What do you want to be when you grow up? Remember being asked that when you were a kid? A question like that comes with a lot of assumptions: it assumes that you have the ability to be whatever you want; it assumes that you will even have a choice in the matter; it assumes that you will even live long enough to "grow up."

Anita’s mother grew up to be a prostitute. I don’t know why – but I am quite sure it is not what she wanted to be as a little girl. That fact softens my feelings toward her for what she’s done. You see, Anita was born to her about ten years ago. The exact date is not known. In the dark, mixed up, messed up world of this woman, a child was an unwelcome inconvenience….

Read the rest here.

Any why not stop and pray for Anita?

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?

It’s about making do, running, communicating – and it starts out with this line:  No more excuses ladies, if this lady can run ALL of you can run!!! (She doesn’t know her exact age but were guessing late 50′s early 60′s)

So head on over to find out about Exercising in Paradise!

• 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.

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!

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.

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!

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?

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!