The world pays attention to big, loud things: wars, disasters, spectacles, celebrities, political showdowns.
The people of God often are found in quieter places, doing quieter things. Yes, they respond to wars and disasters, especially if they can help relieve suffering and provide comfort to survivors.
But they go far beyond the countries that dominate the headlines to spread Christ’s light and life anywhere people live in darkness.
It might be on the streets of Zambia or on India’s railways, where Christian workers aided children in need of shelter and schooling. Or in a south Asian village, where the only Christian family saw their home burned four times by persecutors. It might be on the border of Syria, where Christians helped a heartbroken Muslim widow fleeing the horror of civil war. Perhaps it means noticing people most others ignore: migrant workers in Thailand who need to hear about Jesus or nomadic herders in Mongolia who need access to clean water.
Southern Baptist workers and their ministry partners did all those things in 2012. Here are some photos of their works of love taken by International Mission Board photographers. – BP
“Blessed Are the Persecuted”
A South Asian teenager has seen her home burned four times because she and her family are Christians. Attackers even took hammers and machetes to shatter the bricks. Despite this persecution, the family remains in their village – the sole followers of Jesus Christ. The young girl lives a lonely life because of her faith.
“Shelter”
Boys play in their dorm room at a Christian children’s home in Choibalsan, Mongolia. The home was set up to provide a stable life for Mongolia’s street children. Its founder, a Mongolian follower of Christ, has had a long friendship and ministry partnership with IMB workers in Mongolia.
“A Time to Weep”
There was much to cry about in many parts of the world in 2012. Miriam (name changed), a Muslim refugee from the civil war in Syria, weeps for the loss of friends, neighbors and family. She made it safely to Jordan and received aid from Christians there, but wonders about those left behind in hiding. Who will survive? She weeps for the son shot down in the streets – and for the little one still with her, whose future remains uncertain.
“A Second Chance”
Life for boys living in India’s railway stations isn’t easy. If they don’t fight, they will be killed. If they don’t find food, they will starve beside the train tracks. These boys, who have run away from home and joined gangs, travel the country, jumping from train to train and stealing from passengers. Thanks to a Christ-centered hostel run by Prabal and Debjani Dey (names changed), these children now have a chance at a new life – physically and spiritually. The boys’ stories captured the hearts of members of The Ring Community Church in Baton Rouge, La. Following a 2011 vision trip, the church committed to partner with the Deys. The hostel for boys has operated for several years; a girls’ hostel opened in 2012.
“Couldn’t Miss It”
Edison Romero, 72, kneels in prayer while attending a missions training session at the School of Cross-cultural Missions near Iquitos, Peru, in the Amazon jungle. As he prays, the child of a fellow student sleeps on a nearby bench. Romero’s wife of 44 years died just three days before the training began, but he still traveled 12 hours by boat from his village to attend. Romero said he “just couldn’t miss it.”