More from Deborah Meroff

Speaking to groups in many countries and aboard my mission’s international ships has taught me to abandon my self-consciousness and lean completely on God’s power to work in spite of my deficiencies. Since it’s not me but Christ who lives within me, it’s up to him to get the message across!

I’ve also learned that human translators can sometimes get in the way. Once someone in my audience told me afterward with great concern that the person “assisting me” hadn’t even come close to saying what I did! How liberating to leave the outcome in God’s hands.

I am including a few photos of myself interacting with people in Thailand, Vietnam, and Yemen. Although I’m now retired from photojournalism, I still find that sincere love, whether expressed in caring deeds or an encouraging smile, is the best communicator in any culture.