Lodoi Development: "Community Health Education"

Lodoi Development Fund (LDF) is a Ugandan Non-Government Organisation (NGO) working in Pallisa District in Eastern Uganda. LDF is working to provide a better life for people, most especially children and women, in rural communities. LDF initiates different programmes in the project area to help improve the lives of community members ...

... one of those programmes is Community Health Education.

Lodoi Development reports that, "LDF found many of the diseases treated at the hospital were preventable, and so LDF embarked on a Community Health programme in two neighbouring sub counties (namely Kakoro & Kabwangasi Sub Counties), training Peer Health Educators from the area, who disseminated health prevention messages to the community."
CLICK HERE to learn more about Community Health Education, and the Lodoi Development Fund

In the News ... "Cowboy Church Supports Our Troops"

Shelly Childers
Reporter
KOSA-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - It's an unconventional church, with very traditional values. And at the West Texas Cowboy Church just because you dress a little differently doesn't mean you pray with less passion, love with less heart and it certainly doesn't mean you're any less patriotic.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the KMID story.

Pack the House for MAAS

Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support, Inc. (MAAS) has organized "Broadway in the Basin" for over ten years, as the organization's premier annual fundraising event. This year, MAAS welcomes former Midlander Eddie Pleasant back home to perform his newly-created show, "Sincerely, Nat - The Life & Music of Nat 'King' Cole," currently touring nationwide. The 2009 annual gala takes place Thursday, October 29th at the historic Yucca Theatre in downtown Midland. The evening is a benefit for the Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support, Inc. (MAAS).

“Everybody knows his music,” Pleasant said in this report from the Midland Reporter-Telegram. “I’m not impersonating the man. I’m paying homage to him as a human being. I do sing a good 20 to 30 minutes of his music, but a lot of what I’m going to present is just his story.”
Read the rest of Pleasant's story in the MRT

General admission $20. Sponsor tickets range from $1500 Platinum for 8 tickets and 24drink coupons to $250 Bronze for 2 tickets and 2 drink coupons. All sponsors will receive a pre-party invitation (6:30 p.m.). For more information, and reservations, please call MAAS at 684-7821, extension 123.

Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support (MAAS) was founded to counsel, comfort and support individuals with HIV/AIDS and their families. The story of MAAS will always be the story of Judy Warren, MAAS founder, and her brother Larry Yates, who changed lives as he died and forced a community to look at itself.

MAAS programs benefit people living with HIV/AIDS by providing benevolent assistance, but also provides patients and their families with emotional support by hosting the only HIV/AIDS support group in the Midland/Odessa area. In addition to weekly support group meetings and a variety of other ongoing services and events, MAAS also developed and delivers HIV/AIDS prevention education to public schools, conferences and a wide variety of public forums.

MAAS is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization funded by donations from concerned individuals and foundations. Services are confidential and free of charge. Contributions are tax deductible. For more information, please contact:
Judy Warren - Executive Director
Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support,Inc.(MAAS)
800 W. Texas Street
Midland, Texas 79701
(432) 520-3055
(432) 684-7821

In the News ... "Mighty Men"

Roy Waggoner
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - They may not be as famous as the Promise Keepers, but for a group of Odessa men, the goal is the same: strengthen men’s leadership in church, at home and in the community.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.

Midland group: Beijing Christian pastors family calls for his safe return, requests prayer

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Midland group: Beijing Christian pastors family calls for his safe return, requests prayer

Released by ChinaAid, September, 2009 ...

"BEIJING, CHINA – ChinaAid received a letter from the Hua family, urging fellow believers to pray for Pastor Hua Huiqi's release and safe return."
Read the Letter and the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

Pack the House for MAAS

Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support, Inc. (MAAS) has organized "Broadway in the Basin" for over ten years, as the organization's premier annual fundraising event. This year, MAAS welcomes former Midlander Eddie Pleasant back home to perform his newly-created show, "Sincerely, Nat - The Life & Music of Nat 'King' Cole," currently touring nationwide. The 2009 annual gala takes place Thursday, October 29th at the historic Yucca Theatre in downtown Midland. The evening is a benefit for the Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support, Inc. (MAAS).

“Everybody knows his music,” Pleasant said in this report from the Midland Reporter-Telegram. “I’m not impersonating the man. I’m paying homage to him as a human being. I do sing a good 20 to 30 minutes of his music, but a lot of what I’m going to present is just his story.”
Read the rest of Pleasant's story in the MRT

General admission $20. Sponsor tickets range from $1500 Platinum for 8 tickets and 24drink coupons to $250 Bronze for 2 tickets and 2 drink coupons. All sponsors will receive a pre-party invitation (6:30 p.m.). For more information, and reservations, please call MAAS at 684-7821, extension 123.

Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support (MAAS) was founded to counsel, comfort and support individuals with HIV/AIDS and their families. The story of MAAS will always be the story of Judy Warren, MAAS founder, and her brother Larry Yates, who changed lives as he died and forced a community to look at itself.

MAAS programs benefit people living with HIV/AIDS by providing benevolent assistance, but also provides patients and their families with emotional support by hosting the only HIV/AIDS support group in the Midland/Odessa area. In addition to weekly support group meetings and a variety of other ongoing services and events, MAAS also developed and delivers HIV/AIDS prevention education to public schools, conferences and a wide variety of public forums.

MAAS is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization funded by donations from concerned individuals and foundations. Services are confidential and free of charge. Contributions are tax deductible. For more information, please contact:
Judy Warren - Executive Director
Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support,Inc.(MAAS)
800 W. Texas Street
Midland, Texas 79701
(432) 520-3055
(432) 684-7821

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

"From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in-we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we're telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us."

"We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!"

1 John 1:1-4, from The Message/Remix
by Eugene Peterson

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

Can you put yourself in the place of the recipients* of this letter? What an amazing gift to receive an eyewitness account of Jesus' life and ministry! I loved the Apostle John's invitation to experience communion with God and Jesus Christ and that we would find great joy in this relationship.

Would you pray with me this week for the children of our world who do not know of this joyful relationship with God? Let's pray together for their communion with Christ and joy in him. For their joy will surely double ours!

On Wednesday, October 28, 2009, we will pray for the children of the world and their relationship with God. Please join us in the Bride's Room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland at 11:30 a.m. for prayer and afterwards for lunch ($5) and fellowship.

If you have concerns or celebrations about children that you’d like included on the prayer list, please send it to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call. Thank you for keeping the children of our communities and our world held close in prayer!

Joyfully yours,

Chris

* This epistle is commonly attributed to John, the beloved disciple [John 21:20] of Jesus Christ and was thought to have been written to churches near Ephesus in the province of Asia, which is now modern Turkey. http://bible.org/seriespage/non-pauline-epistles

In the News ... "MAAS offers support to families, counseling to AIDS patients"

By Megan Lea Buck
Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Judy Warren used to describe herself as a “shy, people-pleasing person.” That began to change in 1991 when she started a support group for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. The group began meeting at First Presbyterian Church.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Midland Group Offers "Prayer Band That Started a Revolution"

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Issued by ChinaAid ...

This prayer band has been declared illegal in China.

Chinese police have stopped people on the streets and taken the bands off their wrists. Some have been interrogated and arrested; at least three families were evicted from their homes—for the government, the prayer band is a symbol of revolution.

We thank everyone across the U.S. and around the world who answered the call to wear a "Pray for China" prayer band and pray during the Olympics. Your willingness to stand with Chinese house church Christians encouraged them as they also wore prayer bands and prayed for their country. Their commitment came with a cost. Read more.

Yet, house church Christians refuse to be intimidated. They say that prayer for China is even more critical now that the world is no longer watching. Persecution has increased. Will you join in this revolution of prayer for China?

"They can arrest me or put me in prison, but I'm not going to stop praying for China. Although the prayer band is banned in China, prayer can never be banned. I am asking every Christian to support believers in China by wearing a prayer band." - a prominent house church leader

At this crucial time, will you partner in prayer? And, will you please forward this information to others who will want to pray for the persecuted in China.

» Click here to order a China Prayer Band

Word from Uganda: "Another Home in Mbale"

Missionary teacher Natalie Rolfe writes, "'When He calls me, I will answer ... I'll be somewhere working for my Lord.' My call was Mbale, Uganda and that is where I have returned to serve for another year. Specifically, I am teaching phonics at Lulwanda Children's Home, an orphanage and school for 90 kids." Natalie also keeps an online journal of her service at the weblog, When He calls me, I will answer ...

Another Home in Mbale ...
"There is another orphanage/Home in Mbale that I have gotten to visit a handful of times. St. Kazito's is different from LCH in that they deal with the really young ones. They have around 40 kids that have been brought to them. Also different from LCH, they don't keep kids beyond 4 years old and try to reintegrate the kids they have been helping back into their family once they reach this age. It is run by the local Catholic church.”

CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post

_____________________

If you are interested in supporting LCH by sponsoring one of the 90 children, go to www.ugandaorphans.org If you are interested in financially supporting Natalie in her mission, you can send checks (with "Natalie Rolfe" in memo) to: Midland Bible Church, 2800 North A Street, Midland, TX 79705

In the News ... "Odessa CFC Releasing CD"

Roy Waggoner
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Officials at Odessa Christian Faith Center want a biblical message heard somewhere besides Sunday morning sermons. In fact, they wouldn’t mind if people were to tune in on a daily basis. OCFC has its own audio editing equipment, and music minister Lowell Hohstadt has put it in overtime use during the past year as the church compiled a CD of its own worship music.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.

'Empty Bowls' in the Tall City Tonight

An especially good fundraiser is making its way to the Tall City this week, and I hope you'll do your part to fill-up some empty bowls.

Midland first 'Empty Bowls' event takes place Friday, October 23, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, 4000 W. Loop 250 North. Proceeds raised benefit the West Texas Food Bank.
CLICK HERE to read more on this story from the MRT

For $10, you receive a hand-made ceramic bowl (created by local art students) and dinner (soup and bread). Accompanying your dinner will be music by the Odessa High School orchestra and the UTPB jazz band.

Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort to raise money and awareness in an effort to end hunger and food insecurity. Each group that participates in the Empty Bowls project works with their community to create their own event.

According to Empty Bowl's Wikipedia entry, "Art teacher John Hartom initiated the project during in 1990-91 when he joined a drive to raise charitable funds in his Michigan community. Hartom's idea was to organize a charitable event to give artists and art students a way to make a personal difference. Hartom's students made ceramic bowls in their high school art classes. The finished products were then used as individual serving pieces for a fund-raising meal of soup and bread. Contributing guests kept the empty bowl. During the next year, Hartom and other participants developed this concept into 'Empty Bowls.'”

I've participated in Empty Bowls before, at the UTPB C.E.E.D. Building between Odessa and Midland, and later in Odessa. This is the first year that they are having events in both cities. It's a wonderful event, and leaves you with a lasting memento ... and a reminder that some bowls out there are still empty.

Won't you please do your part to fill those bowls.

Lodoi Development: "Nutrition Program"

Lodoi Development Fund (LDF) is a Ugandan Non-Government Organisation (NGO) working in Pallisa District in Eastern Uganda. LDF is working to provide a better life for people, most especially children and women, in rural communities. LDF initiates different programmes in the project area to help improve the lives of community members ...

... one of those programmes is Nutrition Program.

Lodoi Development reports that, "Uganda Women, Infant & Children (UWIC) was initiated by Lodoi Developmental Fund (LDF), Kanginima Hosipital in 2008. This program was to address the serious problem of malnutrition rampant in the villages of developing countries like Uganda."
CLICK HERE to learn more about Nutrition Program, and the Lodoi Development Fund

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Upward Basketball & Cheerleading

There are some for whom the word "mission" conjures up images of travels to the far side of the world for extended periods of time ... but that is NOT always the case. There are opportunities going on in your community - right here, right now - that have a genuine need for someone with exactly your skills, and exactly your schedule.

One is Upward Basketball & Cheerleading, which kicks-off its 2009 season in West Texas, in just a couple of months - though registration is under way NOW.

Upward introduces children to Jesus Christ by creating opportunities to serve through sports. Upward is a fun, reliable, passionate and encouraging sports experience for boys and girls, in K5 through sixth grade. Upward provides first class, organized and detailed sports programming. Unique aspects of Upward include an evaluation system that promotes equal and competitive teams as well as a substitution system which allows for equal playing time for all participants.Through Upward, children are exposed to quality coaching and sport development. Upward emphasizes character and integrity instead of a “win at all costs” mentality associated with today’s sports world.

And, NO, you don't have to be a member of a church in order to participate!

There are all kinds of ways you can help the Upward program in your community ... all kinds of ways you can become a West Texas Missioner. You can be a coach, or an assistant, a referee or a timekeeper. You may also choose to present a brief devotional to the audience during the halftimes, while the teams are resting and getting ready for the next round of play. Your focus can be current events, a piece of Scripture from the Bible, or sports. You can compose your own, or work from guidelines that participating churches will provide you.

You can also help by signing-up your child, then heading to the game and cheering for everyone on the floor!

In Midland, there are programs at First Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church.

In Odessa, there are programs at First Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church and First Church of the Nazarene.

And in Lamesa, there is a program at First Baptist Church. This church's Upward Soccer program is already under way.

'Empty Bowls' in the Tall City This Friday

An especially good fundraiser is making its way to the Tall City this week, and I hope you'll do your part to fill-up some empty bowls.

Midland first 'Empty Bowls' event takes place Friday, October 23, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, 4000 W. Loop 250 North. Proceeds raised benefit the West Texas Food Bank.
CLICK HERE to read more on this story from the MRT

For $10, you receive a hand-made ceramic bowl (created by local art students) and dinner (soup and bread). Accompanying your dinner will be music by the Odessa High School orchestra and the UTPB jazz band.

Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort to raise money and awareness in an effort to end hunger and food insecurity. Each group that participates in the Empty Bowls project works with their community to create their own event.

According to Empty Bowl's Wikipedia entry, "Art teacher John Hartom initiated the project during in 1990-91 when he joined a drive to raise charitable funds in his Michigan community. Hartom's idea was to organize a charitable event to give artists and art students a way to make a personal difference. Hartom's students made ceramic bowls in their high school art classes. The finished products were then used as individual serving pieces for a fund-raising meal of soup and bread. Contributing guests kept the empty bowl. During the next year, Hartom and other participants developed this concept into 'Empty Bowls.'”

I've participated in Empty Bowls before, at the UTPB C.E.E.D. Building between Odessa and Midland, and later in Odessa. This is the first year that they are having events in both cities. It's a wonderful event, and leaves you with a lasting memento ... and a reminder that some bowls out there are still empty.

Won't you please do your part to fill those bowls.

Midland group reports threats continue against pastor of Christian church

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Midland group reports threats continue against pastor of Christian church

Released by ChinaAid, September, 2009 ...

"GUANZHOU, CHINA – At noon on September 3, 2009, the administrative reconsideration office in Zhuhai notified Pastor Wang Dao of Guangzhou Liangren Church that the Guanzhou court had ruled in favor of his application for reconsideraton on behalf of the church, and requested he come to the office to pick up the award. At 5:00 PM, four public security officials came to his home in Donghai Garden Community, and requested that he join them for an investigation in Luoxi Police station. They claimed they were from Guangzhou Bureau of Public Security, but when Pastor Wang demanded they show him the warrant of investigation, they could not furnish one. Instead, they instructed him to 'lighten up,' claiming they just 'wanted to talk.' The security officials then took Pastor Wang to the residential police office and 'conversed' with him for two hours."
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

Please Take Note

Here is a wonderful way to spread the news ... AND spread the WORD. Notecards bearing images created by orphans of the Lulwanda Children's Home of Uganada, are now on sale at First Presbyterian Church of Midland. A packet of eight 51/2" x 3" cards, printed on heavy card stock, with envelopes, costs $10 and all of the proceeds from the sale goes to Lulwanda Children's Home.
All of the images that appear on the cards were created by the children this summer, when they were visited by FPC's 2008 Uganada Mission Team. You can choose from full-color landscapes, black-and white barnyard animals, or variable-color native plants from this region of Uganda. First Presbyterian Church is located on the northwest corner of Texas and A streets, on the west edge of downtown Midland, please use the Texas Street entrance near the intersection. The church office is open Monday through Friday, from eight o'clock in the morning until five o'clock in the afternoon. For more information, please call First Prez-Midland at (432) 684-7821.

Lulwanda Children’s Home opened its doors on December 1, 2004, the first children’s home established by the Grace International Children’s Foundation (GICF). Lulwanda now houses and cares for 90 orphaned or abandoned children between the ages of 3 and 12.

Before coming to Lulwanda Children’s Home, many of these children had no one to care for them, while others were living in desperate conditions with aging and overburdened grandparents. Now the children are thriving in a healthy, nurturing environment. The children not only live at Lulwanda, they also attend primary school on site, learning basic life skills, English, math, and a variety of other subjects. Pre-school, kindergarten, and first through fifth grades are held simultaneously for five hours daily, five days per week. The children receive regular medical care, nutritious meals, and lots of outdoor play time – all in a warm family environment that promotes bonding between the children, their house mothers, and the rest of the staff members

Facilities at the Lulwanda Children’s Home include boys’ and girls’ dormitories and bathhouses, living / dining areas, 6 classrooms, a large playground, a kitchen, laundry room, and a garden which provides some of the food for the Home. A 10 acre farm was recently acquired and food crops are being grown and harvested. The Home Administrator lives on site, as do the four housemothers.

CLICK HERE to view or download a 2 page color tri-fold brochure about Lulwanda, in PDF format.

Word from Uganda: "End of Term 2 Holiday"

Missionary teacher Natalie Rolfe writes, "'When He calls me, I will answer ... I'll be somewhere working for my Lord.' My call was Mbale, Uganda and that is where I have returned to serve for another year. Specifically, I am teaching phonics at Lulwanda Children's Home, an orphanage and school for 90 kids." Natalie also keeps an online journal of her service at the weblog, When He calls me, I will answer ...

End of Term 2 Holiday ...
"As most of you know, we have started Term 3 this week. The kids are glad to be back at school but had a fun holiday. I did too. Holiday is the chance for me to catch up on the things that I have not had time to do during the school year. Like participating in the summer missions. There was an open air crusade held the first week of holidays. I was able to participate in doing hut-to-hut evangelism.”

CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post

_____________________

If you are interested in supporting LCH by sponsoring one of the 90 children, go to www.ugandaorphans.org If you are interested in financially supporting Natalie in her mission, you can send checks (with "Natalie Rolfe" in memo) to: Midland Bible Church, 2800 North A Street, Midland, TX 79705

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Upward Basketball & Cheerleading

There are some for whom the word "mission" conjures up images of travels to the far side of the world for extended periods of time ... but that is NOT always the case. There are opportunities going on in your community - right here, right now - that have a genuine need for someone with exactly your skills, and exactly your schedule.

One is Upward Basketball & Cheerleading, which kicks-off its 2009 season in West Texas, in just a couple of months - though registration is under way NOW.

Upward introduces children to Jesus Christ by creating opportunities to serve through sports. Upward is a fun, reliable, passionate and encouraging sports experience for boys and girls, in K5 through sixth grade. Upward provides first class, organized and detailed sports programming. Unique aspects of Upward include an evaluation system that promotes equal and competitive teams as well as a substitution system which allows for equal playing time for all participants.Through Upward, children are exposed to quality coaching and sport development. Upward emphasizes character and integrity instead of a “win at all costs” mentality associated with today’s sports world.

And, NO, you don't have to be a member of a church in order to participate!

There are all kinds of ways you can help the Upward program in your community ... all kinds of ways you can become a West Texas Missioner. You can be a coach, or an assistant, a referee or a timekeeper. You may also choose to present a brief devotional to the audience during the halftimes, while the teams are resting and getting ready for the next round of play. Your focus can be current events, a piece of Scripture from the Bible, or sports. You can compose your own, or work from guidelines that participating churches will provide you.

You can also help by signing-up your child, then heading to the game and cheering for everyone on the floor!

In Midland, there are programs at First Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church.

In Odessa, there are programs at First Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church and First Church of the Nazarene.

And in Lamesa, there is a program at First Baptist Church. This church's Upward Soccer program is already under way.

In the News ... "No Shortage at 'Pumpkin Patch Church'"

Stephanie Sobic
Reporter
KMID-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Certain parts of the country are dealing with a pumpkin shortage, is West Texas on the list? One local pumpkin patch - St. Lukes United Methodist Church - told us not to be scared.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the KMID story.

Lodoi Development: "Microfinance"

Lodoi Development Fund (LDF) is a Ugandan Non-Government Organisation (NGO) working in Pallisa District in Eastern Uganda. LDF is working to provide a better life for people, most especially children and women, in rural communities. LDF initiates different programmes in the project area to help improve the lives of community members ...

... one of those programmes is Microfinance.

Lodoi Development reports that, "As signs of improved health in the project area were witnessed – and therefore a stronger workforce put in place – families gradually began to realise a small family income. The culture of savings is alien to most areas of rural Uganda, and LDF introduced a savings and credit programme, to not only help community members to save their small income, but also to access loan capital to kick start small business ventures."
CLICK HERE to learn more about Microfinance, and the Lodoi Development Fund

Faces of Children: Prayer Requests

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Prayer Concerns for the week of 10/14/09

Brazil (ESTHERS Children – www.estherschildren.org)
• Pray for a 3-year-old girl who was brought to the ESTHERS Children substitute family home recently. Pray that God will help the fulltime ministry team gently restore this little girl psychologically, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and academically.
• Pray for a 6-year-old girl who lives in a very dangerous slum and is at high risk to enter a hazardous lifestyle. Abandoned by her mother at birth, this 6-year-old is not wanted by her father or stepmother and is being raised by an ailing grandmother with limited resources. Pray for protection for this little one who has already been introduced to alcohol and cigarettes by older teen relatives. • Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance as the ESTHERS Children team reach out to her.
• Please keep in prayer the 16 girls currently in the care of ESTHERS Children and the willing staff and volunteers who care for them every day.
○ Pray for the girls who struggle in school and particularly with mathematics.
○ Pray for Daniel who is tutoring them in math each weekend as well as teaching them art.
○ Pray for the Christian psychologist who is considering helping with the much needed professional counseling services for these girls.
○ Pray for healing for the older girls who have experienced deep trauma in their past.

India
• Please keep the 81 children and staff members of Grace Home orphanage held close in prayer as they deal with severe flooding in their state. No word has been received from Grace Home since the flooding began. Pray for their safety and for that of all the flood victims in the area. Pray that God will protect them from illnesses caused by flooding like malaria, cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, etc. (Orphans First — www.orphansfirst.org)
• Pray for the 2.5 million people left homeless in south India because of floods triggered by heavy rains. Pray for children and families who have lost loved ones, homes, schools, crops, and businesses as a result of the massive flooding.

Peru (ESTHERS Children – www.estherschildren.org)
• Pray in advance for an outreach team that will work with 124 children at risk in Peru from December 27, 2009 to January 4, 2010. Please pray the children will be receptive to the Christmas message that will be presented to them at vacation Bible school. Pray for the planned outreach event for the children’s parents.

Dominican Republic (CURE International – www.helpcurenow.org)
• Pray for the disabled children receiving treatment at the CURE International Hospital in the Dominican Republic and for the medical staff and caregivers there. Please also pray for a 10-year-old boy named Cristian and two little girls, 9-year-old Eva and 8-year-old Noemi.

United States
• Please pray for Anne who is caring for seven children since her daughter’s recent arrest. Pray that God will provide the material resources Anne needs to care for these children. Pray that God will give her the strength and encouragement to care for an autistic child and for one suffering from influenza. Pray for all of these children.
• Please keep the family of 1-year-old Madison held close in prayer as they grieve for this little girl who drowned.
• Pray that God would comfort and heal baby Z’miya who has health issues and has already had surgery. Pray that she receives love and attention in her present foster care placement. Pray for a loving forever family for her.

Zambia
• Please pray for young girls who are trafficked out of the country by people posing as employment agents. Once out of the country, the girls, most of whom have just completed grade 12, are sold into prostitution and then to pornographers. Pray for release and healing of the girls who are prostituted off and on camera. Pray for justice for those who have been trafficked in this way.
• Please pray for girls in the city of Livingstone who aren’t able to secure jobs unless they have sex with the business owner or employer.
• Pray for widespread education among girls and families about these practices and for more legitimate employment opportunities for girls within Zambia.

Faces of Children
• Please continue to pray that more churches and individuals will join with the ministry of Faces of Children in spreading awareness about children in crisis and inviting more people to pray for children at risk.

In the News ... "Art Exhibit Shows Children of Burma"

Tatum Hubbard
Anchor/Reporter
KOSA-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - A beautiful and heart-wrenching exhibit was on display in Midland Tuesday night at Claydesta Plaza. It's called "Hope Behind the Red Bamboo."
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the KOSA story.

Won't You Join Us Tonight?

We're getting together tonight, over at First Prez-Midland, for food and fellowship, wholeness and healing ... won't you join us?

We get together every Wednesday night ... what can I say? Wednesday's still "church night" for some of us. The meal begins at 5:30 p.m. with burgers, baked potatoes and all the trimmings, drinks and desserts, all served buffet style. The food is really good, and the fellowship is great. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for kids under 12 years-of-age. Our kitchen and dining/fellowship hall is located on the north side of the church building, and there's parking lots facing both Texas and Illinois streets.

After we're finished with dinner, we're heading into the sanctuary for our annual Service of Wholness and Healing ... a low-key, but high-yield sort of affair where we gather for music, prayer and words of assurance.

"We come to such services seeking healing in our bodies, our lives, but also wholeness in our families, our congregations, our communities, and our world," it was once suggested. "We seek God’s shalom, justice, healing, peace, and compassion."

Sure, it's not the traditional service you may be used to ... but it may have something for you, nonetheless ... won't you join us.

In the News ... "Healing Faith"

Roy Waggoner
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Being stuck in a hospital bed makes attending church impossible for many Catholics, but the Catholic churches in Odessa are able to bring at least a portion of the Mass to those staying in the hospital. Each parish in Odessa has a group of trained Eucharistic ministers who visit patients in Medical Center Hospital on a different day of the workweek and offer Communion to people listed as Catholics on the hospital’s roster. In addition to Communion, the group offers prayer to members and even others who request it.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.

Midland group reports Chinese public security officers seize Christian house church pastor

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Midland group reports Chinese public security officers seize Christian house church pastor

Released by ChinaAid, September, 2009 ...

"BEIJING, CHINA – On September 17, Hua Huiqi, Pastor of the Tent-Making Ministry, was seized by Public Security and State Security agents from Fengtai District in Beijing. After learning what happened to his church and his vocational school, Pastor Hua was returning home from "forced vacation" in Shanxi, when five PSB officers immediately surrounded his apartment home."
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

"The invitation to a life of prayer is the invitation to live in the midst of this world without being caught in the net of wounds and needs. The word ‘prayer’ stands for a radical interruption of the vicious chain of interlocking dependencies leading to violence and war and for an entering into a totally new dwelling place. It points to a new way of speaking, a new way of breathing, a new way of being together, a new way of knowing, yes, a whole new way of living."

"It is not easy to express the radical change that prayer represents, since for many the word ‘prayer’ is associated with piety, talking to God, thinking about God, morning and evening exercises, Sunday services, grace before meals, sentences from the Bible, and many other things. All of these have something to do with prayer, but when I speak about payer as the basis for peacemaking, I speak first of all about moving away from the dwelling place of those who hate peace into the house of God….Prayer is the center of the Christian life. It is the only necessary thing (Luke 10:42). It is living with God here and now."

The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life
by Henri J.M. Nouwen, compiled and edited by Wendy Wilson Greer

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

Please join us on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s Room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland to pray for children at risk. I hope you’ll be able to stay for lunch ($5) and a time of fellowship after the prayer meeting.

If you have concerns or celebrations about children that you’d like included on the prayer list, please send it to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call. Thank you for keeping the children of our communities and our world held close in prayer!

Blessings,

Chris

In the News ... "Church Celebrates 110th Anniversary"

Roy Waggoner
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - In 110 years, First Presbyterian Church has seen nearly 40 pastors and a membership that has grown from 10 members to more than 1,000 at its peak. In celebration of the church’s 110th anniversary, First Presbyterian Church members have scheduled a celebration at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 18, with a visitation period prior to the service at 10 a.m. A lunch is scheduled to follow. The church is located at 1401 N. Sam Houston Avenue.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.

Sparkling Mission

Annie Dieselberg heads the staff at NightLight, a ministry in urban Bangkok, Thailand, that reaches out to women and children working in the bar areas of the Nana-Sukhumvit district. Located in a neighborhood with a growing sex trade, Nightlight’s vision is to share the Light of the world in both word and deed to those who live in darkness, and to combat the sexual exploitation of women and children, both Thai and foreign.

Right now, Annie tells us, the greatest need at NightLight is to sell more jewelry. NightLight Design Co., Ltd. is a registered jewellery business which employs women coming out of prostitution or having been at risk of prostitution and/or trafficking.

If you are interested in hosting a jewelry party please write to Charity at charity@nightlightusa.org, and she will assist you in setting that up.

Remember the beautiful jewelry is also available on-line at http://www.nightlightbangkok.com/

"God is going before us to the bars preparing the way. He is sending us to receive the women and give hope," Annie writes. "We ask you to join us in this adventure. Thank you to those of you who already do. You are saving lives!"

Word from Uganda: "Some News"

Missionary teacher Natalie Rolfe writes, "'When He calls me, I will answer ... I'll be somewhere working for my Lord.' My call was Mbale, Uganda and that is where I have returned to serve for another year. Specifically, I am teaching phonics at Lulwanda Children's Home, an orphanage and school for 90 kids." Natalie also keeps an online journal of her service at the weblog, When He calls me, I will answer ...

Some News ...
"Well, (again) I am feeling WAY behind on posting blogs and photos of life and what is going on. Sorry about that but I have been busy. First, I spent a day painting with Glenn. What you might ask??? Well, I am very happy to say that I have moved into a new room. I am now living in Senior Quarters (a neighborhood on the opposite side of town from Mama and Pastor's house) with 3 other American missionary girls.”

CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post

_____________________

If you are interested in supporting LCH by sponsoring one of the 90 children, go to www.ugandaorphans.org If you are interested in financially supporting Natalie in her mission, you can send checks (with "Natalie Rolfe" in memo) to: Midland Bible Church, 2800 North A Street, Midland, TX 79705

Won't You Join Us Wednesday?

We're getting together Wednesday night, over at First Prez-Midland, for food and fellowship, wholeness and healing ... won't you join us?

We get together every Wednesday night ... what can I say? Wednesday's still "church night" for some of us. The meal begins at 5:30 p.m. with burgers, baked potatoes and all the trimmings, drinks and desserts, all served buffet style. The food is really good, and the fellowship is great. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for kids under 12 years-of-age. Our kitchen and dining/fellowship hall is located on the north side of the church building, and there's parking lots facing both Texas and Illinois streets.

After we're finished with dinner, we're heading into the sanctuary for our annual Service of Wholness and Healing ... a low-key, but high-yield sort of affair where we gather for music, prayer and words of assurance.

"We come to such services seeking healing in our bodies, our lives, but also wholeness in our families, our congregations, our communities, and our world," it was once suggested. "We seek God’s shalom, justice, healing, peace, and compassion."

Sure, it's not the traditional service you may be used to ... but it may have something for you, nonetheless ... won't you join us.

In the News ... "Teens to gather on fields across nation to worship"

By Megan Lee Buck
Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - This Wednesday thousands of the nation’s youth will spend the evening at athletic fields in their communities, sharing testimonies of their faith and encouraging their peers to read the Bible and strengthen their walks with Christ. Fields of Faith, a nationwide ministry of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, uses athletic fields as a neutral location for interdemoninational rallies aimed at junior high and high school students.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

FBR Report: Thank You

The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) is a multi-ethnic humanitarian service movement. They bring help, hope and love to people in the war zones of Burma. Ethnic pro-democracy groups send teams to be trained, supplied and sent into the areas under attack to provide emergency assistance and human rights documentation. Together with other groups, the teams work to serve people in need.

-----------------

FBR Report: Thank You

Good LIfe Club for Karen IDPs

Dear friends,

Thank you for all you do to support, encourage and help us. Your prayers, love, advice, and partnership are great gifts. (We have included a few photos from different multi-ethnic FBR trainings this year and from two relief missions.)

I am constantly amazed and filled with gratitude that people would help others so far away. All of us Free Burma Rangers thank you and each of the 52 FBR relief teams passes on their thanks. Also, the displaced people we serve with you thank you and are always telling us, "Please thank the people who are sending this help and tell them that we pray for them too. Encourage them to trust in God and let them know we love them and are able to give them only prayer in return, but we do pray for them and are thankful for these friends we have never met."

To receive is a blessing when you are in need and to give is also a blessing. To be able to give makes us all feel useful. You give us what we need and you enable us to give to others what they need,and when they have they can also give. We in FBR are people of different faiths working closely together on the FBR teams, and as one of the leaders who is a Chrisitian I want to pray that God will give you what you need.

We all suffer in this life but this suffering draws us closer together and helps us know what the important things of life are. Among these are friends like you.

It seems that for good things to happen on this earth, it takes people of all types, even though we are all weak and limited. Together we are working for the cause of love, justice and freedom for all the people of Burma. We ask daily for this love, justice and freedom to start in our own hearts. Thanks for loving us, being on this team with us and enabling us to do this work with the people of Burma

Love, from all of us at Free Burma Rangers,

David Eubank
Free Burma Rangers

Graduates of team training, Southern Karen, August, 2009

An FBR medic treats a patient in western Karen State

Shan, Pa O, and Karenni teams

Shan, Pa O, and Karenni medical training

Shan, PaO, and Karenni medics in action

The Free Burma Ranger’s (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks. For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org

Lodoi Development: "Water & Sanitation"

Lodoi Development Fund (LDF) is a Ugandan Non-Government Organisation (NGO) working in Pallisa District in Eastern Uganda. LDF is working to provide a better life for people, most especially children and women, in rural communities. LDF initiates different programmes in the project area to help improve the lives of community members ...

... one of those programmes is Water & Sanitation.

Lodoi Development reports that, "One of the main activities of Lodoi Development Fund is the provision safe clean drinking water to the communities. Currently, under 40% of the population in the villages has access to clean water and and some are as low as 20%."
CLICK HERE to learn more about Water & Sanitation, and the Lodoi Development Fund

Pictures Worth a Thou... No, a MILLION Words

On the premise that, "what the eyes have seen, the heart cannot forget," you are invited to experience the plight of the displaced children of Burma through an interactive exhibit of paintings and stories.

"Hope Behind the Red Bamboo" will hold an opening event and reception Tuesday, October 13, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Claydesta Atrium, in Midland. Presented by the Champions for Burma Ministry, and First Presbyterian Church of Midland, the exhibit features artwork from children ... decidedly different from what you might have hanging on the door of your refrigerator at home.

The paintings are the product of an art therapy program conducted at an IDP (internally displaced person) camp inside Burma. Along with the paintings are the faces and stories of each child artist - memories of their life before and after the enemy came.
Raising awareness ... and raising funds. 100% of the proceeds raised through this exhibit will directly support the relief efforts of Partners Relief & Development, a registered non-profit charity helping thousands of refugees and displaced people in Thailand, Burma and Indonesia; and the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian service movement that brings help, hope and love to people in the war zones of Burma.

Midland group reports violent attack on Chinese Christians house church

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Midland group reports violent attack on Chinese Christians house church

Released by ChinaAid, September, 2009 ...

"SHANXI PROVINCE, CHINA – At 3:00 AM the morning of Sunday, September 13, 2009, a mass of 400 deviants in police suits and red armbands broke into the"Good News Cloth Shoes Factory", on the site of Fushan Church's new building in Linfin City, Shanxi province. Two shovel loaders tore at the factory and new church building foundations, while the mob, with bricks and other blunt instruments in hand, beat Fushan church members who were sleeping at the church construction site."
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid