In the past I’ve posted about posts based on cool pictures – ones that caught my attention.

This time I ignored content altogether – at least to start with – and just looked for titles that caught my attention.

You know, other than "Our May Newsletter".  Or "Even more photos of our trip".  Or my favourite, "(no title)" (that’s what shows up in my rss feed reader when you don’t bother to put a title).

No, these titles caught my attention – and it turns out that people who write good titles tend to write good posts too!

For example, who could resist a missionary blog post about Tap Dancing (Kenya)?  Or how about the tantalizing Catching Creatures on Camera! (Columbia).

New Bible Study and Peter Pan! (Indonesia) brings us even more creatures among other things.  Mixing together topics that don’t usually go together makes an interesting title – though it’s not great blogging practice!

Everyone loves to share an opinion, right?  So that’s why I clicked on Input Requested (Indonesia).

And of course there’s always the finish-the-sentence posts, like A Garbage Can Full (of what?!) (Rwanda), and Take this hot chocolate and (and what?!) from France.

How about a shocker like Before Wii (Venezuela).  There was something before Wii??

All right, I’d better get this post done – here are a few more that caught my eye…

• Become Nothing (Niger)
• I miss being sick… (Japan)
• Battling bats, and Romantic Roaches (Uganda)
• "Gossip" …or perhaps ~ (Niger)
• The "God-Father" (Peru)
• 3 lines, 5 guys, 17 syllables, and a billion diapers (Tanzania)
• In Which I Prove We Will Acheive [sic] FTL Speeds by 2050 (Thailand)
• The Biggest Holiday of the Year (Peru)
• Note to self: remember to appreciate these things (for more than a day!) when I get back to the UK… (Thailand)

Which is your favourite title?

Relief efforts begin after Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) hits the Philippines. Photo courtesy of rembcc

Most of the posts I have here are about the typhoons in the Philippines.  First, some news and video about Typhoon Ondoy.  More news here from the area – Typhoon Ondoy and another on the way.

Finally, a focus on the relief efforts and how you can help.  A report from World Vision, a first hand update, and thoughts on the human chain.

Finally, some reports from Indonesia and American Samoa, and how radio can help in times of disaster.

Please pray for the believers in these areas, many who are suffering loss, others who are trying to find ways to help others.  If you want to help, check out some of the links above or contact others who are providing relief in the Lord’s name.  And watch these and other bloggers in the area for more news (another typhoon did hit the Philippines).

Quoting from KuyaKevin.com’s post above,

The human chain is more than just a way to move boxes.  I believe it is symbolic of what’s happening in the Philippines right now.  Churches, organizations, and individuals are all working together to help those in need–accomplishing so much more than we could if we tried to do this alone.

Let’s keep the chain going, guys!  Mabuhay!

Though one may be overpowered,
   two can defend themselves.
   A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
-Ecclesiastes 4:12

Today Missionary Blog Watch is proud to bring you some posts from 7 of the most populous countries in the world (not the top 7, but 7 of the top – get it?).  As a matter of fact, the people from these countries alone make up almost 50% of the population of the world!  Here’s the latest:

• China:  Learning Mandarin Chinese isn’t so easy – apparently it’s all about Learning to curl the tongue.  Next, check out the Jubilee Filipino Fellowship at 2 years old (yes, in Hong Kong, China)
• India:  Some of the goings on in the effort to see new churches in south India.  And a video update – how cool is that?
• Indonesia:  And a video on … well, rocks!.  Also a boy with appendicitis, who is now recovering.  The last link also talks about a recent tragedy.  Finally, a wild pig hunt!
• Brazil:  Reaching Germanic peoples in south Brazil – Tradition Versus Christ.  Also, check out a Brazilian Birthday Party, and find out why Andrew thinks it’s his fault.
• Nigeria:  "Sitting on a concrete block in the ruins of the burned out church yesterday, listening to the members singing songs of praise and devotion…” (continue)
• Russia:  News of a growing church, and being in Korea in the middle of Russia.
• Japan:  A full week – especially interesting is the story of the "Returnees".  Another post with lots in it, including exciting news about a Japanese pastor.  Finally, some quick videos from Japan.

Let’s start in Indonesia, to see how the fasting of Ramadan changes life for some newcomers.  Actually, same blog, earlier post – more general info about Ramadan…

Over in Macedonia, read Ramadan Begins & The Call to Prayer.  Stay tuned because Carolyn is hoping to share more about Ramadan as she learns.

This is an interesting one from last year – Bunny Rabbit talks a little about what the children are doing during Ramadan (Niger).

This is not only about Ramadan, but check out the colourful conversation that took place in 7A and B.  It really provides some insights into the Muslim world, from a personal level.

An an honourable mention… two blogs are focusing us on prayer for the Muslim world:  WBTN and Our “Wright”-ing Pad, using materials from 30-Days International.

(Unrelated note:  If you’re a missionary, be sure to take part in our current blog carnival, on the topic of poverty.  Don’t wait until the deadline!)

First stop, Ukraine.  Reading a story about a woman dying alone with no one offering to help (in New York), Michelle reflects on compassion and serving the needy.

Missionaries are outsiders – can this be a good thing?  Read This lions are quarreling from Uganda.

Sifuna kids (Kenya) Photo courtesy of Boyznberry

Over in Russia, you can read about two and then three new graduates from a rehabilitation program.  But the Evil One isn’t ready for defeat, and we are reminded by A Dead Man in the Park.

Over in Indonesia, someone is Presenting the Gospel to Kori.  In Thailand, a special celebration is happening in front of a Buddhist temple.

We’ll end our journey in Kenya.  Someone is standing and waiting – it’s Silas Sifuna, and he wants to say “Thank you”.  (For more of the back story, read this update).

For all those supporting the work of Christ in the world – a thank you to you…

• New in April and the latest to add to the Brazil list – the latham family
• Also from Brazil, and a chocolate lover, M is for Mommy joins the missionary blogs.
• And coming from Poland, with a blog title many of us can relate to – Our life….as crazy as it is….is good!
• Preparing to go to Indonesia, and new as of March, Irian Jaya – West Papua
• Another country with an increasing number of bloggers – Ukraine.  Please welcome Angel Wings.
• And from Ecuador, A Foreign Life
• Also from Ecuador (about time we got more from Ecuador!), The M Blog

On top of that, the Blog list has once again been updated.  I’ve been trying to make that a rare event, because it is a bit of work, but with the recent avalanche of new blogs the time had come.  So now you’ll see 120 missionary blogs featured there.  This is representative of the over 180 blogs I’m currently watching.

There are changes and additions to every category, but the most are, as always, the brand new bloggers.  In honour of the many bloggers that have come online in the last 3 months especially, here are just 7 that are worth checking out, if you haven’t already:

• Partnering with Parents – preparing to move to Niger
• Jeannette’s Randomness in Ukraine
• The Grays in Indonesia
• Burns Abroad in Papua New Guinea
• John Doss Missionary Newsletters/Updates in Austria
• The Life of Jon in Dominican Republic
• Scottspiel in Cameroon (currently in Canada)