David Smethurst, Author at Smethurst Ministries

6 04, 2021

Looming Crisis in Ukraine

David Smethurst2021-04-06T16:31:41+10:00April 6th, 2021|

You may have noticed on the news lately that Russia is openly aiding the Russian Rebel Army in Eastern Ukraine, whereas in the past Russia said that it was not involved. You may remember some years ago I was conducting seminars for the military in Latvia and Ukraine, and many of the Ukrainian soldiers committed their lives to Jesus. Their morale was boosted, and they began to drive the Russian Rebel Army back almost out of the eastern province of Donetsk. This rebel army has been contained in the south-eastern corner of the Donetsk province – a long way from [...]

24 02, 2021

Rescue Mission No. 4 in the Odessa Province January 2021

David Smethurst2021-02-24T10:10:15+11:00February 24th, 2021|

We’ve started the Rescue Missions for the fourth time to help the Displaced Orphans and Destitute Families again, as well as reach more unreached people. The youngsters at the House of Hope have been preparing hundreds more Survival Packs with another 2,000 kgs of food supplies, hygiene products and basic medicines. We want you to know that the needy people of the Odessa Province are being greatly helped by your kind support. Over the last two weeks, the orphans, homeless kids, and destitute families in a further 5 outlying villages have been visited by our local teams, and [...]

1 10, 2020

Odessa Orphans Rescue – Back to School

David Smethurst2020-12-28T15:59:51+11:00October 1st, 2020|

Our Motivation ~ Deuteronomy 24:19“When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the poor, the orphan, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”Deuteronomy 24:19 has an instruction from God that is followed by a blessing. You have been such a blessing to many hundreds of needy orphans, homeless children and destitute people in the Odessa province over the past 6 months. During this time of worldwide crisis, the temptation is to preserve ourselves at [...]

15 09, 2020

Start of the Poor Children’s New School Year in Odessa Ukraine

David Smethurst2020-10-10T16:03:32+11:00September 15th, 2020|

We trust you are well and enjoying God’s blessings and protection, at this time. We want to bring you up to date with special news about the Orphans and Destitute Children we support in Ukraine. With your wonderful help over the last few months we have been able to help the Orphans in Odessa survive a horrendous ordeal. Now starts the rebuilding process in these poor youngster’s lives. Just recently we were asked by the Child Protection Services in Odessa, to provide school requisites for 200 very poor children from destitute families, for when the schools reopen in September. The [...]

23 05, 2020

House of Hope Building work continues during the Odessa Rescue Mission

David Smethurst2020-07-13T08:00:09+10:00May 23rd, 2020|

We’ve been sending spare funds to for the construction work on the House of Hope. In between the Rescue Missions every day, Valera, our strong-man and builder, and the older boys, have progressed wonderfully on meagre funds to get as far as the roof construction and pouring concrete (pumped up from the concrete mixer truck on the road) to seal the top and get ready for the roof trusses and tiles. Then we need to get the plumbing, lighting, and fittings in the rooms and bathrooms all completed – to accommodate more children who [...]

23 05, 2020

Thank you….

David Smethurst2020-06-27T09:35:35+10:00May 23rd, 2020|

Thank you... ...... all for your wonderful gifts and prayers for the Orphans and Homeless Children in Odessa at this critical time. You are such a blessing to hundreds of needy children and derelict families in their need. God bless you immensely. In 28 years of supporting Orphans in Eastern Europe I’ve never seen the level of gratitude that the orphans and homeless kids of Ukraine are showing. With a gift like yours, these orphans are realising that God notices them in their dire need – it’s a beautiful revelation to them. Giggling kids [...]

22 05, 2020

Homeless Kids Soccer Team & New Opportunity

David Smethurst2020-06-27T09:35:48+10:00May 22nd, 2020|

Odessa Homeless Kids Soccer Club In April 2017, Sasha, my Russian manager, and I were in Kiev doing outreach seminars to the Rugby Chaplains and the Ivan Bogun Military Academy for teenage orphans of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Then we went to Odessa to do some Evangelism Equipping seminars in a small local church. At that time Peter E....., our Ukrainian manager, took me to meet the Homeless Kids Soccer Team who were working out at the Odessa Soccer Academy. I kicked a ball around with them for a while, gave them some some “ancient” soccer tips from my youth, [...]

19 05, 2020

Update from Odessa, Ukraine

David Smethurst2020-07-13T11:20:07+10:00May 19th, 2020|

In mid-March we were very busy supplying the orphanages and the children’s hospitals which we support in Eastern Europe, with supplies of medicines and hygiene products – The Brain-Damaged Baby Orphanage The Children’s Cancer Hospital in Odessa The Teenage Boys Prison and trying to get the Extensions finished at the House of Hope That was taking a lot of effort and finance, when we were suddenly confronted with one the most critical needs we’ve ever encountered. We were informed by our manager, Peter, and team in Odessa that the authorities had dismissed all the orphans from five orphanage [...]

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