Missionary Blog Watch

I don't often do this, but today I thought I would just write a little about one particular blog that I've been enjoying.

Pedro and Stephanie Garcia are serving the Lord in a place called Antofogasta, Chile.  Antofogasta is a port city, surrounded by desert, often called the Pearl of the North.  You can read more about Antofogasta at Wikipedia (this photo is from there).

The Garcias are a part of a team working in this part of Chile.  They and their three children have their own website, where you can find out more.

But you came to find out about the blog!  Well, Stephanie is the talented writer at garcias2chile, a blog that was started waaaaaaay back in 2004.  The pictures, stories and insights as they settle in to life in Chile are great.  Here are some of my recent favourites:

Doing the Math - things to think about as you move overseas

Unhappy Night (and then Unhappy Night, Part Two) - a kink on the road to Chile.  Yikes!  (Just for the record, I've had excellent service from Air Canada.  Just thought I'd add some balance!)

Chile & Its Changes - returning to Chile after many years...

Shopping at Jumbo - I like this one, 'cause I can relate to the school supplies list (except I shop at MEGA).

Speaking of school supplies, let's read about first days of school - Isabel, and Eva

And how about a heart-warming reunion to finish off with (no, don't finish - visit the site for more)!

¤ To reference this entry use this permalink

|

New blogs - spring and summer 2007
September 15, 2007 11:31

Ok, time for a list of new blogs.  Take the time to take a peak, and leave a comment of encouragement!

Welch Family News - Serving in Ecuador.  By the way, the Welch family somehow missed getting mentioned in my post about sick kids, but their daughter Valerie Grace was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2005.  Read more about Valerie Grace here.

Martyns in Africa - or, more specifically, Sudan.

heart 4 asia - to be exact, Thailand.

Spaughs in Guatemala

Toddlers and Tacos - you guessed it, Mexico.  Hasn't been updated for a while - drop them a note and ask for more!

In His Footsteps - our newest blog, out of Taiwan

¤ To reference this entry use this permalink

|

Link! - Missionary Blog Tip #11
September 17, 2007 13:52

Ok, so we all know how great it is when people link to your site.  Especially people who are interested in you, or who have sites related to yours.  Those links help you build relationships with other people interested in what you're doing - and, more importantly, in what God is doing.  If we do everything to glorify God - including blogging - then certainly we want people to praise God with us!

But a lot of people forget the value of linking out - to another site.  I don't just mean that big long list on your sidebar, I mean links in your posts.  Links related to what your talking about, links to the site of the other person you're talking about, a link to that article you mentioned.  Why?

1. It's polite - when you talk about someone else or quote someone, it's just polite to link back (don't forget to use trackback too).
2. It builds relationships - it also helps build good relationships with other webmasters.  It may increase your network of friends.
3. Serving your readers - quality "outbound" links are an added service to your readers.  They can easily learn more about that organization you mentioned, contact that person you were talking about, or read more on the topic.  You want happy readers, right?
4. Reader trust - outbound links show that you know what you're talking about.  It shows you have a connection to your topic, you know where to find the info.  Your happy readers now appreciate you more, and are more willing to listen.
5. Navigation - linking to your own site improves navigation; in other words, makes it easier for your readers to find what they want.
6. Search engines like it - who cares, you say?  You just wrote your blog for family and friends?  Remember what I said at the beginning.  I'm not suggesting you go for thousands of readers who were actually looking for a gambling site.  If you work with the search engines, ideally they will bring people who specifically are looking for someone like you, or looking for an article that you wrote.  That makes your visitor happy, the search engines happy, and it may increase your network of contacts - ideally to God's glory.

Some caveats here.  Don't link too much - if you link every other word, nobody likes that.  Besides, it makes your blog look like junk, like you don't have any content of your own.

Second, make sure your linking words make sense - this makes your blog easier to read and scan by readers, and helps search engines understand what you're saying.  For example, don't talk about Chinese Fire Belly Newts and then say [link] or (read more here).  Link to the words that relate - Chinese Fire Belly Newts.

You can even use a title tag to add extra words like this (hover over the link to see the title):

Thanks to the article Do Outbound Links Matter for SEO (and more)

Here are some bloggers that have been doing the outbound link thing - check them for more ideas!

following an unknown path - women on the harvest

marc's messages - The peacefulness of Gooilust

Heather in Madrid - Happy Sunday Morning

In His Footsteps - Someone please tell me the best way to learn Chinese!

brushed blog - Simply Friendship

¤ To reference this entry use this permalink

|

First things
September 25, 2007 13:32

Just for fun, I wanted to find out how people started their blogs.  These are taken at random.  Of course, some people may have deleted their first posts, or else added a newsletter later on.  But this is what I came up with...

First, the "we're finally blogging" posts.

Finally:  Here we are just now entering bloggerdom for the first time.

We're up!:  At the considerable behest of some of our Team Europe companions, Team Italy has finally joined the cyberspace crowd.

Finally started:  After discussing the idea of a blog for several months, here we are!  There are so many things to say about life here in Niger!

Welcome!:  We have been on deputation since the beginning of August, but are just now getting "online"!  This blogspot will keep you updated on all of the latest events of the Waldocks.

Next, there's the welcoming posts:

Introduction:  Welcome to my blog.  Here you will find news and information regarding my agenda, events and personal items.

My New Journal:  This will be my new journal page, where I let you in on my process of moving to the slums of Bangkok.  Check back often!

March Update:  I'm glad you've found your way to our web site.

Then, the "let's jump right into it" posts:

New Beginnings:  Well, I'm home. For any new visitors....I've been in the States for a year....was supposed to be there still, however the immigration department doesn't think so.

2 months from our arrival:  Here is another voice from the ocean of humanity.  We have lived here in Thailand for over 6 years, first in Chiang Mai then Esaan, the East, then 6 months in Central Thailand.

Various Thoughts Before the Trip (Part 1):  Well, after a few days in bed sick, I am back at the planning and preparation for the trip.

Malakai's First Birthday and our Bon Voyage Party:  We were overwhelmed with all of the emotions we felt as we said goodbye to our close friends and family on June 17th.

Finally, on a more spiritual note:

Ebiteekateeko byeitu- our thoughts:  Living and ministering in East Africa is full of challenges and joys.  Having our kids grow up outside of the "western" world is awesome- allowing them insights and experiences that will forever give them a different way of looking at things.  We love being here!  And yes, we are thankful that this is where God put us!

Fall 2003 Update:  Dear brothers and sisters,  Wow!  I can't believe it's already October!  Time has flown by.  If I could sum up in one thought what God has been teaching me the past couple of months, it is that HE is not bound by my plans, and that HIS plan works.  Always.

Wonders and Waterbuffaloes:  2 Corinthians is the best case-study in missionary spirituality ever published; it reaches its climax with Paul's paradoxical declaration, 'When I am weak, then I am strong' (2 Cor 12:10).

¤ To reference this entry use this permalink

|