Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 30, 2013

MINUTE FOR MISSION: MEDICAL BENEVOLENCE FOUNDATION - Happy 50th Birthday, Medical Benevolence Foundation! The idea for a group to support Presbyterian medical missions was conceived in 1962 by the Board of World Missions of PCUS at the suggestion of Dr. Paul Crane, a medical missionary. In good Presbyterian fashion, a committee was formed, which then met and recommended the approval of a foundation for medical work, especially the financial support of hospitals. In 1963 a letter was sent to all Presbyterian doctors announcing the formation of Medical Benevolence Foundation (MBF). MBF proceeded to engage with medical mission co-workers and to develop lasting partnerships with the international churches and their mission hospitals. MBF began raising support to help mission hospitals provide care for people in desperate need and training for their medical staff and community health workers.

CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "TODAY: Church to host celebration for veterans of Korean War"

Ragini Venkatasubban, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - More than 60 years after he fought in the Korean War, Big Spring physician John Farquhar returned to South Korea in February. It was the first time he had set foot in the country since 1953. He wasn't looking for nostalgia or any "hole in the ground" where he may have fought, he said. He wanted to see how the country had progressed since the war.

"It was just fabulous," Farquhar said. "They have come from carrying things on their backs to having all sorts of modern transport. They've westernized, educated their people, computerized."

Farquhar, who was an infantry rifle platoon leader and reconnaissance officer during the war, will speak Saturday at a celebration honoring Korean War veterans and servicemen/women who were stationed in Korea, held by the Midland Korean Baptist Church.

 • read the rest of this story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 29, 2013

PRESBYTERY OF TRANSYLVANIA, KENTUCKY - These three little boys look happy and healthy, don’t they? Well, if you had seen them a few years ago, you would not have thought so! These children live in the little village of Villa Madero, Mexico. As in many parts of the country, the drinking water is unsafe, and children, because of their undeveloped immune systems, are especially vulnerable to the diseases carried by contaminated water. As a consequence they often have chronic diarrhea, and, even if they have enough food to eat, their bodies are not able to absorb the food’s nutrition—a condition called malabsorptive hunger. These children miss many, many days of school and are often lethargic and withdrawn. Bad news!

CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 28, 2013

PRESBYTERY OF SOUTH ALABAMA - The Presbytery of South Alabama will face challenges in 2013 as it begins a new partnership with a presbytery in Central America. Partnering is something in which the Presbytery of South Alabama excels, and it looks forward to the sharing, learning, and joy of this new partnership. In addition, the presbytery will continue its two major mission thrusts: church revitalization and developing new worshiping communities.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 27, 2013

PRESBYTERY OF SHEPPARDS AND LAPSLEY, ALABAMA - On April 27, 2011, more than 60 tornadoes struck the state of Alabama, many of them within the bounds of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, including the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa areas.

Immediately after the tornadoes passed, people from all denominations, faith traditions, political convictions, and socioeconomic groups banded together to care for the wounded and the grieving, to plan for a better future, and to get to work rebuilding homes, communities, and lives.

CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Santa Muerte cult is sinister and infernal"

Megan Lee, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The cult Santa Muerte has been called by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, sinister and infernal. This diabolical Santa Muerte cult has been burgeoning on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Santa Muerte cult is in no way santa (holy) but rather is, as Cardinal Ravasi has said, a celebration of devastation and of hell. It is a terrible blasphemy against God and is a false religiosity promoted by organized crime and drug traffickers. These groups celebrate death. It is in no way a true religion that celebrates life and justice and the dignity and sacredness of each person. La Santa Muerte has been called the "la religiosidad de narcos" -- religion falsified by drug traffickers.

 • read the rest of this story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 26, 2013

PRESBYTERY OF ST. ANDREW, MISSISSIPPI - Hopewell Camp and Conference Center, the camp facility of the Presbytery of St. Andrew in northern Mississippi, is much like many other presbytery camps: it provides summer camp opportunities for children and hosts retreats for congregations, the presbytery’s youth, and others.

But for many years, Camp Hopewell has also played a vital role in the presbytery’s mission strategy. It was the original volunteer training facility for Living Waters for the World, a ministry of the Synod of Living Waters that has successfully installed water purification systems in 24 countries around the world. It has also held camps for Christians Living with Cancer and other groups.

CLICK HERE to read more.

FPC-Midland Uganda Mission: Kuji Service

After much preparation, packing and prayer, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - are at work in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2013 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church-Midland will be posting reports from Uganda - along with photos, videos and more - on the Uganda Mission Team 2013 blog.

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Kuji Service

Today ended our amazing journey in Kuji. We attended church in the village and praised God for the great week we experienced.

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

• CLICK HERE to visit the blog

FBC-Midland Belize Mission: The Road Home

EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to a error on my part, I am TWO WEEKS LATE getting to these reports! "Better late than never," I hope ... there's some good stuff in FBC's posts, and I still want to share them.

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A team from First Baptist Church of Midland is in Belize, working with the Toledo Christian Academy’s faculty and students, as well as the community around the school which desperately needs to be reached for Jesus. You can read about the team's daily work at their blog.

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The Road Home

Up at 5:00 am, taking last showers, packing last minutes items and loading up the van, we checked the Mission House one last time and said goodbye to our good friends Emerson and Julianna and their son Juan. As we watched the beautiful lush compound fading into the distance behind us, we became quiet and reflective for most of the 200 mile drive ...

... As we put Belize in our memories and return to our busy American lives, we will remember the children and the people of a place so very near and dear to our hearts. We will not forget what God has shown us and will continue to seek Him out in opportunities to “go ye therefore.”

• read the rest of this post
• visit the FBC-Midland Belize Mission weblog

In the News ... "A life-changing mission"

By Michelle Brownstone, Reporter
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Luke Smith’s life was changed forever last summer.

A youth mission trip to Kenya with Immanuel Baptist Church made him realize his true purpose in life is helping others in need.

 • read the rest of this story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 25, 2013

NORTH ALABAMA PRESBYTERY - On April 27, 2011, North Alabama was ravaged by 38 tornadoes. Homes, church buildings, and businesses were leveled, and more than 53,000 families suffered losses in the 16-county North Alabama Presbytery. Who would have thought that an aging congregation with just 55 members and limited resources could be a solution in such a crisis?

Nestled in the woods on a rural county road, Copeland Presbyterian Church had cut its budget and gone to a part-time pastor, but God showed the little congregation a mission opportunity, and its members opened their hearts to offer Southern hospitality and good food to volunteer work teams arriving from 15 states.

CLICK HERE to read more.

ChinaAid: "Government Shuts Down At Least a Dozen House Churches in Hainan Province"

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.

Government Shuts Down At Least a Dozen House Churches in Hainan Province

Distributed by ChinaAid, June, 2013 ...

HAIKOU, HAINAN, CHINA – The Chinese government has shut down at least a dozen house churches in the southern province of Hainan in recent weeks and many others have been threatened with closure, a sign that little has changed under the new leadership of Xi Jinping.

• more on this story from China Aid

FPC-Midland Uganda Mission: Nampido Service

After much preparation, packing and prayer, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - are at work in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2013 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church-Midland will be posting reports from Uganda - along with photos, videos and more - on the Uganda Mission Team 2013 blog.

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Nampido Service

On this beautiful Sunday morning a team of Jeff, Robin, Elizabeth , Carole, Ben, Mitch and Cynthia worshipped with the church in Nampido. Part of our funds were used for the completion phase of the Nampido church. Even though we had done our crusade at Kuji all week, the people of Nampido wanted us to come worship with them so that they could convey their thanks for the gift of fixing up the church.

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

• CLICK HERE to visit the blog

FBC-Midland Belize Mission: On the Way to Church

EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to a error on my part, I am TWO WEEKS LATE getting to these reports! "Better late than never," I hope ... there's some good stuff in FBC's posts, and I still want to share them.

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A team from First Baptist Church of Midland is in Belize, working with the Toledo Christian Academy’s faculty and students, as well as the community around the school which desperately needs to be reached for Jesus. You can read about the team's daily work at their blog.

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On the Way to Church

On the way to church, we took a walk! Lucretia and I went with Miss Meghan, a teacher from TCA, to see a new baby in the community and pick up some children to walk them to church with us ...

...We leave the Mission House at 6:00 am tomorrow morning – Monday, the 11th. Please pray for our safety in travel – from the 200 mile stretch from Toledo to Belize City, to the air travel from Belize City to Dallas and then HOME to Midland. We love you all as the body of Christ holding us up as your brothers and sisters while we have been in the mission field. Our thanks is but a small expression of our appreciation for you.

• read the rest of this post
• visit the FBC-Midland Belize Mission weblog

FPC-Midland Uganda Mission: Water and Fish

After much preparation, packing and prayer, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - are at work in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2013 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church-Midland will be posting reports from Uganda - along with photos, videos and more - on the Uganda Mission Team 2013 blog.

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Water and Fish

Ramon, Carole and Jim went with Dr. Patrick yesterday to visit water wells and fish farms that we support. The people from the village came to the well as they were arriving. They were so thankful for the clean water and the fish. From the fish they get protein and income. The villagers eat the fish and sell some.

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

• CLICK HERE to visit the blog

In the News ... "Offenders graduate from innovative seminary at Fort Stockton prison"

Rachael Gleason, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

FORT STOCKTON, TEXAS - A first-of-its-kind prison seminary is making waves at Fort Stockton's Lynaugh Unit.

The seminary recently awarded Christian-faith degrees to offenders with sentences ranging from 18 months to 10 years. But unlike other programs, offenders also served as instructors.

"It's something that's not the norm. You don't put 30 offenders in a classroom with an offender teaching them," said Chaplain Gary Raines, who has served as a spiritual leader for the medium-security prison's 1,400 offenders for three years.

The seminary's 18 students and 8 instructors received accredited degrees through Shalom Ministry, Bible College & Seminary in Iowa, Raines said.

 • read the rest of this story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 24, 2013

PRESBYTERY OF MISSISSIPPI - In Genesis we read about Joseph’s brothers selling him as a slave. This was an evil act, but from it God created great good. Natural disasters can be like that—terrible and devastating, but God can bring forth great and good things during such times.

When Haiti was struck by a magnitude 6.5 earthquake in January 2010, folks in the Presbytery of Mississippi knew they had to help. After all, they had been on the receiving end of a tremendous outpouring of help following the devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

CLICK HERE to read more.

FPC-Midland Uganda Mission: Lulwanda Children's Home

After much preparation, packing and prayer, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - are at work in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2013 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church-Midland will be posting reports from Uganda - along with photos, videos and more - on the Uganda Mission Team 2013 blog.

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Lulwanda Children's Home

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to visit the Lulwanda Children's Home again this year. Natalie, the program coordinator and an Austin native, and many of the children toured us hand in hand around the property and explained to us the details of the home. (They do not call it an orphanage, as they try to bring out the home-like love that lives in the school.)

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

• CLICK HERE to visit the blog

FPC-Midland Uganda Mission: Saturday and Graduation

After much preparation, packing and prayer, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - are at work in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2013 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church-Midland will be posting reports from Uganda - along with photos, videos and more - on the Uganda Mission Team 2013 blog.

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Saturday and Graduation

The graduation ceremonies for the Covenant Bible Institute of Theology were a grand affair. First Presbyterian has always stood with the college financially and through the years so when they realized that we were going to be in Mbale during the ceremony they wanted representatives from out church to participate. Walter gave the commencement talk, Ben gave the charge to the graduates and Cynthia helped pass out the awards.

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

• CLICK HERE to visit the blog

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 23, 2013

MINUTE FOR MISSION: DISABILITY INCLUSION - Parents started it! The Arc of Midland, Michigan, a nonprofit organization that promotes the general welfare of people with developmental disabilities and increases their presence, participation, and inclusion in the community, invited speakers to train those who conduct person-centered plans. Afterward, they met with parents to discuss the needs of their children. Many positive things were shared. And then the theme of worship came up. It was discovered that staff assigned to Sunday morning either took individuals to their own churches or did not go at all! As other barriers were identified, the Arc Faith Group was born.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission: "Follow the Team Home"

Partnering with local healthcare workers and churches in medically underserved countries, Odessa, Texas-based Mercy Trips Healthcare Outreach provides free medical clinics and surgical care as an outreach of Christian love for our fellow man.

Follow the Team Home

Flight Aware ... If you would like to follow the team as they head home here are the flight numbers, airlines and times. Entebbe airport EBB, London airport LHR, Dallas Ft Worth airport DFW, British Airways is BA, and American Airlines is AA ...

• read the rest of this post
• visit Mercy Trips' weblog

FBC-Midland Belize Mission: A Little R&R

EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to a error on my part, I am TWO WEEKS LATE getting to these reports! "Better late than never," I hope ... there's some good stuff in FBC's posts, and I still want to share them.

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A team from First Baptist Church of Midland is in Belize, working with the Toledo Christian Academy’s faculty and students, as well as the community around the school which desperately needs to be reached for Jesus. You can read about the team's daily work at their blog.

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A Little R and R

After a very busy week, the team took a little Rest and Rejuvenation time on Friday and had a cultural exchange day. We spent time together and with locals just enjoying the surrounding area of Punta Gorda ...

... We were so excited to have our VBS/Activities Day from 9:30 to 11:30 Saturday morning. What a whirlwind that was! We had our planned activities that would relate to specific scriptures and principles from God’s Word.

• read the rest of this post
• visit the FBC-Midland Belize Mission weblog

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission: "Last Day of Medical Service"

Partnering with local healthcare workers and churches in medically underserved countries, Odessa, Texas-based Mercy Trips Healthcare Outreach provides free medical clinics and surgical care as an outreach of Christian love for our fellow man.

Last Day of Medical Service

Today was our last day of service here in the Ntoroko district (Western Uganda). It was a good day. Because of bad roads the village team was forced to hold clinic at the nearby health center instead of further out in the bush ...

Medical outreach totals for the 2013 summer trip were as follows: ...

• read the rest of this post
• visit Mercy Trips' weblog

FPC-Midland Uganda Mission: Women's Conference

After much preparation, packing and prayer, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - are at work in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2013 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church-Midland will be posting reports from Uganda - along with photos, videos and more - on the Uganda Mission Team 2013 blog.

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Women's Conference

Each year our team hosts a Women’s Conference for the women from all the churches of the Presbytery. This year Cynthia Howard, Casey Smith, Carole Campbell and Karen Williams led the conference on Discipleship, Personal Bible Study, Prayer and Family Relationships.

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

• CLICK HERE to visit the blog

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 22, 2013

PRESBYTERY OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE - It had been a rough week struggling against poverty, drugs, and hunger in the lives of the kids at Westwood Elementary. Two teachers and their pastor were brought together by crisis and the Spirit’s movement through the Word proclaimed.

“God is calling us to do something for these kids.”

“You’re teachers; you already do so much.”

“No. We’re sure there’s more.”

Called to deepen their congregation’s connection to the children, they drew on the gifts of their small congregation, long engaged in community ministry.

CLICK HERE to read more.

FPC-Midland Uganda Mission: Clinic Day 1

After much preparation, packing and prayer, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - are at work in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2013 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church-Midland will be posting reports from Uganda - along with photos, videos and more - on the Uganda Mission Team 2013 blog.

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Clinic Day 1

People of Kuji and the surrounding villages FLOCKED to the church today for medical attention. Our FPC group, along with Ugandan nurses and doctors, worked at full capacity for seven hours.

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

• CLICK HERE to visit the blog

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission: "What is Your Favorite Thing You Have Seen?"

Partnering with local healthcare workers and churches in medically underserved countries, Odessa, Texas-based Mercy Trips Healthcare Outreach provides free medical clinics and surgical care as an outreach of Christian love for our fellow man.

What is Your Favorite Thing You Have Seen?

The surgical and village teams left the hotel this morning about the same time. The surgical team arrived at the clinic about 9:15. The village team made a stop at three ATMs (trouble finding one that worked), two supermarket (for lunch supplies), the clinic to pick up additional medications and mosquito nets before we started to the village ...

Today’s discussion: What is your favorite thing you have seen? ...

• read the rest of this post
• visit Mercy Trips' weblog

FBC-Midland Belize Mission: Little Piece of Heaven

EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to a error on my part, I am TWO WEEKS LATE getting to these reports! "Better late than never," I hope ... there's some good stuff in FBC's posts, and I still want to share them.

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A team from First Baptist Church of Midland is in Belize, working with the Toledo Christian Academy’s faculty and students, as well as the community around the school which desperately needs to be reached for Jesus. You can read about the team's daily work at their blog.

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Little Piece of Heaven

Allow me to return to Wednesday afternoon for just a moment, where I will pick up a very important event to us that I did not include in yesterday’s blog. One of the most memorable moments of a trip to Belize is the visit to Julianna’s parents’ farm ...

... tomorrow, we will be enjoying a cultural exchange day. Please pray for our VBS/Activities preparation and execution and our time of embracing the things of the Belizean culture. Please pray for our safety and our energy. We need a lot for Saturday in the sun and humidity - and pray we have a great turnout of children!

• read the rest of this post
• visit the FBC-Midland Belize Mission weblog

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission: "Describe Something You Did Today, or Something That Happened to You"

Partnering with local healthcare workers and churches in medically underserved countries, Odessa, Texas-based Mercy Trips Healthcare Outreach provides free medical clinics and surgical care as an outreach of Christian love for our fellow man.

Describe Something You Did Today, or Something That Happened to You

The story today was rain, rain, rain. The OR roof leaked in several places, but fortunately not over the operating table, so the team got 5 cases done, including the first general anesthesia in the area. The village team played in the mud ...

Today’s discussion: Describe something that you did today or something that happened to you ...

• read the rest of this post
• visit Mercy Trips' weblog

FPC-Midland Uganda Mission: Crusade

After much preparation, packing and prayer, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - are at work in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2013 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church-Midland will be posting reports from Uganda - along with photos, videos and more - on the Uganda Mission Team 2013 blog.

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Crusade

God shined His great light again today with 3 powerful testimonies and a very strong sermon. Children and adults all were in admiration when Casey, Mitch and Robert shared their stories.

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

• CLICK HERE to visit the blog

In the News ... "Midland church hosts 24-hour poverty simulation"

Meredith Moriak, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Plunge2Poverty, a 24-hour homelessness simulation experience spearheaded by Church Under the Bridge Midland, will kick off June 28. The simulation is meant to stretch participants outside their comfort zones as a way to look at the needs of the poor with new eyes.

During the simulation, participants will face their own materialism and cultural values, and refocus on the biblical mandates regarding helping those in need in the community, nation and world, said Evan Rogers, who is coordinating the event as founder and president of Church Under the Bridge Midland.

 • read the rest of this story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 21, 2013

PRESBYTERY OF THE MID-SOUTH - The message was loud and clear. Rev. Carla Meisterman, pastor of Balmoral Church in Memphis, attended the 219th General Assembly (2010) and returned with a direct message: PC(USA) congregations need to be more racially and ethnically diverse. Saying is easier than doing. She tried to figure out why she was assigned to the GA committee dealing with diversity; growing a diverse church would be a challenge for Balmoral and Meisterman.

“But the Holy Spirit,” says Meisterman, “is alive and well. I didn’t know how we were going to meet the challenge but thought it was really important to try. Remarkably, God found a way to get our attention.”

Within a year, two radically different congregations presented themselves at the church door.

CLICK HERE to read more.