Africa. The word conjures many images. Breathtaking vistas, exotic animals, famine, war. For Kim and me, Africa has come to mean people precious to our Heavenly Father, who desperately need Christ’s love. We hope that Africa will also come to mean "home." After years of prayer and preparation, we have finally found a field (Africa) and an organization (Africa Inland Mission, or AIM) through which the Lord can send us as medical missionaries. Specifically, we will be going to Kijabe (pronounced "key-job-ee") Medical Center, a 200-bed teaching hospital in central Kenya (East Africa).

When will we be going? January 1999, Lord willing.

What will we be doing? After living with a Kenyan family for 5-6 months to learn the language and culture, we will begin caring for Kenyan patients and helping to train Christian Kenyan physicians. Spiritual ministry will accompany medical care.

How long are we planning to stay? We have signed on as full-term missionaries, which means at least one 4-year term. We anticipate a career commitment.

What is Africa Inland Mission? AIM is an international, interdenominational organization which has been working in Africa for over 100 years "to plant maturing churches of the Lord Jesus Christ through the evangelization of unreached people groups and the effective preparation of church leaders." Our role will be evangelization through medical ministry and discipling of Kenyan physicians to become Christian leaders.

What will we be doing until we leave? From September to December 1998 we will be studying tropical medicine at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in England. This additional training will help us to better serve the people to whom God has called us.  

I wish there were space and time to share with you all that God has done in the last months to confirm His direction for us. Suffice it to say that we both have a strong sense that "the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord" is on us, and we are excited about taking this next step of faith. The Lord has graciously supplied our monthly financial needs through the generous gifts of our supporting churches and many other friends. Any additional contributions to our ministry will be used for special projects and ministry supplies.

Most of all we value your ongoing prayers for us and for God’s purposes to be accomplished through us. Thank you for sharing with us in His work.

In Christ,

Nate and Kim Smith

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