Cheery Cherries

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

It was the height of autumn when I arrived in this city 6 months ago, and I was dazzled by the colorful abundance of fruit and berries growing everywhere. This photo was taken in a local park I walked through every day on my way to the mission base. It's a cerisier sauvage (wild cherry tree), a favorite with the local birds but - sadly - not for human consumption. Doesn't it look amazing - all that fruit... and no leaves!

photographer: Kathy Day, France. "I'm a single Australian WOTH, working in France with a media Mission team to produce radio, TV and Internet material for church planting across North Africa and the Middle East."

What's NEW This Week @ WOTH:

*WOTH Book Club: Starts TODAY...hop over to the blog and see what our Blog Host, Linda Swanson, is saying about our latest read, The Help.

*WOTH Retreats: Registration is now OPEN for our two remaining 2011 Retreats.

The Furlough Retreat @ Glen Eyrie, CO on July 11-14

The Fall Retreat @ Foz do Iguacu, Brazil on October 16-19 & 20-23

Giggling Girls

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 3/28/11

I was on a walk taking photographs in a village near my house one late afternoon when these four girls met me on their way home from school. They smiled and we exchanged greetings, pausing for a moment, and then they kept walking. Soon I heard them giggling and coming back towards me. They appointed the oldest girl to speak for them, and she said they wanted to shake my hand. (They don't often encounter foreigners, especially that they can talk to ;) They all giggled as I shook their hands and asked them a few questions about school that day. As they turned and ran down the road, I snapped this photo. I only wished it captured the sound of their laughter!

photographer: Gretchen Zens, Poipet, Cambodia.

What's NEW this Week @ WOTH:

*New Book Club starts next Monday: The Book--The Help. Click through for more details and book discounts!

*New Blog goes live next Tuesday: "Yellow Dress: and other things we do for Love", hosted by a young, single woman serving in the Middle East. Promises to tap into a whole new point of view for women serving cross-culturally.

My Peace

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 3/21/11

I took this beautiful picture a few weeks after arriving in our new country of service. Little did I know that some days later, those very same calm waters would be disturbed by a cyclone passing by in the Indian Ocean. The contrast of the two views, reminded me of the words Jesus spoke to His disciples while preparing them for His departure. It also brought back the reality of how much I need those very words in the midst of all the unknowns I am facing in this spectecular surroundings, yet filled with idolatory and poverty that breaks one's heart. I know Jesus is with us in every season of life speaking those very words into ourcircumstances. Glory to Him!!

photographer: Cecile Sander, Mauritus.

What's NEW this Week @ WOTH:

*onlineMagazine: Check out our newest issue, March/April 2011, and see what is prompting great comments like this one: "Thanks for putting together the edition that you did! I think it's one of the best ever. Encouraging in that 'we're not alone' kind of way and helpful with the real stuff that we face overseas. Thanks!"

Beautiful

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 3/14/11

The picture was taken during a ceremony here at Olderkesi [Kenya]. We have a training school for pastors (for men and women who have not been past 8th grade, and just want to mentor others). So this little girl was just one in the crowd at the graduation ceremony, and having a fun time showing off her new hairdo!

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. I finally started a blog (www.Steuryngs.blogspot.com). It's stories of experiences we've had all these years. I just wanted a forum to tell those stories. We put out a prayer letter, and that tells how our ministry is going, and our mission has a page for each of its missionaries, so I didn't want it to be that repeated. I am also starting a Bible study for a gaggle of 'house maids"-- girls about 12-13 years old who kind of get lost in the shuffle of life out here. So that's pretty interesting shuttling back and forth between three languages!"

The Narrow Door

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 03/07/11

This door was found at the end of an alley in the middle of the old area of town in Marrakech. What struck me is that this door was inset into the concrete and only came up to my waist. You had to go on your knees to unlock and open the door, then step down right next to the wall and lower yourself into the door. I don't know what was behind this door, but I hope it was worth the difficulty to enter!

photographer: Chantelle McIver, International Worker in Niger, Africa.

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!"