December 22, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

It's Christmastime again!  May you have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year 2012!  I can hardly believe that another year has passed since I was sending 2010 Christmas greetings from Ghana.  You will recall that the Andersons and I had gone there because of the volatile political situation in our beloved Côte d'Ivoire.  From Ghana, I arrived Stateside the first week of January, 2011.  My goals were to help care for my elderly mother and prepare for retirement from service with Free Will Baptist International Missions.  Though the way was often difficult, God has been faithful to help me reach these goals. 

Though visibly weakening, our dear mother is still with us.  The good Lord willing, she will celebrate another birthday on January 14th.  She will be 92 years old.  Except for short-lived periods of confusion, she is still mentally alert and able to get around with the help of a walker.  Her main problem is breathing difficulties which seem to be worsening.  Still, with her beautiful voice, she sings praises to her Lord through the day.  Please do continue to pray for her.  Please continue to pray for me as I face the challenge of being practically homebound.  The Lord is good and is helping me learn "in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11.

Verlin and Debbie Anderson, with son Corbin (Cason and Cara are Stateside), are our only missionaries still serving in Côte d'Ivoire.  Needless to say, they are extremely busy.  In that a government is in place and functioning, things are somewhat better in the country.  But, there is still much to be changed, many hurts to be healed, much to be built back, and much to be forgiven.  Please continue to pray for the Ivorian Free Will Baptist Association of churches to be bright lights shining out to the lost in that needy land.  As you pray for the missionaries, please pray for our pastors there . . . that they would continue to be bold witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ.  Reports of decisions for Christ and baptisms are very encouraging.  And, once again, the Bible Institute is up and running, training those whom God has called to be pastors and evangelists.  The national church is patiently waiting for my return so they can give me a "proper sendoff".  They fully understand my need to remain Stateside right now and care for "la vieille" (the "old one" which is their  very respectful way of referring to my elderly mother). Thank you, too, for your patience.  I have not and will not forget my promise to visit the churches which supported me throughout my missionary career.  I continue to pray that you will faithfully support your denomination's efforts to take the Gospel to those who've never heard.  Thank you and God bless you.

Let us talk a little more about Christmas before I close.  A few weeks ago, I received a newsletter from Franklin Graham.  He wrote that Christ came to earth on "a rescue mission." After reading this, the following song came to mind and I began to sing:

"In loving kindness Jesus came,
My soul in mercy to reclaim,
And from the depths of sin and shame
Through grace He lifted me.
From sinking sand He lifted me,
With tender hand He lifted me,
From shades of night to planes of light,
O praise His name, He lifted me"

Song "He Lifted Me" by Charles H. Gabriel, page 77, Free Will Baptist hymnal.

Yes, we first see our Savior, Jesus Christ, in a manger.  But, how I praise Him for His obedience in going all the way to the cross to rescue you and me.  What a Wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2012,
Alice F. Smith

New address:  1254 Fields Creek Rd., Winifrede, WV 25214
Telephone:  304-949-2713

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been awhile since you've heard from me . . . hopefully you haven't forgotten who I am!  After reading the following of "what's been happening with Alice", you'll understand that I've not been sitting around twiddling my thumbs.  

June 10 and 11, 2011 How I enjoyed being in Huntington for the WV State Association of Free Will Baptist meetings, especially the powerful preaching centered around the theme "Power in the Rock".  The State Mission Board presented me a plaque in recognition of 36 years of missionary service in Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), West Africa.  Clint Morgan, Interim Director for International Missions came from Nashville.  He spoke very kind and complimentary words regarding my missionary career and gifted me with a lovely Bulova wristwatch.  He and I met with our State Mission Board.  We all agreed to work toward getting my support rechanneled to the Bulgaria Team (Awtreys and Postlewaites).

June 25, 2011 A dear sister in Christ died and, praise the Lord, she is no longer suffering.  Her homegoing was a part of God's answer to my prayers for a house at Winifrede.  Her children readily agreed to let me purchase the house.  The sale was finalized on August 25th.  I'm preparing to move the first week of September.  How good of the Lord to give me a house that I've admired for years.  My Mom will move with me . . . so, these are busy days of sorting through her things as well as mine.

July 17-21, 2011 The National Association of FWB's met in Charlotte, N.C.  The Holy Spirit's presence and guidance was evident in both the worship services and the business sessions.  IM announced my imminent retirement and presented me a plaque of recognition.  The National is always a time of spiritual "refreshment" for me.  And, how wonderful to see and talk with so many old friends!

July 25, 2011 I mailed the 125+ letters and prayer cards to the many friends who have been faithful supporters of my missionary work for 36 years.  These letters were sent to help acquaint you with the Awtreys and Postlewaites (Bulgaria Team).  It is my heartfelt prayer and desire that you begin supporting their ministries.  Several churches have already started to do so and I thank you very much.  

July 31, 2011 was the official retirement date from employment with International Missions.  I am honored to have been a member of the IM team of His servants.

August 1-4 found me at the offices of the National Association of FWB's in Nashville.  The trip enabled me to tie up loose ends at IM.  The IM ladies treated me to sweet fellowship and a delicious meal at my favorite restaurant, The Olive Garden.  I was also able to take care of business with the Board of Retirement and the FWB Foundation.  Then, I spent several hours "shopping" in WNAC's Missionary Provision Closet.  I drove back to WV with many wonderful items which will be greatly needed and appreciated as I set up my first home Stateside.  May God bless our ladies who give so generously in order to help missionaries.  

In the days to come, I look forward to:  the coming of the Lord Jesus; the end of my Mom's difficulty in breathing the moment He calls her Home; continuing in my effort to visit each of my supporters and saying "thank you"; returning to Côte d'Ivoire so that the Ivorian church can have me a proper sendoff; returning to C.I. for short term missionary work; endeavoring to be a bold witness to the lost in all places, at all times; being free to respond to invitations to speak, etc.

As I close, let me share some words written by the late Erma Bombeck:  "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single talent left and could say 'I used everything you gave me'".  This is also my hope.

Love and prayers,
Always your missionary,
Alice F. Smith

My dear friends,

This morning, I greet you in the lovely name of the Lord Jesus and bring you greetings from our Christian brothers and sisters in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), West Africa.

In Psalm 9, David wrote: 1) “I will praise (thank) thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvelous works. 2) I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.”

I’ve often asked the Lord to help me to not be ungrateful, especially since I have so much for which to be thankful. Just a few days ago, I was reading Free Will Baptist pastor and author, Robert J. Morgan’s book, My All in All. In his May 27th devotional he wrote, “the temperature of our spiritual health is measured on the thermometer of thanksgiving”. May my degree of gratitude indicate that I’m spiritually well.

For just a few minutes, let me thank and praise the Lord for His omniscience . . . He knows everything!

• He knew that I’d be born into the Smith family at Winifrede, WV on May 30, 1946.
• He placed me where He knew that I’d be able to hear and believe the Gospel at the Winifrede (Old Glory) Free Will Baptist Church.
• He knew that I’d be born into the Family of God on June 4, 1961 (50 years ago!). Being saved, born again is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me!
• He knew that He would call me to be a missionary and that I’d fall in love with the people of Ivory Coast, West Africa. This call included His faithfulness in qualifying me, equipping me, and providing all that I’d need for following Him.

And knowing these things, He gave me folks like you. You’ve so graciously opened your hearts and homes to me. You’ve partnered with me these 36 years that I’ve served as a missionary. Oh how faithful you’ve been to pray and give. What an honor it has been to be introduced as “our missionary”. I thank and praise Him for YOU!

My heart’s desire is that you continue to support your denomination’s efforts to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. May you adopt other Free Will Baptist missionaries and learn to love them as you have loved me. God bless and keep you!

Dear Family and Friends,

How good it was to visit the Loudendale Free Will Baptist Church Sunday evening, May 22nd.  We sang the old Gaither song, "The Longer I Serve Him, the Sweeter He Grows".  June 4th. will mark the 50th. year since I met the Master.  After knowing and serving Him for such a long time, I can truly say that the words of this song are true.  As I reflected on the reasons and hows of His growing sweeter, I concluded that it is because of His unfailing faithfulness in any and every situation that comes our way.  You are aware that I returned to the States in January to care for my terminally ill mother and begin the retirement process.  Doing these two very important jobs has turned out to be more of a challenge than I had expected.  BUT!  The Lord, once again, has proven Himself faithful.  He is worthy of great praise!

My official retirement date is July 31st.  Let me repeat that it is very important to me that you continue to support the ministry of Free Will Baptist international missionaries.  I will be communicating with you before the end of July with suggestions and recommendations for rechanneling the support that you've so faithfully given for my ministry in Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), West Africa.  I am very grateful for all that you've done.

News from Côte d'Ivoire remains very disturbing.  As much violence and reprisal killings continue, some parts of the country are very dangerous.  A new president was recently sworn in.  He and his government have the huge task of trying to bring about reconciliation between the Ivorians.  Though I disagree with the methods through which certain things were made to happen, I will pray for those in authority.
They are certainly in need of God's help.  I recently spoke with the pastor of the Bouna church.  He reported that he had just baptized four people in the village of Sayé and seven people in the village of Panzarani.  Praise the Lord for faithful servants who continue to preach and teach in the midst of much turmoil.  Please continue to pray for the believers to be bold witnesses.  The good Lord willing, my co-workers will return to Bondoukou in June and July.  Thank you for praying for their safe return to the field and that the Lord will enable them to win many souls through the Community Health Evangelism ministry.

Thank you for praying for my Mom.  In this last month, she has had much difficulty with breathing.  She is now doing better with the medication that Hospice has provided.  Once again, she has bounced back.  When things aren't going well, predictions are made as to how long she will live.  I believe that the Lord will call her home when we least expect it.  She is ready to meet the Lord and knows she'll just have to wait until He calls.

I hope to be seeing many of you at the WV State Association meeting in Huntington on June 10 and 11.  And, at the National Association meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina July 17 - 21.  He has promised to be in our midst.  Let us look forward to gathering in His name and experiencing His presence in the worship services and in the business sessions. 

With much love and prayers,
Your missionary,
Alice F. Smith

Dear Family and Friends,

Someone has said that "February is the cruelest month in the year." I'm not sure that "cruel" is the right description, but it certainly was cold!  But, in spite of the icy roads, snow, and low temperatures, I bundled up like an Eskimo, ventured out, and attended two really important meetings.  I was privileged to give greetings and a report to the WV State Mission Board during their February 3rd. meeting.  These men of God spoke words of encouragement and commendation and assured me of their cooperation with getting my support rechanneled to the ministries of other Free Will Baptist International missionaries.

A few days later, I also enjoyed attending the quarterly meeting of the Kanawha Conference, my home conference of Free Will Baptist Churches.  This gave me the opportunity to give my report and express appreciation to the pastors, deacons, and delegates representing fifteen member churches.  While eating a delicious lunch, it was good to share news of Côte d'Ivoire and chat with many dear friends.

Let's turn the page of the calendar and enter into the month of March.  I'm so glad that Spring will soon be here . . . guess I'll be able to get warm again, huh? Many of you know about the March for Missions campaign which takes place in our WV churches every year.  During this time special services are held and funds are raised for the accounts of our home and international missionaries. I am speaking at several of these services in Beckley-area churches.  I am looking forward to sharing in services with International Mission's recently-appointed Interim Director, Clint Morgan.  Clint and Lynette are my good friends and we served together for many years in Africa.  Please pray for Clint as he takes on the responsibility of leading the Mission for about six months.  I also ask that you pray for former Director, James Forlines as he and his wife, Anita, seek God's will for future ministry. Thank you for praying for me as I share in these services.  Thank you for praying that the March for Missions campaign will be successful - not just that much money will be raised, but that hearts will be touched and that individuals will surrender to God's call to go into all the world and preach the Gospel.

News from Côte d'Ivoire is very disturbing.  The standoff between the two men claiming to be president worsens on a daily basis.  There is much violence and killing in Abidjan as security forces and supporters of these two men attack each other.  Thousands of people have fled the country.  Please pray for God's intervention.  Please pray for the Ivorian Christians to walk in obedience and be faithful witnesses during this very trying time.  Please pray for the Verlin Anderson family, my co-workers at Bondoukou.  Due to the need of medical attention, Debbie has recently returned to the States, along with their youngest son, Corbin.  Verlin remains in Bondoukou and hopes to remain there until coming Stateside in May for their oldest son's wedding.  Pray for Verlin.  He has the gift of encouraging and is being used of the Lord to lift the spirits of hurting Ivorians during these difficult days.
Pray that the Lord's hand of protection will continue to be upon Verlin and guard him from all danger.  

As I close, a thought comes to me from my morning quiet time.  In his book, MY ALL IN ALL, Robert J. Morgan writes (in the February 12th. devotional) "Christ rules over all and makes all work for good, so we can cast all our cares on Him and be thankful in all things.  This serves as a good reminder for me.  Please pray that I will be able to cast all my cares on Him and that I'll be thankful in all things.  Thank you for continuing to pray for my Mom.  She is doing quite well considering her age and health issues.  As her daughter and caregiver, I'm asking the Lord to help me serve her just as He would if He were here serving as her caregiver.

You are loved and appreciated.  Thank you for being faithful partners in my going and serving in Côte d'Ivoire.

Love and prayers,
Alice

January 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

My belated Happy New Year wishes come to you from the cold and snow-covered Mountain State, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia!  Though previously scheduled for January 16th., I arrived home on January 6th. and have pretty much been in hibernation.  Coming from the extreme heat of Africa into the extreme cold of eastern U.S.A. has been quite a shock to my body.  Brrr!  I just can't seem to get warm.  Drinking hot tea is helping me to survive.

Needless to say, my mother (91 years old on January 14th.) is very happy to have me home.  In addition to being her caregiver during the week, I will be attempting to visit supporting churches and conferences on the week-ends.  You can also expect me to "visit" with you through letters, e-mails, and telephone calls.  I want to communicate to you my sincere appreciation for your faithful prayer and financial support since I began working for the Mission in 1975.  The good Lord willing, I'll be busy right up until I officially retire from overseas service the end of July 2011.  I know that I can count on you to rechannel your support to other Free Will Baptist missionaries after I retire.  After all, you aren't supporting a personality.  You are partnering with your denomination's Missions Department in taking the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.  May the Lord's richest blessings be upon your continued obedience to the Great Commission. 

I know that Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) was in the news for awhile after the contested presidential election on November 28th.  Though nothing is being reported at this time here in the States, the political standoff, accompanied by violence and killing, still exists.  I read several articles on the internet each day.  The news is very troubling and I grieve for the Ivorian people.  Please pray for God's intervention in that situation.  Pray for the resolution of the serious problem of two men claiming to be president of the country.  Pray for an end to the violence and killing, especially in Abidjan where a large number of our church members live. 

My co-workers, Verlin and Debbie Anderson are also in need of your prayers.  Verlin's father, Earl Anderson, recently went home to be with the Lord.  Verlin was able to come to the States for the funeral on January 22nd. and hopes to return to the field on the 27th.  He and his family hope to be able to return to their ministry responsibilities at Bondoukou shortly after his arrival.

I've so much more to share with you but will stop for now.  Please ask the Lord to help me as my heart is burdened for the plight of our Christian brothers and sisters in Ivory Coast.  My greatest comfort is knowing that God is in control.  Ask the Lord to help me to able to adjust to life in the U.S.A., especially to the cold weather which is predicted to be around for quite awhile.  I promise to keep in touch.

Love and prayers,
Your missionary,
Alice F. Smith
1952 Fields Creek Road
Winifrede, WV  25214
(304) 949-2713 

December 3, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings to you from hot, dry, and dusty Bondoukou.  Please let me be among the first of many friends to wish you a Merry Christmas 2010 and a Happy New Year 2011. Let us celebrate the birth of Christ the King with joy and thanksgiving.  May we boldly share His message of love with one and all.  I was pleasantly surprised that we started singing Christmas carols at church on November 21st.  This was somewhat early for us.  Oh, how I wish you could hear these beautiful songs in French and Koulango, plus the several other languages of our Ivorian brothers and sisters in Christ. 

We've been saddened by two deaths in the month of November - Francois, a church leader from the Sayé Free Will Baptist church, leaving behind a pregnant wife and two children; and the teenage son of Pastor Daniel Sib, serving in the Kafalo FWB Church.  Please pray for God's comfort for these two families.  Both of these churches are in the Bouna region.

Thank you for praying for the nutrition classes that I've been teaching at Gouméré.  Hopefully, I'll be able to finish with that this coming Sunday.  The classes have gone well.  The interest has been so great that I've needed a third Sunday to complete the lessons.  Debbie Anderson and I continue to teach Community Health Evangelism lessons to the ladies on Sunday afternoon.  Please pray for Verlin Anderson as he visits each of our churches in order to challenge them, once again, to participate in the CHE program.  CHE is being used by the Lord all over the world as an effective means of taking the Gospel to unreached people groups.  We desire that the unreached people groups in this country will also be blessed to hear the Gospel through this ministry.

December 12, 2010  (I'm writing the second part of the Update from Kumasi, Ghana, a country east of Côte d'Ivoire).

Now, let me explain why the Andersons and I decided to travel here.  If you follow world news, you will remember that Côte d'Ivoire held presidential elections on November 28th.  There was fraud and violence to the point that a large number of votes were thrown out.  The results were very close, as about one-half of the population voted for one man and the other half voted for the other man.  Both of these men have declared themselves to be the winner.  The problem is that a country cannot have two presidents, unless the country divides.  No one wants that.  The international community is backing one of the men and is putting pressure on the other to step aside.  So far, he will not do it.  Many people support his decision.
It is a very complicated situation.  We pray that this will not lead to a return to war.
Except for a few minor incidents, all remained calm at Bondoukou.  Still, some things were getting out of hand in other parts of the country.  Many were concerned for our safety.  So, after much prayer and discussion, we decided to come to Ghana for some much-needed car repairs and a few days of rest.  As we wait, we are praying for God to intervene and give a peaceable solution to the political standoff in Côte d'Ivoire.  We hope to be able in return to Bondoukou before Christmas.  Needless to say, this has been an unwelcome interruption to my final preparations for returning to the States to begin the retirement process.  But, God is in control.
All is in His hands.  We wait upon Him.  We are safe.  We know that this is His plan for us right now.  Thank you for continuing to pray for us and the situation in Côte d'Ivoire.

During the past six months, I have written of my return Stateside.  The good Lord willing, I will arrive in Charleston, West Virginia on January 17, 2011.  I will continue to work with the Mission through July, 2011.  Please continue to be faithful in your prayer and financial support.  My coming home now will permit me to begin the retirement process, help with my Mom's care, and touch base with my supporting churches.  I look forward to visiting with you through visits, letters, e-mails, and telephone calls.

Most of you know me quite well and will agree that Alice is not a "superwoman".  Yes, this is a difficult time.  We are saddened and disappointed by things as they stand right now.  We long for things to get better.  At times, we are frustrated and tearful.  We have the means of leaving.  Most of our beloved Ivorian friends don't have that option.  So, please pray for them.  I've been thinking of the old hymn "Living by Faith".  The last line of the chorus says, "I'm living by faith and feel no alarm".  I wish that were 100% true for me but, at times, I feel much alarm - not for myself, but for the people of Côte d'Ivoire.  Again, I ask that you pray for them.  In days of peace and, in days of turmoil, I cling to Isaiah 26:3, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Yes, as I think on Him, my alarm is turned into perfect peace.  I praise Him.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas,
Your missionary,
Alice F. Smith    

November 6, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

I guess I'm what some would call a "news buff".  Daily, I listen to U.S.A. and world news, as well as Côte d'Ivoire and African news.  Though most of what I hear isn't encouraging, the desire to know what's happening remains.  And, in view of many world events, I find comfort in these words of a favorite song, "Glorious", by Paul Baloche.

"Glorious, my eyes have seen the glory of the Lord . . . He stands above the rulers of the earth . . .Lord, You are glorious . . . no one else above Him, none can match His worth, the hope of His returning fills the universe".

I'm pleased with the results of Côte d'Ivoire's October 31st. presidential elections.  As a whole, the elections were fair and peaceful.  Twelve of the fourteen candidates were eliminated.  On November 21st., the Ivorians will vote again and choose their president from the two remaining candidates.  Please continue to pray.

My short trip to Abidjan went well and I was able to renew my Ivorian identification documents.  While there, Pastor Jérôme Kambou, his daughters Monique and Doris, and I drove to Tiassalé, not too far from Abidjan.  We went there to attend the church service with Dibé Kambou and his wife and children.  Dibé, a registered nurse employed by the government, was transferred to Tiassalé over a year ago.  He is a good nurse and a committed Christian who has the gift of sharing the Gospel everywhere he goes.  He has won several people to the Lord.  And, for him, the normal thing to do was to start a new Free Will Baptist Church!  With God's help, he has done this. Pastor Jérôme was privileged to preach to a crowd of 20 adults and 12 children, who were crowded into Dibé's livingroom.  By the way, I failed to mention that Dibé is Pastor Jérôme's "petit frère" (younger brother).  The Bible Institute has now placed a young pastor-in-training to help in this work for one year.  Please pray for this young mission church.  They've started saving money for the construction of a church building.  Praise the Lord!  Please ask the Lord to impress other Free Will Baptist professionals and give them the desire to win souls and plant churches in the regions to which their work takes them.

The CHE training sessions with the Gouméré church ladies continue and are such a blessing to both teachers and students.  I recently taught them about typhoid fever, which is a serious problem in this country.  Hopefully, with the things they've learned, they and their families will take the proper steps to avoid this life-threatening disease.

The good Lord willing, on November 14th. and 28th., I will be teaching for an hour before the regular Sunday morning church services.  The pastor at Gouméré has asked me to teach lessons on proper nutrition.  I look forward to showing them, from God's Word, that the Lord is interested in the health of His children.  And, we all know that eating properly contributes to our being healthy.  Please pray for these teaching sessions.

Well, as usual I have too much to tell!  So, to avoid this being too long, I'll share just one more thing.  Progress, though somewhat slow, is being made as I sort through my accumulated "treasures".  And, I must confess something to you.  In my last newsletter, I wrote that I was "almost a packrat".  To be honest, I now admit to being a full-fledged packrat!  Why?  I had saved letters written to my family in West Virginia back in June and July 1973!  I was in Côte d'Ivoire serving as a summer missionary.

Can you believe it?!  The letters are very interesting . . . filled with the enthusiasm of a young lady who has now become  a "mature" lady . . . hopefully I can share these letters with you someday.

Thank you.  Do not forget how much your missionary loves and appreciates you.

I thank the Lord for you, your prayers, and your generous support  Have a Happy Thanksgiving Day celebration!  Our Wonderful Lord is so worthy of great praise and thanksgiving all the time!  Amen!

Your missionary "packrat",

Alice F. Smith