So n g o f th e City

Issue No.69 Ken & Renny Snare, São Paulo, Brazil with ABWE November, 2016

Still in the saddle

We were on furlough for the firstyear that we were back in the US. As of July 1, 2016 we are officiallyretired ABWE missionaries. Oursending church, the Riley CreekBaptist Church of Bluffton, OH, held a lovely retirement recognitionservice for us. All of our daughtersparticipated and many people fromour past were present. We certainlyappreciated the effort of themissions committee in inviting somany and planning the event. Thegifts that many of you sent weresuch a blessing. They all went tosavings to furnish our future home.

Since we last wrote we have finishedvisiting or contacting all of oursupporting churches. It was abittersweet experience, one thatoften brought us to tears. Not onlywere we recalling our ministry anddeparture from Brazil, but alsothanking churches (people) whohave been a faithful part of our livesapproximately 35 years. These lasttwo years have been the mostemotional of our lives. However,there is a silver lining: Renny isnow free to use our curios todecorate! No more display tables!

During the time since we last wrotewe have continued to clear outKen’s dad’s house, Renny tutoredBrazilian students in the publicschool five mornings a week firstsemester, and now this semester,one morning a week. Weparticipated in two DVBSs at twosupporting churches and we eachtaught a Sunday School class, Kencombined adult classes and Rennyyouth, during the summer.

Renny is serving as vice presidentof the OWM (Ohio Women forMissions). Much like the stateladies association in São Paulo,these ladies have an annual projectand a retreat as well as Spring andFall meetings. One of Renny’sconcerns was that after having beenso involved in São Paulo, shewould return to the US as an older,unknown woman with fewopportunities to serve. The Lordhas been so gracious and hasopened up doors of service for her. In fact, we have both seen againthat if you are interested inworking, there will always be jobsto do!

New Song Baptist Church

Our beloved church in São Paulocontinues faithful. Their pastorresigned a few months again andthat was quite a set back. However,they have grown through thisexperience. One of the men forwhom you have been praying,Jurandir, came to know the Lordthrough the preaching and challengeof one of the deacons. There are afew new families. They had a verywell attended DVBS (so thankfulfor our long time friend andcolleague Sharon Payne). Recentlywe received the wonderful newsthat a retired pastor is serving asinterim pastor. We have greatrespect for him. He is a solid Bibleexpositor, has taught at theseminary, and has many years ofexperience as a local church pastor. We are thrilled that he is there.

We also recently received a$1,000.000 gift toward the Phase Ibuilding project of the NSBC. Thismeans that we lack only $21,631.50to reach our goal to help New Songwith the first phase of its buildingproject. The plans are currentlybeing evaluated in the citygovernment and we hope to havethe money by the time they areapproved.

Looking ahead

Our house in Brazil is still on themarket and the market is dead. Please pray for our brethren inBrazil. They impeached theirpresident the week after theOlympics closed, and the country isin turmoil politically andeconomically. We don’t foresee ourhouse selling any time soon. Therefore, we have taken the nextprayerful, logical step. With thehelp of Renny’s sister, who will beliving with us, and financing fromthe bank, we are buying a house.

We have chosen a house 20minutes from two of our daughters(and all of our grandchildren!). Itis also within driving distance of aGARB church that looks to be agood fit for us. We have put downa deposit and are pre approved forthe loan. Renny’s sister’s house isin a very marketable area in Dallaswhere houses usually sell within 30days. When it sells, we can allmove forward.

We are leaving our schedule openduring November and December inthe hopes that we will be moving. However, after the New Year wewould be available for pulpitsupply, singing at banquets etc, asneeded. We have said that weprefer the word “retreaded” to theterm “retired”. Our contactinformation remains the same: kenandrennysnare@gmail.com (419) 293-5667.

PRAYER REQUESTS

# The New Song church during this period of many adjustments and search for a pastor# The approval of the building plans for the New Song church# For the construction funds to come in for the New Song Baptist Church construction# The sale of and protection for our house in São Paulo# That the Lord would lead us to the ministry opportunities He has for us here# Details/timing for our move