Canal Ministries - on the Inland Waterways

Andy & Sue Smith

The Lord opened the way for us to take early retirement. He also led the way for us to live on a narrowboat, with the purpose of sharing our faith in Jesus Christ with others, through actions as well as words, when appropriate. We named our boat ‘Spring Water’ for various reasons, but by far the most important was that it reminds of the indwelling Holy Spirit. In John 4:14, Jesus says to the Samaritan woman that the water He gives will become in the person ‘...a spring of water welling up to eternal life’. Indeed, when we put our faith in Jesus we are at that moment filled with the Holy Spirit, which is like a spring of water flowing through us and overflowing from us, keeping us close to Jesus and filling us with the knowledge of His presence in our lives.

Indeed, He has led us and guided us along life’s path, which has included living in the Far and Middle East; certainly we can say along with David from Psalm 139:9 that ‘…if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.’ He has held us fast to Him wherever we have lived.

We have a wonderful son who now lives in Leicestershire, is settled in his career and has a lovely wife and young family of his own. Praise the Lord! We have moved our boat near to Leicestershire, to be near them, which is a great joy.

Tragically and suddenly, on 16 January 2016, our precious daughter passed away from an epileptic seizure (SUDEP) at the age of 24. No words can adequately describe the pain and devastation we feel at her passing. We thank God that we have Jesus and His comforter, the Holy Spirit; and our friends in Canal Ministries, who have been a great comfort and support to us.

We are blessed to be part of a great team in Canal Ministries, where everyone cares for and loves one another with the love of Jesus Christ. Indeed, it is His love that compels us to want to share Him with others. To Him be all the glory. Amen.

Andy and Sue Smith

Canal Ministries - sharing God's Love on the Inland Waterways.