Missionary Blog Watch » Mexico

Troubled times, and a Prayer for the New Year

Jim — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:35:57 +0000

I enjoyed (in a sympathetic kind of way!) this story from Niger about a therapy session – How Not To Build Rapport!

What can you say when it looks like your fear is about to become a reality? In this case, it’s a fire (Republic of the Congo)!

And now, an update from Mexico about a miracle baby and how the Gospel is infiltrating people’s lives, in spite of hardship and persecution.

And what is Christmas like in Uruguay? Well, here’s one experience…

But enough about Christmas… let’s end with a prayer for the new year, thanks to bloggers in Thailand.

From our Experienced Bloggers…

Jim — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:00:38 +0000

I’m now working on updating our list of Experienced Missionary Bloggers. Not done yet, but I’ve noticed some great posts that I wanted to share with you…

A thought provoking post that will make you think twice this Merry Christmas (Angola)
People in one community in Mexico are thankful for this new church meeting place…
Missions – are we getting anywhere? This blogger in Canada thinks so – read Does Missions Work? Worldwide Evangelical Explosion from 1960 to 2010
Praise God for those reaching this often-forgotten group in Ukraine.
Numbers and pictures give a glimpse into the ministry in Haiti: compiling statistics, loving women, thanking God
What more can I say? Tree, Thy Shall Be Moved! (Er… shouldn’t that be thou shalt be moved?) (Ecuador)
In Ukraine and out of Ukraine, life is never dull.
You know you want a little culture from the Republic of the Congo… so here’s More on food and daily life
Recognizing the reality in Japan – Bible Study in an Unreached People Group
Let’s get creative in Japan – what a great idea… Gifts from Jesus

Stay tuned – lots more to come!

News from the Veterans

Jim — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:15:39 +0000

I’m working my way through the blog lists and cleaning them up. Currently, I’m looking at the veteran bloggers – and I’ve come across some interesting posts.

First, be sure to check out these bloggers who are leaving the field (though not leaving ministry). There’s a lot of great stuff on their blogs, so head on over to:

Copeland Ramblings (don’t miss Reflections from the kitchen sink…)
Mercy Watch

In other news, check out this ecclectic group of posts from veteran bloggers around the world…

El Peñol de Guatapé (Columbia) – An amazing rock, and some amazing history
Guarding sound doctrine without hurting people (Mexico) – a teacher’s quandry
PRAY FOR GABRIEL MUGISHA (Rwanda) – Faith and Prayer
From death to life. (Burkina Faso) – Do you think God was involved?
Speaking the Truth (Papua New Guinea) – What do you know about the Sursurunga people? They might be more like you than you think…

Thanks to these bloggers who have faithfully shared with us over the years!

Recent Missionary Posts: Events, Change, and Culture

Jim — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:39:36 +0000

We have a very eclectic mix of posts today, from all over the world. Some have great insights into culture, others talk about ministry opportunities, and others challenges that missionaries are facing. Check them out!

Glimpse of Romania: We traveled again to Gherla, Romania, this last weekend. The trip takes between four and six hours, depending on traffic and stops, so we had lots of time to take pictures. We see…
She did what?! (Kenya): Recently I was talking with Ann (house mom for C4KK Children’s Shelter-coming soon!) about how exciting it is to see the building coming along and moving date getting closer and closer…God willing! We talked about her having her own room. You could hear the excitement in her voice…
Neighborhood Day Camp (Russia): Our church put on a day camp for the youth in our neighborhood (right between where we’re living now and where we’ll be moving to) this past Thursday-Saturday. 100 kids came on the first…
Multitude Monday – 1000 Gifts – Starting anew, a bit apprehensive… and not sure where God will lead us… (Niger): One week ago, Sunday night at the English worship and fellowship service we attend, we heard Dave Totman (the youth pastor at Sahel Academy and someone we are thankful to call friend) preach on the parable of the wineskins. We aren’t sure we’ve ever heard someone actually…
Esperanza en ti (Hope in You) (Mexico): At last the big day we’d been looking forward to, arrived, August 27th! 19 of us crowded into Julio’s van, (we would never have passed inspection in the States!) plus 5 in another two cars, and we were off to Queretaro to "Esperanza en ti" orphanage!
Indonesian Independence Day in Pa’Upan (Part 1): Indonesia’s Independence Day is August 17th. It’s celebrated throughout the country, even in the interior villages. A few weeks ago, I had the chance, along with MAF’s program manager, Steve, and fellow MAF pilot, Paul, to attend the opening festivities… (see part 2 here)
The deer god (Venezuela): One of our concerns in the jungle was making sure we had enough protein in our children’s diet. In the early years, before the solar panels, generators and battery powered refrigerator, we were constantly searching and trading with the Indians for fresh meat and fish…

Aspects of Ministry from Around the World (and a couple of posts from Japan)

Jim — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 14:09:39 +0000

Just a few recent interesting posts from around the world. At the bottom I’ve included a couple of initial posts on the situation in Japan – I’ll try to have more for you next week as the news gets out. For now, all the missionaries that have posted have said that they and their families are fine.

First, a couple of posts from Chile – first, a glimpse of how Chileans are getting training to serve the Lord, and finally a personal story of the challenges of growing up adopted.
Next, thoughts on testing from God in Kenya.
Incredible stories of people coming to Jesus in Papua New Guinea.
Getting… that… paperwork… can… take…. some…… time! Adventures in Costa Rica.
Missionaries are sometimes just outsiders wherever they go (including Mexico)
Coming back to the field (in this case, Peru) for a second term…
The incredible value of little tiny coins in Chile.
Working together in Honduras (with some great pictures to show for it).
Every missionary family has its own balance, and every missionary has his/her opinion about every person’s role. Here’s how one missionary wife (or perhaps wife of a missionary?) finds balance serving in Paraguay.

Finally, a couple of posts from Japan. First, a post entitled simply Earthquake, and then some thoughts on ministering to and praying for Japan.

26 Missionary Blogs (from A to Z)

Jim — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 03:58:35 +0000

So I was just sitting here and wondering if I could make my very own A-Z list of missionary blogs.

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)

Voice of the Vets (January 2011)

Jim — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:49:57 +0000

Every once in a while I like to feature our veteran bloggers. It’s been a while – in fact, I don’t think I did it once in 2010!

Hong Kong, China

So here are some recent posts from the bloggers who have been blogging the longest. I especially focused on those that I haven’t written about in a while…

One week’s wages to buy a book The challenges of publishing in Africa (Burkina Faso)
Talking about money again, Life in Hong Kong: city folks! (China)
Christmas programs may be a little different here than what you’re used to – School Christmas Program (Christmas leftovers) (a video) (Mexico)
And how about some Sledding during Summer Vacation? (Argentina)
Would you go to a church under a death threat? The Mission at Mission (Mexico)
Neat, a free missionary book! Check it out at Our Gift to You (Hungary)
The unexpected benefits of eating in Columbia – Everybody’s Gotta Eat
A weekend of encouragement A weekend in the life of missionaries in France.
How would you like to hear some singing in Romanian? Here’s another video for you: O Noapte Sfanta (O Holy Night in Romanian)
Dental Equipment Arrived in Gorom-Gorom – if you’d hesitate to go to a dentist with only this equipment, imagine going to the dentist before she had any equipment! (Burkina Faso)
I love it when photos really give you a feel for an area. Check out these fabulous shots (warning – the page will take a while to load, it’s graphics heavy): Final photos from the cruise (Indonesia)

Already blogging in 2011!

Jim — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 15:55:55 +0000

Yes, believe it or not, missionaries have already been blogging in 2011! Here are some of the first posts of the year –

1-1-11 (first things first) Ukraine
Like Christmas – But New Years! What is New Years like in Ukraine? Get a glimpse here!
And in Mexico, UW Sports Day 1
Start the new year with some wise words from Mama … What My Mama Taught Me… (Mexico)
And in Siberia, Russia, come to a Spektakle!
Happy New Year! (and an invitation) (Mozambique)
Thoughts at the beginning of a new year about 2011, Decisions, Carpenters, Listening, Weakness… (Brazil)
And now, for adventure, suspense, and much more, once again out of Brazil… the Grand Theft Missionarymobile! Read part 1 here, then part 2 here.

Looks like everyone in Brazil, Mexico and Ukraine have been especially busy! (all right, so I chose these somewhat randomly. But still…

Have a great 2011, everyone – remember, it’s in His hands!

Visiting the new blogs from 2010!

Jim — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:42:14 +0000

I thought it would be appropriate to end 2010 by visiting a few of the blogs that were started in the past year. So here are some posts from the brand new blogs!

Boyana River, Bulgaria

Celebration Christian Center & Prayer: How to pray for missionaries who are preparing to go to the field – in this case, Mexico!
x3: Busy times coming up for this family! I’m sure they could use your prayers as well (South Africa).
Beginnings in Greece: Well, the title speaks for itself. Some thoughts after a move to Thessaloniki.
Coffee Mondays & Rosehip Jam: Somewhere between enchanting and tragic – the things missionaries see, and something to pray about in Bulgaria.
Youth Camp: Thoughts on an upcoming youth camp with 200 teens in El Salvador.
My People: So what does that term mean to you? Thoughts from the jungles of Cameroon.
A Trip Into Mexico City’s Urban Slums, and a summary of the mission objectives…

Thanks for coming along for another year of missionary blogs! Join us again next year for much more from about 500 active missionary blogs from around the world!