By Carson Foushee Each country celebrates Christmas a little differently. Japan has inherited many traditions from the West, but there are also some that are uniquely Japanese. Like in America, shopping malls are full of beautiful Christmas trees as shoppers seek gifts for loved ones with familiar English seasonal songs playing in stores. Christmas lights, … Continue reading
By Grayson Hester Sometimes the best way to discover home is to leave it. That’s certainly proven true for Ingrid Bangova, a Roma woman from the small village of Cinobaňa, Slovakia. She, like many Roma people scattered throughout the Eastern European diaspora, relates complicatedly to that concept of “home.” A perennially displaced and persecuted people, … Continue reading
By Kristen Thomason When Jon and Tanya Parks and their two daughters moved from Kenbridge, Virginia, to Košice, Slovakia, they were taking a 5,000-mile step of faith. “We thought we were being the faithful ones, leaving behind our home and families to serve across the ocean. But our one-time act was just the beginning of faithfulness, not the … Continue reading
By Marv Knox Shane McNary used to make a morbid prediction that proved prophetic—and pragmatic—for his ministry partners in Central Europe. “When I had a conversation with somebody to start a new collaboration in ministry, my standard speech was, ‘I’m going to die tomorrow, so whatever we decide to do today, you have to commit … Continue reading
By Missy Ward-Angalla March 2023 marked 10 years since I moved to Uganda to begin trauma healing and empowerment programs for the most vulnerable refugees in Kampala. I am deeply grateful for the ways that members of the CBF community have come alongside of our family and ministry team over the last 10 years. Our … Continue reading
By Grayson Hester To care for mothers is to care for humanity. Michelle Norman and Elisabet Roca do their work in this sacred “Magnificat” tradition of Mary, mother of God. “We started a program called Mamáventura,” explained Michelle. “It’s a ministry to immigrant moms and their children.” Stationed in Catalonia, Spain, CBF field personnel Michelle … Continue reading
By Mary VanRheenen What does my brother’s backyard in Iowa have in common with Romanian Roma working in Germany? Both involve picking fruit. While I was visiting my brother, I enjoyed picking raspberries in his extensive raspberry patch. And while I did it, I thought about Florien and other Roma who contract to pick raspberries … Continue reading
By Carson and Laura Foushee The Foushees are CBF field personnel serving in partnership with the Japan Baptist Convention in Kanazawa, Japan. “By faith Rahab and the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobident, because she had received the spies in peace,” Hebrews 11:31. Growing up, I (Laura) do not particularly remember learning … Continue reading
By Jenny Jenkins Civil unrest and violence are not new to Haiti. Over the years, the country has had many such struggles. The difference this time is how long it has lasted and without any hint of an end in sight. Because of the current conflict the usual supply lines are blocked and the gang … Continue reading
By CBF field personnel Brooke Our trip did not start as planned. In fact, it was pretty rotten. The roads were rough, the sun was high in the sky and the back of the pickup was crowded as we traveled for hours to get to the villages. We were not beginning in a good mood, and it was … Continue reading