Mir'a'cle: extraordinary event taken as a sign of divine intervention in human affairs. Webster's Compoct Dictionary, 1995
Inspiration can strike ot any moment. I was grocery shopping in Kroger when I realized that I was singing along with the music playing overhead, "All I need is a miracle...." Those simple lyrics summarized in a few words the hopes and expectations we bring to each new day as we depend on God ...
- to renew our family over furlough,
- to watch over Rebekah as she attends her freshman year of high school in Nairobi,
- to provide for the health needs of our teammates in Kenya in Suzie's absence,
- to empower our Maasai brothers and sisters leading the church while facing the impact of AIDS, and
- to provide resources for some important field projects.
Quite a list, eh? Sometimes our shoulders sag under the weight of these concerns until God intervenes and meets these needs, reminding us that these burdens are not ours to bear. Anyone wanting our current prayer list, there you go. These are both petitions and praises as they reflect the concerns of our hearts and areas where we see God intervening as only a loving heavenly Father would.
There's a second definition Webster provides for the word "miracle." It is the sing e word marvel. In the remainder of this newsletter, I'd like fo share with you some of the marvels we have experienced since we last wrote to you.
May was the month that nearly put us under. I think it is fair to say that we needed a miracle or two. The girls were completing their final weeks of the school year. Suzie and I were completing our quarter as eighth grade Health teachers at Rosslyn Academy. I was working furiously to make sure as many projects as possible were completed at our CMF Nairobi Office where I was winding down two years of service to our team as Field Business Administrator. Team medical needs continued as colleague Judy Woods was diagnosed with an impending retinal detachment requiring immediate medical evacuation to London for surgery.
We marvel at the way God provided opportunities for Lauren to have closure as she said goodbye to friends she would not see for a year. Two families graciously offered to host Rebekah so that she could have the desire of her heart to attend her freshman year of high school in Nairobi. Judy Woods returned from furlough in the US one day and was on a plane to London that night for emergency eye surgery, which successfully preserved her eyesight. Our Maasai friend, colleague, and clinic administrator, John Sankok, has very ably continued to work through the steps of partnering with the CDC so that antiretroviral medications will become available to AIDS victims through our clinics.
Summer furlough visits provided great times with family and friends as we traveled throughout south Texas, the Midwest, and the Northwest. In the course of 10 weeks, we were able to report too many of our churches, but we still have some to connect with before our return to Kenya in July 2005. We saw many friends at the North American Christian Convention in Phoenix, and were thoroughly ministered to at a CMF Furlough Retreat in Indianapolis. We were blessed to participate in Winema Week of Missions on the Oregon coast, a first for us. What an incredible week of camp! Over 900 people registered for this family camp. We were one of five missionary families invited to share our work, and nearly $25,000 was raised to divide among the five missions, who presented their ministries.
Again, we marvel at how God provided for us in ways only He could. While in Phoenix, our dear friend Pamela Penn organized a gathering of church friends for a reception. This was a special time for Suzie and the rest of us to celebrate the life (and face the passing) of Suzie's Uncle Charles. Then, in Vancouver, Rebekah and her Grandfather Ross worked together on a piano/violin duet they performed for our family. It was encouraging to see Suzie's dad reach this milestone in recovery from health problems earlier in the year.
Fall is a time we look forward to on furlough! After a summer of travel, it means unpacking the suitcases and settling down for the school year. Rebekah returned to Kenya with CMF teammates to start her first year of high school in familiar surroundings (and. Lord willing, enable her to attend all four years at one school).
We marvel at the way our Lord provided for our housing through Woodmont Baptist Church in Nashville- They invited us to stay once again in a missionary residence on their church compound. Drs. Bob and Jenice Longfield, friends from San Antonio, provided us with a reliable furlough vehicle. Lauren was welcomed back at David Lipscomb Campus School where she is excelling in the fifth grade, and has even started saxophone lessons!
Suzie was asked to join the medical staff of Siloam Clinic, filling in for six months while one of their physicians is on sabbatical. Siloam is a mission clinic providing for the poor and uninsured in Nashville. This is really an answer to prayer as Suzie gets reacquainted with American medicine in preparation for her pediatric recertification in the spring.
Me? Well, Suzie says I am the glue that holds our family together in this season. I organize our church reporting schedule, take core of our family (now there's a category that could fill a page), and continue to work toward a Doctor of Ministry degree at Emmanuel School of Religion in East Tennessee.
Suzie and I received quite an honor this October at Milligan College's Homecoming Weekend. We Don Jeanes presented us with Milligan's Distinguished Alumni Award. were presented the Distinguished Alumni Award, described by President Don Jeanes as the highest alumni award given by the college. What an evening of affirmation that was! Friends surprised us by attending the event, traveling from as far as Georgia, Ohio, and Michigan!
That should bring you up-to-date with our family. It is not my intention to use the word miracle lightly. I think you will agree after reading our story that we only keep going by the grace of God ... just like you and your family. Sometimes as missionaries we get elevated to a place we do not belong. But, we are keenly aware that we are ordinary people called to extraordinary service by the One who equips us to meet the challenges He puts before us.
One more bit of morvel-ous news. You know that day I was singing In Kroger? I have to confess that it was preceded by some weeks of worry. Kenya Immigration recently decided that work permit renewals would require "re-fingerprinting." No fingerprints, no permit renewal. No work permit, no reentry permit for Rebekah to return to school in January. Ouch. Then, I received an email from a dear brother in Ken/a. Our hard-working Nairobi Office Manager, Sammy Loltwalan, wrote with the amazing news that Immigration decided to waive the fingerprint requirement after hearing our family's situation. Our work permit is renewed, the required stamps are in our passports, and Rebekah is good to go for her second semester. At Milligan, we received very encouraging affirmation of our life's direction from our friends. But, to receive favor like this from Kenyan Immigration is an extraordinary event we can only attribute to Divine intervention. These are the kind of experiences that keep us going back for another term.
- Suzie's father. Bob Ross, is recovering from a stroke in Vancouver, Washington, following heart surgery at the end of October.
- Our CMF-Maasai clinics are in need of resources and funding. The day-to-day operation of our clinics is largely self-sufficient. However, during this furlough we must raise funds for larger items such as vehicles and vehicle repairs, nursing school sponsorships, and several buildings. We ask you to pray for us as we challenge individuals, families, churches, Sunday school classes, and clubs to help with this funding.
I'll admit that I am completely daunted by the task of raising this large amount of money. However, some friends recently helped me out. They reminded me that I am not asking this for myself. Rather, we are making these requests on behalf of the Maasai communities we are called to serve. So, to all of you who have said to us over the years "Let us know if you need anything" ... please get in touch with us or use the coupon below.
When I consider the many ways God has provided in the past and present, it becomes easier to trust Him to meet future needs. Ail we need is another miracle.
Thank you for your prayers and generous support of our family and ministry in Kenya for the past 13 years (as of January 7)!
May God bless you and your family this Christmas and throughout the New Year,
Dave for Suzie, Rebekah and Lauren Snyder
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