But things get even more interesting when you’re running toward the danger and the need and you never know what to expect.

Anyway, here are some recent posts – not always something unusual for the writers, but you might be surprised…

• “Nothing really special about this week although perhaps a ‘normal’ week is special…” (Haiti)
• Reflecting on the Women’s Caravan (Ecuador) “I went in to last week’s women’s caravan burdened.  There was a lot more prep than normal since we were going to be in a remote area with minimal access in which to refer patients for consults…”
• Surveying the North (Chile) “It was our first time seeing this part of the country, which has the driest desert in the world and some of the clearest skies…”
• Discovering I’ve got a skill I didn’t realise I had (Japan) “In the last week or so, I think I’ve done more writing than editing! It been an unusual period, but I’m not unhappy, I do enjoy writing. However, I did get pushed outside my comfort zone…”
• On Getting Your Kids to Stay in Bed “Can you hear the Roof Roller? It is on our roof, very close now. It eats children who do not go to sleep when their parents tell them to!”

First, youth and young adults – for example, this post from Chile is mostly just a picture, but it’s a picture you can pray over!

And then there’s a graduation – sort of – in Uganda. Lots to pray about here.

Next, the challenges that mental illness brings to missionary families. A post from Japan, The truth about journeying with illness that isn’t physical.

Next, a little glimpse of life in Zambia, with lots of pictures – “Fence and kites“.

Last but certainly not least! There are lots of challenges on the mission field – are you ready to face some, in the power of our Lord? Check out this challenge – A Call For Trailblazers.

• What do you do when a fire is spreading, and it’s getting closer? Here’s what happened in Haiti: Small Bush Fire
• The strange quirks of language in an increasingly global reality – You’re From Fried Chicken and Beef Sandwich?
• This post is about a Family Reunion – but not the kind you’re thinking of. A common event for many missionaries, such as these in west Africa (blog from Guinea).
• Raising up spaces for more ministry in Brazil – Camp Update: Dorm Construction and Other Projects
• In South Africa, changing circumstances call for constant rethinking and adjusting. Read about this Soup Kitch Quandry.

Great ministry is planned. And great ministry is unplanned. And sometimes great ministry rises out of what we consider to be grief, disaster, inconvenience.

• Remember to welcome strangers… even when it’s not “your job”. Where do I get the feeling that more ministry is going to be “outside our job description” in the future? (Uganda)
• Miracles Can Happen – Prayers, tears, witnessing – and then bang – look what the Spirit can do! (Ecuador)
• Presses Rolling – in Ukraine. Yes, Ukraine. A lot of unexpected ministry happening in that part of the world right now.
• Not Fair – Can God work even now? (Guatemala)
• Thief in the Night – A burglar next door. That does tend to be unexpected. (Brazil)

• July 2022 Newsletter – Excuse the uninteresting title, but this post does involve travel and lots of interesting pictures from Guatemala.
• Should of seen that coming – A little translating might help you in this post, but it’s always interesting to me to hear about a missionary talk about language (France).
• Orphanage Not Quite in Crisis – Well, that’s good – I think! Learn a little about orphanages in Honduras.
• Camp Update: Cornhole and Carpet Ball! – What are these strange things? Well, if you don’t know, find out here. If you do, you can join a few more people in Brazil.
• Two Weeks of Fruitful Ministry (part 1) – Teams and lots of interesting ministry in Mexico. And there’s a bonus link here – if you want to hear about a short-term team’s adventures, go to I-TEC Mexico City 2022 and browse back through the posts.

• Medical Mercy – Let’s work together to provide health and hope! (Honduras) – “People say that knowledge is power. When we know what the problem is, we can begin the process of fixing it. In many cases, Honduran culture does not think that way. The thought process is—we know what the problem is, so now we can learn how to live with it…”
• Robbed 3 Times in 4 Days! (Chile) – “In the last  4 days, we’ve had 3 robberies at the Chile Training Center, our Bible college. One took place at around 3:30 AM Thursday, the other at around 6:30 PM Saturday, and the latest at 5:30 AM Sunday…”
• Transition-itis – (Japan) – “We’ve entered the last few days before we transition for a time to Australia. It’s the seventh time we’ve done this as a family in the last 21 years, so we’re not unfamiliar with “transitionitis” as I recently saw it called on Instagram @takingrouteblog. I’ve been a little bit in denial about this actually being a transition…”
• Yellow Blue Bus (Ukraine/Slovakia) – “Nearly four months ago, our family evacuated from Ukraine. At the time, we took with us only the belongings we could carry in a few suitcases and our old yellow van. And while the time of our return has not yet come — though we believe it will — we find ourselves amazed as we reflect on the goodness and provision of God…”
• Steel, Contrasts, Mix, The Wandering King… (Angola) – “Our latest attempt to better honor and serve these beautiful and forgotten rural people, by having enough roof-covered beds for those who seek our help, began with a beautiful team of six men from various parts of the US…”
• Swahili Bible Distribution in Usandawe (Tanzania) – “Thank you so much for praying for my trip to Usandawe last week to do a Swahili Bible distribution.  While Melissa was in Nairobi for meetings, I went to our old stomping grounds in the bush…”

For example, one missionary’s experience as a reluctant language school student. Learning that God may have a purpose in something that we see as “wasted time”… from Guatemala, let’s read How I became a Missionary: Part 8- Language School

Then there’s that tendency to over-complicate things, when God may want us to make good use of the simple things we have. Look around you – what could you be using in His service? Let’ read Simply Stuff! (Bulgaria)

Sometimes being a missionary simply means being aware that God is working in all things. Just observe, and see what He would have you do in your context. After all, With God, There Are No Coincidences (Mexico).

Let’s spend a little time exploring! In this case, the place is one corner of Tokyo, Japan. But while we’re there, let’s talk about missionaries and rest, an important topic (because, as some people don’t know, missionaries are humans). An unexpected outing to inner city Tokyo

Ending up in Thailand, we learn some ways in which we can pray for missionaries. And while we’re there, some fascinating history, that shows us that the “productive” path may not be the right one… Missionary Defeatism and the Challenge of Waiting Patiently

By the way, some people still get nervous about the word “Easter”, but there is good evidence that the word has Christian origins. At any rate, we’re talking about the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord!

• Our first week back (Uganda) – Returning with a new baby!
• CNEF journée juridique (France) – Some people may wonder why I’m including a random post about paperwork. But as a fellow missionary, I find it fascinating what is happening in the world of governments and paperwork – how often times people try to block the sharing of the Gospel, and how God does His work anyway.
• Happy Easter! (South Africa) – Just being thankful for the work and example of Christ!
• Easter Matters. (Uganda) – Does it ever!
• New Teammates! (Chile) – Just something for you to pray about if you’d like.

• Redeemed, Rejoicing and Relief – (Kenya) There is a lot going on in this post about aviation in Kenya. And what do you think God did through a forced landing in 2019?
• Savouring Every Last Drop – (South Africa) Just a little simple post of thanksgiving!
• Hot at the Hives – (Uganda) This family actually is not living in Africa now, but I couldn’t resist this post from Uganda about – beekeeping!
• Water flows for Deaf & Blind school! (Kenya) It can be a challenging thing to access clean water – so enjoy these great photos!
• What Is an Ethnic Heart Language in a Community of Multiple Languages? (Ghana) – A very interesting question. Check it out!
• Death, Miracles, and Tears: The Loss of a Baby (Cameroon) – Wow. Don’t miss this incredible post. Lots to ponder here!

• Feb 2022 – Rains and Retreats (Tanzania) – This is just a simply monthly update. But sometimes I like to read these at random – they can give a good snapshot of missionary life.
• A Sad Week (in this part of the world) (Russia) – From the end of February.
• Ministry Report: 2022 Carnaval Retreats (Brazil) – Some great pictures of ministry, really giving you a feel for what’s happening.
• EVAC (Ukraine) – From the end of February, a note as the evacuation begins.
• Mozambique Visit (Haiti/Mozambique) – More pics!