There I was, the only muzungu (white man) for miles standing before a congregation of over 800 Kenyan church members. I was about to preach to them a message that I was actually unenthusiastic about for the audience I had. I was speaking about healthy living and the guidelines we find in the Bible and I was confident that they already knew the message well. I prayed that God would help me in the moments before the talk. I needed inspiration and fresh insight to get beyond the rules that nobodies excited about, past the stereotypical apologetic sermon, to share a message of God's love revealed in His Word and experienced in my life.
All I want to say is that somehow God provided. He made the topic come alive as Satan's counterfeits were exposed and God's unmatched blessings were revealed. The way to an abundantly healthy life became clear: commit yourself ad submit yourself to following God's Word. Science is has finally understood why it is unhealthy to eat pork, thousands of years after God commanded us not to eat it. There's probably a reson I grew up hearing of people getting sick because of eating crab meat, oysters and so on. God told us to drop it in his Word before we were born. It's clear to me that soany are suffering because they don't know the truths of God's Word.
The Word is an amazing gift that needs to be shared and studied. It needs to be spread wide. We need to dig deeper. We need to pray big prayers in accordance with the Bible and expect answers that will shock our confused minds into a new reality. If we trust in God, He will show up, he will do miracles. I believe it.
May God forgive me for the years I've only dabbled in His Word, in prayer and in applying it to my life. I want to live for Him now and to trust His Word that is filled with thoughts far superior to my own.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow that He could inspire someone like me to preach with power. All scripture is so useful and He is glorified in it. May we move from skeptical scoffers to faithful witnesses. God bless Kenya, God bless Africa, God save the people o this world from the deep deception of Satan into the freedom of God's own truth.
-Nick
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Our Anniversary!
It was a special day for my wife and I. It was our 730th day of marriage (also known as a two year anniversary). It's almost like it was a holy day for our relationship where we pulled away from the rest of the group a tad to focus more on each other. We had some sweet moments at lunch time at a table for two by the pool. A couple of members of the team even served us the samosas (probably the best I've ever had) without us asking them. We have an amazing team.
Sadly we lost a dear member of our team today as Rob Lloyd, our Share Him day block manager from Hawaii, left us in Eldoret to rejoin his church group in Chuka where they are finishing up their campaign. Before he left God used him to bless us with a very thought provoking worship called the "buts of the new testament." It was about how we as Christians shouldn't have an "if only" mentality that looks back on our lives with regret, rather we should have a "but now" mentality that is filled with hope for every new day. He also helped us to cut down four sermons that are coming up so they wouldn't be so long or confusing. He worked on these from four o'clock in the morning. He is a great example of a servant leader. We took pictures and had some closing thoughts and hugs and sent him down the bumpy road to Nairobi.
As far as preaching and preparations go it was an interesting day too. We needed to get two sermons ready so we could travel to Kisumu the next day for a safari and still be ready to preach after a long day of fun, sun and travel.
The sermon prepared for the first night was called, "Your Day in Court." This was the first sermon I've ever preached where a person came down to the front during the sermon and started yelling and raising their hands. My site is in a cool location because it is right out in the open air in a field next to a small town with lots of shops which enables anyone in the area to hear the message and see the presentation because of our loud speakers and our big screen where we show a movie about Jesus before the presentation and a slideshow during the sermon. The hope is that many will hear the message and be drawn in and that seems to be exactly what happened with this man. When the yelling man first came and all throughout the sermon and the appeal I didn't know if he was filled with a spirit because he was raising his hands and speaking a language I didn't know or what. But I found out as he and many others came down for the appeal that he was filled with a different kind of spirits. He was drunk and yelling "I repent" in the local language.
Pastor Maiyo, who is also my translator helped me to take a picture of the man and informed me that he believed this man would soon be in the church because he had seen many others come that same way.
Praise God that Jesus covers us in the judgment and doesn't reward us according to our mistakes, but now he claims us as His own when we respond to his invitation for forgiveness. May we renew our commitment to our Lord and savior now and pray that many more will come to Jesus through these campaigns in Kenya and around the world.
Nick Snell
Sadly we lost a dear member of our team today as Rob Lloyd, our Share Him day block manager from Hawaii, left us in Eldoret to rejoin his church group in Chuka where they are finishing up their campaign. Before he left God used him to bless us with a very thought provoking worship called the "buts of the new testament." It was about how we as Christians shouldn't have an "if only" mentality that looks back on our lives with regret, rather we should have a "but now" mentality that is filled with hope for every new day. He also helped us to cut down four sermons that are coming up so they wouldn't be so long or confusing. He worked on these from four o'clock in the morning. He is a great example of a servant leader. We took pictures and had some closing thoughts and hugs and sent him down the bumpy road to Nairobi.
As far as preaching and preparations go it was an interesting day too. We needed to get two sermons ready so we could travel to Kisumu the next day for a safari and still be ready to preach after a long day of fun, sun and travel.
The sermon prepared for the first night was called, "Your Day in Court." This was the first sermon I've ever preached where a person came down to the front during the sermon and started yelling and raising their hands. My site is in a cool location because it is right out in the open air in a field next to a small town with lots of shops which enables anyone in the area to hear the message and see the presentation because of our loud speakers and our big screen where we show a movie about Jesus before the presentation and a slideshow during the sermon. The hope is that many will hear the message and be drawn in and that seems to be exactly what happened with this man. When the yelling man first came and all throughout the sermon and the appeal I didn't know if he was filled with a spirit because he was raising his hands and speaking a language I didn't know or what. But I found out as he and many others came down for the appeal that he was filled with a different kind of spirits. He was drunk and yelling "I repent" in the local language.
Pastor Maiyo, who is also my translator helped me to take a picture of the man and informed me that he believed this man would soon be in the church because he had seen many others come that same way.
Praise God that Jesus covers us in the judgment and doesn't reward us according to our mistakes, but now he claims us as His own when we respond to his invitation for forgiveness. May we renew our commitment to our Lord and savior now and pray that many more will come to Jesus through these campaigns in Kenya and around the world.
Nick Snell
Monday, August 8, 2011
Thoughts from Kenya!
Greetings from Kenya!
What a journey this has been. Since our last post Deanne and I have moved to Philadelphia where we have been constantly on the move. We worked in a literature evangelism ministry with about 30 others and God blessed us with great success and many stories and miracles.
Now nine of us from the summer program we did have flown to Kenya and are preaching to the locals of Eldoret.There are actually many Seventh-day Adventist Christians here that seem to be much more excited about the gospel than the people I commonly meet in the good ol' USA. These people are inspiring!
Being here and prepping sermon has actually allowed me more free time and internet access than the busy, busy summer program permitted. It's amazing how when you really do put God first some of the other things just fall away. It was interesting to talk to one of my group members here today. He ended his Facebook account because he wasted too much time on there looking at many, many pictures and so on. I told him that didn't think Facebook was bad but pointed out that our priorities determine how much time we spend doing what.
Working in ministry full time with many others who are extremely committed has been a great blessing to me and has added so much quality to mine and Deanne's lives. We get to celebrate our two year anniversary in Kenya! God is so good and I'm looking forward to going on many more adventures with Him.
I pray that all who come across this post will seek God first and see Him add amazing gifts and goodness to your life! I'm not financially rich as some of the locals wish I was but I have all I need in Jesus. Amen!
Nick
What a journey this has been. Since our last post Deanne and I have moved to Philadelphia where we have been constantly on the move. We worked in a literature evangelism ministry with about 30 others and God blessed us with great success and many stories and miracles.
Now nine of us from the summer program we did have flown to Kenya and are preaching to the locals of Eldoret.There are actually many Seventh-day Adventist Christians here that seem to be much more excited about the gospel than the people I commonly meet in the good ol' USA. These people are inspiring!
Being here and prepping sermon has actually allowed me more free time and internet access than the busy, busy summer program permitted. It's amazing how when you really do put God first some of the other things just fall away. It was interesting to talk to one of my group members here today. He ended his Facebook account because he wasted too much time on there looking at many, many pictures and so on. I told him that didn't think Facebook was bad but pointed out that our priorities determine how much time we spend doing what.
Working in ministry full time with many others who are extremely committed has been a great blessing to me and has added so much quality to mine and Deanne's lives. We get to celebrate our two year anniversary in Kenya! God is so good and I'm looking forward to going on many more adventures with Him.
I pray that all who come across this post will seek God first and see Him add amazing gifts and goodness to your life! I'm not financially rich as some of the locals wish I was but I have all I need in Jesus. Amen!
Nick
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Our Trip to Holland Michigan
Recently Michigan has been trying to promote tourism in the state to boost the economy with the slogan "Pure Michigan" and I've gotta say that growing up here I love this place. We live near lake Michigan, we've got the seasons and their colors and today I found one more thing to love about this state in Holland.
We’ve been talking about going for a while now and since it’s now tulip season, we’re moving to Philly on Monday and today was date day it was a prime opportunity.
On the way we stopped at a little pond about a minute from our house to check out some geese and their goslings.
Centennial Park.
An interesting fountain.
Cool texture! I think they were called Swan’s Wings.
Trying to be artistic:)
Dancers in wooden clogs...I think they wore like five pairs of socks.
A quick lesson from Ben.
This was like my third shot of Deanne in her elegant squatting position because I eventually decided I wanted to include the yellow hydrant.
My dad liked the toilets in the background.
This is art!
Tourist shops on Windmill Island.
Nice clogs!
Cool Tree.
Just a cool picture
The Windmill! Over 100 years old, hid Jews in WWII, shipped to Holland MI, the only one like in the U.S.
On top of the mill.
My favorite spot of the day!
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
-Psalm 50:2
I hope your day is filled with beauty!
We’ve been talking about going for a while now and since it’s now tulip season, we’re moving to Philly on Monday and today was date day it was a prime opportunity.
On the way we stopped at a little pond about a minute from our house to check out some geese and their goslings.
Centennial Park.
An interesting fountain.
Cool texture! I think they were called Swan’s Wings.
Trying to be artistic:)
Dancers in wooden clogs...I think they wore like five pairs of socks.
A quick lesson from Ben.
This was like my third shot of Deanne in her elegant squatting position because I eventually decided I wanted to include the yellow hydrant.
My dad liked the toilets in the background.
This is art!
Tourist shops on Windmill Island.
Nice clogs!
Cool Tree.
Just a cool picture
The Windmill! Over 100 years old, hid Jews in WWII, shipped to Holland MI, the only one like in the U.S.
On top of the mill.
My favorite spot of the day!
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
-Psalm 50:2
I hope your day is filled with beauty!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Way cool clips
It's been way to long since I've written on here. Life has been filled with so many good things it's been hard to pull away and write and I actually won't do it now but I wanted to share two awesome but very different YouTube clips. Enjoy and God bless.
I want to be part of this:
It's amazing what our bodies can do:
What will life be like in that perfect world when God makes all things new?
God bless
Nick
I want to be part of this:
It's amazing what our bodies can do:
What will life be like in that perfect world when God makes all things new?
God bless
Nick
Monday, February 21, 2011
Our Movie Surprise!
I bet you never thought we would be the lead actors in a full length movie. Neither did we. But for some reason playing actor and actress was our summer job last year. The title is Time Collectors: The Return of the Giants. It’s supposed to be released on February 27th which is this coming Sunday. There’s a cheaper pre-order price if you want to save some money. Regardless of if you buy it or not enjoy this trailer for the flick.
May the God who’s ways are higher than ours bless and lead you,
Nick and Deanne
May the God who’s ways are higher than ours bless and lead you,
Nick and Deanne
Time Collectors [2010] - Official Trailer from Son Films on Vimeo.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Japanese Campmeeting: One Sentence Testimonies
Yesterday marked the beginning of the Seventh-day Adventist Japanese campmeeting here in Loma Linda CA. Campmeeting is basically an SDA name for revival meetings where people would traditionally come out to huge tents to hear inspirational speakers, bring friends and reunite with old friends they hadn’t seen in a while. It was very outreach oriented. The tradition dates back to the early-mid 1800’s, born out of the Second Great Awakening. These days many Adventists still go out and camp on location usually from one weekend through the next. They attend workshops and prayer groups and inspirational meetings and share food together. At least that’s what I’ve experienced with the campmeeting I’ve attended for the last four years in Auburn Washington. But things have definitely changed since the good ol’ days.
The Japanese campmeeting only lasted from yesterday (Friday) until this evening (Saturday night) because people want the meetings but don’t want to use their vacation time. Most of the people from out of the area just drove up for the Saturday meetings because hotels are expensive and there’s not much camping in the city.
I was privileged with the role of leading worship music for the youth with a youth band that had its debut last night and changed members by the next meeting. I also got to lead out in Sabbath School (which is like Sunday school but on Saturday...our Sabbath) in which we had a Bible study on the Parable of the Sower from Mark 4.
One of the high points of our time together was an ice breaker during church that we set up like speed-dating...kind of. The intent was not to play match maker, though some sparks may have flown, but rather to help the youth who came from different churches to connect with each other. The theme for the campmeeting and our little game was witnessing. So the outreach mentality has lived on in a different form. There were many different stations, some were more fun centered and some were intended to encourage more deep thinking. Pictures were drawn, popcorn was thrown, some of it was caught by gaping mouths, puzzles were solved, story’s were written and people got prayed for. But the station I wanted to share simply asked: How would you write your testimony in one sentence? Write it down. These are some of the responses:
I came to Christ, becoming a Christian at 3rd grade sunday school
I was raised a Christian my whole life but when I became older my faith deepened and strengthened over time.
Jesus loves us very much!!!
I have been a 7th-day Adventist since I was little, but ever so recently I found out how much Jesus really loves me.
I still don’t have one...
I don’t know what that means...hehe...
Jesus loves us. Very much also.
Anywhere you go, God is with you. So trust in Him and believe!
To believe in God without any doubt.
God has found me and loves me.
I was born in a Christian home and it’s shaped who I am.
I was born a seventh-day Adventist, became more spiritual in 8th grade, and I’m continuing my walk with Jesus.
I was able to go to bible camp and see how weak I was and how much I need Him.
To trust God and not myself.
I was born into an Adventist home, and home-schooled. I continue to trust God, and try to draw closer to Him.
God does great things when you need it most and when you expect it least.
To build on my character and on my relationship on God
To talk to God as often as I can so I may have a closer relationship with Him.
After going to a public school I have come to appreciate my church and Christian friends so much more.
I was born into a Christian family and didn’t really come to know God until just this year at school!
I am kinda like a ball. I keep bouncing away from and toward Jesus. Hopefully I stay close one day.
To love God without hesitation or doubts
A good time was had by all and hopefully all were inspired, changed and will go out to share their experience with Jesus with their whole lives.
Blessings,
Nick
P.S. This was our theme song:)
The Japanese campmeeting only lasted from yesterday (Friday) until this evening (Saturday night) because people want the meetings but don’t want to use their vacation time. Most of the people from out of the area just drove up for the Saturday meetings because hotels are expensive and there’s not much camping in the city.
I was privileged with the role of leading worship music for the youth with a youth band that had its debut last night and changed members by the next meeting. I also got to lead out in Sabbath School (which is like Sunday school but on Saturday...our Sabbath) in which we had a Bible study on the Parable of the Sower from Mark 4.
One of the high points of our time together was an ice breaker during church that we set up like speed-dating...kind of. The intent was not to play match maker, though some sparks may have flown, but rather to help the youth who came from different churches to connect with each other. The theme for the campmeeting and our little game was witnessing. So the outreach mentality has lived on in a different form. There were many different stations, some were more fun centered and some were intended to encourage more deep thinking. Pictures were drawn, popcorn was thrown, some of it was caught by gaping mouths, puzzles were solved, story’s were written and people got prayed for. But the station I wanted to share simply asked: How would you write your testimony in one sentence? Write it down. These are some of the responses:
I came to Christ, becoming a Christian at 3rd grade sunday school
I was raised a Christian my whole life but when I became older my faith deepened and strengthened over time.
Jesus loves us very much!!!
I have been a 7th-day Adventist since I was little, but ever so recently I found out how much Jesus really loves me.
I still don’t have one...
I don’t know what that means...hehe...
Jesus loves us. Very much also.
Anywhere you go, God is with you. So trust in Him and believe!
To believe in God without any doubt.
God has found me and loves me.
I was born in a Christian home and it’s shaped who I am.
I was born a seventh-day Adventist, became more spiritual in 8th grade, and I’m continuing my walk with Jesus.
I was able to go to bible camp and see how weak I was and how much I need Him.
To trust God and not myself.
I was born into an Adventist home, and home-schooled. I continue to trust God, and try to draw closer to Him.
God does great things when you need it most and when you expect it least.
To build on my character and on my relationship on God
To talk to God as often as I can so I may have a closer relationship with Him.
After going to a public school I have come to appreciate my church and Christian friends so much more.
I was born into a Christian family and didn’t really come to know God until just this year at school!
I am kinda like a ball. I keep bouncing away from and toward Jesus. Hopefully I stay close one day.
To love God without hesitation or doubts
A good time was had by all and hopefully all were inspired, changed and will go out to share their experience with Jesus with their whole lives.
Blessings,
Nick
P.S. This was our theme song:)
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