2014 Looking Back Astounded
Friday, March 13, 2015It is amazing how quickly we forget what God has done for us. In simply thinking of 2014 few things come to mind. It actually seems at first that nothing has gotten accomplished. But as I examined last year's calendar preparing to throw it away I decided to jot down all the major happenings. The list came to over two pages of events. In order to bring our supporters a little bit more into our lives here in Germany I would like to share some of the list.
Highlights from 2014
Calendar
Evangelical Alliance Prayer week– Gave the Thursday night message
Weekly services preaching 8 times
Monthly Student Breakfast + devo (now turning to a weekly meeting)
God came through with provision
Biweekly meetings – Praise and Prayer Night, Women’s Bible
Study, Young Adult’s Group
Street Preaching (Z happened to see it and seemed positively
impressed) “I saw you on the bench Sunday.”
“huh?” “Yeah as you telling
people about Jesus, I wanted to stop and talk with you but I didn’t have time.”)
Open-Air Church Services (later heard of unexpected
listeners who opened the windows and listened over breakfast.)
Eva’s Funeral
Rachel’s Baptism
Visas Renewed
High School Bible Study Group begins and grows – One joins
Jesus invites his friends
Lots of meetings with those called “Jehovah’s Witnesses”
including eventually with the regional overseer – brought Matthias that time
(the regional overseer also didn’t seem able or willing to answer our questions
Gave testimony to several groups of mixed and Turkish youth
through the drug seeking “person of peace”
Played on the local basketball team – lots of good contacts,
witnessing opportunities
One young Basketballer commits life to Christ but shrinks
back under pressure, another draws nearer
Met with the Buchers – Awesome pastoral family of CC Cleveland
– they have 14 awesome kids
C. invites us to take a week off at her farm house, claims
to have been inwardly healed through some of our sermons
German test in Belgium: Test was delayed two hours = great
occasion for testimony
T’s Birthday and moving twice – opportunity to love and
serve
Pottlucks every month
Lots of volunteering in the Children’s service and Sunday
translation
Midweek and Sunday devotions
D’s Birthday and Piano night – great witnessing
opportunities
Early prayer meetings every Monday
Special Prayer for Persecuted Christians Nights
Christmas with Jacob, Vero, Hannah
Christmas outreach to refugee camp, one family is coming to
church through that outreach
Monthly Men’s and Women’s Meetings– new people have joined
through that fellowship
Visited Bennis Home Group
Frieda and Drews Engagement party – Message given to the
whole group (foxes and marriage, facades removed) Also sowed my Bibles that day
3 week Evangelism Course with Outreach
People freed from sins
Stocked the Church with English Bibles – influx of English
Speakers
Met with the Iranians and Bahram from NM
Spoke 6 times in Ohio on way to JPs wedding
Took German Course at VHS, learned and made good contacts
Lots of elders meetings and meeting with people in and
outside of the church
Reorganization of the sanctuary
Congregation size doubled
Two Conferences
More interest in CCLP and better reputation
Markos Kohl Music Workshop
Most encouraging were the words of a dear brother who said
“if you ever wonder why God sent you here just know it was for me:”
“But I didn’t do anything” I answered.
“You lived, that was enough.”
“But I didn’t do anything” I answered.
“You lived, that was enough.”
I stand wowed thanking God and I thank all of you for your support and for freeing us up to have done these things, many of which would have never happened without your support. Please keep praying especially for boldness for us and those here.
In the only name by which one may be saved,
Aaron Snyder
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