JOURNEYS
Cambodians boys posing for a quick pic. © Sarah Hastings
The Aroma of Christ within a World filled with Incense (to Idols)
Sarah Hastings travels to the Buddhist nation of Cambodia to teach Jesus and be a light for the hurting
I wish I could have escaped the moment, but I couldn’t, at least not until the red light changed (which is exactly 75 seconds here). Because in that moment, I came into a cross section of utter despair…and could do nothing about it, at least from the vantage point I was in at the time. This is what I witnessed: A young Cambodian boy, maybe 8 or 9 came up to my tuk tuk, the motorcycle-like vehicle that functions like a taxi, holding a baby in a sling. The baby had some kind of head injury, due to the blood and huge bulge atop his scalp, and had whelps and bites all over him. His breathing was labored and it was clear to me that he was close to death. That boy just looked at me and whimpered out something in Khmer (his native language). He said it over and over again. I have no idea as to what he was saying but I knew he was begging for money. Though I desperately wanted to help, we've been asked not to give money because these children are “pimped” for money, where any money gathered usually goes to someone's drug habit or to feed older siblings or parents. It was one of the hardest things I've been through, to just sit there and not be able to do anything. Even sadder is that whoever sent this boy out, will beat him for not bringing back money. These feelings, of being between a rock and hard place within the world’s suffering, have made me cry out to the Lord in ways I never have before.
I came here to Phnom Penh, Cambodia with the organization TeachOverseas to share the Gospel with students at a Christian primary school for grades K-3 through 12 called Logos International School; the school is also providing its facilities so that we can provide English to kids in the neighborhood and in turn minister to them. It has been a blessing to be here, interacting with the children, but I never thought I’d be exposed to the oh-so-harsh reality of this world in the process.
Sponsorship to Salvation
Jeremy Willet shares the story of sponsored child Matthewos Birhanu Fufa from Ehiopia who recently chose Jesus as his savior.
“Jesus Christ greatly changed my life..." These were the words of Matthewos Birhanu Fufa, a 10-year-old from Ethiopia in a letter he wrote to his sponsor, Willet front man Jeremy Willet. Jeremy recently shared his own story of how God is moving him to sing for sponsored children. Now he shares the story of Matthewos and how the young boy came to know Jesus by experiencing firsthand the goodness of God.
Trash into Treasure
Ree Soria displays Christ’s love to scavengers at the one-time trash dump Smokey Mountain in the Philippines
Ree Soria, media marketing manager for True Love Waits Philippines together with her team director, team mates and some missionary friends took a venture into the remnants of a trash dump in Manila that goes by the name Smokey Mountain. While there, she conversed with a man whose life mission is to scavenge for recyclable trash. He was a man without hope, but Ree was able to speak to his heart to allow Him to see that Jesus Christ provides hope even in the worst situations—and leads to a pathway of everlasting life.
Christ’s Work in the Global Marketplace
Kevin Pate describes how the Lord is at work in the hearts of the globe’s business leaders.
Choosing Christ over the ways of the world is the essence of Christianity. While such a choice can be challenging in business, it is achievable. Kevin Pate, director of Global Advance Marketplace Missions, shares his journey of ministering to developing world business people, teaching them to not only live for Christ in their personal walk but also that they are called by God, to serve alongside Him, to participate in what He is doing in and through the marketplace.
Giving Burundi a Healthy Chance
Cameron Calabrese shares how God is moving in Burundi to alleviate the harshest health ills
In one of the poorest countries in the world, a health revival is taking place, where the population now has a better chance at fighting the intestinal parasites caused from its drinking water. Cameron Calabrese shares his journey into how the Lord has raised up leaders in order to put on an all-encompassing national health event in Burundi.
Cultivating the Field
As a native pastor in Jamaica, Pastor Vernon Allen shares about howGod has worked to make Buff Bay a training ground for oversea
To many in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world, Jamaica is a vast mission field. To Pastor Vernon Allen, Jamaica is home. Though he focuses much of his attention on his congregation and uplifting the local poor, he has worked in conjunction with U.S. Christians to set up a special residence for incoming missionaries and program to well-employ them while they are in Jamaica. The hope is that through short-term missions work, particularly for African Americans, that they will truly discover God’s great plan of world evangelization
From Song to Action
Singer-songwriter uses voice for children in the poorest areas of the world
It started with Ethiopia - 1000 children in need of a voice. Then, Mozambique -another 1500 children in need of help. Then, in August of 2009, God placed the band in Haiti to adopt a community of 400 additional children. On January 12th, 2010, the Haiti earthquake changed everything. Suddenly the community of 400 children quickly became 3,000. Jeremy Willet, along with brothers in the band Willet, travel the world full-time to find sponsors for children living in complete poverty. Jeremy shares his passion with JTJ, explaining that they won’t quit until all the children have sponsors.
Washed Away
Susan Briggs shares insights about the heartbreak, yet moments of joy, in losing it all in the Tennessee floods
Thirteen inches of rain came crashing down on Nashville at the beginning of May, causing the Cumberland River and other waters in the area to overflow and dump on neighborhood here and elsewhere in the region. Susan Briggs takes JTJ through the initial feelings of waking up and seeing her entire home flooded out and her irreplaceable keepsakes washed away. Even in the hurt, she still says she was able to sing praises.
Broken by War, Restored by Love
Richard C. Shermer, along with Today’s Children, Africa’s Future, journeys to give new hope to Uganda’s children
Rebels from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) have destroyed much of northern Uganda in what has been a 22-year civil war with government forces. They have destroyed villages and abducted children, turning them in to fighters. What they could not do was kill hope, and organizations like Today’s Children, Africa’s Future (TCAF) are working to give children there a renewed chance at life. Richard C. Shermer, founder and executive director of TCAF, shares his journey of how he was brought into fabric of the hurt there and what the Lord inspired him to do about it.
Build It and They Will Come
A senior director with International Cooperating Ministries takes JTJ on a partner building trip to Peru and Columbia
As part of their global mission, International Cooperating Ministries (ICM; www.icm.org ), seeks to nurture believers and spur church growth, primarily through building churches in places that need solid infrastructure to increase their worship capacity. Don Douglas, senior director with ICM, shares about the people and insights in walking into third world communities during what was a partner-enhancing trip to Peru and Columbia.
Planting Seeds in Vietnam
A Norfolk, Va. missions pastor gets personal with the Vietnamese people
Curt Breland, global missions pastor at First Baptist Church of Norfolk, led a team to Vietnam and dawn of 2010. He shares his insights into a country still recovering from the struggle between North and South and the dictator government that ruled there for so long. Curt also talks about the openness of the people to hear the Gospel and the great work of believers that the group met there.
So Hungry, So Thirsty
Ryan Horn, of Food for the Hungry, recounts seeing hunger and thirst up close in Haiti
Even though the scene was filled with destroyed homes and dreams, Ryan Horn found people living on hope. So many just wanted a drop to drink, he describes and why it is so vital that we don't turn our minds our hearts away from Haiti.
Taking Kyle Home
A Journey back from the battlefield of a Marine that gave his life for freedom
You never realize the great sacrifice of troops, American or otherwise, until you realize that they, indeed, often sacrifice their lives for the cause. Chaplain (Cmdr.) Manuel A. Biadog, Jr. shares thoughts about the journey back to Rhode Island to be buried that Private First Class Kyle J. Countu recently made. Pfc. Countu was killed in action in Afghanistan.
Catching a Glimpse of a Bright Future
Bill Glass, Haiti Outreach Ministries president, journeys to Haiti to capture a sense of the rebuilding process
Bill Glass, Haiti Outreach Ministries president, shares his insights on what he saw during a trip to Haiti to access how the people of Haiti and how his staff part of the organization will move forward. He was impressed by the optimism and the hard work taking place there.
Answering the Call
Twenty-four-year-old graphic designer leaves everything behind in America to commit to seeing Haiti rebuild
After growing and deepening his relationship with the Lord throughout 2009, Stephen Byxbe knew he was being called to serve the most hungry in some other country. He wasn’t exactly sure until the earthquake in Haiti struck—and then He knew. Byxbe shares his journey of just arriving to Haiti and his initial observations of the hurt and hope.
Giving her heart to orphaned boys in Peru
Erika James shares her journey how God linked her heart with the Lima, Peru-based Santa Maria’s Boys Home
Erika James meshes motherly, sisterly and godly to 120 poor Peruvian boys who live in a Lima orphanage. Here, she shares her journey of following God’s call to “do more,” which originally took her to Peru. Once there, He led her to Santa Maria’s Boys Home and instantly linked her heart to the kids there. Just completing her 7th journey there in early February, Erika gives her account of following in faith and reflecting His love.
Heart for Haiti Remains in Haiti
Samaritan's Purse Bolivia Director Shares an Account on the Efforts in Haiti.
Daniel Zeidan, director of the Samaritan's Purse office in Bolivia, spent three weeks in Haiti helping deliver relief supplies to earthquake survivors. He reflected on his time in the country after returning to La Paz. Though he is off Haitian land, he explains that his mind and his heart are still there.
Mission - Giving Aid
Serving with the U.S. Navy Haiti humanitarian response, Adam Cole reflects on the hurt and the healing that he experienced there
Journey the Journey executive director and editor-in-chief, Adam Cole, in his other capacity as naval officer, has been humanitarian efforts in Haiti aboard the cruiser USS Normandy. After a month as part of the efforts, he and his ship were sent back to Norfolk to return to training and preparing for an upcoming deployment. Here he reflects on the multitude of feelings and emotions that came with being so close to the hurt and stepping into that hurt to help.
God Makes a Way
The Samaritan’s Purse team in Haiti feels God’s hand as overwhelming challenges are overcome
David Torres is the leader of the Samaritan's Purse disaster relief team that deployed within hours of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. This is his story and testimony of the hope and help in Haiti, all made possible by God.
Food for the Hungry - On the Ground in Haiti
Personnel and Supplies Fully Engaged to Fight Disaster
Everybody has a story who is on the ground in Haiti's capital and the surrounding area; it's a story of hope for some and one of pain and suffering for others. Nevertheless, it's a story of survival.
Ti Chape
As posted on Compassion's Blogsite: http://blog.compassion.com/child-survival-ti-chape/
After passing by a hazy eastern tip of Cuba, our American Airlines flight banked steeply to the right and within minutes we were passing over the northern peninsula of Haiti, so recognizable due to the heavily rutted landscape.
Calm among Chaos - a Personal Journey from a Red Cross Volunteer in Haiti
Blog Posted January 18, 2010 by Wendy Harman, American Red Cross
After a tiring day of travel from Santo Domingo, I arrived at the American Red Cross office. The structure is visibly unstable but the open air office is a buzz with activity. All salvageable furniture is on the lawn, the front gates are open, and the street is orderly. It's friendly, full of humanity. Red Cross flags hang on the walls.
Redeemed by Christ
Jesus led Garrett Fincher away from a life linked to alcohol and closer to Him
One of the greatest ‘proofs’ to the power of Christ, is life change. A one-time alcoholic and drug addict, Garrett Fincher, gave up the way of the world to follow the Way of Jesus.
Workplace Mission Field - Engaging with Business Leaders in Uganda
Dr. Bob Reccord, minister and founder of Total Impact Life Ministries, a ministry that seeks to inspire men and woman to reach their full potential in life and relationship with God, traveled with his wife Cheryl to Uganda for a very intentional mission trip. The two combined to share the message of the Gospel to business leaders there and how it relates to being stewards of His truth in the workplace. Many were touched and many walked away with hearts more committed to living out His principles and the Great Commission.
Distributing His Word through Faith
Faith led William B. Ballinger through three strokes and cancer to continue His good work on the field of Thailand
The apostle Paul writes (1 Corinthians 3:6) that he planted, Apollos watered, and God ultimately gave the increase. Meet William B. Ballinger, a product of this godly wisdom whose increased faith has led him to take part in the Spirit-driven process of leading someone to Christ. Here in this journey testimony, Bill talks about handing out Bibles to Chinese tourists faithfully, dutifully. He was part of the Southern Cross Project, a program of the International Mission Board (IMB), which gave resources to the Chinese that came to Thailand.
A Greater Purpose Amid the Rubble
Against the backdrop of a tragic earthquake, two Peruvian mothers experience a new level of hope and faith.
Ryan Horn, a project coordinator for the hunger relief organization Food for the Hungry, visited Peru with media specialist Elgin MacMillan to gather videos and media resources. They trekked over an area that was hit hard by an earthquake but was able to rebound due to the help of Food for the Hungry. Horn tells the story of those the individuals that have rebuilt their lives and grown in God through the process. Lauren Woodside, a Hunger Corps with Food for the Hungry, helped conduct the interviews for this story.
Caring for Africa’s Orphans
How God moved Jo Anne Byrum to Zambia to oversee the building and facilitation of orphanages there.
After short term mission trips to Zambia in 1998 and then again a year later, the Lord spoke to Jo Anne Byrum very clearly about what he had for her - take care of the children there. She ended up planting herself in Zambia shortly thereafter and is now the director of House of Faith, which builds and facilitates orphanages to give Zambian orphans a better life.
Crusading for Christ:
Team Goes to Kenya to Share His Salvation with Muslim Community There
Gene Strickland, evangelist and founder of Evangelism International, shares the journey he took with his team to Mumias, Kenya. Strickland preached the message of the gospel for seven days, July 6-12, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, 1,064 souls were saved and seeds were planted in more than 11,000 others who at least heard it presented.
Discovering Unity:
Virginia Pastor Emphasizes Equality in Christian Empowerment through Jamaican Expeditions
Stepping outside our bounds lets us see things clearer. It took a trip to Jamaica, where where white people are hailed as the oppressor, for this inner city pastor to see the path to equality and equipping.
Opened Hearts in Lisbon
Connecting to the people through dialogue and prayer
A missions team from Norfolk creates connections in a multitude of ways in Lisbon, Portugal, opening doors, opening hearts for God to seep in there
Special Delivery to Philippines
Providing food and hope to those in need on a special humanitarian trip back home (Philippines)
A U.S. Navy chaplain writes about a special trip in which he teamed with other servants of the Lord in providing food and hope to those in need in the Philippines.
Journey through Peru
Wonders of Many Kinds
Step inside a trip that embodied the journey and all that its about, just in the flow places and people and experiencing whatever comes your way. Highlights included flying high over Miraflores, stopping in on a Wonder of the World, tasting a variety of foods, connecting with the lives of so many Peruvians...and much more.
Daily Bread
Special feeding program in Manila gives hope to impoverished children
Looking within a world of extreme destitution and seeing rays of sun shine. Kids are given a daily blessing that surpasses moments of starvation.
Donning the Crest
Taking on the oath of a naval officer, accomplished in 12 enduring weeks at OCS
A reflection on what some say is the toughest naval accession program. Twelve weeks in a pressure cooker run by U.S. Marines meant to break you and then build you up.
Sawadee and Smiles
Thailand offers the granduer of palaces and elephants but also humble hospitality
This place is known as the Land of Smiles and clearly lives up to it. The common greeting is "Sawadee," one that the people seem to go out of the way to utter to you.
