For the past 35 years, Jim and Ruth Snyder (of northern Illinois) have been involved in missions work in Africa, including living in the Congo for seven years. In 2013, through one of his jobs as the coordinator for a child sponsorship program in Zambia, Jim met a sibling group of three children in a Zambian orphanage. After Jim and Ruth discussed the possibility of adopting these children and traveled back to Zambia to spend more time with them, the Snyders made the official decision to move forward with adoption. Although they already had five grown sons, Jim and Ruth knew that God was calling them to make these children part of their family. Since 2015, Jim and Ruth have worked tirelessly on the adoption process (including completing their home study process through ICM), despite the many obstacles and delays that often accompany international adoption. Finally, in October 2019, after years of diligent work, many trips back to Zambia, and constant prayers, Monica (age 19), Henry (age 14), and Mapalo (age 13) officially became
part of the Snyder family. This was a huge event in all of their lives and also a huge event for the country of Zambia, as these were the first Hague adoptions completed since Zambia joined the Hague Convention in 2015. Jim and Ruth stated that Monica, Henry, and Mapalo seem to be doing well overall with adjusting to their new roles in the family and that they are learning to adapt to what a family is. Jim and Ruth shared that it has been so rewarding to see the confidence and security that they have gained from being in a family. Jim added that Monica, Henry, and Mapalo have wanted to “be Snyders” for so long and that it has been so enjoyable to see how they have fully embraced this new identity. It has been ICM’s privilege and pleasure to work with the Snyder family since 2015 and to witness the ways in which God has brought this family together. ICM looks forward to continuing to be a part of the Snyder family’s adoption journey!
Praises and Prayer Requests
1. Thank God for the gift of adoption.
2. Ask God's protection and provision over the families that are served through the ministry of ICM.
3. Ask the Lord to provide for our financial and volunteer needs in the coming year!
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