • VTM =VOORTREKKER MONUMENT
  • WMM-EXPO = World Missions Mobilization Expo (Wat gaan fokus op die Bewusmaking van Wêreldsending en die ondersteuning van Sendelinge in hulle Nood en Behoeftes)


Ja, dit bly tans 'n ernstige Gebedsversoek: Bid asseblief saam oor die Beplanning en as dit die Here se wil is, realisering van die Droom.

Hiermee verdere terugvoer na ons vorige skrywe:

ONS HOOFDOEL: Geleentheid waar Sendelinge en Sending-Organisasies in 'n meer sekulêre (nie die gewone kerklike) omgewing hulle bedienings kan uitstal, bekendstel en hulle netwerke kan uitbou.

Die Realiteit om te kan slaag is steeds om so veel moontlik mense daar te kry... Sendelinge wat wil uitstal sowel as ander uitstallers en verkopers (kos, produkte en klein besighede), ander Christene, kerk en Sending-bewustes, maar ook ander besoekers, mense wat kom vir die "fees" en vir pret en geniet. 

So gaan ons as Sendelinge ook sommer Lig en Sout wees op die dag... Ook teenoor ander uitstallers en besoekers

Voorlopige Datum... DV 15 Maart 2025

HOE KAN JY ONS HELP?

1) Bid, nooi uit en deel... Sendingorganisasies en Sendelinge wat gaan inkoop om te kom uitstal en mense op hulle kontak lyste te motiveer om mee te werk. (Ons het baie vinnig reeds 30 persone wat hulle belangstelling getoon het deur op die WhatsApp groep te registreer)

2) Ook om ander mense, klein besighede, vlooimark en kosstalletjies deel daarvan te maak en daarby te betrek.

3) Ons gaan nog verder besin oor die dag se program - terwyl uitstallings plaasvind, ook musiek of Sprekers/ Sangers

4) Ander verdere trekpleisters, soort pret-sport, jukskei-speel, dalk stap met glimliggies teen later aand, uitkyk  op stad ens.

5) Net om die hele VTM-Terrein en museums as by-trekpleister te kan besoek, is klaar iets baie Spesiaal. Alles gaan vir besoekers beskikbaar wees.

Beplanning Vorentoe...

1) 'n Beplanningsgroep is intussen bymekaar gebring en ons gaan DV op 6 November weer per Zoom vergader om alles meer finaal vas te maak.

2) Hierdie Groep het ook intussen besluit op die Naam vir die geleentheid... LIG VIR DIE WÊRELD - FEES 

4) 'n Aantal afsonderlike WhatsApp Groepe is ook geskep vir al die voorlopige deelnemers van die proses... (Jy is welkom om ook nou reeds te Registreer op die Groep van jou keuse sodat ons jou vorentoe op hoogte kan hou oor die aspek waarin jy sou belangstel)

1-LIG VIR DIE WÊRELD - FEES : Beplanning, Koördinering en Finansies

2-LIG VIR DIE WÊRELD - FEES : Deelnemende Sendingorganisasies (Alle SENDINGORGANISASIES wat beplan om wel 'n UITSTALLING OP TE SIT ...Op hierdie stadium slegs om hulle voorlopige inkoop te demonstreer; meer inligting sal op die Groep verder gekommunikeer word.) Ja, dit sal verwag word dat die Sendelinge wat wil uitstal vooraf moet Registreer. (Lees die Inligtingstuk aan die Sendingorganisasies daaroor hier...)

Sluit gerus nou al hier by die Groep aan..   https://chat.whatsapp.com/GPNa1UtMX42IqwjLcw2QKn

3-LIG VIR DIE WÊRELD - FEES: Kerkleiers & gemeentes se Sendingverteenwoordigers. Help asseblief om veral julle gemeente en die Sendelinge wat julle ondersteun se Sendingprojekte te kom bekendstel en julle lidmate hieroor in te lig. (Dalk net 'n goeie geleentheid om julle Sendelinge aan te moedig om wel ook deel te neem deur hulle Registrasiekoste vir die dag se Uitstalling te help betaal)

Sluit gerus nou al hier by die Groep aan..    https://chat.whatsapp.com/CXArQsC3NQgDSEXR6syLKw

4-LIG VIR DIE WÊRELD - FEES: Markte (Alle klein besighede, vlooimarkte en kosstalletjies wat ook  op die dag wil deelneem. Inligting hoe om te registreer sal op die Groep gedeel word).

Sluit gerus nou al hier by die Groep aan..     https://chat.whatsapp.com/HHGET0nJOTjDItVqOGMeVy

5 - LIG VIR DIE WÊRELD - FEES - Program vir Besoekers en Reklame Daarvoor (Ons het reeds voelers uitgesteek na verskeie Sangers wat die dag sal optree asook ander interessante Programme vir Besoekers vir die Feesdag (Inligting hoe om vir die Feesdag as Besoeker te Registreer sal later verskaf word)

Sluit gerus nou al hier by die Groep aan..    https://chat.whatsapp.com/BpjHgIuPecq3nr9zje8IQM

LAASTENS, NATUURLIK... VOORBIDDERS🛐 Dit sal algaande op ons Gebedsgroepe gedeel word.

Ja, Dis 'n Uitdagende Mondvol! klink nogal na 'n reuse plan wat mens eintlik bangmaak... Dan is dit heelwaarskynlik van die Here af. 

Mag Hy alleen daardeur verheerlik word.

🙋Kom, reageer hierop, gee raad; Maak voorstelle; Deel jou hart, Vertel dit verder... en

Bid nou al daarvoor...👉🛐

Vir Navrae...Kontak ons per...

  • Epos vischris@gmail.com 
  • Tel 0829269364
  • WhatsApp 0764285260

Monday, October 28, 2024

INVITATION LETTER TO ALL MISSION ORGANISATIONS

Dear Mission friends,

I want to share some exciting news with you...

PLEASE READ AND RESPOND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ALSO SHARE THIS WITH ALL YOUR MISSIONARY FRIENDS.

We plan a World Missions Mobilization – Expo (WMM-Expo) at the Voortrekker Monument (VTM) in Pretoria on Saturday 15 th March 2025. 

This will be under the Banner LIG VIR DIE WêRELD-FEES (LIGHT FOR THE WORLD FEST).

All interested Christian Missionaries or Mission Organizations are invited to join us in also presenting your Ministry there.

This WMM-Expo will give exposure to Missions in a more secular environment while we will have the opportunity to be the salt and the light among a broader audience than our regular Church communities.

Exhibitors can use their own initiative on how to use the space allocated to them, providing their own table, chairs and overhead gazebo, posters and banners,  pamphlets to show or distribute, anything to build a new network of supporters for their ministry.

Although our aim is Mission Awareness, one of our focusses will be on raising extra funds for Missions (Yes, in support of all the registered Missionary participants that are active exhibitors during that day).

For this reason, our arrangement with the VTM-management is that all profit, after all expenses were subtract (more detail about this will follow later), will be divided among all registered participants.

The secret for the success of the day is to maximize the number of visitors that join our programs during the day. For this reason, we plan further initiatives as attractions for more people to the day. That includes the invitations of flee marketers (anybody that sell food and other homemade stuff; secular organizations that want to advertise their businesses (like a property agent), etc.

We further plan to invite some Gospel singers during the day.

Also, other interesting programmes like  a “jukskei” competition are part of the plans. Further, people can visit all the museum sights in and around the monument terrain during the day.

NOTE: Mission Organizations that want to join this initiative first need to join our WhatsApp Group to at least indicate your interest. From here we will communicate further details of how to register as an exhibitor as it becomes available. 

Please join this Group here…  

https://chat.whatsapp.com/GPNa1UtMX42IqwjLcw2QKn                 

For Further info contact…

Chris Visser –

Kingdom Focus for Mission Mobilization.

  • eMail – vischris@gmail.com
  • Koninkryksfokus - Kingdom Focus  KoFie-Projek    
  • Phone: +27 82 926 9364                                        
  • WhatsApp: +27 76 428 5260