Author: David

Videos that we’ve made!

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One of our ministries here in Ukraine is making videos for the church. We thought you guys would like to see a few of the ones that we’ve made so far. This is actually all done with free or open-source software, and we’ve often needed to borrow equipment. Please pray that we’ll be able to buy more equipment (microphones, booms, camera dollies, etc.), software, and upgrades for David’s computer. The computer memory we want to buy is only $150, and that would make a huge difference in the size of the projects we would be able to complete; however, it’s outside of our budget right now.

This is a promotional video for our social media and web ministries. It basically encourages people to get involved in the web ministry and to share our content as a ministry. This was our first really big video project. Most of the animations were done in Inkscape (an open-source SVG editor), and the music is from a royalty-free music site (we’ve even heard the same song used on TV in commercials and stuff).

This is a video that celebrates the time we went and played baseball with our church. The text says “To play baseball, you need to know the rules and practice… but most importantly, you need a team! Play ball!!! New Horizons L’viv church – we love to play together! Next time, play with us! Baseball! New Horizons L’viv Baseball!”

This video was one of the harder ones to produce because of the emotions involved. Please keep praying for the situation here in Ukraine. This video commemorates those that died fighting for their freedom in Kyiv. It says “We remember. New Horizons L’viv.” The black background at the end with the Ukrainian ribbon on the corner symbolizes mourning for the people that died.

If you would like information on how to support the Sneads financially, please click here.

Getting settled in…

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2014-04-17 08.43.41Hey, everyone! Just wanted to let everyone know we got to L’viv just fine, and we’re getting into the swing of things here. We’re currently living at Katya’s parents’ place, and I’m supposed to start working at the church by the end of the month. Until then, I’m taking care of some business with the local seminary and getting a few other things wrapped up (it’s actually a pretty busy time for me right now). Katya is also translating away, and we’re both just getting reconnected with old friends and reestablishing connections with people.

We always appreciate your prayer during this time. Here are some things that you guys can pray for us right now:

  • A smooth transition into ministry and life here
  • Proper time / resource management – I just feel like my plate’s pretty full
  • Jet lag – the worst part of inter-continental travel
  • Provision for a couple of ministry opportunities – I need to buy some computer memory and a few other things for upcoming ministries

Thanks a lot guys!

Impressions from the Maidan

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We went to the Maidan today, and then on to the street that used to be called “Institutska” (now known as “Heroes of the Maidan”), where many of the protesters were shot. That was really hard to see – it was hard not to cry. We got to stand on a sidewalk where, on the news, we saw bullets flying through people. This is now hallowed ground.

Tires used for building a fire-barricade.
Tires used for building a fire-barricade.
Barricades that protected the protesters from snipers (shooting from behind the camera up a hill)
Barricades that protected the protesters from snipers (shooting from behind the camera up a hill)
One of the "Heavenly Hundred"
One of the “Heavenly Hundred”
Bullet-holes in a telephone pole.
Bullet-holes in a telephone pole.
A monument to the heroes that died.
A monument to the heroes that died.
Pictures of the heroes that died.
Pictures of the heroes that died.
Molotov Cocktails
Molotov Cocktails
We found this hanging.
A swan hanging from one of the makeshift monuments.
Children's pictures on the Maidan
Children’s pictures on the Maidan
The hill where many of the protesters were shot
The hill where many of the protesters were shot
Pictures of the "Heavenly Hundred".
Pictures of the “Heavenly Hundred”.
On the left, it says "Jesus, protect us!", and on the right it says, "Heavenly Hundred - eternal glory!"
On the left, it says “Jesus, protect us!”, and on the right it says, “Heavenly Hundred – eternal glory!”
Katya looking at one of the memorials to the heroes.
Katya looking at one of the memorials to the heroes.
The Maidan
The Maidan
Barbed wire on one of the barricades.
Barbed wire on one of the barricades.
One of the shields of the protestors. The flower is stuck inside a bullet-hole.
One of the shields of the protestors. The flower is stuck inside a bullet-hole.
The makeshift hospital that the police burned
The makeshift hospital that the police burned

Why are you going back? Isn’t it a warzone?

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Some people might be thinking, “Why are you going back to Ukraine? Why aren’t all of the missionaries pulling out of there right now? Isn’t that place a warzone??!??” I understand. The only answer we really have is, “It’s harvest time.”

Before we left, Katya and I were talking with a friend, and she showed us a section of the book “No Longer a Slumdog” by K. P. Yohannon. It was very encouraging in what we were doing. The quote really speaks for itself:

Someone once said, “Harvest is a fixed time.” In my village in India, there are hundreds of farmers. My own brothers are farmers. When harvest time comes, no one goes on vacation. No one says, “Let’s go away for a month and enjoy life; then we’ll come back and do the work.” Why?

Because within a few weeks time, the rain will begin to fall. The season will change, and the entire harvest will be destroyed if it is not brought in. We must never say, “Later… tomorrow… next month… two years from now I’ll be part of the harvest.” The opportunity will be gone.

That quote is exactly what we are feeling about Ukraine – now is the time to be there. Now is the time to go! We were at a church a couple of weeks ago that was considering scaling back their missions to Ukraine because of the risk… I understand! I don’t believe anyone should go and throw themselves in front of danger just because it’s a rush or something. We, as Christians, are commanded “not to test the Lord thy God.” However, as Jesus said, as long as we have light, we need to be at work. In other words – as long as we have the opportunity to get the Gospel out to as many people as possible, we need to be about that work.

We’re in Chicago!

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Please be praying for us. We just got done with the first leg of our trip – we’re in Chicago – and it’s already been an adventure. 1 canceled flight, 2 redirections, 3 delays, and 1 aircraft maintenance later, we’ve FINALLY arrived in Chi-town, and we’re pretty excited about it. Katya and I are learning to treat things like this as an adventure. That’s not to say that we’re never disappointed, but we’re learning to trust God more with these things.

Some stuff you can pray for:

  • Katya’s and my backs / necks already hurt from carrying all of our stuff… 😛 We didn’t sleep that well last night, so that’s probably contributing
  • No more redirects / changes in flights… We’d really like to make it to Ukraine on time.
  • Our time in Kyiv (the capital city) – we’ll be there for 3 days before we go back
  • Just time for us to be alone and rest for a day or two… We’re pretty beat from traveling around the U.S., and we’ll be staying with family when we get to L’viv.

Thanks!

LATER EDIT – Once we flew to Frankfurt from Chicago, we spent an awesome time with a missionary girl we met who was serving in South Africa. She was on her way home to America. We got to buy her some coffee and play Skip Bo with her. After that, we discovered that the Frankfurt airport is a lot like a huge labyrinth. It took us about half an hour to get from our arriving gate to our departure gate, and we had to go through security again.

Finally, once we got to our gate, they discovered that our tickets to Ukraine had been CANCELED! Katya and I just laughed and laughed, taking it in stride. They rushed and rushed, trying to find us another seat, and eventually got us one. My guitar even had its own personal seat in business class. Friends then met up with us in Kyiv and took us to the Calvary Chapel church office where we would stay for a few days before going to L’viv.