By Candlelight

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 8/27/12

As my family and I walked through the hotel hallway one night in Ollantaytambo, Peru, we found ourselves surrounded by complete darkness.  The power in the whole city had gone out in an instant, leaving us with feet firmly planted in one place, unsure of what to do or how we were going to get to our rooms.  As we fumbled around for our keys, we were met by a gentle light coming towards us.  The hotel owners had lit candles and brought them to us; relieved, we laughed at our feeble attempts to find our way in the dark and rejoiced that we finally had light to guide our way back to our rooms.  We spent rest of the evening snuggling under warm blankets and chatting by candlelight; we laughed and shared many memories by the light of these candles. 

There are times in my life and ministry when I feel like I am walking in the dark, confused or unsure of my next step, just like the dark, hotel hallway in Ollantaytambo; but in the midst of the darkness, I am greeted by a welcome light.  Although I was once in darkness, I am no longer in that place; I am now in the light of the Lord (Ephesians 5:8).   He is my light and salvation, and when I follow Him I "shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12).  Even when I feel the weighed down or do not know where to take the next step, I have no reason to fear or worry, but just trust that He is my faithful guide, illuminating my heart and leading me in the light.  This is true for you too!  Even in the midst of trouble, darkness, or confusion in your life, set your eyes on Jesus--the light of the world--and let Him guide you in the light! 

photographer: Stephanie Rushing, Peru.

Be Refreshed

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 8/20/12

Over the past few years my husband and I, through work and circumstances, had reached burnout and took a long break for rest, reflection and renewal.  Our times walking along beaches and through national parks were great times of refreshment from the Lord.  This photo, taken at Knoll National Park on Mount Tamborine in Queensland, Australia, still speaks to me, reminding me of God’s  love and presence that sustains me as I walk with Him.

photographer: June Sparks, Australia. "My husband and I have been serving in Australia over the past 20 years."

Shine Like the Sun

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 8/13/12

What a joy when my young friend from Madagascar recently visited me on her way back from a three month trip to Australia.  I was privileged to see God start a wonderful work in her life ten years ago (she was only 15) when we lived on her island. She helped me to learn Malagasy, while any visit to my home was a good excuse for her to practice English. Today, she has a BA degree in teaching and is doing an honors degree with English as her main subject.

More precious than her academic work is how she is flourishing in her walk with God. Three months with outspoken atheists away from her own country solidified her testimony as a Christ-follower. I “stole” this photograph of her on our favorite beach just before she left to go back to her country in political turmoil. While my heart was heavy for her, God assured me of His amazing work in her, and on her behalf...Our God is not watching us from a distance, but is lovingly at work wherever we are. 

photographer: Cecile Sander, Indian Ocean Island.

Joyful

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 8/6/12

This picture was taken in a public school in the town of Sousas in Brazil where I have been teaching Bible for around 43 years.. yes… I started early! Growing up as an MK, at the age of 13, my mother would take me along with her to help give Bible classes in the public schools and soon after that I was teaching myself. I thank the Lord that this door is still open and that we have this wonderful liberty to do this in this country.

This June I was blessed to be able to give Bibles to all of my students that didn’t have one; that is, over 300 of them, in the three public school and at the NGO Grupo Primavera. I am grateful to my commending home assembly in Los Angeles, CA, that gave me this special gift to purchase the Bibles. It was such a blessing to see the children's excitement while receiving them, what a privilege to be able to plant the precious seed in precious hearts!

photographer: Jeanne Lipsi, Brazil.

My Rock

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 7/30/12

This picture was taken while my husband I were house-sitting for family friends who live right on the beach at Pointe Aux Cannoniers – a popular destination in Mauritius for many tourists from all over the world. As holiday makers were going out on 30 feet catamarans daily to pass the view of the spectacular Coin de Mire Island, I sat in the garden and gazed on this rock in the ocean.

In the midst of uncertainty and turmoil in my heart around the yearly re-application of our work permit – God whispered words of security into my mind. Indeed, He is our Rock and our Fortress. He will lead and guide us for His Name’s sake. Even if the authorities refuse us permission to stay on this little island – God will continue to build His Kingdom. I realized anew that whenever we are faced with troubled waters, the Mighty Hand of God will sustain His own. There is safety and security in His Presence.

photographer: Cecile Sander, Indian Ocean Island.

 

 

Who Sees Me?

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 7/23/12

I took this photo as the sun was coming up along the shore of the Arabian Gulf.  It made me think of the loneliness of Hagar, her sense of the unfairness of Abram sending her and her son away, and then her amazement that Abram’s God would look down on her and rescue her. She named God El-roi, “the God who sees me.”  God knew Hagar’s plight and watched over her.

In the same way, we can pray for God to hear and see the many women born into Islam, without any chance of learning about Jesus, God’s Kinsman-Redeemer. Surely God watches over them too, and is ready to reveal Himself to any who truly seek Him.  

photographer: Sue DeVries, Cypress.

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.