Come to the Waters

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 10/17/11

I was visiting this village in Burkina Faso, Africa. I was amazed that most of the villages have wells built by many different organizations who sponsor those who need water for their health. I watched the villagers come from the field where they were working and being able to drink good water. Their health has improved so much because they are taking care of themselves.
photographer: Linda Ellis, Burkina Faso. "I am currently living in Burkina Faso to help the teachers who work with the students with hearing loss for one year or so."

Bears our Burdens

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 10/10/11

While serving as a nurse in a Yanomami jungle village in Northern Brazil I would sometimes go walking to visit a sick baby, a discouraged mother or anyone who happened to be at home. I often had my camera in hand. I took this picture of Maikox because I liked the jungle frame around him. He was returning after gathering leaves and twine to be used in the thatch roof on a new house.

The more I looked at the picture later it reminded me of the less visible burdens we often carry. This particular man has heard many times about the God who offers to take his burden of sin, but sadly he chooses to continue being weighed down and destroyed by its weight. As believers we are so blessed to be able to walk freely, having handed our burdens to a strong God! Let's not grow weary in sharing and living that message! The Lord will work in people's hearts in His time.

photographer: Debbie Murphy, Brazil. “I am a nurse and I worked for 8 years in this Yanomami village in northern Brazil. I did medical work in the village as well as Bible teaching with the women.”

Knowledge of the Glory

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 10/3/11

While in Australia, we took a tour of The Great Ocean Road. This route, along the southern edge of the continent, is beautiful and inspiring while being wild and somewhat brutal. To the north, an enormous continent of extremes; to the south, fierce icy water; next stop, Antarctica. As we are from the northern part of the US, everything in Australia was foreign and mysterious - whole species of trees and animals found nowhere else on earth.

We were about as far from home as it's possible to be, yet we were not separated from the love of Christ. That ocean was created by our Father; His voice roared in the water, even the koalas call Him Lord. We were in awe of His power and proud to belong to the Creator of this wild beauty. We are aware of His presence with us wherever we go. When we worship with Christians there, or in Africa or South America, we are home.

photographer: Susan DeGraaf, US

Jubilant

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 9/26/11

This picture was taken one day when I was out for a walk on la rambla (a walkway) along the coastal shore of Montevideo. This walkway is a refuge for me as I love feeling like I have escaped the busy city life and am out in nature enjoying the great outdoors. It's true, I'm a country girl living in a big city...and la rambla is my 'great outdoor' adventure!

I have been working in this city as part of a church planting team for almost two years. I regularly like to go for a run or walk along la rambla and be reminded of the beauty of God's creation. God's artistic work in the majestic skies above, the rolling seas, the sandy beaches, and the flowers of the fields declare God's glory in a city where the people pride themselves in being atheist and have not yet repented or turned to their Heavenly Creator and Savior. I am reminded daily that if the people will not sing praises to their Creator, the rocks will cry out. Creation is singing unto its Creator and declaring His glory!

O that the creation and handiwork of God displayed along the coast of Uruguay will draw Uruguayans to confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that God has raised Him from the dead! What a day it will be!!

photographer: Rebecca Zurbrick, Montevideo, Uruguay.

Formerly | Now

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 09/19/11

The day I took this picture I was walking around the homes near mine, visiting with any women who might be home. I took a picture of Mitiele, the little child in the photo, from a bit of a distance because I knew she would quickly crawl to her mother inside as I approached.

The Yanomami people in this village (and throughout Venezuela and Northern Brazil) live in fear of spirits and try please the spirits in order to avoid sickness and harm. The darkness and fear in their lives is almost palpable sometimes. In this village of Palimi-U, as translation of the Bible progresses and years of Bible teaching begins to take root, God's light is shining in the lives of the believers.

Mitiele's parents are believers and her father has become a strong leader in the church. He also helps with Bible translation work and has traveled to a neighboring village to teach and challenge the people there as well. It is a tremendous challenge for the Yanomami to walk as children of light within their culture, but by God's grace it is possible!

photographer: Debbie Murphy, Brazil. “I am a nurse and I worked for 8 years in this Yanomami village in northern Brazil. I did medical work in the village as well as Bible teaching with the women.”

Shining in Our Hearts

THE STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 9/12/11

This photo was taken April 24, 2011 on Pondol (pun-dole) Beach, Negros Oriental Island in the Philippines. The body of Christ from the local mountains came down before sunrise and we worshipped the Lord together at 5 a.m., remembering the day Jesus rose again (Resurrection Sunday). Once the sun was out, Pastor shared some Scriptures about baptism and 15 were baptized that day - Hallelujah!

photographer: Theresa Frazier, Dumaguete, Philippines.

More Valuable

THE STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 9/5/11

This bird picture was taken last November when I was borrowing the wonderful camera of one of our missionary colleagues. :) I usually sit by the window in our guest room to have my morning devotions and drink my coffee and this colorful saffron finch, along with sparrows, robins and other birds, would often come and perch on top of the concrete posts which make up the fence around our small front yard. When I saw how beautifully this photo turned out - thanks to the camera - I knew it would be perfect for one of the "fotocards" which I frequently make. I usually put Portuguese verses on them but I made this one especially for a friend of mine in Canada who is going through some serious physical problems. She used to sing "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" so I knew this was the perfect photo to make a card for her!

photographer: Rena Nunley, serving in south Brazil with Baptist Mid-Missions.