Category: David’s Posts

Victory in Jesus

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And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.” (Joshua 2:24 ESV)

This is a pretty awesome verse, you have to admit. I (David) am reading through Joshua for one of my seminary classes, and I came across this verse.

I just love Joshua’s reaction to their fear! It stands in such stark contrast to what happened back when the Israelites sent spies the first time. They took everything as a confirmation that they were supposed to die in the wilderness, that God had abandoned or failed them, and that God was going to kill them by the hand of the “giants in the land.”

That’s often my reaction to difficult things. Just this morning, I was on my way to an important meeting that I was a little nervous about. It was tempting for me to think that the nervousness was God trying to tell me to cancel the meeting! I’m serious! I’m so glad I didn’t, though! That meeting was such a blessing and encouragement to me, I went and talked to my wife about it afterwards… Yeah. It was great.

I want to respond like Joshua – in faith. He was one of the only two spies that came back with a good report when they sent the twelve spies. He was willing to stand up and say, “God is good, and He will deliver us! He will keep His word!” When trials, difficulties, or even just nervousness comes, I want to respond like that – in faith. I think you do to.

God, please help us to respond to You in faith when the trials come, watching, waiting, and expecting You to do something awesome. We love You! Thank You so much for being our Heavenly Father.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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…

DavidLeave a comment

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?

DavidLeave a comment

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.