His flights to the Ukraine were cancelled. He'd spent hours on flight websites and talking with his travel agent in Sydney to try and get to Ukraine and Israel. David Smethurst has postponed the ministry in Ukraine to August and Israel to October.
Last weekend his Mission's Ukraine my manager, Oleg, conducted the Revival Seminars with great results, as well as the Sunday services at the big Central Evangelical Church in Odessa.
Australian friend and colleague, Pastor Gerald Rowlands (visiting his daughter in Jerusalem and was to be ministering with me in Israel) will undertake the present ministry to the Russian and Ethiopian Jews. He knows the Israeli and Russian cultures so well, a seasoned warrior in the faith and was worship leader at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem for many years.
David Smethurst asks for prayer in the gap as his Mission provides for the needs of his orphans ministry in the Ukraine. Some of the children have serious medical issues, lingering illnesses and educational needs. In addition the buildings need renovation and roofs' need repairing after the heavy snowfalls
He was recently invited to minister the word of God at a Church in Deal, near Dover. David Smethurst prayed for a boy who had been abused as a four year old. He was having huge anger problems. "His mum asked me to pray for his deliverance, and the lad was so appreciative." David Smethurst also spoke in Wimbledon, London, at a church he's known for 29 years. They responded to the encouragement of God's word.
David Smethurst said that his Latvian ministry manager, Sasha, found a truck going from UK to Eastern Europe which has taken the water filters to Ukraine (via Latvia) for the orphanages.
Also stored ready for this trip were 29 large cases, boxes and bags of clothes, blankets and toys. David Smethurst who speaks six languages including Russian, liaised with the Russian truck driver (whose English was very limited) to collect the goods. Within 24 hours the goods were in Latvia and are currently being supplied to the orphans and those in need in Latvia and Ukraine.
The David Smethurst Ministries and teams around Europe help provide funding and goods for the health and well being of 5,500 orphans and many others in need in these nations, who are being reached through the humanitarian aid outreach.
The Humanitarian Aid Outreach has proved extremely successful over the past year with thousands of poor people (as a result of the dire financial crisis in Eastern Europe) pouring into the church for food and clothing.
David Smethurst said: "We have been able to help substantially with this, and have seen hundreds come to the Lord each week and decide to stay in the church. The local church has grown and the youth and children's work have exploded, all because of helping the poor who can't help themselves."
To contact David Smethurst, smethurstmin@bigpond.com