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).Hi Friends,
Happy Thanksgiving! This week we will not be meeting for our normal intercessory prayer time, as the church will be closing early Wednesday in observance of Thanksgiving. Please take some time on your own this week to celebrate God's faithfulness to the world's children.
Dear Intercessors,
If there is any risk in what we do each week as Faces of Children intercessors, it is that if we are not careful, we pick up a far heavier burden than we can possibly carry. The weight of the world is on our shoulders, and the pain and suffering and injustice children face around the world feels like it may crush us.
In his sermon, A Room Called Remember, Frederick Buechner said "We listen to the evening news with its usual recital of shabbiness and horror, and God, if we believe in him at all, seems remote and powerless, a child's dream. But there are other times--often the most unexpected, unlikely times--when strong as life itself comes the sense that there is a holiness deeper than shabbiness and horror and at the very heart of darkness a light unutterable. Is it only the unpredictable fluctuations of the human spirit that we have to thank? We must each of us answer for ourselves, remember for ourselves, preach to ourselves our own sermons. But "Remember the wonderful works," sings King David, because if we remember deeply and truly, he says, we will know whom to thank, and in that room of thanksgiving and remembering there is peace."
So this week, as we look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving, I'd like to invite you to joyfully praise God for his compassion and mercy and tender loving care seen in the lives of children around the world. And as we thank God for his goodness, may we each know his deep peace.
THAILAND
Praise God that 426 children in Thailand officially received their citizenship this month! These 426 children make up the largest group of citizenship applications that IJM has ever assisted with passing through the justice system. Praise God that these Thai citizens now have access to everyday rights such as schooling, healthcare, and the right to move freely around the country. From International Justice Mission
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| PR&D Photo |
Praise God for expanded services to families in Burma! Over the last few weeks, our Kachin Community Care Network has kicked off in two new locations! Communities are working together so that families are strengthening, kids are growing and life is being given to people affected by conflict and oppression. From Partners Relief and Development
IRAQ
Praise God that Sinjar has been liberated! Over a year ago, this little mountain in western Iraq caught the world's attention. ISIS militants swept across the Nineveh plain, attempting to exterminate one of Iraq's most persecuted minorities, the Yazidis. Thousands escaped up Mount Sinjar and became stranded there, surrounded by ISIS forces. Now, as their homeland is being liberated, many Yazidis still plan to go back. They know the risks, and they know what it means to be friendless and surrounded by enemies...but they're going back anyway. Home is home. As one returning Yazidi farmer put it, "This farm is how I show ISIS they haven't won." From Preemptive Love Coalition
MIDLAND, TEXAS
Praise God for children who are no longer orphaned! Previously in foster care, six children had their adoptions finalized in Midland last week. November 20 is National Adoption Day, and the finalizations were planned as part of a celebration by CASA workers, the children's families, and members of the court system. "It's one of the best days of the year because we get to see the culmination of a lot of really hard work by a lot of people," said Angie Voss, CPS program administrator for Region 9. "Coming to National Adoption Day is the prize we are all working for. It's a gift. Some of the kids come from such awful circumstances but to see them today ... and the kiddos know, as young as they are, they know, 'I'm OK now. I can rest.'" Midland Reporter-Telegram
(Editor's Note: A special thanks to Edna Hibbitts for bringing this story to my attention!)
Blessings,
Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153
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 info@facesofchildren.net
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