By Rick Sample The events unfolding in recent days in war-torn Afghanistan have shocked and horrified Americans, none more so than Afghan-American immigrants. Since 2002, for almost twenty years, Lita and I have served as missionaries among internationals in the San Francisco Bay Area, living in the multi-ethnic suburb of Fremont, Calif., home to the … Continue reading
by Christopher West In the world of Covid-19, health has become a major topic of discussion and debate within our congregations. It seems that everywhere one goes today, people are discussing public health, health insurance reform, epidemiology, public policy in wake of the coronavirus, and the diminishing health of the American public. The thing missing … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed When I open my home office door after a coaching call, I hear it: the blessed sound of silence. It has been all too rare over these last fifteen months, since my husband has also been working from the couch and my son has been virtually schooling from our den. I describe … Continue reading
By Carson Foushee For the first two years we lived in Tokyo, we were out the door early each morning to board packed trains for our commute to Japanese language school, located near the second busiest station in the world. After wrapping up our studies each afternoon, we would return home with just enough daylight … Continue reading
By Hunter One of our greatest joys in S.E. Asia is working with the fine folks at SDSU, which ministers to those in need throughout the country. SDSU is the social development arm of the largest protestant church in the country. They minister to immigrant workers helping them receive health care and education for their children. SDSU … Continue reading
By Jonathan Bailey “Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,And spills the upper boulders in the sun;And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.” These opening lines to Robert Frost’s poem “Mending Wall” seem, frequently, to hover in the back of my mind as if to offer some peculiar … Continue reading
By Joshua Stewart In my last blog published for CBF, I invited you to remember these words: God shines in the darkness. It was encouraging to me then, and it continues to encourage me today. This past year, my favorite passage of Scripture has been the first handful of verses in the Gospel of John, … Continue reading
By Gennady Podgaisky “It pays to know how to play Backgammon.” This past January, my wife, Mina, and I were on extended medical leave in North Carolina. In one of those days, we met with a friend and ministry partner from a local Presbyterian church. As a part of her church’s ministry, she was helping … Continue reading
By Mary Young adults from around the world gather weekly for Bible study in our town in Southeast Asia. We were graced with the opportunity to initiate this group about three years ago. By and large, it’s a transient group. Many young adults come to our town for three months to a few years for … Continue reading
By Missy Ward-Angalla Two years ago, I sat next to Sherry at the hospital while she was in labor. She looked into my eyes, placed her hand. over mine, and said , “Thank you, Missy. I don’t know what I would have done without you all. I had completely lost hope.” Nine months earlier Sharifah found herself in the … Continue reading
