Don’t forget those who are preparing to return to the field, such as this family going to the Philippines.

And while we’re away from the field, check out a creative way to raise funds – Faso Five-O Finish (Burkina Faso).

And one more big issue while you’re off the field and trying to get back… visas!  VISA, VISA, and No VISAs will give you the low-down when it comes to Spain.

• 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)

• Christ School Stories (Uganda):  The stories of a couple of students.
• Am I a Cool Christian? (Philippines):  On being a cool blogger, a cool church, and a cool Christian.
• nou la (Haiti):  "We’re here. We’re watching the place we love fall into further chaos. We’re sad. We’re hopeful. And we’re praying."
• Crossing The Passion River (Guatemala):  A common event for these missionaries – some pictures of the crossing.
• Bangkok Taxi Evangelism (Thailand):  "Sealed inside an air conditioned bubble, far from the eavesdropping ears of society-at-large, Bangkok’s taxi drivers will give you their uninhibited opinion on just about anything. Politics. Religion. Education. The monarchy. Their hometown. How to manage multiple wives in different cities. Nearly nothing is off limits. "
• More nuggets from Russia (Russia):  Cold day?  Whatever you do, don’t open your mouth!
• Oh, What a Day! (Paraguay):  Here’s where la lucha (the fight) comes in.  Sometimes minor setbacks, sometimes big problems.  Also, from the same blogger, check out Manger Scenes.
• December Kekchi Pastors Module (Guatemala):  More students!  49 pastors hearing God’s Word…
• Christmas Dinner Recipe (Malawi):  Actually, this is the same video I posted below.  (Warning: real insects are harmed in this video)

• 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.

Drinking coffee in Sudan
Photo courtesy of joodmc

Food, drink, Christmas outreaches, flashlights… quite a variety today from our bloggers.  I don’t know what it is, but the posts seem to be getting more and more interesting – check out this eclectic set from recent days…

• Zillions of Cookies in Russia: Don’t you love this kind of outreach?
• The difference between the statistics of Christians worldwide and the reality – talking about syncretism in Swaziland.
• Hate to say it, but these kids are Not Future Missionaries in the Philippines
• Let’s head over to Rwanda to see A Batwa Christmas, and why it was extra special this year.
• While we’re in Africa, let’s stop for a Coffebreak – Sudanese Style (in Sudan of course) before continuing.
• On with our travelling, to see Jacmel… beautiful place with beautiful people in Haiti.
• Around the House and Around the Neighborhood in Mexico.  Ice skating and riot police?
• So you’re a techy interested in missions?  Check out this amazing Reliable Solar Powered Light from these folks heading to Kenya.
• Just for fun, check out these International Nativity Scenes from Thom in Senegal.
• One of the world’s most amazing delicacies right here – Balut–something to try at least once (the Philippines)

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

Our newest blog is from a family preparing to go to Guatemala.  If you’re interested in community health, be sure to check out Updates from the Messick Crew.

Over to Europe, check out Carrie’s blog – Perfectly Imperfect.

We’re going all over the world – let’s head to the Philippines with OUR JOURNEY, the blog of Matt and Rina.  This one has been going since May.  And one more in the same country – Direct from the Philippines.

Let’s see – we haven’t been to Africa yet.  Go visit Cameroon Chronicles, the blog of the Hamm family, transitioning back to life in Cameroon.  And heading to Africa is For the Multitude, from the Baylors going to Kenya.

Now we haven’t been to North America, so let’s visit the USA with The Bobby Harjo Family, serving on a Navajo reservation.

Out of El Salvador we have the Wimberly Journal, and preparing to go to Uganda Among the Nations.  And let me give you just one more, out of Europe… Romania Missions.  It was actually started in March, but I haven’t mentioned it yet, so we’ll squeak it into the "new" category! 

Also going since 2006, you can read about the Life of a Pastor in Guatemala.  And how about another blog about the Life of the Wife of “A Pastor in Antigua, Guatemala”?

On the move, going from Haiti to the Philippines, is Bethany.  She’s been blogging since 2007 at Updates From a Missionary.  On the move at the moment, between Germany and the USA, is the author of The Journey Has Begun…, blogging since 2007.

Back to South America, be sure to check out the family that is Real Nutz 4 Brazil, and almost finished a full year of blogging.  And, on a journey heading to another culture, check out B O L I V I A !

Just one more gets us over to Asia.  Visit Taiwan Prattler, and see what thoughts you can find about life in Taiwan.

Come back soon for more blogs – that you’ve probably never read!

• When it rains it pours…. – Life in the world’s driest city
• What God says He does! I like this post, which gives a simple practical window view into the life of one missionary
• Typhoon in the Philippines: Pray and Iloilo Typhoon Update Number One (Hopefully More to Come)
• The Gas Saga – community relationships vs individual relationships vs the ability to cook food
• Footzall – prayer requests and a sport you may not be familiar with
• Cost of Ministry – some thoughts about the reality of life as a missionary
• The Real Thing – When the battle for the Truth is obvious
• Paying the Bills – paying the electric bill
• An Ordinary Day – another day in the life of a missionary

I am currently without internet access, and so I’m afraid my updates will continue to be on the slow side – bear with me a few more weeks!