Thanks for the truck

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 (Myanmar). 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.

Thanks for the Truck

Thanks for the truck - now in action and full of Rangers! Please forward this message and photo to all who helped. And please send any decals or ideas you want for the truck- it will be a Christina Texas Ninja Midland Truck - star, boots, oil rigs - whatever you want. We thank you and God for this needed and useful truck.

Love,

Dave, family and all of FBR

EPCAT-USA: Young Professionals Committee In Formation

ECPAT USA is part of a global network of organizations and individuals working together for the elimination of child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes. It seeks to encourage the world community to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free and secure from all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.

Young Professionals Committee In Formation

Young people between the ages of 21 and 35 are invited to get involved in supporting ECPAT-USA's mission. We want you if you have the time and energy to help us end child slavery at its source. The first official organizing meeting will be held in May. We have made enormous progress in defeating child sexual exploitation, but there is more to do.

For more information email us at info@ecpatusa.org

In the News ... "Local Church Expands Children’s Area"

Staff Report
KMID-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - A new children's wing at Crestview Baptist Church in Midland opens its doors today.

The new children's area will have room for up to six-hundred kids.

Church organizers say this new wing will help with their many children's outreach programs, like the one-on-one mentoring and weekend food programs.

• read/watch 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. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 30, 2014

CAMEROON - An African proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” It is in this light that the Presbyterian Church, Buea Station decided to have a special day for fathers and sons. The idea was essentially for the church to be a part of shaping families—and therein the society—by teaching and guiding its young men in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6).

The program for the day was put together and coordinated by young adults in the congregation. It had two objectives:

     • For our men to arise and become godly fathers
     • For fathers to mentor their sons

CLICK HERE to read more.

Word from Uganda: "Inner House Sports Competition"

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 ...

Inner House Sports Competition

Term one of school always brings the anticipated sports competition. To spot our LCH's best, the school hosted "inner-house" competitions. With high stakes of a goat roast for the winner, the Lions, Snails and Chameleons had a day of competing ...

 • read the rest of Natalie's post, and enjoy more photos ... 

Invitation to Prayer: TOMORROW

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).

Pray for One Another

“We often wonder what we can do for others….It is not a sign of powerlessness when we say: ‘We must pray for one another.’ To pray for one another is, first of all, to acknowledge, in the presence of God, that we belong to each other as children of the same God. Without this acknowledgement of human solidarity, what we do for one another does not flow from who we truly are ...

To pray, that is, to listen to the voice of the One who calls us ‘Beloved,’ is to learn that that voice excludes no one. Where I dwell, God dwells with me and where God dwells with me I find all my sisters and brothers.”

Here and Now: Living in the Spirit by Henri J. M. Nouwen
Abraham traveled from there south to the Negev... While he was camping in Gerar, Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She’s my sister.” So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her. But God came to Abimelech in a dream that night and told him, “You’re as good as dead—that woman you took, she’s a married woman.” Now Abimelech had not…touched her. He said, “Master, would you kill an innocent man? Didn’t he tell me, ‘She’s my sister’? And didn’t she herself say, ‘He’s my brother’? I had no idea I was doing anything wrong when I did this.” God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know your intentions were pure, that’s why I kept you from sinning against me… So now return the man’s wife. He’s a prophet and will pray for you—pray for your life.”

The Message by Eugene Peterson

God of all, I am on this journey of life which is a cycle of life to life: I am born, I live, I die to be born to eternal life. As I pass through on this journey, let my own sinful self die and a new person rise to the challenges of praising you. I will keep the words of the liturgy ever in mind this Eastertide: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Amen.”

Lent and Easter Wisdom by Henri J. M. Nouwen

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

The Midland Faces of Children prayer group will meet in the Koinonia Room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. Beatrice Langariti from Uganda will be joining us for our time of prayer and then afterwards at lunch ($5). Please let Walter Thompson know if you will be attending: wthompson@fpcmid.org

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call.

Blessings,

Chris

In the News ... "Spaghetti for hope"

• Local church celebrates 59 years of giving back

By Jared Wilson, Reporter
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Marita Hendrick spent most of her morning on Thursday running to the grocery store, setting up tables and getting the last-minute items together for the return of Spaghetti Day, which hasn’t been celebrated since 2009.

First Christian Church members will be celebrating their 59th Spaghetti Day Wednesday to benefit Hope House of Odessa as well as honor a good friend of the church. The event starts at 11 a.m. at the church and Hendrick said anyone is “welcome to come and enjoy good food with good people.”

Hendrick, who has been involved with Spaghetti Day for almost 40 years, said everyone is excited to bring it back to the community.

• read the rest of this OA report ...

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. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 29, 2014

NIGER - Although the unemployment rate is high in Niger, there is also a shortage of skilled labor. Youth from neighboring countries, in fact, come to Niger to work in areas like construction and trade, because Nigerien youth simply do not have the skills needed to meet the demand. Youth from Niger, in turn, often leave the country in order to further their education. The opportunities for schooling, in everything from nursing to automobile repair, are greater in the neighboring countries of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. For this reason, the PC(USA) partner in the country, the Evangelical Church of the Republic of Niger (known by its French acronym EERN), has a long-term vision to develop youth skills and vocational-training programs in order to ensure the economic well-being of the country’s youth.

CLICK HERE to read more.

ChinaAid: "Zhengzhou villagers, Christians injured in land, compensation dispute between village, developer, government"

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.

Zhengzhou villagers, Christians injured in land, compensation dispute between village, developer, government

Distributed by ChinaAid, March, 2014 ...

ZHENGZHOU, HENAN, CHINA – More than 10 villagers, including two Christians, were beaten during a land dispute with a commercial developer in China’s central Henan province on Wednesday, March 19.

Villagers from Lu, located in Henan’s capital city, Zhengzhou, blocked developers from beginning construction on the project because they were still waiting on authorities to issue compensation payments for this phase of construction.

As a result, tensions rose to the point of violence between the villages and several hundred employees and security from the developer.

• more on this story from China Aid

Invitation to Prayer: Wednesday

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).

Pray for One Another

“We often wonder what we can do for others….It is not a sign of powerlessness when we say: ‘We must pray for one another.’ To pray for one another is, first of all, to acknowledge, in the presence of God, that we belong to each other as children of the same God. Without this acknowledgement of human solidarity, what we do for one another does not flow from who we truly are ...

To pray, that is, to listen to the voice of the One who calls us ‘Beloved,’ is to learn that that voice excludes no one. Where I dwell, God dwells with me and where God dwells with me I find all my sisters and brothers.”

Here and Now: Living in the Spirit by Henri J. M. Nouwen
Abraham traveled from there south to the Negev... While he was camping in Gerar, Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She’s my sister.” So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her. But God came to Abimelech in a dream that night and told him, “You’re as good as dead—that woman you took, she’s a married woman.” Now Abimelech had not…touched her. He said, “Master, would you kill an innocent man? Didn’t he tell me, ‘She’s my sister’? And didn’t she herself say, ‘He’s my brother’? I had no idea I was doing anything wrong when I did this.” God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know your intentions were pure, that’s why I kept you from sinning against me… So now return the man’s wife. He’s a prophet and will pray for you—pray for your life.”

The Message by Eugene Peterson

God of all, I am on this journey of life which is a cycle of life to life: I am born, I live, I die to be born to eternal life. As I pass through on this journey, let my own sinful self die and a new person rise to the challenges of praising you. I will keep the words of the liturgy ever in mind this Eastertide: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Amen.”

Lent and Easter Wisdom by Henri J. M. Nouwen

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

The Midland Faces of Children prayer group will meet in the Koinonia Room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. Beatrice Langariti from Uganda will be joining us for our time of prayer and then afterwards at lunch ($5). Please let Walter Thompson know if you will be attending: wthompson@fpcmid.org

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call.

Blessings,

Chris

In the News ... "Midlander to present historic photos at Holocaust Remembrance Day event"

Meagan Lee Buck, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

ODESSA, TEXAS - Black and white photographs show a small Lithuanian village in the 1930s. People gather in front of a school building and one of the faces in the crowd is that of Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, one of the founders of Judaism’s Modern Orthodox movement. Kagan died in 1933 and Nazis killed the Jews in the village in 1942.

Midlander Dr. Frank Kasman, a retired dentist, will present photos and information about the village of Radin at 6:30 p.m. Monday during a memorial service for Holocaust Remembrance Day. The ceremony will be held in the student union inside the Mesa Building at UTPB. Along with Kasman’s presentation, the event will include the reading of names of Jews, Gypsies and others killed during the Holocaust and the lighting of candles in their memory. A reception will follow.

 • 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. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 28, 2014

TOGO - The partnership between the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Togo is new, but it has a history. The PC(USA) has been in partnership for several decades with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, and although the Ghanaian and Togolese churches are now separate, they were one church until 1922, when the division of German Togoland into French and British colonies also forced the division of the church.


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. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 27, 2014

MINUTE FOR MISSION: MULTICULTURAL CHURCH / IMMIGRATION - "Stories of struggle. Stories of sorrow. Stories of laughter and tears. Stories of family separation. Stories from powerful and strong members of our community. That’s what I get to hear every day at the Southside Worker Center just through the act of being present,” shared Young Adult Volunteer Stephanie Quintana. The Southside Worker Center in Tucson, Arizona, is a ministry of presence. Volunteers stand with day laborers, some of whom are vulnerable due to their immigration status, in the early morning hours to make sure that prospective employers are willing to pay a fair wage and offer safe working conditions.

Presence, or accompaniment, is a valuable ministry of the church.

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. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 26, 2014

GHANA - One area in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) where you find a lot of energy and excitement is within the Young Adults Fellowship(YAF). The fellowship was formed about eight years ago to increase opportunities for community and service among church members aged 30 to 45. Today, practically every PCG congregation has a YAF chapter.

Previously, there was no good place for young adults in the church. They didn’t fit in among the youth, and they didn’t yet feel at home in the Men’s and Women’s Fellowships, whose members tend to be over 50. The creation of YAF has helped to keep young adults present and active in the church

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. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 25, 2014

AFRICA (continued) - World Mission, with its ecumenical partners and PC(USA) constituents, has named evangelism as one of three critical global issues that God is calling us to address: “Together with other members of Christ’s body, we will share the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ.” At the Dallas II Conference, one strategy adopted to answer this call was “to invite global partners to work with us in our witness.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Faces of Children: Prayer Concerns for This Week

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 04/23/14

China

One-year-old Reese was born with a severe gastrointestinal defect and abandoned when he was 6 months old. He was transferred into the care of New Day Foster Home last December and in February 2014, he had liver transplant surgery. The surgery was successful, but Reese developed a severe lung infection that kept him on a ventilator and in ICU for more than six weeks.
• more on this issue
• Give God thanks Reese was able to leave ICU recently and transfer to a regular ward where one of his nannies from New Day is there to help care for him. Thanks be to God for the love and care Reese has received from his doctor, ICU director, and ICU staff. One of the staff stayed with Reese in ICU around the clock. Please pray Reese becomes strong enough to return home to New Day and that he experiences complete healing.

Lebanon, Syria

Approximately 2.6 million Syrians have fled fighting in their country and entered nearby countries like Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt. Earlier this month, the one millionth Syrian refugee crossed into neighboring Lebanon. Twenty-five percent of Lebanon’s population are now refugees. This devastating milestone highlights the growing humanitarian disaster caused by Syria’s civil war between forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and rebel militants. Lebanon, which has its own internal problems, is ill-equipped to handle the massive flood of Syrian refugees. Mounting violence in Lebanon is also linked to Syria’s conflict. And, as a result of the crisis, Lebanon’s small economy is losing $900 million a year.
• more on this issue
• more on this issue
• Please pray for Syrian children who have lost family members or homes in this ongoing conflict.
• Pray for those who’ve been emotionally scarred by trauma; who experience fear and anxiety because of the violence; who don’t see the possibility for a future; who have lost all hope.
• Pray for children in Lebanon’s schools where the huge influx of refugee children is straining the existing system. Pray for refugee children who aren’t able to attend school in Lebanon because the system is so overwhelmed.
• Please pray for peace and reconciliation in Syria. Pray for stability in Lebanon’s fragile society and throughout this region.

United States

• Pray for 9-year-old Kyleigh who has recently been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Pray God’s healing touch will be upon this little girl as she receives treatment for this cancer of the lymphatic system. Pray for Kyleigh’s mother as she makes difficult decisions about her daughter’s treatment and as she cares for her.
• more on this request
• Please keep close in prayer 8-year-old Tyler * and his 3-year-old sister Rebecca* during a very difficult season in their young lives. Pray for Tyler and Rebecca’s grandparents who are struggling to raise them and deal with Anna*, their pregnant daughter and the children’s defiant, demanding mother. Pray Tyler and Rebecca will feel God’s loving arms around them throughout this chaotic time. Pray for peace, reconciliation, and healing in all of their relationships and in their home.

* name changed for confidentiality and/or protection
 
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.

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If you have prayer requests about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to Chris Laufer, FOC Coordinator, at claufer@facesofchildren.net

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. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 24, 2014

AFRICA (continued) - Our partner church in Ethiopia, the Evangelical Church of Ethiopia Mekane Yesus (EECMY), is a case in point. Membership in the past decade has more than doubled to over 8 million members. In a country in which the median age is only 17 years, that much of that growth would be among the youth is to be expected, but the change goes far beyond demographics. When asked why youth in Ethiopia are engaged in and attracted to EECMY congregations, Rev. Michael Weller, Horn of Africa regional liaison, attributed it to “the vitality of the church and the experience of a relationship with the ‘living Lord’ as well as the joy of answered prayer and the purpose in life found in following the Lord Jesus Christ.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Do you still have your favorite toy?

Steve and Oddny Gumaer started Partners Relief and Development in response to the needs of refugees and displaced people from Burma. Their mission is to demonstrate, through holistic action, God’s love to children and communities made vulnerable by war in Burma.

Can you remember an item that you were particularly attached to as a child? I had an ugly raggedy doll named Guri Malla that went with me everywhere. The worn-out doll is still with me, and from time to time I take her out and wonder what it was about it that made me so attached to it.

Was there a toy or another item that meant a lot to you as a child? Do you still have it?

We should not put too much value on material possessions, but there are still some things that matter a lot to us, and that it would hurt to lose. They may not be of any value to anybody else, but to us they mean a lot. Like our favorite toy, family photos, the first letter from your spouse, or a gift from somebody special.

I sat in a refugee camp with a brave, young woman named Nana while she wiped her tears. “We have nothing left,” she said. “We had so many books that we had collected over the years. There were all the photos my dad had taken of all of us. And our house was brand-new. It is all gone now.” Nana recalled how everybody in her village, many hundred in all, were forced to walk through the streets of the city that once was her home. The humiliation she felt could not be described in words. “Like criminals we were forced to walk for hours until we got to a place where we could settle. We did not get anything to drink all day. We were abused and tortured. Even animals have more worth than we have.” In spite of everything, Nana was lucky. None of her immediate family was killed. For many of her neighbors, this was not the case.

It is unlikely that you have seen any mention of the massacres, looting, destruction, arbitrary arrests and forced relocations of Rohingyas in the news recently. Perhaps news agencies don’t find it interesting enough. Perhaps the world is tired of sad stories of people suffering. Just yesterday we documented the story of a father who had to leave his home village in such haste, that he left behind his two year old daughter. If you want a broken heart, read the report.

I think that the 145,000 Rohingyas who have fled because their homes have been destroyed, the 40,000 who are still waiting to get food provisions and the relatives of the 48 women and children who were massacred last week would want the world to care.

Partners Relief and Development is one of the few organizations who are doing something to help the Rohingya right now. We are one of the smallest charities in the world, and I sure wish others would join us in the effort. Until they do, we will keep doing whatever we can to give aid, love and care to a people who are often referred to as the forgotten people. We want them to know that they are not forgotten; they are loved by God and His people.

Your support combined with our hands and feet on the ground are making a tremendous impact in Burma today. Our job would be impossible without you. Thank you for trusting us, and for believing in what we are doing. It matters. We need you, but even more important: The Rohingya people, and those children affected by war and oppression need you.

Sincerely,

Oddny Gumaer

PS. Why don’t you send us a couple of lines describing your most valuable possessions? We would love to hear from you! And if you want to send funds, know that for the people on the ground, the help they receive is a clear indicator that God loves them and that they are not forsaken.

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself”, you are doing right. James 2:8

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Partners Relief and Development is a registered charity in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States, working with communities impacted by war in Burma.

EPCAT-USA: Summer Internships Available

ECPAT USA is part of a global network of organizations and individuals working together for the elimination of child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes. It seeks to encourage the world community to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free and secure from all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.

Summer Internships Available

We are pleased to announce several internships openings for this summer.

The Private Sector Intern will work with our Director of Private Sector Engagement to support ECPAT-USA’s efforts in engaging and supporting companies in the child protection. Most efforts will be focused on engaging the travel and tourism industry. We will be selecting two private sector interns, one to focus on technology and one to focus on tourism. Please specify your interest.

The Youth and Education Development Intern will work with our State Policy and Youth Coordinator to support ECPAT-USA’s efforts in developing and engaging the school community in anti-trafficking education and prevention efforts. Most efforts will be focused on finalizing our youth toolkit to share with middle and high schools and creating an educator’s training on identifying and assisting victims of trafficking within the school setting.

The Development Intern will assist ECPAT-USA staff in all aspects of donor communications, donor and corporate research, database management, special events, marketing, communications, and other projects as needed. The intern will report to the Development Associate.

• get more information about these opportunities ...

In the News ... "Chaplains provide ‘presence’ to those in need"

OA Photo by Mark Sterkel

• A chaplain is always on call, available every day, 365 days a year

Staff Report
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Darrell Ard says you can’t explain the unexplainable.

When Ard, the director of pastoral care at Medical Center Health System, meets with a family member seeking answers for a loved one’s illness, he merely offers a justifiable response: There isn’t a reason.

What chaplains like Ard and Roy Jones at the Odessa Police Department do is provide what they both describe as a “ministry of presence” to people during their time of need.

• read the rest of this OA report ...

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. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 23, 2014

AFRICA - If ever you are worried about the future of the church, take a trip to Africa. The common experience in the West of congregations facing declining numbers and having difficulty attracting youth is seldom the case here. Most of the churches that PC(USA) partners with in Africa are simply bursting at the seams and filled with young people passionately engaged in ministry. In the 20th century, the number of Christians in Africa jumped from an estimated 8 or 9 million in 1900 (8–9 percent of the population) to some 335 million by 2000 (45 percent), marking a shift in Christianity’s center of gravit.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Word from Uganda: "My favorite part of today ... "

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 ...

My favorite part of today ...

We hope you have a great day too!

 • enjoy the rest of Natalie's photos ... 

Pray for Progresso

Just a quick reminder for you all that our friends in El Progresso will be having a big crusade this coming weekend (April 25-27). Please pray that it would be a great success and a huge blessing for their ministry and for God’s Kingdom. I’ll try to talk with Pastor Victor afterwards to see how it goes.

Thanks!

Walter Thompson
Associate Pastor of Mission and Evangelism
1st Presbyterian Church, Midland, Texas

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From  January 11, 2014, a team  from 1st Presbyterian Church-Midland traveled to the Central American country of Belize, and working with The Word at Work ministry. It was an opportunity to reach out and share the gospel with the people of Belize while working side-by-side with the local community of El Progresso, and The Word at Work staff, on a much-needed construction project.

Invitation to Prayer: TOMORROW

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).

He is Risen!

“Easter morning. A very simple, quiet Eucharist around the table in Madame Vanier’s dining room….A small group of friends happy to be together. We spoke together about the resurrection. Liz, who works with many anguished people, said, ‘We have to keep rolling away the large stones that prevent people from coming out of their graves.’ Elizabeth, who lives with four handicapped people…said, ‘After the resurrection, Jesus had breakfast again with his friends and showed them the importance of the small, ordinary things of life.’ Sue…said, ‘It is such a comfort to know that Jesus’ wounds remain visible in his risen body. Our wounds are not taken away, but become sources of hope to others.’”

The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey by Henri J. M. Nouwen
So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we’ve left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn’t you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!

That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Creator so that we can see where we’re going in our new grace-sovereign country.

Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin’s every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ’s sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That’s what Jesus did.

The Message by Eugene Peterson

““God of never-failing light, you who created the bright lights of the sky, you who have no hint of darkness, grant that your flame of hope will renew my intention to serve you and to inflame and purify my actions with your love and mercy. Amen.”

Lent and Easter Wisdom by Henri J. M. Nouwen

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Intercessor,

The Midland Faces of Children prayer group will meet in this new conference room First Presbyterian Church-Midland on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. You can park in the Texas or Illinois street lots next to the Family Life Center and just head toward the gym. This new meeting space is at the back of the gym. After our time of prayer, we’ll have lunch ($5) and fellowship.

Your prayers for the children of our world are powerful, love-fueled instruments God uses in God’s work of bringing light into the lives of hurting children. Thank you for so faithfully praying for them!

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call.

Blessings,

Chris

In the News ... "Catholic Charities to honor volunteers"

OA Photo by Mark Sterkel

• Guest speaker Bishop Michael J. Sis, Diocese of San Angelo

Staff Report
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - The Catholic Charities of Odessa is preparing for the 2014 annual Banquet of Hope fundraiser to honor those who have given their time to raise money for the various services provided by the organization.

Catholic Charities of Odessa provides a number of services for the community of Odessa including a thrift store, a food pantry as well as provide a learning and exam preparation center for those attempting to get a GED, among other things.

The banquet will take place at the Odessa County Club from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Odessa Country Club and will highlight accomplishments made from volunteers, individual awards and to celebrate the impact that has been possible due to donors of the organization.

• read the rest of this OA report ...

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. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 22, 2014

MINUTE FOR MISSION: EARTH DAY - Revelation 21:1–6 paints pictures of what could be, as opposed to the harsh reality of what is now. This vision is good news. It is God’s call to us to not lose hope. It is also God’s encouragement to take measure of where we are and to draw closer to where God would have us be.

Rather than pretending that we do not face hard times, we first know and name them. The earth is warming faster than predicted, and glaciers are melting. We live in a time of both severe drought and massive flooding, of raging fires and damaging hurricanes. Meanwhile, people who are already wronged by racial and economic injustice also bear the brunt of environmental devastatio.

CLICK HERE to read more.

ChinaAid: "Jiangsu woman submits administrative reconsideration application concerning Christmas-time detention"

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.

Jiangsu woman submits administrative reconsideration application concerning Christmas-time detention

Distributed by ChinaAid, March, 2014 ...

Li Guangfang's Notification of Administravtive
Penalty

XUYI COUNTY JIANGSU, CHINA – A Christian woman in China’s coastal Jiangsu province has submitted an application for administrative reconsideration to the Xuyi County People’s Government after serving five days of administrative detention, beginning on Dec. 23, 2013, for engaging in a Christmas celebration in public.

Li Guangfang, along with several other Christians, were forcibly taken in for interrogations by the Xuyi County Public Security Bureau after police broke up a Christmas gathering the believers were holding in front of a public institution.

• more on this story from China Aid

Invitation to Prayer: Wednesday

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).

He is Risen!

“Easter morning. A very simple, quiet Eucharist around the table in Madame Vanier’s dining room….A small group of friends happy to be together. We spoke together about the resurrection. Liz, who works with many anguished people, said, ‘We have to keep rolling away the large stones that prevent people from coming out of their graves.’ Elizabeth, who lives with four handicapped people…said, ‘After the resurrection, Jesus had breakfast again with his friends and showed them the importance of the small, ordinary things of life.’ Sue…said, ‘It is such a comfort to know that Jesus’ wounds remain visible in his risen body. Our wounds are not taken away, but become sources of hope to others.’”

The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey by Henri J. M. Nouwen
So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we’ve left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn’t you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!

That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Creator so that we can see where we’re going in our new grace-sovereign country.

Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin’s every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ’s sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That’s what Jesus did.

The Message by Eugene Peterson

““God of never-failing light, you who created the bright lights of the sky, you who have no hint of darkness, grant that your flame of hope will renew my intention to serve you and to inflame and purify my actions with your love and mercy. Amen.”

Lent and Easter Wisdom by Henri J. M. Nouwen

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Intercessor,

The Midland Faces of Children prayer group will meet in this new conference room First Presbyterian Church-Midland on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. You can park in the Texas or Illinois street lots next to the Family Life Center and just head toward the gym. This new meeting space is at the back of the gym. After our time of prayer, we’ll have lunch ($5) and fellowship.

Your prayers for the children of our world are powerful, love-fueled instruments God uses in God’s work of bringing light into the lives of hurting children. Thank you for so faithfully praying for them!

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call.

Blessings,

Chris

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. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 21, 2014

PRESBYTERY OF THE YUKON, ALASKA - ne of the important ministries of churches in Alaska’s hub communities is to provide pastoral care to people who must travel far from family and home in times of illness, incarceration, or other need.

Nine of the 23 congregations in the Presbytery of Yukon are located in small villages off the road system. Specialized medical care and other important services are available only in these larger hub communities, and the required air travel is expensive.

CLICK HERE to read more.