Gods birthday gift

Today is my 39th birthday. My haitian friends told me not to work on my birthday. I said it was just another day. Maybe I should have listened.

I was using coconut trees that I cut down to build a support so I can put a porch swing in our yard. After we put the main beam across I began to nail it together. As I was hammering a piece of the nail flew off and went into my eye. I knew right away it way imbedded into my eye ball. I put my hand over my eye and told everyone helping that this isn't good. Then I went looking for Theresa. After I found her I opened my eye for the first time. I didn't know how bad it was. I was lucky the metal sliver was about an 1/8 inch away from my pupil. Just beside the edge of my contact lenses. But it was still stuck in my eye. We call a doctor friend and he called his friend who is an eye doctor his name is Dr Dennis. He told us to come.

We got there about 4 pm. As he looked at my eye I could tell it wasn't good. He told Theresa and I that he could remove it but he was scared it might be too deep and the inner fluid would leak out. He recommended he call a friend who has an eye clinic in Port Au Prince. He could remove it and had the items that could suture my eye if it started to leak fluid.
Dr Dennis tried to call his friend many times but couldn't get through. He then told us he wanted to call some friends in the states to ask their opinion if they thought it could stay in my eye until Monday. Monday is when the Dr in Port Au Prince had office hours.
After talking with his friends they all decided it had to come out today. If my eye leaked fluid it would be a small amount and we could deal with that until Monday. We agreed.

First he put a couple drops of  liquid to numb my eye. The he took a pair of tweezers and was going to grab in. Then he said I'm going to use smaller tweezers. He turned and got them. Spun back around and looked back into his microscope to take out the splinter. As he looked he said you are not going to believe this but God already took the splinter out. It was gone. The wound was there but the splinter was gone. He flushed my eye out with drops but we didn't find the splinter. Can you believe that? What a wonderful present from God.

I had sent a message out on Facebook for prayers as we were leaving for the doctor's office and  Theresa and I prayed a lot during this whole thing. PRAYER WORKS!

Thanks to everyone who prays for  us. We couldn't do it without you!

The mountains

We went into the mountains today to see some kids. We picked up our friend Joe and headed out. It is a long drive that has many beautiful views.

Once we got there we went to the kids house. They were happy to see us. These kids are the kids we brought out of the mountains to go see our Doctors. They had parasites on their feet and fingers.

One little girl had things that looked like ring worm all over here body. We told the mother she need to go to a doctor. The problem is it isn't easy to get down the mountain.

We then went with Joe to homes and gave them dresses and shoes. There was one small boy who took a stick and made it into his toy horse. It was a great day. The mountains are so beautiful.

What do you believe?

Do you believe in God? Do you believe in Satan? Do you believe in angels? How about demons or evil spirits? Do you think they can be on the Earth? Before I (Theresa) came to Haiti, I would answer yes to the first three. I didn't want to believe in demons, I mean how could I? They aren't real, right?!? You read about them and the aweful things they do, but you just put that all in the back of your mind, just tucking it away. At least that's what I did. I was one of THOSE people, oh there's no such thing as demons or evil spirits! But now, after living in Haiti, I will answer yes to all those questions. Here's my story of why yes...

This past Saturday Watson and I took a team into the mountains. Now, we have taken teams into the mountains before, but not to do what we set out to do on this day. We were going up there to evangilise! I was excited to do this as I have gone on prayer walks with groups before, but never in the mountains! I knew we would pray for people and give out some much needed bibles and maybe, just maybe, have somebody come to Christ. Little did I know that God had even bigger plans for this day. Oh, did I mention that this group was made up of 10 teenagers and 7 adults. Along with Joe (who is familair with the mountains), Watson, Loveline, Miranda, Ariel, and myself, off we went. We seperated into 3 groups- Loveline taking the girls and married couple with her, Watson taking the guys, along with the youth Pastor and Miranda & Ariel, and Joe taking most of the adults and myself. It was kinda of odd how we split, I know, but it was all HIS plan.

We started out just like I thought we would. Went to a house, asked if they knew Jesus (they did), asked what they needed prayer for and prayed over them. After doing this with several people I asked Joe to ask the young lady that was leading us around if she knew anyone who didn't know Jesus. She did!! So, off we went to a middle aged woman's house who didn't know Jesus. Here it was, finally the moment that we had been waiting for, and it was WONDERFUL! She was spoken to in a simple way, nothing complicated. She was ready to change her life and she did!! Mesi Jezi!! Thank you Jesus! Now, for those of you who haven't been to Haiti, when white people are walking around, you tend to get a following that goes with you the whole time. So, with that being said, we had a farmer who had been following us around and after this lady accepted Jesus, he started chatting with us. He had some ailments, his wife has some problems, and he is raising 2 of his grandchildren. He thought is was great what we were doing and he was happy that we were there to tell people about Jesus. We offered to go to his house and pray for him, he agreed. While there, he was asked if he know Jesus, and he said he knew who Jesus was but wasn't a Christian. So, the group told him everything that Jesus had done for him and he understood, but wasn't ready to make that commitment yet. Ok, but at least the seeds are planted and he accepted all the prayers we could pray for him. On to the next house. This was a young lady who didn't know Jesus and again God worked through us and she is now a sister in Christ. Mesi Senye!! By now I was thinking, this is great, 2 people accepted Jesus today! This couldn't get any better! OH, but God doesn't disappoint as our day was not over! We moved on and came to a young mother that happened to be the wife of Joe's friend. She said she knew Jesus, but right now she had a voodoo curse on her. Uh-oh, I've heard this before and it can't be good. She proceeded to tell us that sometimes she can't walk, other days she can't use an arm, and other times her head or stomach hurt. She just had all sorts of things going wrong with no explanations. Now, I know what some of you are thinking, just take her to a doctor and they'll figure it out. Well, that's not always the case, especially here in Haiti. I looked at different members of the group and then to Rod (Team leader with his wife), he said "this is real isn't it", and I agreed. I told them that she probably does have a curse and we need to pray over her to help erradicate whatever is ailing her. I knew it wouldn't hurt! We gathered around, laid hands on her, and Rod began to pray. After about 30 seconds, she let out what was like a mix between a cough and gasp and immediately the child in her lap began to cry in terror. Someone removed the child to calm her down. Rod continued to pray, she did this 3 more times ( I'm getting goosebumps as I write this), and as he was praying I started to get a tingling sensation all over my body. This sensation went out my hand that was touching her and then a warm, calming sensation came back through the same hand and into my body. I also felt lead to pray and prayed for her to have peace. When we were finished, she was trembling, but ammittedly felt good. Did all her problems leave? I don't know, but, I know something left that young woman's body on Saturday. And, I know the Holy Spirit was there working hard too, because I felt it. Afterwards,one of the other ladies said she felt the same sensations I did but was afraid to admit it because that was the first time she ever felt it and didn't want to sound crazy. THAT, was the Holy Spirit and GOD was amazing on Saturday!! Of course he is everyday, but somedays it's more in your face than others!

The other groups had awesome stories to tell as well...
One teen girl prayed out loud for the first time ever. She said she didn't realize she could pray so well and the words just flowed eloquently out of her mouth. The boys prayed for a witch doctor. Yes, you are reading correctly, a witch doctor! On that day his father became a Christian too, so again, some more seeds planted. Maybe when we return to take some more bibles up there, the witch doctor will have changed his ways! The youth Pastor baptized a man in a parasite infested creek. Props to Logan for not even thinking twice about getting in a Haitian creek! A young boy stopped the group and said that HE wanted to know who Christ is right after his brother accepted Christ. They also challenged the young boy's brother to start a bible study. We will be returning to check in on everyone because follow up is key.

So...
I believe in good and bad spirits. I believe that there is a spiritual struggle everyday here on earth. I believe that with God all things are possible because GOD is all powerful. Satan and evil spirits may not be in your face everyday like this, but they can use things in your life to distract you from your walk with God. What do you believe?

Gods Grace

Greetings from Haiti! It is hard to believe it is June 2013! I now believe time does go faster the older you get. We have had an amazing year so far. I won't lie there has been many trials too. But I think that is when we know we are doing God's will. Satan will attack us so much more when he sees us working for God.The team this week will find this out when they return back to the States.
On Saturday Theresa and Watson took the team into the mountains with seven bible and a desire to spread the good news. When they got back the stories they told were like stories right from the Bible itself. They told about casting out Demons, baptizing a person in a stream, and  most importantly they told stories of people accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Isn't this the reason we are here? And I don't just mean the Snyders in Haiti, I'm talking about each and every person who asked Jesus to save them.
Are you afraid to grab your bible and go out and preach the good news? Are you one that will say I don't know the Bible well enough to lead people to Jesus? Do you think that "I could never do that"? All I have to say is God Grace is enough! He has and will give you all the tools to share the Gospel. He will speak through you.
Theresa plans on blogging the stories. I felt led to say what I said.
God Bless.

Spirtual Warfare

Wow what a title! Is spiritual warfare real? I believe so because I have been battling it since I came to Haiti. This has been one of the most challenging eight months of my life. And what is funny I just realized last night that so much of the difficulties was coming from spiritual warfare. My past illness really made me question God "why am I here?" I could be in the states right now having a lot easier life. I asked God what have I done to make a difference here in Haiti.
Well God had an answer for me yesterday. A man came to visit me because he heard I was sick. When I saw him I gave him a hug. You see this man is Alex and Athenson's father. (They are two of my Haitian boys) Him visiting me was special because about two months or so ago he was very sick, he was the one who couldn't get out of bed. His boys told me he had been cursed by the witch doctor. That is when God told me to go pray over him.
I asked the team that was here and a couple of missionary friends to come too. As we prayed you could sense the spiritual battle .going on it this man. My prayer was for God to be glorified through healing this man. Show everyone God has full power over evil.
The next day the father called me to tell me that he was able to sleep for the first time in a long time. He now has made a full recovery. He wants to go to church on Sundays and he praises God for his healing. Praise God!
So back to my battle, as I walked my visitor to the gate to see him off God whispered softly on my heart "Here is one life that you made a difference in for Me". I had to smile to myself as I walked back to my house. God always knows how to encourage me when I'm down, only God can protect me as the flaming arrows fly, and only God deserves all the glory when a heart is changed for Him! I praise God we are in Haiti serving Him today, I pray he will continue to use us for his glory.
I guess if the arrows aren't coming we aren't gaining ground for God!

Mother's Day

Bonswa tout moun!! Hello everyone!
Happy Mother's Day to all!


John 19:25-27
25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the diciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27 and to the disciple, "here is your mother." From that time on, the disciple took her into his home.


Today is the day we all try to take care of our mothers, no matter what age we are. Our mother's take care us from the time we are made in the womb until they no longer can. Through our whole lives here, they tend to our needs as a child, start to let us have independence as teenagers, and then let us go as adults to start our own families. All the while, maybe secretly or not, wondering if they've done enough to send us out into the world. No matter our age, our moms always think about us and if we are "OK". No matter what our relationship is with our mom, she still wonders "how things are going". No matter her age, she still trys to "take care of" us. No matter where we are, she will "contact us". No matter what her needs are, she will put "ours before hers". A mother's love is unconditional!


Mary's love for Jesus was exemptlatory! She trusted God from the time she was told she was going to birth him until (and after) the day he died. We do not know much about his childhood, but from our own experiences (whether your a mother or not), we can safely assume that she put him before herself in all facets of his childhood. We know that when he was lost, that she along with Joseph, frantically looked for him in the temple. As Jesus walked this earth, she was following him and "keeping an eye out for him". Always knowing what he was into and doing, probably trying to make sure he was safe, all the while knowing his destiny. It is hard to know, feel, or even comprehend how she felt on that day. Was it bittersweet for her? Her son had to die, be the ultimate sacrifice, to save others even herself. But, even on the cross, bleeding, in pain, thirsting, wanting it to end, Jesus was thinking of her! He knew she was grieving for him, wanting to help him, to "take care of" him, as any mother does when seeing her child in pain. So, in the midst of it all, he told her, "here is your son" standing next to you. And, to him, "here is your mother", take care of her. Before Jesus died he had made sure that his mother was taken care of AND that she had someone to care for too. Not to take his place in her life but someone to help her along the way of life. Life without her son, the chosen one, the one who saved us all by dieing for us. The one whom loves us all and all we have to do is say "YES Jesus I believe"!


Today is Mother's Day, may we all bless our mothers today and everyday. There will come a time when the tides turn and we will have to take care of our mothers in some way. May we look at Jesus's example, and try to do the same for ours as he took care of Mary.


Blessings to all,
Andy, Theresa, Miranda, Ariel, & Zacchaeus

Time

Does your days, weeks, & months go as fast as ours? It is so hard to believe it is the end of January. I look back at our two and a half months in Haiti and just stand in awe of everything that has been completed. We now have power on the whole campus. The town of Borel has clean drinking water from the solar powered well pump that God provided, and we are on our fifth work team of the 2012 year. (It would take a long time to list all the jobs that was done by the teams.) This has been a great two months of getting things done. So much time spent work on things. Then I asked myself how much time has been given to God? When I ask this question I mean quality time with God. Like a father and child taking time to grow closer together. I'm so ashamed to admit that I haven't spent anytime with God it the past two months. People have a misconception that missionaries are these so holy people that have it all together when it comes to time with God. Not true. I just spent two months working for God, but not taking time out of my day for God. It is so easy for us to work for God and think we are going to grow closer to Him. I'm reminded of the two sisters in Luke chapter 10:38-42, one sister is working so hard to prepare food and make everything perfect for Jesus while the other just sits and spends time with him. Jesus is pleased with the one spending time with Him. So I challenge you, just as I'm challenging myself to spend that time with Jesus. Just sit at His feet and listen to Him, read your bible, spend extra time praying. If you feel distant from Him it is because you are walking in the wrong direction. I've been walking in the wrong direction, but starting now I'm turning around.
I also promise to post more about the things Gods is doing here in Haiti.