Missions: Here and Worldwide

Lausanne, Switzerland

The best way to keep current on the work in Lausanne is to read their blog often. It's consistently updated! Smith family background

News from Lausanne (March 31, 2011)

Thanks for all the encouraging emails after the last newsletter. Both Stephanie and I have been busy traveling to many points around the world. February found me in Ternopil, Ukraine for a time of teaching with the church there. They asked me to focus on the Christian’s relationship with the world, so I used 1 Peter as a launching point and we spent 6 days together studying and fellowshipping. The Old Park Church in Ternopil has come through a hard year but is still moving forward in faithfulness.

Stephanie was not able to go to Ternopil this year since she had planned a surprise trip to the USA for her brother Paul’s 50th birthday. She spent a few days in Jacksonville, FL with good friend Kathryn Mick, then was off to Harding to spend three days with Justin, his girlfriend Martina, and my Uncle Jess. The surprise trip to Paducah worked out great and, after a quick weekend, Stephanie and her sister Becca drove up to Michigan before Steph flew back to Switzerland at the end of the week. She came back in good shape, ready to cook for 35 participants for a singles’ retreat in France. The cooking was appreciated by all, and the organizers (some of the singles from Geneva as well as Kathleen, our daughter) were thrilled with the results of the time together.

In the mean time, a couple who left the church about 4 years ago came back. He has been having a tough time dealing with life, had some tough knocks, and so he gave me a call and asked if he could come to worship on Sunday afternoon. Once there, the small group who stayed for our potluck (about a dozen) welcomed and encouraged him, making him feel at home. The next few days we continued talking and he and his wife have been coming most Sundays. This man is one of the walking wounded that you encounter in life, but someone who God has not given up on, and someone who continues to hold onto God. I’m sure this couple would appreciate your prayers.

Doyle Kee and I had been planning a trip to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso for the last 3 months in order to visit with some of the small churches and to encourage a Pastor (André) from the Apostolic church who was baptized during his time of study in Switzerland. We met with the men who help shepherd the 3 small assemblies that meet in different sections of the city. None of them have buildings consecrated to worship and none of the evangelists are supported with outside funds. I also had occasions to teach at a neighborhood meeting of the Apostolic Church as well as spend part of an afternoon with 6 pastors from the denominational churches where Doyle talked about the New Testament as a pattern for the identity of the church and I spent time teaching on baptism and its place in the plan of God. We also spent two days in the small city of Pô, about 35 kilometers from the Ghanaen border. Michel Samb is there and I met him years ago when I spent two weeks teaching at the preachers’ school in Bouaké, Ivory Coast. This evangelist, humble and sincere, taught himself to read many years ago, has tried to support himself through farming and other jobs, but seems to have a dark cloud over his head. Yet he perseveres. We met with Bible students that are enrolled in the World Bible School… We ate and fellowshipped just outside of his small dwelling, and on Sunday morning we met with a dozen adults and worshiped in a small hut that the church has built just next to one of the member’s homes. Back in Ouagadougou, Doyle and I met with a class of 60 students (ages 15 to 22) that is part of André’s school. 8 of them had already finished one of the long lessons from World Bible School. As we talked to them in the hot, hot classroom, they listened attentively as I talked about the history of the Bible and Doyle spoke about the Bible courses.

Thousands of shots rang out through Tuesday night, finally ending at 4:30 am. Certain there had been a coup d’état, I was wondering what the day would hold. But it ended up that discontented military were simply firing their automatic weapons into the night sky in protest to a condemnation handed down by the judicial authorities. There was some pillaging that the military encouraged rather than tried to stop. But we were fine and no one was shot.

Our Saturday and Sunday conferences were well attended. The participants asked many interesting questions. Several denominational pastors were present, as well as many who are doing the World Bible School. The tone was friendly and inquisitive, with a real desire to study the Bible.

I think this is my eighth trip to Africa; my second to Burkina Faso. The first time was in 1998 (I believe) to help with a medical campaign with Partners in Progress. Though better off than some countries, I was, once again, struck by the poverty, pollution and poor conditions people live in. Cost of staples has increased much faster than salaries (for those who have jobs, that is) and people live on a day to day basis. As far as the church goes, growth has been slow despite the efforts, but some progress has been made. A faith that is not focused on miracles, or on what God can do for me in the physical realm… A teaching that offers no guaranties of success or an end to suffering right now… Tends to be against many promises some preachers are making and so counter-culture that it is hard for it to take root.

Yet sincere and God-fearing people are turning to the Lord. They are seeking his will and there are those who are laying foundations of God’s revelation for future that will permit future growth.
The parts of Africa I’ve visited invite me to examine my own faith. I believe that Jesus truly reigns over all, even over those who reject him. So why so much suffering in one place? And as a follower of Christ, what can I do to make a difference? Is compassion the only response? What is going to happen to all of these people? Will their governments ever throw off corruption and self interest? Will the West let them? Will spiritual answers solve some of their physical problems? Pray for your brothers and sisters in these countries.

Thank you for your partnership in the work here. You are much loved and appreciated.

Brady and Stephanie

SKYPE: gbrasmith or stephruns
Facebook: Stephanie BILAK SMITH

Some Background on the Smith Family, Missionaries in Lausanne, Switzerland

Brady and Stephanie were invited to Lausanne, Switzerland in January, 1985 by the local French-speaking church there. They now have three faithful children (ages 20, 18 and 16) and continue their teaching ministry with the local church. Outreach activities include neighborhood evangelism and continued follow-up of the Let’s Start Talking projects through individual and small-group studies. Brady also serves the Geneva church through personal evangelism and by grounding new Christians in their walk with God, as well teaching some of the weekly studies.  

The entire family is active in youth ministry. Stephanie is a cook for the two-week-long teen and children’s camp, while Brady, Jordan and Justin serve as counselors, teachers and workers. Brady also plans the Autumn “All Saints” retreat, a highlight of the teen’s year.  

Stephanie’s father, Stephan Bilak, evangelized Ukraine until his death in 2004. Brady spends a week each year in Western Ukraine teaching Christians (http://www.ternopilchurch.com/). He also spends 2 to 3 weeks every other year in French-speaking Africa (Toga, Benin, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Mauritius Island), edifying future Christian leaders and encouraging missionaries.  

Stephanie is a translator and proof reader for the Bible Study series “Truth for Today” (http://www.biblecourses.com/outreach.asp).


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To learn more about what's up in Lausanne, check out our blog:
http://www.evendays.org
 
Brady and Stephanie Smith
Av. de France 77, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland

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