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.

• 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…

One post that caught my attention was Lessons From the Sink Scrubber.  I’ve give you a teaser – then click through to read the full post:

M. is a kid that works in the OR Bloc. He has a high school degree, and started off working in the hospital’s housekeeping department. Word on the street is that our chief of surgery watched him cleaning the hospital hallways for several months and went to the head of personnel and told him that he wanted M. moved to the OR.

This guy cleans as if the Queen of England is due for a visit.

And not just once in a while. All the time….

Read the rest

But did you know that missionary bloggers are always giving things away?  They’re taking the time to share their lives with you, and share with you about what God is doing!

So let’s look at a few recent posts:

• How appropriate!  Here are some people looking to work together to share stories about what God is doing in Africa!
• I love posts like this – both pictures and text answer questions about life in Jamaica – awesome!
• Thinking about image while making tortillas – curious?
• Just happened to be passing by – God’s surprise encouragement in Bolivia…
• I love it – learning a little about urban gardening – what a great idea! (Kenya)
• Babies in Bolivia
• Thankful for short term teams in Ukraine!
• Serving as dorm parents – what do the students think about it?  Here are some quotes from Niger.
• I know you’ve all been wondering – what does Brian do?  What’s it like to work at a Bible institute in Peru?

• 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)

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)

• Do we take for granted the simple things – like electricity?  In Senegal, getting basic steady electricity can be a challenge, as we read in Power Cuts.
• And not to complain – but what about the ability to get good milk?  Well, some of us could live without it, but some of us couldn’t.  Here’s what a family in Madagascar has been dealing with – bad milk!
• On a more positive note, let’s head over to Sudan for something that is badly needed – good, solid training for leaders!  Take a look at Church Leadership Training (details)
• Working in South Africa, David points out that some Bible passages – that may seem very archaic and far away to you – may seem quite contemporary in other parts of the world.  Read All the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked (Genesis 31).
• And how about an update about everything from the country of Niger?  Head on over and read Eleven in 2011.
• Take the time to get to know some real people in Ghana – The Privilege of Sharing our lives in Christ.
• Wow, how often do you face decisions like this?  Missionaries in Uganda want to share with you about this tough decision.
• I’m sorry – you’re under arrest.  For what, may I ask?  Find out what happened to this missionary in Liberia…
• It’s 435 years old!  What is?  Why, Luanda of course!  It’s the capitol of Angola.
• And this is totally unrelated to anything, but I was very excited to find this extraordinarily practical blog for those who aren’t eating gluten – and are living where perhaps it’s not so easy (not that it’s easy anywhere!).  So, from Senegal, check out Living GF in Dakar.
• And just one more – a video (below) from Mozambique, thanks to the Da Silva Family blog.

Here are some of the experiences missionary bloggers have been through lately.  For example, this blogger in Niger laments If I want to feed my family… …I have to go grocery shopping.

Speaking of groceries – spotted in Thailand was the Sausage-Cake Sandwich.  Full pictures provided in case you want to check your local grocery store.

And a day of adventure in Senegal – yes, it’s Caca water!

All right, I’m glad that’s over.  But… wait!  Danger looms ahead!  This time, not from roaming the country, but from blogging — as seen in this Disclaimer in Peru.  Yes, always remember – the world is reading your blog!

Finally, some peace.  A good report on a concluded Bible study – A SWEET ENDING in Bolivia.

Quick fact of the day from Taiwan:  Early Christian Influence on Asian Buddhism

And finally, some reminders to pray.  First, out of Honduras, challenging times:  Praise and thanks for prayer.  And an incredible post from Paraguay – Thoughts on a Funeral.  Not only will you learn about missions, and Paraguay, you’ll learn about God’s grace.

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?

• 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.