Ministry Assignment

Hello Everyone!

I have received my ministry assignment for the next three weeks.  I will be going to a town called Mumias (moo-me-us) in Western Kenya.  I will be going there with one other person from the group.  I will stay with a pastor, and pretty much shadow him for the three weeks.  Some of the things that I will be doing on assignment include: Sunday preaching, talking in schools and campus Christian organization meetings, house visits, and possibly some general evangelism. 

Please pray for me and my ministry partner Sam the next three weeks as we leave for our assignment tomorrow.

For safety as the group travels to their different assignments.

For health, a cold has been going around the group, so for healing so the ones who are sick.  Also that we stay healthy, the location where I will be, and other locations, have some problems with malaria.  

That God will work powerfully through me and the others.  That our talks, or however we are serving, show others the love of God, and bring people the Gospel.

Thank you for your prayer and support.  I can't wait to tell you what God does through everyone on their assignment.

In Him,

Jesse

First days in Kenya

Bwana Asafiwe (Swahili for Praise God) I  I have made it to Kenya safely.  The process to fly over here was very long, and I don't think I've ever been as tired as I was in my life!  Even with the long trip, I am adjusting well, and I'm having a really good time here, so praise God that I haven't had culture shock yet, and the jet lag was minimal! I have been learning a lot about Kenyan culture the past few days.  It's really encouraging to see how much more open everyone is about talking to people, helping give directions, and talk about their faith.  It is a fair question to ask someone in Kenya if they are saved, and they are happy to share about what tribe they are from, or what their beliefs are.  Yesterday the team walked through the Mathare Valley slum, and it was extremely difficult to take in.  There are estimates ranging between 200,000 and 600,000 people living in the slum.  The smell and sights are something that cannot fully be conveyed through words.  I had an overwhelming feeling that something needed to be done, but there were so many issues that there was no where to start, and it seemed imposible to change anything long term.  Thankfully, I know that God does the impossible, and can change and better the lives of the people living there.  It was encouraging to see a church in the slum that was helping the people there, and that had hope for a better home, and shared the hope they have in Jesus with the people there.  I also got to visit a place called Sanctuary of Hope that has 23 children from the slum that have been orphaned or abandoned and given a good home with love.  Even though there are still a very large number of people and children struggling, it was good to see that people are helping, and something is being done. 

Please pray that I continue to do as well as I have with the new culture.  Also, please keep Mathare Valley in your prayers that God will use the church there spread God's word and change the slum.

I will find out my ministry assignment next week, and I should have another opportunity to send an email about where I am going, and specific prayer requests for that. 

In Him

Kenya Bound!!

I get up early tomorrow to catch my flight from Phoenix to New York at 7:00am.  It's hard to believe that the trip is actually here.  Only one more day at home which is exciting, but also nerve racking at the same time.  God has been great with fundraising, and has shown me a lot already through the process of getting ready.  Please keep me and the team in your prayers as we all meet in New York, and then fly to Kenya as a group on June 2.

A couple of things to keep in your prayers throughout the summer:
1.For safety as me and the team travel to New York, and then to Kenya, and safety while we are in Kenya and protection from illness.
2. That the culture shock is minimal, and that we adjust quickly to the new culture and environment.
3. Boldness for me and the team as we preach the gospel, and for us to be aware of opportunities to minister to the people in Kenya.
4. That God uses us to impact the people in Kenya, and that God uses this trip to change us.

I hope to be able to update this once or twice while I am there, and I will definitely write some when I return, so keep your eyes open.

Fundraising

Bwana Asifiwe (Swahili for "Praise the Lord")

It's crazy that in about six weeks I'll be in Kenya!  It's weird to think about summer when I'm still writing papers for classes.  Even though it's nerve-racking thinking it's so close, I'm really excited for what God is going to do there!!

Fundraising is probably one of the hardest things to do with any mission trip.  God has been good, and I have reached my first deadline for funds.  It's been a educating experience writing prayer letters, talking to my church, asking friends and family if they will donate.

While I knew that fundraising would be required to go on this trip, and that it is a normal part of missions, it is still a hard process to ask people for money.  The main things that I'm learning through this is humility and patience. There is no way I could do this trip on my own, and I must rely on prayers and financial support from friends and family.  This is also an ongoing process, and doesn't happen overnight (though God can accomplish this), and requires waiting.

I guess this brings me to putting these things into practice.  I really need your help with prayer and financial support.  If you would like to support me on this endeavor, you can donate at https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate and type in my name (Jesse Snively).  Any amount helps.  Thank you everyone who has supported me, and for all of your prayers.

I can't wait to tell everyone about what God does through this trip when I come back.

New Blog

I've decided to created a blog about my trip to Kenya this summer.  I was trying to find a way to keep people updated with my trip, and a friend suggested creating a blog.

 First, a little bit about the purpose for creating a blog. I hope to be posting updates before I leave with how everything is going with fundraising, and how all the preparations for the trip is going. I also should have the opportunity to post some during the trip to Kenya, and I'll follow up with a couple posts after I return.

Next, a quick update on how things are going so far.  A couple praises, I have received my passport, and somehow having it makes this trip seem more real!  I've also sent out support letters, and the response has been good so far!  Please pray that support continues to come in, and that the preparations go smoothly.