Stella Mckenzie Smuts: New Year 2017

The Call

Way back in 1976, a prophetess told me the following:

The Lord is going to take you to places you never dreamed possible. That which you are doing for Him now will grow into ministries you could not have imagined. Serve Him with all your heart and might.

At the time, I was in school and active in ministries such as SCA, YFC, Sunday School teaching, worship leading etc. After I left school, I always got involved wherever I could be of service.

Servicing my Heavenly Father and His people has always been a priority in my life.

Here in Cape Town, we have entered the New Year with strict water restrictions due to the ongoing drought. Our supply dams are at less than 30% capacity, which a very serious situation. Please pray for rain.

It is all systems go for 2017 and the mission work I am involved in. AFMIN has undergone some changes, which includes a name change. Now known as EMIT based on the fragrance of the Lord that we emit.

Although I shall continue doing volunteer clerical work for my project leader, I possibly will not be travelling to East Africa as much as in the past, due to various restraints. These include health issues and also financial challenges. Not only do I need to provide my own travel expenses, but I also need to provide for myself on a day-to-day basis, both in the field and here at home. Past support is greatly appreciated. However, due to the economic situation in our country, sponsorships are not easy to obtain, and therefore I need to look at other forms of income.

Recently, I was reading about Daniel (in chapter 10). Daniel had had a bad dream and was very perturbed by it. For 21 days he fasted and prayed. Then the angel of the Lord came to him and said that the Prince of Persia (an evil spirit) had delayed him…. I could relate to this as although I pray earnestly, I do not receive the answer I need.

Family news:

Baby Eva Rose joined our family in August last year. I lovely little girl, who is very people conscious and smiles a lot. She is all eyes for big brother Cullen. I am blessed with these 2 little people in my life.

My daughter, Roelene is leaving the nest. She has been offered a teaching post in the Far East and leaves in a few weeks. This is quite an adventure and I send her with my blessing. I am looking forward to following her adventure via photos and social media.

Thank you for your prayers and support. May the Lord bless you all.

Ministry in Africa

For many years, I have assisted my Pastor and his wife, Johan and Alta Cronje, with admin work relating to their ministry. They have been called by the Lord to train pastors and church leaders in various countries in Africa, in association with EMIT.

Training is provided throughout Africa. A total of 37 subjects are taught, spreading of knowledge out into cities, town, villages and remote areas, to people who do not have the opportunity to receive formal training as church leaders.

To learn more about EMIT, please click on the link provided.

Widow Support

After 30 years of marriage, my husband Peter, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer and passed away 3 months later. Nothing could have prepared me for the emotional roller-coaster which lay ahead. I read some excellent books about grief, but none told me how to cope with the day-to-day walk along the pathway called Widowhood.

Many widows have no one to turn to who really understands. Each ones copes differently, behaves differently and reacts differently.

Parables and Pebbles is a collection of devotions through which I will provide support and guidance to Widows. The Parables are real stories. The Pebbles all the Widow to glean from the stories and apply what they need, without ever having to compare themselves with any one else. Their experience will become their own Parable.

Please follow these devotions at https://sparrowwidows.blogspot.com

Life Coaching for Widows

Suddenly, a widow finds herself alone. This is a new era, a new season, a new way of living.

As a life coach, I will assist you to find your feet and take steps along the pathway of widowhood.

This is not counselling as I wont be solving your problems for you. Neither it is mentoring, where I would be teaching you what to do. A life coach helps you, the client, to discover your dreams and how to achieve them. I will also guide you as to how to deal with challenges, so that you will be giving yourself the best advice that you need.

For more information and costs, please send an email with your name and contact details to sparrow@asab.co.za

Clerical Services

Clerical work is my forté and I am therefore thrilled at any opportunity to use my talents to assist in any ministry which is very close to my heart. Travelling costs form a large part of my expenses. I have a fully operation office at home, from which I also do tent-work to supplement my running costs. I offer general clerical services, including typing, PowerPoint presentations, and bookkeeping to trial balance on QuickBooks. Kindly consider my services should you require any form of clerical work to be done.

Sparrow Blessings

Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds? Matthew 6:26 One day, I enjoying a time of Holy Communion at a railway bridge in Namibia. As I was praying for family and friends, I would break a crumb from the bread and throw it onto the river bank. {This was symbolic for me but that is a story for another day.} A small sparrow flew down and started eating the crumbs. The Lord was providing food for the sparrow and reminding me that He is my Source and Provider.