VENEZUELA
- Edward & Ruth Smith
- Dec 7, 2018
- 2 min read
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one, and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. I Cor 3 v 5 - 8
Edward and Ruth Smith
What a privilege to be part of this great work. Whether we be planters or waterers, we are labourers together, and each one will receive their reward from the Lord.
We are just finishing an absence of three months from the work in Venezuela and Colombia. DV we are to return to Venezuela the 1st of February. This could be changed depending on our health. My visa for Venezuela has not been issued, so the Immigration section gave me a special permit for ninety days of the which we spent the first part in Colombia renewing paperwork and then on to Australia to renew passports, etc.
During our stay here we have visited some assemblies to give a report on the work and to help spiritually. We have made two long trips by plane firstly to Sydney to visit aged believers, Andrew, and Winnie Skillen and then to visit Ruth's brother and family in Tasmania. Ross has not been well and is receiving treatment for cancer. We have also been able to help in some small way in the Spanish work here in the city of Brisbane. Willians and Kylie are occupied in this along with other believers as able. God is blessing this work.
News from Colombia and Venezuela is encouraging as the believers continue in the preaching of the gospel, Sunday school work and in their general testimony. The new assembly in Yaracal (Ven) (where we live) is celebrating special gospel meetings with many unsaved listening to the Word of God. We pray for the salvation of souls. Sunday school will soon restart there as in many other places. Last year about one hundred children were attending in Yaracal.
In 2018 two new assemblies commenced in Colombia, Medellin, and Valledupar. We praise God for these new lamp-stands shining brightly for the Lord.
We praise our God for eleven Venezuelan couples commended to the Lord's work during the last year. Most are staying in Venezuela, but one couple has gone to Peru, one to the Dominica Republic and two others to Mexico. We give thanks to the Lord for these willing to give their all to the Lord.
Because of the problems in Venezuela thousands of believers have left their homes for adjoining countries. This has been a blessing to the assemblies that some are now attending. In some places the Halls are becoming too small which will require extensions in due time. Thank you again for your interest, prayers, and fellowship in the work.
Winter 2018 Written by Edward and Ruth Smith - VENEZUELA ewsmith9749@gmail.com
