In This Issue
No Place to Call Home
Kent Craig, ABWE Administrator for the Asia/Pacific region, with Leah Farr
They go by names like Smiley, Wicked, and Diablo. Many have a background in gangs and struggle with drug abuse, drinking, gambling, and womanizing. Heavily tattooed—an unacceptable practice in Cambodia—this group of men are lost in a Phnom Penh ghetto, in more ways than one.
The Front Lines of Battle: Ministering in Tribal Warfare
Lori Smith, ABWE missionary in Papua New Guinea
Growing up in wonderful Baptist circles of influence, I was taught that true missions was facing the enemy head-on at the frontline of spiritual battle. We came to Papua New Guinea nearly two decades ago ready to do just that: to face the animism, practices of the satanic black magic and witch doctors, and even the "religious" falsehoods of superficial Western missions that came in by the droves once World War II ended.
Building Hopes Amidst Crumbing Walls
Shirley Brinkerhoff and Leah Farr
When a five-year-old Buddhist boy named Mong was brought to ABWE’s hospital in Bangladesh he weighed less than thirty pounds, and both of his legs were extremely swollen. As he sat there quietly, unsmiling, he looked as though he was storing half-liter water bottles in his thighs.
Online Features
Costa Rica Quakes: Rescue Missions Create Support Opportunities
Ryan and Gretchen Rought, Costa Rica
On the afternoon of January 8, an earthquake with several aftershocks struck Costa Rica 20 miles north of the capital city San Jose, registering at 6.1. Landslides further intensified damage, trapped hundreds, and took several lives.
Up, Up, and Away
Judy Bowen, Togo
December 31, 2008, was an incredible day for missions in Africa! For several weeks, a team of pilots and airplane mechanics has been working to make our long-stored airplane in Togo flight worthy. Together as missionaries and Togolese brothers and sisters, we celebrated as we gathered to dedicate the plane to the Lord for His work. Afterwards, we watched as our revamped plane took off and soared through the air without a hitch!
Laughter
P. H., Southeast Asia
Laughter is a gift from God. There are unimaginable struggles, sorrows, and pain in the lives of the people I work with, and sometimes my heart gets really heavy and discouraged. It doesn't seem like we are making any progress and doing much good. It is easy to begin thinking we are out of place. However, our God is special. He knows when we need to have refreshing laughter.
Story Archive
Sent Out from the Developing World
Can churches in a poor country, struggling to support their pastors and Bible school students, afford to send foreign missionaries? Missions-minded churches have been struggling with this question for many years. Some would answer, “Foreign missions is not practical for churches in developing countries but is better suited for the wealthy countries.” Others say the Scriptures teach that all churches must be involved in evangelism efforts both near and far.
Children's Corner
Remembering Quiet Time
Jim Cook, ABWE Next Generation Ministries
Years ago when I was a teenager, I knew a guy named Art Nelson. Art was trying to encourage me to have a quiet time or to spend time alone with God, either in His Word or in prayer each day. Every time I would see Art, the first thing he would ask me was, “So, what did you read in your quiet time today?” It was a question that I have remembered for a long time. And I want to ask the next generation the same question: “So, what did you read in your quiet time today?”
Childrens Corner Archive