Wing Wong, president of the International Conference on Missions, speaks to everyone. For more info, go to theicom.org.

I was one of several people from local Christian churches that volunteered to help faciliate the 64th Annual International Conference on Missions (formerly the National Missionary Convention) at the Georgia International Convention Center Nov. 17 through today. It was so awe-inspiring to see all of the missionaries from all of the world in one place. And as I walked to the various exhibitor booths of the missionaries, I felt like I was getting an impromptu geography and world affairs lesson. And it brought home this verse:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

Wing Wong, a China missionary and president of the conference, described some of God’s miracles during his message to the missionaries yesterday. During one missionary trip to China, Wong and his fellow missionaries including his son were arrested three times! And each time, God delivered them!

During one arrest, Wong’s son Ivan, who as an American never learned Mandarin, was taken away to be questioned separately by the police. Wong was scared for his son’s safety and informed the police that his son could not speak Mandarin. When Ivan and one of the police officers returned, the police officer told Wong that he lied to them because his son spoke perfectly and they understood one another. Wong later asked his son had he learned Mandarin without his knowledge, and his son told his father no. He further explained that he is unsure how it happened. “Somehow, I could understand them, and somehow they understood me!”  Now, that’s a miracle!!! And 92 people were baptized on that trip despite the opposition the missionaries experienced!

Below are a few pictures from the exhibitors, I met yesterday. If you can, please pick at least one of the missionaries and offer your support!

 This is Yolanda Rodriguez of David’s Well, a ministry to Central America. Her father and mother Juan and Ydalia Rodriguez, who are from the Dominican Republic, are missionaries in Panama, Costa Rica & Nicaragua. Through their mission, they have dug clean water wells, built four health clinics, built 10 new schools and planted 80 new churches. For more information, e-mail davidswellpanana@gmail.com.

This is Mrs. Mutunga of Tumaini International Ministries Inc.  Mrs. Mutunga and her husband provide assistance to AIDS-orphaned children in Kenya. Currently, they are working to raise $2 million to complete construction of a multipurpose community center which will host the organization’s Christian camps, a medical clinic, counseling services, vocational training and a Christian leadership program. For more information, go to tumainiinternational.org.

 Anna along with her husband Jared Odle and their children work as missionaries with the Alliance of Christian Missions in Burkina, Faso in West Africa. Through their Business as Mission, they created a gold brokerage and mining management company, Ethnic Investments LLC,  in Burkina, Faso and have employed 150 men in the area. “God doesn’t just want us to take the gospel, He wants everyone to experience His fullness with clothing and shelter and everything we have here.” Amen!!! For more information, go to http://www.acminternational.com/missionaries/odle/odle.html.

I thought this mission was so innovative! Mercy Ships, a global charity, has operated a fleet of hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. They literally bring healing via doctors, nurses and other medical personnel that embark on these voyages to hurting people all of the world. From Nelson Mandela “I applaud Mercy Ships in their efforts of transformational development as they make a lasting difference in a world of need. Mercy Ships has committed themselves to the vision of an African renaissance in their vision of bringing hope and healing to the continent of Africa.” For more information, go to mercyships.org.

Since I fell in love with libraries as a child, this mission got my attention. Open Door Libraries has created four public Christian libraries with full-time missionaries in Berlin, Budapest, Prague and Amman. From these, five churches have been planted!!! For more information, go to opendoorlibraries.org.

Look for more pictures from the convention in the gallery on Friday, Nov. 25.

Any thoughts?

The post Around the World in a Day: My Experience at the 64th Annual International Conference on Missions appeared first on After the Altar Call.

I DID THAT!!! Well, actually the LORD DID THAT!!! I completed my project that was due yesterday and now I can breathe a little bit…Again, I’m sorry I cannot tell you what’s up yet, but I will say this: as Goapele says in her song, I’m closer to my dreams!!!

Well, for the last two months, with the help of R., all I did was write outside of going to work, working out, paying my bills – the essentials basically…So yesterday, I was itching to get back to hanging out…My line sister T. and I headed to the World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show which is being held at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park. The last day is today so you still have a chance to go…If you remember, back in February, I went to  the Bronner Brothers International Hair Show…This show was similar but completely different at the same time…take a look at my photos and tell me what you think!

I know this picture is blurry, but the backdrop captures the essence of our day…

Now that is an AFRO!!! Something about her reminds me of Diana Ross…

Her fro from the side…

How you like that dread hawk?

I have locks, but I don’t think I will ever let them get this long…

Locks of many colors…

I thought I was going to see a lot of Shazzas (Remember Shazza from “A Different World?”) or dudes there, but I think there were more guys at the Bronner Brothers show…

And here he is from the side…very innovative…

I ran into many friends at the show….My friend K. is two weeks from having her little one, and she is still out and about…LOL…(Cute outfit!)

My friend N. and her shoes…We will ignore the pink and green combo…LOL…

I need those pants!!!

Another complete look…I’m thinkin’ early Erykah Badu…What say you?

I like their stilo as well…

I just looove thick hair!

Another head of thick hair…I hope when my hair is completely gray it is this thick!!!

More thick, lush hair!!!

This probably isn’t all hers, but it looks good…Check her top…Yep, it’s made of hair…

Another mohawk…cute, right?

T. and I debated about buying this t-shirt, but we couldn’t find the eye in the image…We see the fro, but we couldn’t see the eye…Do you see it?

T. did buy these earrings…The ball ones…Cute, right?

There were also performances at the show…These little girls rocked the stage with African and Caribbean dances!

The girls and one of their teachers…

Okay, I did run into a few more guys…This guy was rockin’ the man bag, right?!

It was such a pretty day, T. and I took “glamour shots” outside the convention center:)

I love my bag…My feet hurt, but I was cute!

The post Saturday in the A – Featuring the World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show appeared first on After the Altar Call.