When the Story Doesn’t Have a Happy Ending

When the Story Doesn’t Have a Happy Ending

by Conor Sweetman | Mar 9, 2022 | Contemplation, Featured

e’d been on the mission field only six months, and we were already experiencing every missionary’s dream story: a Muslim convert. We participated in his baptism, guided his discipleship, and supported him through persecution. We had so much to write home about....

My Playground, a Wasteland

Beirut
33.8938° N, 35.5018° E
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What I Learned Under the Red Lights

Taiwan
23.6978° N, 120.9605° E
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The Biggest Mistake the Church Can Make

Algeria
35.6987° N, 0.6349° W
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A Phoenix Rises After ISIS Enslavement

Middle East
33.2232° N, 43.6793° E
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Our Body Groans for Unity

Djibouti
11.8251° N, 42.5903° E
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The Drums of the Witch’s Demise

Uganda
1.3733° N, 32.2903° E
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When the Story Doesn’t Have a Happy Ending

Tanzania
1.3733° N, 32.2903° E
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Learning to See Beauty Through the Scars of War

Angola
11.2027° S, 17.8739° E
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Faith in the Face of Bullet Fire

Rwanda
1.9403° S, 29.8739° E
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It Wasn’t the Tear Gas that Surprised Me

Hong Kong
22.3193° N, 114.1694° E
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Breaking Slavery on Lake Volta

Ghana
7.9465° N, 1.0232° W
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What the Darkness Doesn’t Obscure

Chile
35.6751° S, 71.5430° W
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Scripture Feeds My French Appetite

France
46.2276° N, 2.2137° E
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Betty is God’s Favorite

Kenya
0.0236° S, 37.9062° E
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A Way in the Wilderness

Australia
25.2744° S, 133.7751° E
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The Prison Sanctum

Ethiopia
9.1450° N, 40.4897° E
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Eusebio Prays for the President

Bolivia
16.2902° S, 63.5887° W
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The Statistic that Nobody Believed

United States
37.0902° N, 95.7129° W
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Our Names Become Bridges

Philippines
12.8797° N, 121.7740° E
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The Wounded Sparrow

India
20.5937° N, 78.9629° E
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Contents

  • CONTEMPLATIONS
  • CHRONICLES
Beyrouth
Teresa Sfeir

Une « terre vaine » pour cour de récréation

Beirut
Teresa Sfeir

My Playground, a Wasteland

대만
Teo Sin Ee

홍등 아래에서 내가 배운 것

臺灣
Teo Sin Ee

我在紅燈區學到了什麼

台湾
Teo Sin Ee

我在红灯区学到了什么

Taiwan
Teo Sin Ee

What I Learned Under the Red Lights

Djibouti
Rachel Pieh Jones

Our Body Groans for Unity

Tanzania
Amy Medina

When the Story Doesn’t Have a Happy Ending

Rwanda
Bethany Williams

Faith in the Face of Bullet Fire

Chile
Rebekka Väisänen Turkanik

Lo que las tinieblas no oscurecen

Chile
Rebekka Väisänen Turkanik

What the Darkness Doesn’t Obscure

France
Stéphanie Rousselle

Le banquet le plus nourrissant qui soit

Francia
Stéphanie Rousselle

Las Escrituras alimentan mi apetito francés

France
Stéphanie Rousselle

Scripture Feeds My French Appetite

United States
Bob Swenson

The Statistic that Nobody Believed

Philippines
Yanan Melo

Our Names Become Bridges

India
Kuruvilla Chandy

The Wounded Sparrow

Argelia
Erin Schipper

El mayor error que la iglesia puede cometer

Algérie
Erin Schipper

La plus grosse erreur que l’Église puisse commettre

Algeria
Erin Schipper

The Biggest Mistake the Church Can Make

Middle East
Hany Estmalek

Foniks Bangkit Setelah Perbudakan ISIS

Middle East
Hany Estmalek

A Phoenix Rises After ISIS Enslavement

Uganda
Kari Costanza

The Drums of the Witch’s Demise

Angola
Jurgens Hendriks

Aprendendo a enxergar beleza em meio às cicatrizes da guerra

Angola
Jurgens Hendriks

Learning to See Beauty Through the Scars of War

Hong Kong
Anonymous

Bukan Gas Air Mata yang Mengejutkan Saya

Hong Kong
Anonymous

令我感到意外的,不是催泪瓦斯

香港
Anonymous

令我感到意外的,不是催淚瓦斯

Hong Kong
Anonymous

It Wasn’t the Tear Gas that Surprised Me

Ghana
Tonia Gütting

Breaking Slavery on Lake Volta

Kenya
Juli McGowan Boit

Betty is God’s Favorite

Australia
Norann Voll

A Way in the Wilderness

Ethiopia
Laura Chan

The Prison Sanctum

Bolivia
Nancy Thomas

Eusebio ora a petición del presidente

Bolivia
Nancy Thomas

Eusebio Prays for the President

Contemplations offer first-person narratives that are rich in literary texture, deep reflection, and experiences of faith and wonder.

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Chronicles feature stories in third-person form, relating how others are bringing the kingdom of God into our world in essential and enchanting ways.

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