Missionary Blog Watch

So what are missionaries talking about these days?  Snow, of course!  Those in colder climates are talking about the snow they have, and those in warmer climates about the snow they wish they had (or the snow they're glad they don't have!).  If you've been missing the snow, here are a few snowy posts to get you in the winter mood...

Two from the Copelands in Canada - It Finally Looks Like December (the bright side) and Try Again, Shall We? (the dark side).  By the way, great idea including the answering machine message!  Anyone else care to try?

Cuuuuute slide show - Our Snow Angel (but these guys want to schedule their snow - check out Let it snow, Let it snow (but only on the weekdays))

From Chuck, this ... disturbing ... video ;-)  First snow day in America

I guess this isn't Oaxaca - Brrrr....It's Cold! (they closed the schools?)

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Some simply thoughtful posts
December 16, 2006 08:22

Since my last post about "snow" I thought I'd better focus on some deeper posts (yes, deeper than the snow), lest you new visitors start thinking missionaries are just talking about the climate!  Here are a few very recent posts that have caught my eye that are likely to make you think, if you take the time to read them...

O me of little faith! - Raising support.  Whether you think it's a good idea or not, a bigger question might be what would your reaction be if God asked you to do it - or perhaps if you thought He might?

Mrs. Johnson has done the "illegal" - for you Americans out there (but a broader issue that applies to us all).  What impressions are American believers leaving with Mexicans in view of the illegal immigrant debate in the States?

Love and Canned Fruit - when trying to strategize, do we actually end up trying to control, instead of leaving things to the Lord?  It's a challenging and at times complex question, but here are some thoughts.

You Meant It For Evil.... - oh sure, we know God can use some bad things for good.  But what about BIG things?  Things that really matter?  How easy is it for us to remember God in the midst of the storm?

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - while some are missing home at Christmas, Cathy shares the joy of being with family, but the challenge of being in her "home" country...

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A few recent posts on missions
December 22, 2006 10:21

Our bloggers tackle some huge issues in their posts at times.  Naturally, quite often those issues are related to missions.  There's no doubt you'll wholeheartedly agree or disagree with much of what is said!  For example, check out A response to "Should Missionaries Feel Pressure to Produce Converts?", and from the same author Things Jesus Never Said To Do.

I'm seeing more and more posts from Americans struggling with their own culture and how it relates to missions.  Here's a recent example, Being American and a Missionary at the Same Time.  Also, read USA and Missions.

One blogger has been doing a series of posts on dependancy.  Dependancy has to do partly with churches in one culture being "dependant" on missionaries, or churches from another culture.  For example, if the missionary pays the pastor's salary or hosts teams to build the church.  Here is, I believe, the first post - The Deceitfulness of Dependency.  Visit the home page and do a little digging to find several more posts on the topic.  Thanks, everyone, for thinking about these issues!

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A year of new blogs
December 31, 2006 00:04

I thought it would be fitting to end the year with a little tour of some of the new blogs from the last year.  So, you'll see here a list of 12 blogs from the last 12 months (starting December 2005).  This isn't a "best of" list - there were just too many good blogs, and it would be too hard to choose!  So here are just a few of the excellent new blogs that exploded onto the scene...

December:  The Heart of the Matter (Ukraine)

January:  All My Ish (France)

February:  Unleashed, Unabashed, and Unafraid (Spain)

March:  The M Blog (Ecuador)

April:  Hannatu's Happenings (Niger)

May:  Where in the world are the wilsons? (Papua New Guinea)

June:  mr. t.......... on mission (South Asia)

July:  Surrender don't come natural to me (Bolivia)

August:  Missions Beyond Borders (Thailand)

September:  Martin and Hazel's Blog (Argentina)

October:  Chernigov (Ukraine)

November:  Life by the Word (Mexico)

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