May 2009 Update

There is so much to report after so many months have come and gone since our last writing, I hardly know where to begin! I must confess that those who have email have heard from us more frequently than those that do not, so I will attempt to catch you up on all the happenings in our family.

As many of you know, Gary has had a very hard time with health issues. A year and a half passed during the time he was so sick. It seemed that once one thing was wrong with him, many other illnesses began to crop up. The bottom line is that he is so much better and with medication, his heart problems seem to be a thing of the past. Therefore, we went to Kenya for five weeks during January and February (we were only allowed by the doctors to go for five weeks as a trial on the new medicine)! It was so great to get back and be with all our church family and to worship and fellowship with Crossroads Fellowship Church! Much was accomplished in that five week trip, but the last Sunday was the “frosting on the cake” with Gary dedicating two of our dear friend’s babies and he participated in the Ordination of five men in whose lives he has played a large part. We thank God for this opportunity.

This letter would not be complete without sharing all the news of our children over the past weeks and months. Nathan and Tina began a photography business during the past year. Most of the work fell to Tina at home (she recovered somewhat from her blood clots), while Nathan went to school full time and worked lots of hours to keep them afloat. I am so happy to report that on Mother’s Day, Nathan graduated from Indiana University receiving his BA degree majoring in Furniture Design! We thank you for all the prayers you have committed to the Lord for him! On Tuesday after graduation, the couple moved to Mesa, Arizona. Tina’s family is there and they plan to focus on their wedding photography business and get more clients there in Arizona. Their website is: visionsbysmiddy.com. Hanna has been very busy this past semester at university and is so glad to have completed her sophomore year. During this past school year she has really gotten involved with Campus Outreach, a Christian group at her school. Also, she has been in a weekly Bible study with high school girls at church where she is mentoring them. She is involved in the college age group at church as well. All these activities have spurred her on to go to Orlando, Florida for the “Orlando Project” during the summer. The time will be spent working at Universal Studios, but the main reason for going is the discipleship program to help her grow in her relationship with the Lord. She will also take a trip to Kenya for her Alumni weekend at Rift Valley Academy where she graduated from high school. The “tradition” of the school is that two years after graduation, all the class tries to get back to Kenya for a reunion.

Since returning from Kenya, I have had a difficult time recovering from a fall I took while we were there. Some tests I had showed I have a problem with my neck. I am trusting that this can be taken care of with physical therapy. Our plans for our future in Kenya are rather uncertain at the moment, but we do believe that the right time to go is in September. Our co-pastor, Jim Horne was diagnosed with prostate cancer and has been in the states for surgery. He went back to Kenya this week, but he will have to come back to the states every three months to be tested and at some stage may have to have radiation. (He needs your prayers!). Since the other pastor, Bobby Bechtel and his wife, Lisa are leaving for a six month furlough in September, it seems the correct time for us to step in and help. Gary needs a six month supply of his medication which may present a problem (they will only dispense three months supply at a time). With God all things are possible!

Crossroads Fellowship Church now has between 650-700 people attending consistently every Sunday. When we left Kenya for our furlough in 2007, the church building was only half way completed, so we had not seen it until the trip in January. Oh what a beautiful sight! (If you go to the church website listed below you can see it). The Lord is so good to allow us the great privilege of being involved in this ministry! We are so grateful to Him. The next major step for the church is to build onto the existing facility a two story education building. CF is bursting at the seams with all of the children that come for Sunday school. So it is a great need.

Prayer Petitions:

1. God to direct us in when to go back to Kenya/obtain enough meds


2. Nathan & Tina in their new business


3. Hanna in all her adventures for the summer


4. Gary to continue to feel well and get stronger


5. Jean’s back/neck situation to heal


6. Jim & Susie Horne to know when it is time to get back to states for treatment


7. Bobby & Lisa Bechtel as they lead the church


8. Crossroads Fellowship to be able to raise the funds needed for the new building

We appreciate and thank all of our partners in this ministry. We are so thankful that you have “stayed with us” even though we have been in the states for so long. We are blessed to have you as prayer support. We thank God for each of you.

Your co-laborers in Christ,

Gary & Jean Smiddy