Seated with Him

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 1/30/12

This is the smoking section of a restaurant in Tubingen, Germany...note the individual blankets to keep you warm outside.

photographer: Gina Bowen, USA.

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Keep 'em coming!
We have 46 more slots to fill for Picture Praise in 2012. We need your great global shots and verses.

We're inviting all women serving cross-culturally to participate in submitting their photography and verses to be considered for use 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 is an initiator for 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) and verse (not on the photo) to: editor@womenoftheharvest.com

Draw Near

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 1/23/12

I was walking in the forest summer of 2011 while home on furlough and came across this patch of flowers blooming in the field. The Lord impressed me that He simply made creation to glorify Himself, to bring Himself delight. This image has been a reminder to me ever since that while many never see our work on the field, God sees, He knows, and He cares. And it brings HIM delight!

photographer: Kim Thompson, Latvia. "My work in Latvia is assisting the Baptist Union in the training of women leaders for the church. I am a trainer for Entrust4 and direct a women's ministry training program that now spans nationwide. It is very exciting to see Latvian and Russian women take ownership of the Titus 2 principle and train the next generation of women to live for Christ! I have also been an active part of the training program Entrust offers to missionary women: Women to Women Ministry Training."

Holding Your Hand

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 01/16/12

After two years of sickness we finally came to the extremely difficult decision that we would have to move back to North America. Since day one of living in Dakar, Senegal I have been sick. It has been very difficult to balance sickness, language learning, my two boys, family life and ministry. But God was truly teaching us so much. It was a hard decision to make. But we are so glad that we will be doing nearly the same jobs in North America.

We slowly started packing up our things and selling what would not be able to fit into suitcases. The house was already not feeling like home anymore. It was just another place we were passing through. The beginning of December I got out the Christmas decorations and attempted to get into the "Christmas spirit." But it only resulted in tears and sadness. Where is home? Surely not here! I packed up the decorations again and decided that I just couldn't do it. When my husband came home I explained to him that Christmas was going to have to be different this year. He agreed.

We then discussed the idea of spending Christmas at the beach. Getting away as a family for a few days was exactly what our hurting hearts needed. We needed some time to bond as a family and process the upcoming change in our lives.

This photo was taken on our way to the beach. Those few days at the beach were the most refreshing few days I can remember. A time to process, relax, read the Word, and come back together as a family!

One of the main reasons we are returning home is so that I can have the physical and mental ability to disciple our children. These boys are so important to me. They are my number one ministry. This photo will forever be a treasure to us remembering the days where God reminded us that He is always there with an outstretched hand saying, "Do not fear, I will help you!"

photographer: Debra Copeland, Senegal.

Show Us Your Corner of the World

This week Picture Praise goes out without the typical "Story Behind the Photo"... so I'll take this opportunity as Editor of WOTH publications to invite all women serving cross-culturally to participate in submitting their photography and verses to be considered for use 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 is an initiator for prayer to those who receive it.

We'd love to see your corner of the world...so please consider submitting your photo (jpeg) and verse (not on the photo) to: editor@womenoftheharvest.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Your friend, Cindy Blomquist, Editor.

Everything In It

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 1/2/12

After serving in Quito, Ecuador for 18 years, a friend and supporter surprised us by offering to send us to the Galapagos Islands, which are about 600 miles off of the coast of Ecuador. Honestly, it hadn't really been something urgent on our "to do" list. I mean, it's the place where Darwin proposed his theory of "evolution," right?

However, it was probably the most amazing trip of our lives! We were astounded by God's creation. This photo was taken on our way home from our favorite day in the Galapagos Islands--a day at Isla Bartolome, a barren, volcanic island with striking blue bays and wonderful snorkeling opportunities! In fact, we had just snorkeled with a large Manta Ray and a five foot long shark.

We were tired and relaxed for the 3-hour boat ride home. I was looking back towards Isla Bartolome and couldn't help but see the island--so ugly by itself, with the beautiful light on the water, and the Ecuadorian flag blowing in the wind! Here we were, in the middle of the birthplace of Evolution, serving as missionaries to the people of Ecuador--with the testimony of his marvelous creation all around us! What a contrast to a world without hope in a Creator who loves and cherishes us! What an inspiration to continue to share the good news of how God, our Creator, loved us and sent His son to die for us.

photographer: Sheryl Shedd serves with.HCJB Global in Ecuador. Sheryl is a homeschooling, missionary mom to eight children, and has served in Quito, Ecuador for 19 years. Her husband, Daniel, was assigned to their mission's home office in Colorado Springs from 2006-2011, and they have just recently returned to live and work in Ecuador once again. Sheryl keeps pretty busy with homeschooling their five children who are still at home and helping in their Ecuadorian church. Scrapbooking and reading are on the top of the list when there are a few moments to relax.