Photo courtesy of Leo Reynolds

5 years is still a grand old age for a blog, so today we’re going to celebrate a few of the blogs that are celebrating a half a decade in the first half of 2009.  Here they are – stop by and congratulate them!

• ¡Pura Vida!  …teaching, learning, living in Nuevo León, México…
• Bangladesh Adventures  This is the Adventures of the Stout Family in Bangladesh.
• Transforming Argentina  Raising up a new generation of disciples in Latin America
• Phuong Ngo  preparing to go to China
• The Crossers’ Life In Italy  A glimpse into the daily lives and thoughts of Matt & Angie Crosser, missionaries to Italy.
• Church Planting in Puerto Rico  Puerto Rico: The Back Door for Reaching the US Spanish Speaking Population…
• Winckles Family Update  Life and Ministry in Budapest, Hungary
• Adventures With God  The Finnie’s Adventures In South Africa.
• Musings of a Missionary  Scenes, thoughts and stories from Bangkok.

Do you like to browse missionary blogs just so that you can take time to pray?  Let me save you some time – here are some missionaries who are asking for prayer for various things.  Let’s take a quick tour and pray for these things – maybe there’s even a way you can be a part of the answer!

• From Honduras – Just a note for prayer. The well drilling is not going well…
• There are a few prayer requests here, but just listen to what’s happening in Nepal!  Now, under a new government, Nepal is opening up for Christian radio via local stations (more accessible and convenient than shortwave)…
• Moving to Guinea!  But there’s so much to do before then.  Thanks very much for your prayers, continue to pray for us as we go through all these preparations.  We can’t wait to be done with them.  They seem never ending!
• Terrible tragedy in Bangladesh.  Five of our projects seriously affected due to cyclone Aila.  We are providing dry food, Water purifying tablets, and ORS….  There’s a family to pray for here.
• Helping AIDS orphans in Ukraine… God has a marvelous [sic] way of pulling together just the right people at just the right time…
• A missionary that won’t be returning to Nigeria.  I was able to surrender last week and every minute since… I am in the midst of intense grieving… a death has happened… and yet, He promises strength and peace, which I receive and praise Him for…  Please pray for Erin.
• This from Greece – Please continue to pray for our ministry, our refugee friends, and the Greek government.  Why?  Read (and watch the video) Misery Meets Greece’s Migrants
• Does God really care about copy machines?  Of course!  I ask that you pray that God will make His plan clear for us. (And yes, really, I DO think God cares about our copy machine issues.) (Ukraine)

• Bangladesh:  I know of Bangladesh Adventures.  A recent post highlights the need for teachers.
• Bulgaria:  You can check out the Mellingers in Bulgaria, who recently wrote about slippers.
• Croatia:  America to Zagreb was recently writing about an early Christmas present.
• Greece:  How about Mike and Maria Long?  Their recent news includes a Court Case, Bike Trip, and Surgery
• Honduras:  Well, we do have The Sims Family in Honduras.  Their recent post had the eye-catching title Overdue and I am not even pregnant….
• Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast):  Actually, the Farho family has a number of blogs on their site.  Everything from family to fitness is covered here!  Recent posts include Why God allows pain and Youssef’s cancer is dead.
• Madagascar:  I do have the Slaubaughs in Madagascar.  Check out a few of their latest pictures here.

These are all great blogs, but they’re pretty lonely.  Does anyone know of more blogs from these countries?  Help me out here.

Petrich, Bulgaria

I thought this would be a good opportunity to point you to some posts, new and older, that talk about Hindu culture.  First, this recent post about Diwali [link no longer available].

• A little about meat in Nepal (or, there’s nothing like pizza in Nepal)
• Celebrations of the Teej Festival
• A visit to Southwest Bangladesh
• Someone to pray for from Mission Safari
• Another festival – Enjoying Durga Puja

First, I’d like to congratulate Stephen Davies on the publication of his children’s book, Sophie and the Albino Camel!  Way to go!  Click the link for more information.

Over at Quirey Life, they’re celebrating their first public worship service – a dream realized.

Recently at Mission Safari a two-part update was posted that shows God’s faithfulness in our weakness.  Read part one here and part two here.  I also enjoyed Saturday’s post entitled Do You Still Love Me, Daddy?

Let us not forget Comings Communiqué.  There’s a post with Student Prayer Requests – just some quick, simple ways you can pray for students in Brazil if you have 3 minutes or more right now.  Also, in the news, The (Brazilian) Orkut Phenomenon.

Finally, from Kevin’s Web Log, an explanation about Household Help In Bangladesh.

You want to read more?  Of course you do.  Click on a few missionary blogger links and see what they have to say.

• Under the African Rain with a new post in a series – the first was A Dream Come True, and here is A Dream Come True Part 2
• Reflection on a Christmas tragedy at The Rathmell’s
• When a spouse posts that doesn’t usually post, it’s almost always great – from Chile you can hear from Wendy at News n’ Views Online
• I keep coming back to this post – from Kurt and Sally Kovach, One word summarizes this year: Change
• From Kids’ Doc in Jos, a glimpse of Nigeria (something he’s very good at doing) in Junkyard Outing.
• This is what I like to see – one missionary found another missionary through this site – and left a comment!  A good post and good comments at The Life of Jon, some thoughts
• From Kevin’s Web Log in Bangladesh, some great pictures in Projects’ Christmas Program
• Finally, on the lighter side, this 32 word post from Comings Communiqué (Brazil), Quote of the Week

• Grace – from Kids’ Doc in Jos.  The doctor tries to help 2 year old Grace, and her family.
• Our Trip to Noakhali – a glimpse of Bangladesh in Kevin’s Web Log.
• SKY IS FALLING – I can relate to this one from Reflections on Life in Benin.

Finally, I don’t yet have a “photo of the week” award, but if I did it might go to Kingsley Clan for this picture of Matt and Eoin.