CRUSHED GRAPES MINISTRY |
Frank B. Smith, Director, PO Box 3009, Vista, CA. 92085-3009 |
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May 27, 2003 Dear friends and family, God bless you and keep you and use you mightily in His Kingdom. I apologize for not keeping these letters up to date, but things have happened and changed so fast that I can't keep up, and then when opportunity comes to write, it changes again. The purchase of the house has finally happened, but the closing took place at a Mail Center in Dana Point California where Betty and I signed the papers in front of a notary on May 8. On April 11, I was at the escrow office in Omaha for the closing. The lender of the second had filed his lien a week before because he was told the escrow had closed. Things went topsy turvey; people scrambled to get releases, agreements, subordinations, etc. After an hour the lenders agreed to close, and I signed all the papers; Betty had already signed them in California. Because it supposedly closed, I left town with my friend Bob Garrett who was driving to Scottsdale. I could ride with him and make stops in Littleton and Albuquerque. We had a great trip. I flew to California on April 16th to be there in time to be with Betty for our 50th Wedding Anniversary and Sarah's birthday. Upon arriving the folks in Omaha called and said the house had not closed. The time in California was wonderful with lots of family and ministry; baptisms, wedding, my 70th Birthday Party and wonderful time with Betty every Saturday and Sunday walking the Beach or the Harbor and talking issues that we never faced in fifty years. I don't understand how God sending me to Omaha could help in the reconciliation that is taking place, but it certainly has. I returned to Omaha May 12. On Tuesday May 13 Robert McMurray from Hollywood and Brand Bowler from Phoenix arrived late morning. We had a great time with Chris who had been holding down the fort and discipling several neighbors. God came and we washed feet and loved on one another. At 4:30 PM, our neighbors Jason and Alicia were baptized in the tank in the basement (a kiddy swimming pool). Billy, Alicia's live-in boyfriend and "wanna be husband" did not respond. They wanted me to marry them on Thursday. They have lived together for 5 years as husband and wife. Billy is 27 and Alicia is 21. I was pleading with them to wait. Billy went to Vanessa Ward's service on Wednesday night, surrendered to Jesus and we baptized him at 9:00 PM. The Lord spoke clearly to me and to Vanessa that I could now marry them. Thursday was the wedding at 2:30 at Vanessa's storefront fellowship hall. The morning was spent getting suits, dresses, cake, and all the stuff. Vanessa prepared the hall, Robert sang, Chris gave her away, Brand was the photographer, and I performed the ceremony. The pace of ministry has slowed from the frantic pace of those days, but it goes on constantly. Another "surprise" 70th Birthday Party was held here at the house on Saturday, with neighbors and a beautiful but strange assortment of Omaha's finest servants. I chipped a tooth while in California, made an appointment with my regular dentist, but had to cancel. Back here in Omaha I prayed about the tooth and God brought to remembrance a dentist whom I had ministered with some time ago. This was all a big set-up from God. Because of this encounter we are facilitating a weekly Saturday morning prayer time for the Church of Omaha at a downtown park next to the Old Market, began prayer walking the Old Market, studied some of the recent activities of the kingdom of darkness in Omaha, and have written a brief article on Free Masons and their qualifications, or lack thereof, to hold public office. This will most likely cause a stir. My prayer request from you is the same I pray for you. "Lord, Jesus, let these beloved servants of Yours, hear Your voice clearly and follow Your directions specifically. Don't let them get swept up in good things and miss the best. Guard them from the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod; the trap of religion that is not visiting widows and orphans in their needs, and the misguided attempts to make political solutions for spiritual problems. May their consuming desire be to love You more, and look for ward with joyful anticipation to hearing, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, enter in to the joy of your Lord.'" God bless you. I love you, Frank  Ps: Hungersite.com is an advertising website that feeds the hungry. Every “hit” sends a meal to a hungry person in a third world country. Check it out and if you feel it’s worthwhile, put it on your favorite sites. It is an easy and convenient way to help the hungry and a good reminder to pray. |