The Snyders in Germany

Ministry Updates

The High School Bible Study:

Aaron has been leading a weekly Bible study at the local high school,

and this week there were 16 people! 

Every week the kids seem

to be inviting new people to join in, stop by, 

and we are praying for a revival.
Even one of the teachers sat in!! 

 One young man has come to faith through the group,

and many more non-believers are starting to show up.

The students are making disciples, 

and some are also facing persecution,

one (not from our group) having had his Bibles taken away by his parents.

Pray for the students, for open hearts, for salvation, for perseverance under trial, 

and for God to continue this awesome work!

Class of 2015:
Please pray for the possibility that Aaron would
be able to preach at the graduating classes ceremony.
They hold a church service and the students
said they're asking if Aaron can be the Preacher.
As far as we've heard, things are seeming positive!
About 90-100 students attend usually with their parents! 

Youth Rally:

There is in the planning,
 a youth rally among some 4 churches in Lippstadt.

The details are still being sorted out, but please keep this in prayer

as we hope to connect the young believers throughout Lippstadt 

and also to reach the currently unreached through such an event.
It is scheduled to be held at the beginning of June.
And future events are also being planned!

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There are a few big prayer requests we have to share with you all,

many transitions will be coming our way in the next 6 months.

Please PRAY for our family, and for Gods will to be done.

Work:

The first transition we want to ask prayer for is regarding work.

We had the choice to commit for at least 2 more years here or give

a 6 month notice. We did not feel led to commit to another 2 years,

so our 6 month notice has been given and now we are praying for God

to show us what's up next! 

Pray for church here to transition on without us,

that the gaps would be filled and that unity would dwell among the believers.

Pray for the work to continue and for us to tie up all loose ends before going.

We are excited for what HE has in store for us

but really need your prayers for clear vision and guidance.

Location:

Because of the work situation,

 this coming fall we will be transitioning to a different and still unknown location.

We are ready to go to wherever God would say, we are just asking for clarity.

Pray for smooth transitions for us as we will be a family of 5 at that point.

 Moving is never an easy task, and it could be another cross continental move for all we know. 

We hope we can bring what we need to bring and easily and quickly

get rid of the things we cannot take with us. 

Family:

We will be welcoming another sweet BOY to our family come early summer (May/June)

We are so looking forward to meeting him.

Pray for continued good health for Amy and baby, 

and for a smooth delivery.

 Please pray that he transitions well into the family.

Pray that Peyton and Noah have an easy time with him joining our clan,

and that we can continue to grow in Christ's love together!

baby snyder number 2 is due in 2 weeks!
though this past week I've had at least two "here we go!" experiences..
unfortunately after having contractions at regular intervals for a few hours,
they eased up and no baby has come yet.
my last exam i was 2-3cm dilated and 50% effaced
my baby bulge is mostly below my belly button now,
so clearly he has swam south, or "dropped"

we are getting so excited to meet him;
this waiting thing is getting hard! 

the ultrasound this weekend projected his weight to be about 7.5lbs

he's head down, and healthy.

i've gained about 18lbs and am feeling very good in the final stretch.

peyton is doing well, pray for the transition from a family of 3-4 people.
we are so excited and know peyti's going to be a great big sister!!

the english service seems to be coming quickly into a new season

we are now moving to a home group setting due to decline in numbers.

there are some who drop by to visit every so often,

and then many regulars were only in lippstadt for a short while 

and have now left again to go back home.

others have work, school, prior commitments or relocation,

basically it's a transitional time for us.
we are praying to get some good contacts with the students at the university in town
once the fall semester begins.

please join us in prayer as we would love to meet and reach out to more young families.
we're the only couple with babies in the church,
there are 4 children who attend regularly but they're older.

aaron is playing basketball 2-3 weekly with the local team

and seems to really enjoy it.

he's been able to have real deep discussions with many of the guys on the team,

pray that God uses him as light and salt there. 

it's really amazing how God provides for all our needs and more

people we've never even met have given us:
money, baby clothes, toys, furniture, appliances etc.

considering we arrived with 4 suitcases to our name, 

its crazy to think we have a whole house full of stuff!

we are more than blessed.
we are beyond thankful.
and it is such a blessing to have
 the continued support and prayer from you as well.
we can't express enough thanks,
and we are excited to what the future holds.

for all of you wondering..
yes, a trip is being planned to visit this fall,
details are still being sorted out
as to whether both california and ohio will be visited,
but we will keep you all posted.
pray for good flights, seats, and prices

thanks for checking in,
stay tuned for the arrival of little mr. snyder!

Thanks: Good friends here and in the states, God's kindness and trustworthiness

Prayer: Language, visas, hearts, minds, hands and a whole lot of love

Rolf, Regina and many others are so happy for our arrival.  They said that they have been praying for helpers for 7 years!  It is so amazing that we can be called God's answer to prayer.  Thus far we moved in to Rolf's place and have journeyed downtown to see the church and the city.  We have already been registered, approved for health care and now have a German bank account.  All this is in thanks to God and to his servant Rolf, who has spent so many hours preparing, organizing and overseeing all of these things.  We are so thankful for him and hope that he will continue to have reasons to thank God on account of us and all those who are helping us!

The only snag thus far is with the visas.  The immigration officer is not satisfied with our bank account and wants to see more money in the account if he is to give us a visa to work at the church.  We have an appointment for next Friday to be reviewed.  I am concerned but I take courage in remembering what God has done for us in Christ Jesus.  If he has already done so much for us and if he really wants us here won't he make a way for us?  Indeed, he will provide a way even if its not as we think it should be.  Acts 16 is such a lesson in faithfulness to a call despite opposing circumstances and we have also such a beautiful promise in Isaiah 40:11:

 "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."

I pray that I can be like him and prosper under his care so that I can learn to do the same for others.  Please join me in lifting up Lippstadt through prayer and service so that there might be a great reward to be shared among us all to the ever increasing glory of God.  Amen. 

I thank God for you all,

Aaron