When Don and Nancy Snell fell in love at Samford University and later married, it marked the beginning of more than 27 years of service as music missionaries in Brazil and the Caribbean.
Now on medical leave, the Snells are back in Don’s hometown of Pinckard (Ala.) living in the house where he grew up.
Continuing what has become something of a family tradition, Don is now minister of music at his home church, Pinckard Baptist Church, where his mother and brother previously served in the same position.
But before the Snells returned to their roots in Alabama, their service to God took them on a circuitous journey that began on a lower island in the Caribbean where they were sent to teach music and start choirs.
Following this assignment, the Snells were sent in 1979 to start a community choir in Dominica, but because of the destruction that was left behind by Hurricane David their plans changed from building choirs to building houses.
“It wreaked havoc on the island. Don was planning to start a community choir because there weren’t many Baptist churches there, but we instead spent the time leading volunteer groups in building houses,” Nancy said.
“The houses were only 12’ by 12’ or 14’ by 14’ because the islanders only use their houses for sleeping; they cook outside,” she explained.
Nancy said between 50 and 60 volunteers came, despite the fact there was no electricity on the island for 10 months.
“The capital didn’t have electricity until October of that year,” she recalled.
The Snells’ next stint took them to Bermuda where Don led music on the island and broadcast a live, weekly television program on how to become a Christian.
“The churches joined together to conduct Passion plays and Christmas events,” Nancy explained. “We spent two months of our time in Bermuda traveling to other islands to teach music.”
The missionaries were then assigned to Barbados, where they were supposed to conduct music training for different groups.
Instead, the Snells taught classes at Barbados Baptist College as well as seminary extension courses to students in Bermuda.
“Pastors do everything there from preaching to leading choirs,” Nancy said. “We had a lot to do.”
Once again God pointed the Snells’ compass in a different direction. Don was called to serve as pastor of the international church in Brasilia, Brazil.
The Snells were the only staff members of the church and both taught Sunday School classes. They vehemently prayed that God would deliver workers from the congregation to assist them.
“A man came to Don and told him he shouldn’t have to preach and teach in the same day, so he offered to take over Don’s Sunday School class,” Nancy said.
“I was teaching all the children, and a woman came to me and offered to take over the teaching of the younger children,” she added.
This offer was shortly followed by another woman who volunteered to teach another group of children.
The church thrived under the Snells’ leadership, but their lives changed direction once again.
In 1999 Nancy became ill with fluid around her lungs and shortly thereafter cancer cells were discovered. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
“The doctors said my time was short,” she said. The Snells made plans for an early retirement and immediately returned to Alabama.
It was more than two years ago that doctors told Nancy she had six months to live. Her medical reports now reveal that she is cancer free.
The Snells are enjoying retirement and the rewarding job of restoring Don’s homestead that was built by his father in 1923.
“The house is a farm-style craftsman home with a hall down the middle,” Don said. “My father didn’t skimp on anything, and that’s why it’s still standing. I’ve enjoyed seeing the detail and strength he built into the house.
“The restoration is going quite well,” he said. “It’s been a real joy for us.
“We enlarged the doors,” Snell said. “One of them was too short and I remember my daddy always hitting his head on it.”
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