Firm Foundation

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 9/24/12

These are the feet of street children along with Thai/Burmese border.  They are sent out by parents, grandparents or other relatives to beg in the streets every day for a variety of reasons.  Most of these children have been abused emotionally, sexually, and physically.  But God has sent an amazing man with a heart to see them lifted out of their despair.  Together with an awesome Burmese staff, he is providing food, schooling, and hope to these forgotten ones.  It was my privilege to bring a Hip Hop instructor up there to teach them dance using praise & worship music!  They did an incredible job remembering the "pops" (I forget all the terms) and are using their dance to glorify God!  I love the way the Lord works.  He's the best!

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: info@womenoftheharvest.com.

photographer: Julie Smude, Thailand. The Director of Deeper Still Ministries, International, Julie is a single-parent who knows how powerful and compassionate our God is. Throughout her life, He has performed miracle after miracle to get her to where she is today.  Julie knows without a doubt - that "No matter how deep the pit, God is deeper still" (quote by Betsie TenBoom, The Hiding Place).

Wider, Higher, Longer, Deeper

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 9/17/12

We recently took a break from ministry in Tokyo, Japan to visit our family and friends back home in Australia. While we were there we hired a motor home and drove into the centre of Australia to see Uluru (Ayers Rock). The distances we travelled were immense (8,000km). Even though my husband and I had known (and seen photos) of this part of our home country, it still amazed us to see it. As we drove hour after hour through places where there was little evidence of human habitation, we couldn't deny how tiny we were compared to the huge land of Australia. 

When we came back to Japan I had coffee with my best Japanese friend. She'd travelled in outback Australia as a young woman and remembered the same impression. She said, "We get the feeling in the city that we are pretty big and strong, but out there you realize that we really aren't large at all." 

In Tokyo we can't see the horizon unless we climb a tall building. In outback Australia it is so flat that we could almost always see the horizon. This photo was taken while driving in outback Queensland. We only saw this type of sky once in our trip, my husband called it a "mackerel sky". Whenever I look at it, I'm reminded of these verses in Ephesians that describe our God and his love which is so large that it is beyond our ability to understand or even describe. These clouds, though so high, pressed us down and made us feel small. Yet our creator's love presses down and surrounds us with love that is far wider, longer, higher, and deeper than we could ever see.

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: info@womenoftheharvest.com.

photographer: Wendy Marshall, Japan

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 9/10/12

One of the Steury family traditions is that the child we are taking to the US for college gets to pick the country we fly through.  Now, before you get a jet setting image in your mind, let me explain, there are rules.  We have to be traveling towards the U.S (which is a bummer because I want to go to Australia), and it has to be a country not currently at war.  This year, our last born, chose Israel.

Now I love all the places we visit in our missionary travel, but there is something bizarre that transition does to me. As soon as I get familiar with my surroundings, as soon as I can recognize a familiar landmark, I want to live there.  No more packing, no more goodbyes, no more living out of my suitcase.  We stayed longer inIsrael than the other places we had traveled.  I was so sold on the idea of living in a little apartment outside the Damascus Gate that I even had my fantasy self buying figs from the same seller and leading him to Jesus.

So, that said, transition and the lack of a home feeling, make me take pictures of others having a life. I have tons of pictures of people pushing life. That's why I love this picture. I have a feeling I am not the only one that transition does a number on.

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: info@womenoftheharvest.com.

photographer: Vera Steury, Kenya

Rest

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: Picture Praise, 9/03/12

This week, 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.

photographer: Charlotte Blanford, USA

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.