Land of Promise

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 02/28/11

This tiny Muslim country in the Arabian Gulf is undergoing an astounding and rapid transition into the modern world. One of the great challenges in this rush toward progress is not leaving behind traditional culture and values. When we first arrived here several years ago, these traditional beduin style tents, used for men's wedding celebrations, were quite common. Over the next few years, as the skyline rose, the tents disappeared. Now, however, the traditional tents are making a comeback. As I watch the fascinating process of a people trying to redefine themselves, I am reminded that no matter where I find myself, my true citizenship is beyond any country on earth.

photographer: Desertbird, RAC

No Longer Night

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 2/21/11

Going back to the North of Mozambique from South Africa after our furlough, takes us on a 5-day car journey. And usually quite exciting driving too! Dodging huge potholes for hours, driving alongside the “road” for many kilometers, seeing buses and taxi’s filled to maximum capacity and usually topped with some goats makes for lots of entertainment. The picture was taken where we slept over at the coast. Although we live far from the ocean, there is only one road going north, which follows the coast about half of the way of our journey. We enjoyed the beautiful beach and sunset – Africa in rich colors!

photographer: Belinda Paetzold. "We live in a small village in the far north of Mozambique. Here we are busy studying the local language and are working towards church planting amongst a least reached people group. We work with SIM and have been in the village for 2 years now. We have 3 children which we homeschool. We live very isolated with our closest missionary neighbors 4 km away and other friends 1 1/2 hours away. Our closest town is 75km from here. It is good to be in contact with others that work cross-cultural through WOTH! Although it is not easy to live way out in the bush, we realize daily just how much in need of a Savior the people around us are! Jesus truly is the only Hope!"

Called Away

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 2/14/11

This photo was taken while I was on home assignment in my beautiful home town of Cape Town. It was taken from Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. It is looking back across Table Bay at Table Mountain (complete with "tablecloth") and the city of Cape Town. I love my city (with good reason as the picture shows how beautiful it is!) and once told God that I would serve Him for the rest of my life, as long as He didn't call me away from Cape Town. He obviously changed my heart as I have been serving Him for 10 years in Bosnia Herzegovina and not looking to come back to Cape Town anytime soon.

photographer: Belinda Chaplin serves with YWAM in Bosnia Herzegovina

Hold Fast

WOTH PICTURE PRAISE, 02/07/11

Once again this week we are not able to publish the "Story Behind the Photo" due to security reasons.

Is security one of your work realities? Click over to the WOTH Writer's Blog this week and read: "Veiled Writing: When You Need Security." Here's an excerpt:

"The bigger question is -- can you communicate genuine issues and not tell the whole world where you work? I think you can. People stories are what communicate most deeply to your audience, and people issues are universal. Depression, spiritual conflicts, broken marriages, fear, barrenness, rebellious children. Are not these the problems all those searching for Jesus face? Even those who are following Jesus are still dealing with the baggage of their past life."

rebuild. restore. renew.

PICTURE PRAISE, 1/31/11

They will rebuild the ancient ruins

and restore the places long devastated;

they will renew the ruined cities

that have been devastated for generations.

~Isaiah 61:4

Coffeegirl Community: Picture Praise needs
your photos and verses!

Send in your global photos (jpeg) along with a pertinent verse (separately, we'll do the layout) today to: editor@womenoftheharvest.com