My Eyes Can See

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 07/25/11

I captured this picture of my son and a friend one afternoon as we picnicked at a scenic lookout over our mountain city. The giant cross is visible from nearly every neighborhood in the town below, backlit by the early sunrise, and reflecting the last rays of daylight as the sun sets over the mountains on the other side of the valley. Frequently as an afternoon rain shower ends, a double rainbow appears to spring up from the cross into the blue sky above. I can see this cross right now as I gaze out the window of my home office, and it stands as a daily reminder of what should be the top priority not only in our work as Scripture promoters among the Quechua people, but also in my personal life: to set the Lord always before me.

photographer: Rachel Yanac,Wycliffe Bible Translators, Peru


What's NEW this Week @ WOTH:

*Weekly Word e-Bible Study--New series on I Corinthians: Paul's Principles for Churches, by Pat Laube. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:18). Power-up women and strengthen your walk with Him!

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How Wide

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 7/18/11

It’s funny when you are in a foreign country where you don’t know the language. I do village nursing and physio in these small communities, sometimes going far up mountainous areas. I was on a walk trying to discover it on my own, without an interpreter, seeking to find out what this village was about. I had just met some kids who had just got out of school, as I was taking some pictures of beautiful scenery. The kids were following me on their scooters, being very adept and showing off some of their tricks by not going over some cliffs on the narrow roads! As we arrived at the village they were saying goodbye, but wanted me to take a picture of them first.

Usually everyone wants to do the “victory” sign in a photo and they actually automatically posed with this. I didn’t want this pose so I started showing them to do something different – like, for example, flying like an airplane. So I just caught them in the action! They loved to see their pic - so good of an opportunity to get to know them. And they were also getting to know me too! I hope I started a different trend too!

Just as a side note: that road was later closed to foreigners. It shows we have to take the opportunity when it is there.

photographer: Lynn T., RAC

Planted & Placed

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 7/11/11

Having served in rural Kenya, I am drawn to the work friends do in the more rural parts of Indonesia. While I was working at an international school in Jakarta, I visited dear friends who have been working among a people group in a less open-minded part of this country. Early one morning, my friend showed me the path where her morning walk would take her... It was early enough for the sun to cast long shadows on the rice paddies. Of the 8 million people in this area, only a couple hundred are believers.

photographer: Adele Booysen, Java, Indonesia

Hanging in the Balance

THE STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 7/04/11

We work in rural northern Bangladesh with The Leprosy Mission International. On the day I took the photo, we were headed to a village to visit one of our community-based rehabilitation groups. The car had gone as far as possible and the rest of the journey was taken on foot. These groups of about 10-15 members meet monthly to save money, assist each other in caring for their leprosy-affected feet and hands, and address other needs they may have. Bridges over rice fields like this are quite common. Actually, this one is quite sturdy, having been built to accommodate rickshaws, not just foot traffic. The tenuousness of life here – where houses, bridges, and lives are daily hanging in the balance – is a constant reminder of God’s sustaining hand.

photographer: Sherilyn Bowers, Bangladesh.

Right or Left

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 6/27/11

This was taken at Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge near Vancouver, Canada when I was there visiting my brother in January 2010. He took the picture of me without me knowing – and I like the way it looks like I am walking into the unknown, and that there is only one way to walk... it reminded me of this verse in Isaiah.

photo submitted by: Belinda Chaplin, Bosnia. "I am a South African, working in Bosnia with YWAM. I am involved in English teaching and Humanitarian aid and work with the local Protestant Church. I have been here almost 10 years now."

from the pages of the May/June '11 issue of the WOTH onlineMagazine:

It's the season of travel: furlough, vacation, re-locating. Read the article, "Easing Airport Stress: 7 Great Tips to Emotions from Taking Off" by Gwen Klontz, Bolivia, and experience a new [peaceful] way to glide through the airport as you head to your next destination.

Never Thirsty

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 6/20/11

We were headed up there to visit when we had to stop and assess the condition of the 'road' which was going through the river. These ladies were delighted to have fresh, clean water running over the rocks. It made it so much easier for them to scoop out instead of having to dig deep into the sand like they normally do during the dry season.

photographer: Vera Steury, Kenya. "My husband and I have been in Kenya now for 24 years. We work with the Maasai tribe in a remote area of Kenya. We do community-based health care (immunizations, HIV/AIDS counseling, clean water projects). I teach Sunday School, homeschool my own kids, and run a small guest house. My husband was born in Kenya as a missionary kid. All three of our children were also." You can visit Vera @ www.Steuryngs.blogspot.com

from the pages of the May/June '11 issue of the WOTH onlineMagazine:

"The Lasagna Fiasco: Tasting Humility One Bite at a Time" by Betsy C., Turkey.

One reader's response from the Message Board: "Thank you for the reminder about the impact pride has on how we respond to comments and actions of others! I needed that"

Patagonian Strength

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 6/13/11

This is a picture of the Torres del Paine in the national park of the same name in Patagonia, Chile. As I look on them I recognize that they have stood for thousands of years and while they are weathered they stand strong and firm. And the verse that comes to mind each time I view them is "The name of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10 He has the strength that I need to get me through the trials and hardships. He is my strong tower.

photographer: Jacolyn Bursmeyer, Chile.

from the pages of the May/June '11 issue of the WOTH onlineMagazine:

"Loving Arabs Without Losing Myself"...staring into my closet I wondered, " What outfit would produce the least amount of comments?" by Robin W., Jordon.

One reader's response from the Message Board: "This is a wonderful spirit and change of heart attitude to proclaim. Many years ago I lived in a major Western European city, and the troubles I experienced as a young female among a sea of North African Muslim men were deeply disturbing. I must say it took me many years, even while living in the US again, before I overcame my feelings of anger and hatred toward these men. I asked God to help me feel compassion. It was not easy. Thank you for sharing your heart and desire to love those who mistreat you through no fault of your own"