Bench Mark

 

 STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 5/28/12

In Burkina Faso, West Africa, this young women, Rebeccah, is taking the time to meditate on the Word of God written in her own language of Jula. She is one of the girls at the Dorcas House, a transformative center for girls. 

At Dorcas House, the girls are able to develop and grow as they live in community with 20 other young women (ages 15-25), study the Word of God, learn to read and write in French and Jula and acquire technical skills like sewing on a treadle sewing machine and gardening.  God has provided for this center since the idea came to a group of Burkinabe women called UFAC (Union Femine de l’Alliance Chretienne). Partnering  with them, I was able to see God raise up a simple yet beautiful center for 20 girls per year.

We were visited by a group of women from Pennsylvania for two weeks of special activities. One of the women, Cindy Long, brought a lot of laughter and creativity to the team. In the year following her visit to Dorcas House, Cindy went to be with the Lord. Her family’s desire was to donate funds to Dorcas House in her memory. This bench was built with those funds...as well as seven other benches located throughout the four acres of the center. The benches are placed strategically so that as the sun travels across the sky there is always a shaded place to sit and think, laugh or read the Word of God and pray.

I love seeing how the family of God joins together even across the ocean to see God’s hands of mercy and love. Each one of us is called to that place of meditation as we align our hearts with God’s heart..it reaches to the ends of the earth.

photographer: Amy Nehlsen, Burkina Faso. She is currently stationed in the US, but will be doing a camp with the girls called "Run the Race!" in Burkina Faso as this photo is published. Find out more about Dorcas House at www.wix.com/dorcashouse/faso.

Touchpoints

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 5/21/12

This photo was actually taken by my daughter, at 12-years-old, while we were visiting a Bedouin family in a rural village in Northern Jordan.  We were privileged to take our children out to this family’s tent to help them ‘move’ out of their summer tent and into their winter one. It was a long day, a huge project, but an interesting view of the life of these simple people.
 

What blessed me through this experience was seeing how my children interacted with these simple people and how my daughter was able to use her camera as a way of keeping the day interesting. She had fun with the Bedouin children, painting finger nails, taking their pictures, just being with these children in their home.  The picture she took reminded me of the ways we touch others lives, just by our presence, and the way this family impacted ours in their simplicity and their genuineness. 

In our fast-paced lives, it is easy to forget those less fortunate and even easier to take for granted the luxuries we afford.  I was encouraged by Proverbs 31:20, “She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.”   Romans 12:9 says "our love should be genuine" and verse 16  says to "live in harmony with one another, not to be haughty, but associate with the lowly."  I am reminded of how children, given the opportunity, can easily cross this chasm between the poor and rich just by being with one another and sharing the common experience of living.  

photographer: Kelly Nutter's daughter, Middle East.

The Word

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 05/14/12

This photo was taken at the Guatemala school of Alpha and Omega in the small village of Patzún, Guatemala. We stopped to visit the missionaries that work with this school and church project.

photographer: Judy Stewart, Guatemala. "My husband and I serve in Guatemala with CAM International (soon to be Camino Global) in the area of Member Care. We have the awesome privilege to "come along side" the 34 family units that live and work here in Guatemala City and in rural areas of Chimaltenango, Antigua, Panajachel, Santiago, Huehuetenango and Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. We're here to "cheer them on" by attending Graduation services, School plays, sporting events for the missionary kids, being a listening ear and even when they get sick, by offering care in the midst of trials and disappointments that life brings."

Wings of the Dawn

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 05/07/12

This picture was taken at sunrise in the quaint ancient city of Antigua, Guatemala. We had a professional photographer with us who suggested we get up before sunrise and drive to Antigua. We had never been to the city that early in the morning, and it was breathtaking to watch the sun rise over the mountains and light up the Volcano Agua.

photographer: Judy Stewart, Guatemala. "My husband and I serve in Guatemala with CAM International (soon to be Camino Global) in the area of Member Care. We have the awesome privilege to "come along side" the 34 families that live and work here in Guatemala City and in rural areas of Chimaltenango, Antigua, Panajachel, Santiago, Huehuetenango and Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. We're here to "cheer them on" by attending graduation services, school plays, sporting events for the missionary kids, being a listening ear and even when they get sick, by offering care in the midst of trials and disappointments that life brings."

Deeper Still

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 4/30/12

In the northern region of Thailand, just 30 minutes from Burma and 35 minutes from Laos is a ministry called Deeper Still Ministries International. At the heart of Deeper Still is the knowledge that no matter how deeply we've been hurt, God is Deeper Still. No matter how deep our relationship with Him is, God is Deeper Still. No matter how deep our hunger is for more of His Presence, God is Deeper Still.

The young mother in the photo is an amazing worshiper and prayer warrior from the Lahu tribe. She is seeking hot after God and reflects the love of Christ through her eyes and her love for her daughter.

photographer: Julie Smude, Thailand. The Director of Deeper Still, Julie Smude, is a single-parent who knows how powerful and compassionate our God is. Throughout her life, He has performed miracle after miracle to get her to where she is today. For most of her life, Julie has lived below poverty, but knows without a doubt - that "No matter how deep the pit, God is deeper Still" (quote by Betsie TenBoom, The Hiding Place).

Shall Trouble Separate Us?

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 4/23/12

I was thinking about swords last December, as I walked around this silent ancient amphitheater in El Djem, Tunisia. Although not as large as the Colosseum, this structure is better preserved and has been made a UNESCO world heritage site.

The unremarkable rural township of about 10,000 residents which surrounds this sandstone giant today gives the tourist no clue as to the former 'glories' of a place where crowds of 30,000 citizens regularly gathered for public spectaculars, courtesy of local merchants who funded its construction with wealth generated by olive oil production and trade.

Like Rome's famous arena and others still standing across Europe and North Africa, this theater was built to offer local citizens and visitors excitement and entertainment: on this spot they enjoyed watching bloodthirsty battles between wild animals and fierce warriors (some scenes from the 2000 Russell Crowe epic, Gladiator, were filmed here).

As well, this site is documented as one where our Christians brothers and sisters of that era were sent to a terrible and violent death because of their refusal to bow the knee to Caesar. They honored the Lord by being willing to give up even their lives for His sake, and their spilt blood is an enduring example for us. Today, it is a humbling reality that Christians in many nations continue to suffer and die for their faith on a daily basis. May our Almighty God grant them--and us--by the Spirit of Christ, the grace and strength for whatever trials we must face.

photographer: Kathryn Day, France. "I'm an Australian, single woman serving in the south of France since 2010. I work in media production with an international team. Our ministry focus is on making the Gospel available across the Arabic-speaking world via Internet and social media, and in doing so to lead our contacts to Christ, and to support in-country disciple-making and church planting."

Joyful Clothing

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 4/16/12

A mother of six kids, who just lost her husband, happened to come by when we were sewing sundresses for our kids. She made this one and I thought her daughter looked exuberant with joy.

photographer: Heather Hahn, Mexico. Heather is the director of Brave Heart ministries in Mexico City, www.corazonvaliente.org (be sure to click the English tab!). "I grew up in rural Canada but I've loved living in the busy Mexico City for the last ten years. Currently, I spend most of my time with families on the street and lead university students who volunteer. It's my dream job!"