But today we’re talking about another missionary vet – that’s right, a veterinarian!

The Christian Veterinary Mission says on their home page:  A Healthy Animal Makes the Difference Between Life and Death.

• A malnourished child receives enough protein for healthy development from a cow that produces more milk.
• A widow pays for her life necessities with her own income by selling the offspring from a healthy goat.
• Nationals are trained in sustainable animal health practices and are empowered to be leaders in their communities.
• Lives are transformed by the gospel of Jesus and those living in fear and despair are filled with joy and hope!

And that brings us to Dr. Kelly Crowdis.  According to the CVM website, Dr. Crowdis is now assisting with the training of Haitian Veterinarians and animal health agents and developing livestock loan programs.

And yes, she has a blog!  SUSTAIN Haiti has been up and running since 2006.  Take the time to read a few posts – and you’ll read about quite the adventures (to say the least).  As a matter of fact, even the post from today details a hold-up at gunpoint.

Take a look at a few posts, and leave a comment or two for Kelly!

• Two new little lovebugs! (South Africa)
• Equipo San Andrés es lo mejor! (Guatemala)
• Even if My Father and Mother Abandon Me . . . (Philippines)
• Plan B: punt (Ukraine)
• Precious Children (Ukraine)
• Drive-By Shootings (Niger)
• A Milestone, of sorts (Honduras)

• By now most of you have probably heard about the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan today….
• Many of us are wondering how we can best respond to the devastating news of the earthquakes and tsunami that have hurt especially Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate ken…
• I can’t get my mind off my precious homeland, Japan. The news of devastation is heartbreaking and I know the news will only get worse before it gets better…
• We partner with numerous churches in the area that has been affected, including a church just two kilometers from the damaged nuclear power plant. We are gathering information…
• It’s a strange feeling living in Japan in an area with virtually no damage right now.  I have friends who are without water and food, trudging down to a canal to haul water by hand in buckets so they can use their toilets…
• Today things are becoming a little more real.  I woke up and tried to go to work this morning. I was expecting some trouble…
• It has been quite a shocking day for us all, and it’s taken some effort to find out about friends in various parts of the country. Amazingly…
• Another night of aftershocks. Wondering when this will end! Our mission is discussing ways to help our Japanese church ministry partners in the affected area…
• Tomorrow we head to Tokyo–it will be a different life. We’re told that there are gasoline shortages, stores are sold out of certain foods, toilet paper, etc. In addition…
• Just a quick note to let everyone know we’re okay. It is definitely the strongest earthquake we have felt in our 40 or so years here…
• Life is still a bit crazy here. We lived in Sendai for seven years, and many places we know well are affected deeply by the quake and tsunami. Pray especially for Pastor Hori and his family. No one I know has heard from them yet…

Most of you have seen pictures and footage of the devastation, but I’m including a short video here to remind us about what we’re talking about.

All right, so it’s just another fun way to discover new blogs!  I admit, I cheated a bit with X.  But the Rapp family has to get some kind of a prize for their creative use of that misunderstood letter.

I do believe I managed to have 26 different countries as well.

So enjoy this quick alphabetical tour of the world, and go leave a comment on a blog you’ve never commented on before! 

• aliens and strangers (Tanzania)
• Behind Palace Walls (Nepal)
• Children of Hope (Mexico)
• drumsticksandpaintbrushes (Australia)
• Ecuador Missions (Ecuador)
• Finding God in China (China)
• Gleanings from the Field (Thailand)
• He Says/She Says (Peru)
• In His Love (Russia)
• Jungle Abbotts (Cameroon)
• Kids’ Doc in Jos (Nigeria)
• Livin’ The Adventure (Argentina)
• Millions to Tell (Chile)
• New Every Morning (Taiwan)
• OUR JOURNEY (Philippines)
• Partnering with Parents (Niger)
• Quirey Life (Brazil)
• Rescue Iraq (Iraq)
• Sowers4Pastors (Honduras)
• Today’s Grace (El Salvador)
• Under the Marchegian Sun (Italy)
• Voice in the Desert (Burkina Faso)
• With Love from Ukraine (Ukraine)
• Rapp Family Aixtreme Life (France)
• The Yakubu Family (Ghana)
• Zach Attack (South Africa)

• How would you like to visit some ancient Incan ruins?  Check out Just to the South of Lima, Peru…
• Some pictures and thoughts out of Ecuador – TIST (Things I saw today)
• Why do missionaries love to party?  Check out What Made this Party so Special in Paraguay
• And just for those who love Bilbo, check out The Things I See… (also in Paraguay)
• Arajuno–or “Jungle Light” – medical ministry in Ecuador
• The sacrifice of missions?  One missionary in Ecuador reflects on the past 24 years.
• Exciting stuff in Columbia!  Check out this post about Two Sundays of public services
• And how about a similar story coming from Chile?  Don’t miss the Exciting First Service!
• And while we’re in Chile, check out this retreat – Catching Up: (First) Church Ladies’ Retreat
• What does the Christmas season look like in Brazil?  Check out Christmas In Santos
• Fun and creativity with this goal: Teaching the True Meaning of Christmas in Brazil.
• And more thoughts about sharing the Gospel in Brazil – A Chance for a Changed Life
• What is Jesus building again?  Thinking about it at The River Iriri (Brazil)
• More sharing the Gospel in Brazil – Christmas Cantata #1
• In Argentina, It broke.

*phew* – and that’s only a few of the many blogs we watch down in South America!  Keep track of these and many more on the home page here.

By the way, you’ll notice I have more posts here from Brazil than any other country.  That’s because we still have more bloggers from Brazil than anywhere else in South America.  However, some other countries are starting to challenge them – such as Ecuador and Peru!

How would you like to live and work in this place in Burkina Faso?

In many places security is a big deal – here’s one way they deal with it in South Africa.

And over in Uganda, a description of a house some new missionaries are moving into.  (Page was temporarily down when I wrote this – check back or try here if it still doesn’t work.)

Not specifically house related, but this post takes a good look at ministry and challenges to ministry in Mexico.  Also in the category of things missionaries see and deal with regularly, this post from Paraguay.

One last house picture, as a missionary family finds a place to live in Sudan.

By the way – do you want to introduce your children to houses around the world?  Try Imagine a House: A Journey to Fascinating Houses Around the World.  It was written by retired Peace Corps volunteer Angela Gustafson for kids.

Talk about people around the world, and pray for them today!

I think the first post from herself sums it up well.  Here’s an excerpt:

As a little girl, I recall a mission family visiting my country church.  The husband stood up, gave an eloquent speech about God’s grace, the Great Commission, and the number of lost souls now worshiping the Lord.  Great stuff.  Truly. Yet, I walked away with one nagging question:  I wonder what their house is like.

Now to my husband, this might seem a non-essential question in the greater scheme of the troubles of the world, and the number of souls being lost to the gates of hell, or rescued to the gates of heaven.  And, I would naturally agree.  He would be right.  But I still would like to know what their house looked like, even 30 years later.  No real reason.  Just curious, I guess.  Some of us are just wired that way…

[Read the rest]

So… read her blog, or his, or, better yet, both!

• What happens when a 4 year old finds a tarantula on the wall… (Ecuador)
• A birthday party in South Africa
• An upcoming women’s conference, Being a Mother, a challenging reward (Mexico)
• Working with pastors and their kids – no fighting over the toys, please… (Guatemala)
• It’s not easy going to school that isn’t in your mother tongue – read about Eliza’s first day (Thailand)
• Travelling in your "home country" as a kid can be hard – just ask Micah. (Kenya)
• You never know what some missionaries are in need of until you ask.  How about cloth diapers (Russia)?
• Pray for what’s-his-name and his Mom… (Rwanda)
• And what better note to end on — Daughters are a Gift of Love (Chile)

Boy in Rwanda

So I thought you might be interested in these three posts (one new, the other two old) about the topic.

First, a quick picture of a bullfighting ring in Spain.

And now, over in Peru, this very cultural experience going to a bull fight, in a post entitled Of Bulls and Blessings.

Finally, back in Spain, an ex-pat from the USA hears about the glories of the sport in it’s dangerous out there.

I promised you three posts, but here’s one more from the same blogger – this time an article about the state of bullfighting in Spain.  For those who are curious!

• Acquitted:  …and Happy Anniversary!
• Amazing Love:  Thinking about what we sing. (Costa Rica)
• Good Friday and Alcohol:  Thoughts on an Irish controversy. (Ireland)
• Easter Cookies:  A variation on "Forgotten Cookies" to make with the kids over the weekend. (Mexico)
• Good Friday:  Yes, He was. (Romania)
• "Holy Week" 2010:  A video – as seen from a car window. (Philippines)
• Good Friday:  A precious baby gone. (Japan)
• How it happened…:  Don’t forget… (Romania)
• Sent to Coventry:  A saying – but what does it mean?  A story from the British Civil War. (Niger)
• Good Friday:  What a church in Uganda is reflecting on today.