Latest Journals

Long-term missionaries, global consultants, development workers, volunteers and short-term missionaries all have exciting stories to share about how their work helping people come to Christ, grow in Christ, and change their world with Christ!

Annborquist07class

Their stories are powerful testimonies of God's ability and desire to transform people in radical ways and make God's world a better place for us all.

From this page you can access all of the most recent journals by those who serve all around the world.

Moreover, when you go to a particular journal, there will be options for your to support the ministry or sign-up to receive more great stories by e-mail.

Read and respond to these life-transforming testimonies of God's power.

American Baptist International Ministries. Come, Grow, Change.
  • Journal - 1 day ago

    A day of sharing and rest

    by Matthew Woods
    July 6, 2008 Today was a pretty relaxing day for the team. However today was a little different from the rest of our days here because we had to sp... more
  • Journal - 2 days ago

    A visit with IDP’s

    by Michael Katz
    7/05 Today was steeped in mystery as we drove to a secluded location and hiked to a river. After a short boat ride we arrived in a village full of I... more
  • Journal - 3 days ago

    Xtreme Karen Refugee Hike Day 2

    by David Humenczuk
    David Humenczuk - Xtreme Karen Refugee Hike Day 2 7/4/08 Happy Birthday Marie! (and America) We awoke this morning from Holiday Inn Xpress (Thailand)... more
  • Journal - 4 days ago

    Xtreme Karen Refugee Hike Day 1

    by Jayme Clark
    This morning, our leaders came in and excitedly woke us up around 6:15. They informed us that we would have twenty minutes to pack up our stuff and be... more
  • Journal - 5 days ago

    Happy Birthday Igna

    by Ignadelis Cartagena
    7/2/08 Hoy es mi cumpleanos numero 26! Para celebrar, tuvimos un dia para relajarnos y descansar. Esperamos a que la ropa que lavamos ayer se secara y... more
  • Journal - 6 days ago

    Ministry grows and God remains faithful

    by Jorge Damasceno
    Dear friends,   It has been almost two years since the Amigos Project was launched. We can still remember the state of trepidation we were whe... more
  • Journal - 6 days ago

    The good, the bad and the better

    by Jan Martin
    Dear partners in ministry, We are always happy to return and find that we can still speak Thai,  I was particularly grateful that my No... more
  • Journal - 6 days ago

    Our Journey Back to Tee Wah Tah

    by Amber Lehman
    Amber Lehman- 7/1/08 Happy Canadian Day out there for all you Canadians! I was impressed, a few people even remembered and congratulated me. T... more
  • Journal - 7 days ago

    Planting Seeds

    by David Humenczuk
    David Humenczuk 6/30/08 After a long night of rain we received a wake-up call from the local roosters at around 3:00 am.... one of them is righ... more
  • Journal - 8 days ago

    A Piece of Heaven

    by Matthew Woods
    Matt Woods 06/29/08 The entire team was a little slow to wake up this morning after spending our first night under mosquito nets on the floor ... more
  • Journal - 9 days ago

    Xtreme Karen Culture Training

    by Michael Katz
    Michael Katz 6/28/08 This morning we were packed and ready to leave by 9:15. Our Xfile indicated training and the great commission with... more
  • Journal - 10 days ago

    The Calm Before The Storm

    by Jayme Clark
    The Calm Before the Storm After a few pretty intense days in Chiang Mai, we enjoyed more of a "tourist" day today. It was a lot of fun! Definitely a m... more
  • Journal - 11 days ago

    When the message is under attack

    by Bill Thomas
    The day the meetings began I sent a last minute reminder asking you to pray. I thank God for those of you who did. Satan did not take our e... more
  • Journal - 11 days ago

    Growing God’s kingdom in San Jose

    by David Reed
    I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes thin... more
  • Journal - 12 days ago

    Church -- messy but real

    by Annie Dieselberg
    A miracle happened at church. It may have been missed behind all the pain and tears, but I saw a miracle. A man, a leader in the church, stood before t... more
  • Journal - 12 days ago

    We like to call them kingdom moments

    by Gary Baits
    We want to celebrate some of the ways we’ve seen God at work lately.•    Jamie graduated from high school on June 11.  She had ... more
  • Journal - 13 days ago

    Chiang Mai Here We Come

    by Karen Moschenrose
    Morning time: So we get up and pack our things because we are on the move, this time by plane headed to Chiang Mai. We had to track back 3 hrs ... more
  • Journal - 14 days ago

    Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart

    by Jayme Clark
    Today, we made our first visit to a Karen refugee camp on the border between Thailand and Burma. We didn't know for sure if we'd be able to... more
  • Journal - 14 days ago

    A Look Back at History and a Cool Surprise For the Day

    by Matthew Woods
    I forgot what it was like to sleep in until this morning. The team did not have to leave for the day until 10, which allowed us to sleep in a li... more
  • Journal - 15 days ago

    Lessons from the Bat Cave

    by Michael Katz
    We were told to pack-up and be ready to go by 9 AM. Upon checkout Matt and Dave's room key slot had an Xfile in it. Once we gathered the group ... more
  • Journal - 16 days ago

    Xploring Bangkok’s Nightlight

    by David Humenczuk
    There was a bit of mystery surrounding what we were going to be doing today. Our X-file was Matthew 25:34-40. Our first stop was a short walk to... more
  • Journal - 17 days ago

    Wedding encounter

    by Philip Smith
    Please pray for us this weekend, as we prepare for our first graduate marriage encounter.  For a long time, I had been seeking a churc... more
  • Journal - 17 days ago

    Networking against human trafficking

    by Terry Myers
    “Catch the Vision, Offer Compassion, Continue to Persevere” was the theme of a May 8-11, 2008 conference in Amsterdam, Holland sponsored by t... more
  • Journal - 17 days ago

    A Visit to the Emerald Buddha Temple

    by Ignadelis Cartagena
    Sawatdee! It's our first day here and we are all still a bit jet lagged but keeping it moving. Today we got an X-file first thing in the ... more
  • Journal - 18 days ago

    Team Picture at Grand Palace

    by Amber Lehman
    Xtremers Catch Their Breath for a Team Pic at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand  Front row, left to right:  Matt Woods, Karen Moschen... more
  • Journal - 19 days ago

    One ministry ends, another begins

    by Virgil Nelson
    Greetings from the Nelsons!It has been too long since we wrote.  We've been busy "sailing" the smooth roads and skies in the USA versus the r... more
  • Journal - 19 days ago

    Redeeming the land

    by Larry Martin
    We are back in Thailand and after a year away, we had been wondering how things would be when we got back.  God has been good to us. Our phy... more
  • Journal - 19 days ago

    Anne’s story

    by Kim Brown
    The Community–Based Rehabilitation Program has a far-reaching and varied ministry in the North of Thailand, and the staff does an amazing job.  ... more
  • Journal - 19 days ago

    Singing the Lord’s song in a foreign land

    by Jim Kelsey
    It was like raising the dimmer switch on a light.  We moved in our worship from a song in English to a song in Igbo, one of the regional dialects ... more
  • Journal - 19 days ago

    Surprised in the Word, by God’s People

    by Stan Slade
    "Honestly, I wasn't even planning to take this course, but then...."One of the things I love about teaching Scripture is the chance to catch a glimpse... more
  • Journal - 19 days ago

    Xtreme Travel Xplained

    by Amber Lehman
    June 18 Here is the log of our flight trip through my eyes: -David not given a seat then he was sent to the back of the plane. -We learned... more
  • Journal - 20 days ago

    Team Covenant (in English and Spanish)

    by Ignadelis Cartagena
    The Xtreme team is designed to simulate a life based off Jesus and his disciples. Therefore we devote ourselves to following God with Xtre... more
  • Journal - 21 days ago

    Living with a Resettled Karen Family

    by Matthew Woods
    Today was another great day here in Minnesota. My host family is absolutely amazing. They are so nice and hospitable and they always make... more
  • Journal - 21 days ago

    The Green Xfile

    by Jayme Clark
    Jayme talks about getting a green xfile in St. Paul, MN. What could that possibly mean?? Watch, and find out! You will need QuickTime to vie... more
  • Journal - 21 days ago

    Xtending a Hand at an English School

    by Amber Lehman
    What is it like to be in a country where you don't speak the language? Listen to Amber and Jayme as they relate their Xperience at the English S... more
  • Journal - 21 days ago

    "Funion" is the Word!

    by Jayme Clark
    Jayme gets a taste of what is yet to come in Thailand! Xperiencing mission through the hospitality of a resettled Karen refugee family in St. Pa... more
  • Journal - 22 days ago

    Celebrating Father’s Day Karen Style

    by Amber Lehman
    Xfiles take the team out into the St. Paul Karen community! Celebrate Father's Day at First Karen Baptist Church as Amber describes how fathers ... more
  • Journal - 22 days ago

    Karen Hospitality

    by Amber Lehman
    Amber wonders about what is REALLY getting translated, but there is no doubt about the Xceptional outreach the Karen are doing in the St. Paul co... more
  • Journal - 23 days ago

    The Love of Christ in the St. Paul, MN Refugee Community

    by Jayme Clark
    Today we had the awesome opportunity of spending time with a big part of the Karen refugee community here in St. Paul. There are normally ... more
  • Journal - 24 days ago

    Meeting the Team, Xtreme Style!

    by Michael Katz
    The fun began yesterday when I received a phone call at 7:30 p.m. The woman on the other end gave me an xfile with basic travel info... more
  • Journal - 24 days ago

    The Seventh X - Xhibit Plaid

    by David Humenczuk
    Today we woke up, had breakfast, devotion, and then jumped straight into orientation. We learned about the 6 all important “X’s” Xperience... more
  • Journal - 25 days ago

    xlog Journal

    by Matthew Woods
    You will need QuickTime to view this video. You can download it at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ more
  • Journal - 25 days ago

    Dôra’s Letter, and More News

    by Bruce Borquist
    Dôra's Letter of Encouragement to Next Year's English Students [Dear Friends: as we mentioned in our April newsletter, at the en... more
  • Journal - 27 days ago

    Helping Myanmar with our prayers and support

    by Pat Brown
    I was honored to be asked to represent American Baptist International Ministries at the recent Roundtable talks concerning ways Baptists from around th... more
  • Journal - 27 days ago

    We have arrived in Chiapas

    by Chuck Shawver
    Dear Friends,We have arrived in hurricane drenched Chiapas.  Our tiny room at the Posada de Carmelita has wet clothes hanging everywhere but the v... more
  • Journal - 27 days ago

    God is my light and my salvation

    by Sarah Chetti
    Do not be afraid, I am your shield, a very great reward               ... more
  • Journal - 28 days ago

    Combating a silent killer in Africa

    by Rick Gutierrez
    We are all aware of images of death and destruction in Africa, from Ebola, HIV/AIDS, drought, famine, war or violence. At times these are too big for u... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Join our web newsgroup on refugees

    by Duane Binkley
    Greetings,With the help of Sandra Hasenauer who has kindly agreed to serve as moderator, we have launched a news/discussion group through Google.com.&n... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Design school dreamer

    by Annie Dieselberg
    I stood proudly and snapped a photo as I watched my daughter graduate on Saturday. She and some 60 other international students were graduating and all... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    English Bible class

    by Leslie Turley
    The Friday Morning English Bible ClassIt is fellowship time after an emotional lesson on the tragedy of Cain and Abel.  As we enjoy a snack ... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    A prayer for Josie

    by Laura Parajón
    In Nicaragua, we serve as physicians in a situation of scarce resources, tests undone for lack of funds, and treatments and medicines that come too lat... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Hunger in Jean Rabel

    by Mabudiga Nzunga
    I left my house on Thursday May 22, taking the small 19-seat plane in Cap-Haitian for Port de Paix. From there, a Haitian pastor was waiting for me wit... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Rise up little girl

    by Barbara Bolick
    In Chile, 14 percent of the women between the ages of 15 to 19 become mothers.   More than half of all births are to single mothers and... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Returning to Japan

    by John Armagost
    Dear Friends,If we had one word for the past year it would be “providence.” The Lord has provided for us.  From the home we have lived in, to ... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Reflecting and reporting on the work of New Life

    by Karen Smith
    Dear Friends,I am preparing to leave Chiang Mai in late June to work in the United States for the upcoming 10 to 12 months. I’m looking forwa... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    If your enemy is hungry, part 2

    by Dan Buttry
    I began my last missionary journal with the quote from the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:20, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them.”&nbs... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    If your enemy is hungry

    by Dan Buttry
    The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:20, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them.”  This wasn’t original to Paul; he was quo... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Oh my, I’m telling you, God is good

    by Vital Pierre
    May the God we serve richly bless you!    In the words of Ketly “Oh My…… I’m telling you, God is so GOOD! Yes, the Lord brought ... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Mission is a two-way street

    by Gary Baits
    “Who knew blisters could feel so good?” (Seen on a Habitat for Humanity shirt)“They are turning the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6). “You’r... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Full speed ahead, in God’s own time

    by Debbie Kelsey
    I am ready! I have finished Italian classes, I have learned to use my GPS to get anywhere in Italy, and the world is my ministry oyster! Here a... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    It is a better life because of Jesus

    by Mario Morales
    Dear Friends and co-laborers of the Mission in Bolivia:   Greetings to you all in the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ! So much has happened since o... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    View from the Mussoorie hills

    by Cathy Holmes
    It is evening here and the sun has just set on a beautiful day. As I look out over the hills to the plains below lights are coming on and beginn... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    So many surprises

    by David Reed
    A series of surprises started Jan. 14. That was my first visit to a cardiologist. I needed some tests. That was no surprise. At first, the tests re... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Why do you doubt?

    by Debbie Mulneix
    Twenty five years ago, I awoke in the middle of the night with those words in my head. It was a “dark night of the soul” period and I was wrestlin... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Déjà vu All Over Again!

    by Dan Chetti
    Lebanon is a fractured country. The party in power, popularly known as the March 14th Alliance (made up of Majority Sunnis, Majority Christians, and a ... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Surprised by God’s people

    by Mercy Gonzalez Barnes
    “Before they call I will answer, while they are still speaking I will hear.”Isaiah 65.24Like many people, I like to live under the illusion... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    An update on our family

    by Rick Barnes
    Mercy traveled to Puerto Rico in early March for an event in which the Puerto Rican Baptist Churches honored the missionaries from Puerto Rico. Mercy s... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Pray for our Myanmar students during the cyclone crisis

    by LaMon Brown
     Dear Family and Friends,With the tragedy of Myanmar (Burma) in the news, we thought it would be good to remind you that in our internatio... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Blessed money

    by Walt White
    Our host brought the family car to pick us up from the hotel during a recent visit to a country in North Africa. That meant that his wife and family h... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    They need more than peace...

    by Stan Slade
    It has now been over 14 years since the genocide in Rwanda.  Calm reigns throughout the country.  But it is a wounded calm, and the need for ... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Burma needs your help with cyclone and food crisis

    by Duane Binkley
    Greetings,Once again, Burma is in the news, this time with a devastating cyclone killing unknown tens of thousands ... more
  • Journal - about 1 month ago

    Time of change and transition

    by Kim Brown
    May is a time of change and transition, as the Thai school year restarts. However, Daw Song, one of our girls from the House of Love, has ... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    A Voice in the Shower

    by Stan Slade
    This week (May 5-10) I have had the privilege of teaching in an amazing leadership training event, just outside of Nairobi, Kenya. Combi... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    Trials and triumphs at Nighlight

    by Annie Dieselberg
    Dear Friends,It's been a busy season and not an easy one. God is working in incredible ways and our days seem to be filled with the highest of jo... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    Coats to leave mission service with International Ministries

    by John Coats
    Dear Supporters, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,It is time to let you know about an important major decision we are makin... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    Helping to heal Emerson’s heart

    by Nancy James
    Recently we had planned an outing with friends of ours, Drs. Bill and Janet Benish, volunteers at HBS in Limbé. They had asked us if we could visit t... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    MISASA -- Meeting in the Bush

    by Charles West
    We pray that 2008 has already blessed you with God’s new mercies, peace and good health! It is hard to believe that we are four month... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    A Church’s First Mission Conference

    by Bruce Borquist
    Thank you for praying for us this last weekend!  As we mentioned in a recent newsletter and some follow up prayer requests, we travele... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    I feel clean

    by Bill Clemmer
    Do you remember Manwana -- the young boy we wrote about two months ago? I returned to his village this weekend where we have been working ... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    Refugee ministry at World Mission Conference

    by Duane Binkley
    Greetings,We wanted to bring the World Mission Conference schedule for this year to your attention. All four conferences are at or near location... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    We want to hear from you on home assignment!

    by Katherine Niles
    If you could package our weather for resort hotels in northern climates, you could make a lot of money for mission. Brilliant morning sunshine glisten... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    Flint is fine after a fall, please keep us in your prayers

    by Debbie Miller
    Hi everyone -Sunday, March 30 at 10 p.m. Flint was going down the hill to his seminary office. There are some irregular spaced steep steps on the way ... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    Build homes and live in them

    by Barbara Bolick
    “Build houses and live in them!” (God’s message to some exiles, Jeremiah 29:1-7) Now and then someone we have worked with starts to ... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    Dengue Fever -- and Answers to Your Prayers

    by Bruce Borquist
    <!--StartFragment--> 17 April 2008 Dear Friends: In our last newsletter, we mentioned in a prayer request that I was recovering from Dengue Fever... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    Busy evangelism schedule planned

    by Bill Thomas
    France: The Baptist Church in Colombes (near Paris) continues to gear up for an evangelistic outreach there June 6, 7, and 8. This will be held ... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    Seeing through dark glasses

    by Debbie Kelsey
    I think of her as “the woman behind the dark glasses.” She is not about to reveal much of herself to someone like me whom she only sees occasional... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    Beach vacation

    by Kim Brown
    I know snow is still falling in the US, but here in Thailand we are in the midst of our hottest season, and Thai summer means summer vacation for the c... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    Trip to Chile, Volume Three, Celebrating Women in Ministry

    by Mylinda Baits
    In May and June we will have the honor to witness the ordination services of two of our women pastors.Ruth Vindas, pastor of the Cinco Esquinas C... more
  • Journal - 2 months ago

    Texting for Mission

    by Stan Slade
    You just never know what life skills are going to come in handy for Kingdom work!  Here you see missionary Pieter Kalkman sending a text messa... more
  • Journal - 3 months ago

    Today I learned I was HIV positive

    by Rick Gutierrez
    Imagine you are a 20-year-old South African man, who has just flunked out of high-school. You live on the rural border of a large city, where you trav... more
  • Journal - 3 months ago

    Showers of blessing

    by Rita Chapman
    Dear Family and Friends,Village chiefs around Kikongo demonstrate their authority over even the heavens by never getting caught out in the rain. I'm g... more
  • Journal - 3 months ago

    Celebrating at the close of the school year

    by LaMon Brown
    Another school year has come and gone. Actually, I (LaMon) continue to teach in the international program, but the Thai program is over. The fina... more
  • Journal - 3 months ago

    Good News, Some Bibles Have Arrived!!!

    by Charles West
    In October, November and December of 2007, we conducted Spiritual Formation workshops with Samaritan Baptist Church, a Baptist Convention of Zam... more
  • Journal - 3 months ago

    Our return to Mexico

    by Chuck Shawver
    Dear Friends,The days following Easter are always filled with the wonder and amazement of His aliveness and the joyous possibility of the unthinkable.&... more
  • Journal - 3 months ago

    Lessons from the Conversational English for Mission Course 2008

    by Bruce Borquist
    <!--StartFragment--> "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and t... more
  • Journal - 3 months ago

    You are the salt of the earth

    by Dwight Davidson
    I just got back from a 10 day work-trip to Thailand with 13 students and another colleague, Mr. Kanda. I wanted to tell you a little about Mr. Kanda b... more
  • Journal - 3 months ago

    Into the Word in Myanmar

    by Stan Slade
    It was great to catch a glimpse of God at work among our brothers and sisters in Myanmar during the first half of March.  The primary fo... more
  • Journal - 3 months ago

    Trip to Chile, Volume Two, Get out of the boat

    by Mylinda Baits
    Pastor Ruth had never been in a boat before. Having never learned to swim, she was reluctant to put herself into a dangerous si... more
  • Journal - 3 months ago

    Easter greetings from Nightlight

    by Annie Dieselberg
    Happy Easter from all of us at NightLight! "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me. Because he has anointed me to preach good news to th... more
  • Journal - 3 months ago

    A long Holy Week

    by Debbie Kelsey
    The only thing I remember about Holy Week when I was a child is Easter Sunday: no Maundy Thursday, no Good Friday, no hopeless, nameless Saturday. But... more