For Now: A Glass, Darkly

 STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 7/16/12

My husband took this picture last fall while taking part in a famine-relief outreach to Samburu, Kenya.  We live in the western highlands of Kenya and have not been affected by the drought that has caused famine in so many parts of Africa's Horn. 

We have always been involved in development work in our area.  Relief work was not something we were well acquainted with. But after a successful harvest in our area, it was in our hearts to get involved in the relief efforts.  My husband partnered with several organizations to take a semi-truck full of maize to Samburu.  He came back feeling a bit discouraged as he knew that what they had done was not a long-term solution. 

As he shared the pictures with me, this one stood out.  This young girl is waiting for food to be unloaded so that she can take some back to her family.  The verse that struck me was "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (I Corinthians 13:12, KJV). 

I particularly like the King James Translation as it talks about a seeing through a glass darkly.  It's like holding up a thick stained glass and seeing how everything is tinted and distorted.  I realize that there are things on this earth that will never make sense to me.  How fitting that this verse would be placed at the end of one of the most famous writings ever on the topic of love.  I know that God loves each of these precious children who suffer around the world.  And when I can't make sense of it, I take comfort in knowing that right now I am just seeing that poor reflection through the dark glass.

photographer: Michelle Kiprop's husband, Kenya. Michelle is a Family Nurse Practitioner serving with Empowering Lives International in Eldoret, Kenya.

To Russia with Love

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 7/9/12

This picture was taken in Tikhvin, Russia, of the church within The Great Monastery of Our Lady. The monastery houses a famous icon which is supposed to have healing power, and many make pilgrimages to see it. In most Russian Orthodox churches, the Bible is read in Old Church Slavonic, which means that most who call themselves Orthodox do not have a relationship with Christ. I pray that God will send the breath of His Spirit into the dry bones of this church, that her people will come to life!

photographer:  Anonymous, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Cute Shoes

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 7/2/12

I took the photo of the felt shoes in Pushkin, Russia, during a Russian festival called Maslanitsa, which celebrates the beginning of spring, and is observed by eating as many blini (crepes) as one can hold! Although these traditional felt shoes were too costly to allow me to shod my own feet with them, they reminded me of the verse in Isaiah 52:7:

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!''

May there be many beautiful feet proclaiming God's reign in Russia!

photographer: Anonymous, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Red Gate

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 6/25/12

This narrow entrance in an old Atlixco, Mexico building immediately brought to mind the verses about the narrow way of life. May we continue to be diligent in helping others to find and enter the narrow gate, in order to avoiding destruction while living abundantly!


photographer: Debbie Murphy,  Mexico. "I am serving with Crossworld, working with a church in Puebla, Mexico, focusing on their outreach ministry in a nearby neighborhood and discipleship of new believers, as well as discipling and encouraging the women in the church."

My Portion

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 6/18/12

In Mexico and probably other places, many people do not have cars, and sometimes no refrigerator. They buy what they plan to use for the day at a corner store or market. They often buy just for the day. I’m thankful for the luxury of living in a city (after 8 years in the jungle) with a refrigerator and a car which allow me to shop occasionally, stocking up on what I might need. But as I watch some of my neighbors and friends do their shopping on a day-to-day basis, it reminds me to trust in God’s provision, one day at a time, and not grow confident in my ability to store up for the future.

photographer: Debbie Murphy, Mexico. "I am serving with Crossworld, working with a church in Puebla, Mexico, focusing on their outreach ministry in a nearby neighborhood and discipleship of new believers, as well as discipling and encouraging the women in the church."

Splendor

Picture Praise, 6/11/12  |  photographer: Linda Collins

Due to security reasons, our "Story Behind the Photo" goes untold.

However, we'll use this opportunity to extend an invitation to all women serving cross-culturally to participate in submitting their photography and verses to be considered for publication for Picture Praise this year.

Picture Praise goes out to over 2,000 subscribers weekly and has become one of our most inspirational and easily sharable publications. This is an opportunity to put your life on the field and the people you serve in front of many believers. Often times, it has become an initiator of prayer to those who receive it.

We'd love to see your corner of the world and the people who live there...so please consider submitting your photo (jpeg, at least 600px x 400px) and verse (not on the photo) to: editor@womenoftheharvest.com.

Wings of the Dawn

Picture Praise, 6/4/12   photographer: Jeannie, Thailand

Unfortunately our "Story Behind the Photo" goes untold this week.

However, we'll use this opportunity to extend an invitation to all women serving cross-culturally to participate in submitting their photography and verses to be considered for publication for Picture Praise this year.

Picture Praise goes out to over 2,000 subscribers weekly and has become one of our most inspirational and easily sharable publications. This is an opportunity to put your life on the field and the people you serve in front of many believers. Often times, it has become an initiator of prayer to those who receive it.

We'd love to see your corner of the world and the people who live there...so please consider submitting your photo (jpeg, at least 600px x 400px) and verse (not on the photo) to: editor@womenoftheharvest.com.