Philip Smethurst's Blog
Philip Smethurst's Blog
The Old Lozi Man’s Plea
I knew his life was hard. Living your entire existence in a village on the Zambezi Barotse flood plains you have to deal with countless hardships -- wild animals and yearly flooding among others. He depended upon this river his whole life. Even with its dangers, it is his main source for food and transportation. Trips to the hospital for the weak and sick are risky with miles of hippo filled river to navigate in a small shaky canoe....read more
March 13, 2009 |War Zones Create the Beloved Unreached
Thatch roofs were the only visible structures above the ground. The villagers buried the rest of the huts in the ground to protect their families from the constant bombings that came with the 13 year war....read more
March 13, 2009 |The Condemnation that brought death to his soul
I wasn't there yet but Adam Beam later told me, "Everyone smelled when I first got to Africa." That was his first memory of the moment when he arrived at the place that would be his home for the next four months......read more
December 31, 2008 |December Newsletter
The last time I was in the jungles of Southeast Angola was 21 years ago. I wasn't there on vacation or for ministry; I had been drafted into the South African military....read more
October 31, 2008 |November Newsletter
Keith Green said, "This generation of believers is responsible for this generation of souls upon the earth." Here at Overland, we take that statement very seriously and we are developing systems to ensure we do that. ...read more
August 31, 2008 |September Newsletter
In many ways, the last few months have been significant for Overland Missions. Just over a month ago, I celebrated my 20th year in the ministry along with my 40th birthday. Two decades ago, I began the journey that would take me from a humble beginning in South Africa, to ministering in 60 countries and hundreds of cities....read more
July 31, 2008 |August Newsletter
This summer I had the pleasure of watching the transformation of the Advanced Mission Training students during the three-month course. I saw the students arrive at Rapid 14 nervous and unsure of their surroundings and then transition into fully equipped missionaries ready to take on any challenge....read more
April 30, 2008 |May Newsletter
I believe living the Christian life is the most adventurous lifestyle in the world. Sometimes I become so excited about the things of God, optimism overcomes me and it does not matter what obstacles stand in the way, I know I am an overcomer....read more
February 29, 2008 |March Newsletter
Never before have we been able to see so clearly. We have always known that there were villages just beyond our reach that desperately needed the gospel....read more
December 31, 2007 |January Newsletter
The early church began on the day of Pentecost when a group of empowered young people believed that Christ was in them and that they could do anything....read more
