WAW Wednesday (on SUNDAY) ... "12.31.17 -- Soon We'll Say 'Goodbye' to 2017"

"The Word at Work is a ministry that mobilizes churches and individuals to answer God's call to minister to those in need," writes Rev. Tim Tam, Director of the Amarillo, Texas-based ministry. "Through our relationships, God reveals needs and opportunities for service. As we come along side the poor, new friendships develop and doors for ministry open. As we serve, God provides the resources to supply for the needs he reveals."

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WAW Wednesday (on SUNDAY) ... "12.31.17 -- Soon We'll Say 'Goodbye' to 2017"

Friends,

After serving with us for a little over a year, Dyann Folkner is stepping out to serve God in a more full-time position.

Dyann brought humor and plants and a love for animals and encouragement and an "I can do all things" attitude to her work with us. We are sad to see her go. But, she assures us she's in for helping with events and garage sales and that God is in the midst of the transition.

Please keep Dyann in your prayers (and our staff as we figure out how to get along without her).

By the way - if you're planning to make a year end gift to The Word at Work, please note your check must be postmarked by midnight tonight to qualify as a 2017 donation -- thank you so much.

Expect a blessed New Year,

Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Speaking from my own first-hand experience - working side-by-side with Tim, Kenny and our brothers and sisters in Belize - won't you give thoughtful, prayerful consideration to supporting the efforts of Tim, the Word At Work staff and their partners? Please please fill out this Commitment Card and return it to their office!

Also, remember that you can follow The Word At Work on their Facebook page!

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.

Photo by Kathy Melvin

Today in the Mission Yearbook: December 31, 2017

NO GUN RI MASSACRE - War lives on in the pain of its survivors and their families long after the violence ends.

Members of a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) peace delegation saw the pain in the eyes of more than a dozen South Koreans who were forever changed by the impact of the massacre at No Gun Ri ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Testimonials highlight 'Watch Night' service in Abilene"

ARN Photo by Greg Jaklewicz

• Service begins TONIGHT at 9:00 p.m.

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Choir members from churches that are part of the Greater Abilene Ministers Alliance will ring in the new year Sunday with the traditional Watch Night Service at Macedonia Baptist Church ...

• read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... "San Angelo Faith Briefs"

• This weekend, and in the week ahead

Staff Report
• San Angelo Standard Times

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - From the Standard-Times, news of special events and programs from Concho Valley houses of faith ...

• read the rest of this SAST report

In the News ... "Odessa Church News"

Courtesy Photo

• Today and in the days ahead, in Odessa-area houses of worship

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Coming events include worship services, classes, Bible studies, community outreach, mission opportunities and more ...

• 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.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: December 30, 2017

POVERTY - What does the Bible say about poverty? Is it an unfortunate but inevitable reality? Is it the fault of the poor themselves? Is it a way to get close to God? Is it a curse from God?

Poverty, indeed, is a main theme of the Bible ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From ServLife International ... "Give Hope"

ServLife International is a movement defined by values of God’s kingdom, not programs built around human efforts and activities. The reign and rule of God should be made apparent to every person on the planet, despite their religion, race or socioeconomic status. We believe that issues of justice are inseparable from the good news that Jesus Christ came to proclaim. ServLife exists to take the gospel of Christ and the hope of a better, more just, world to the lives of people we touch. This happens through individual contributions of time, creativity, resources and dreams.

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Give Hope

Mant to give a gift that will really make a difference? Give a goat!

Well, not a literal goat. Enable a family to escape poverty through a microloan for- you guessed it- a goat! Or some chickens, or a sewing machine. You can give a pastor mobility and autonomy with a bicycle. You can give a child a brighter future of education with a backpack. You can empower a family to lift themselves out of poverty with a small business loan ...

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post from ServLife ...

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From Adam Nevins
Executive Director
ServLife International Inc.


Join Our Mission

ServLife International propels reconciliation and justice by building global community to plant churches, care for children and fight poverty. Compelled by the message, life and love of Jesus Christ, we seek to care for the spiritual, physical, social, and economic areas of life in northern India and Nepal.  Learn more about our latest news, featured stories, and how to get involved at servlife.org

Support a Pastor Our church planters spread the love of Christ in some of the most difficult environments in the world. • Support Them ...	Sponsor a Child For only $30 per month you can help give a child food, education, care and, most importantly, hope. • Sponsor Now ...	Fight Poverty The HOPE Fund, our micro-finance program, provides start-up funds for a small business, paving a way out of poverty for families in need. • Learn More ...

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ServLife International, Inc.
P.O. Box 20596
Indianapolis, IN 46220
USA

From @FWMission ...Friday Story: "Any parent would have done the same"

Founded in 2001, Free Wheelchair Mission is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing nations. Headquartered in Irvine, California, FWM works around the world in partnership with a vast network of humanitarian, faith-based and government organizations, sending wheelchairs to hundreds of thousands of disabled people, providing not only the gift of mobility, but of dignity, independence, and hope.

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Friday Story: "Any parent would have done the same"

Trung is a 22-year-old university student in Vietnam.

He was born with polio. For most of his life, Trung’s father, who works odd jobs at a local hotel while Trung’s mother works as the editor of a local newspaper, would carry Trung everywhere on his back, every day – even into Trung’s senior year of college.

This was no easy feat, as Trung now weighs 144 pounds.

When asked what motivated him to do this for his son for so long ...

• read the rest of this story ...

In the News ... “Organization of the Year: West Texas Food Bank takes collective impact to a new level"

MRT Photo by Tim Fischer

• It's more than WHAT an agency does ...

Stewart Doreen, Editor in Chief
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND/ODESSA, TEXAS - Collective Impact: A framework to tackle deeply entrenched and complex social problems. It is an innovative and structured approach to making collaboration work across government, business, philanthropy, nonprofit organizations and citizens to achieve significant and lasting social change.

What can be done through collective impact?

How does the distribution of 6 million pounds of food sound? ...

 • read the rest of this MRT 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.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: December 29, 2017

REV. BENJAMIN F. GUTUIERREZ - As Presbyterians look back on the past year, many of them are remembering with admiration the impact of a colleague who died last month.

The Rev. Benjamin F. Gutiérrez, who served the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in many roles, passed away Nov. 2 at age 87 ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

FBR Report: "Updates from the Jungle School of Medicine-Kawthoolei"

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) and the Middle East. 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.

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FBR Photo

Updates from the Jungle School of Medicine-Kawthoolei

FBR’s Jungle School of Medicine-Kawthoolei (JSMK) operates a 14-month training course for health care workers in Karen State, Burma. The school and hospital/clinic started operations in 2011 and, over the past five years, has graduated more then 100 health care workers, known as medics, from throughout Karen State. Trained medics function within FBR teams providing relief health care, and many go on to work in Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW) clinics. Students are selected for the course by leaders from each district. By the end of fifteen months of training, medics are capable of diagnosing and managing the most important illnesses they will encounter. Following graduation, a small number remain at the campus for additional training ...

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this FBR Report ...

• CLICK HERE to learn how YOU can get involved in FBR and its mission ...

In the News ... "Church moving to new home"

• Fellowship and tour at January 7 services

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - After meeting for seven years at the MCM Eleganté Hotel, Living Word Baptist Church is moving to a new facility at 5119 Twin Towers Blvd. in Odessa ...

• read the rest of this OA report ...

In the News ... "New Goodwill building opening soon in Midland"

KWES Photo

• Expected to open the first week of January

By Phoenix O'Connor, MMJ Reporter
• KWES-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - There is a new Goodwill coming to the town of Midland.

"We have been very, very excited about our newest location in Midland, Texas," said Jim Trednick, Vice President of Goodwill West Texas ...

 • read/watch the rest of this KWES report ...

In the News ... Local businesses taking part in, 'Pay It Forward'

KOSA Photo

• Spreading holiday joy just one cup of coffee away

Staff Report
• KOSA-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - We're getting into the holiday spirit today, and what better way than to pay it forward? ...

• read/watch the rest of this KOSA 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.

Photo by Jason E. Miczek

Today in the Mission Yearbook: December 28, 2017

KUHNECHT INITIATIVE - With the same spirit of daring that led them to reinvent their once-dying church, members of The Grove Presbyterian Church in Charlotte are embracing an experiment in fellowship, one relationship at a time ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

WAW Wednesday ... "12.27.17 -- The Final Word"

"The Word at Work is a ministry that mobilizes churches and individuals to answer God's call to minister to those in need," writes Rev. Tim Tam, Director of the Amarillo, Texas-based ministry. "Through our relationships, God reveals needs and opportunities for service. As we come along side the poor, new friendships develop and doors for ministry open. As we serve, God provides the resources to supply for the needs he reveals."

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WAW Wednesday: "12.27.17 -- The Final Word"

Friends,

Here we are at the end of the year, the traditional time to take a look back and evaluate. I started the process six months ago, pondering 15 amazing years since this ministry began.

And as I look down the long, long slope I'm tempted to ask….. "How is it possible that we've made it this far?"

But the answer comes to my tongue even before I finish the question.

"By the grace of God!"

God began this work.

God sustains this work and his foot prints are all over it. And as far as what lies ahead ...

This Christmas season I found myself surrounded by an unusually high amount of discouragement.

Friends struggling with sickness and other troubles. Discouraging news, be it political, economic, cultural, or natural disasters filling the air waves.

But as I look forward I rest in this thought: God will have the final word!

As I look forward, I take joy in what he has already said:
   • By his doing I am in Christ Jesus. 1 Cor. 1:30
   • No one can snatch me out of his hand. Jn. 10:28-29
   • Nothing can separate me from the love of God. Rom. 8:38
   • His kingdom will come and every knee will bow to Christ. Phil. 2:10
   • Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. Isa. 9:7

As I look forward, I can say with confidence
   Though I don't know what tomorrow holds,
   I do know Who holds tomorrow.

Expect a blessed New Year,

Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

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And don't forget about my birthday.

December 30 ...
Yes only three shopping days left!

But truthfully, I don't want my friends showering me with presents AGAIN this year.

Instead, you could make an end-of-the-year donation to TWAW in honor of my birthday!

And for those of you or not yet my friends, well, here's your chance! Click on the Donate button below. The options are endless!

Yes, my friendship can be bought ... for a limited time only ... this offer of friendship expires December 31, 2017!

(Birthday hat photo courtesy of Mollie Swafford.)

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Speaking from my own first-hand experience - working side-by-side with Tim, Kenny and our brothers and sisters in Belize - won't you give thoughtful, prayerful consideration to supporting the efforts of Tim, the Word At Work staff and their partners? Please please fill out this Commitment Card and return it to their office!

Also, remember that you can follow The Word At Work on their Facebook page!

In the News ... "Beyond the Bow: Jail Ministry"

KWES Photo

• Part of a positive life change

By Phoenix O'Connor, MMJ Reporter
• KWES-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Jail Ministry has helped former inmates behind bars re-start a new life.

Louise Goode is one of those people that has decided more than 45-years of her life, giving love and compassion to those in despair ...

 • read/watch the rest of this KWES report ...

In the News ... "Jesus House opens their doors to those in need"

KWES Photo

• Spread the love of Jesus

By Ronnie Marley, Online Content Manager
• KWES-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - This Christmas, one local ministry wanted to spread the joy of the holiday with the community.

Jesus House opened their doors to the needy of Odessa ...

 • read/watch the rest of this KWES report ...

In the News ... "52 Faces" Q&A with Ellen K. Ramsey

MRT Photo by James Durbin

• 52 Faces: Ellen K. Ramsey, Midland Fair Havens

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Presented by Chevron, "52 Faces of the Community" is a feature of the Midland Reporter-Telegram that is recognizing the unsung heroes and volunteers of Midland, Texas. The latest installment in this series offers a question-and-answer session with Ellen K. Ramsey, who serves on the Humanities Texas State Board and is involved with Midland Fair Havens, Centers for Children and Families and Pink the Basin, Inc. ...

• read the rest of this MRT report ...

• visit the "52 Faces" index page

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.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: December 27, 2017

BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO OLD TRADITIONS - Several years ago, we faced a mystery in our home. When my older children were 3 and 4 years old, all of our children’s books were getting ruined. The pages were wrinkled, folded and ripping. The books could not fit on the shelves because the damaged pages made each book take up twice as much shelf space as it should have. We were forced to throw the kids’ favorite books in the garbage because they were unreadable. I saw it as a crisis of responsibility. How could our children be so careless with their possessions? ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Partners Blog: "He was born the night they fled"

Steve and Oddny Gumaer started Partners Relief and Development in response to the needs of refugees and displaced people from Burma, and now in the Middle East, as well. Their mission is to demonstrate, through holistic action, God’s love to children and communities made vulnerable by war in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and other conflict zones.

Partners Photo

He was born the night they fled

She was nine months pregnant when the army threatened to destroy her home and her village. The whole village was forced to run. The only alternative to running was a brutal death by their own army, endorsed by their own government. For Y the flight could not have come at a more impossible time. She had started feeling contractions that morning. Still she joined the others and fled ...

• read the rest of this post ...

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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. "We’re a small, grassroots nonprofit passionate about making a big impact in communities affected by conflict and oppression, demonstrating God’s love to children and giving them the opportunity to live free, full lives." For more information aboput Partners, visit their website at partners.ngo/

In the News ... "T.J. Patterson gives Lubbock inmates words of wisdom on Christmas Day"

LAJ Photo

• Life is all about freedom

By Erica Pauda, Reporter
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - T.J. Patterson Sr. shared his annual message of faith and forgiveness with those spending their Christmas morning in Lubbock County’s jail.

The former Lubbock City Councilman along with the group, Each-One-Reach-One, family members and friends all came together Monday at the Lubbock County Detention Center to speak with inmates and give them words of wisdom ...

 • read the rest of this LAJ report

In the News ... "Odessa Salvation Army opens its doors for Christmas"

KMID Photo

• Volunteers handed out free clothes as well

Caleb Califano, Reporter
• KMID-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - - While most places close their doors Christmas Day, the Salvation Army in Odessa decided to keep theirs open by serving warm meals to those in need.

"We had volunteers come in, and they prepared the hams and the vegetables and the breads. Just Christmas traditional holiday meals," says Dolores Watts, a Major with the Salvation Army.

But a full belly wasn't the only things people left with ...

• read/watch the rest of this KMID report

In the News ... "City’s newest church opens "

OA Photo by Jacob Ford

• Sponsored by First UMC, The Bridge caters to young families on Odessa’s north side

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - What began as a dream and continued as five years of very hard work has become a reality with the opening of The Bridge church at 3901 E. Yukon Road ...

• 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.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: December 26, 2017

MARIE "BREEZY" LUSTED - As Presbyterians reflect on the year 2017 and all the blessings it has held, many are remembering with gratitude the life of Marie “Breezy” Lusted.

Lusted, a Presbyterian mission co-worker and long-term volunteer, served as a nurse and Bible translator in Ethiopia for 56 years. She passed away in North Carolina on Oct. 29 at the age of 85 ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From Austin Seminary: "Advent Devotional" - FOLLOW-UP - for December 26

"A gift from our community of faith to you. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is devoted to preparing outstanding leaders for Christ’s church. One of the ways we nurture leaders is by building a loving community of faith and extending God’s grace to others. In this season of anticipation, we extend God’s grace to you and invite you to explore this book of Advent devotions. Through this collection, please join us as we prepare to receive God’s greatest gift—the birth of Jesus Christ."

• CLICK HERE for a downloadable/printable copy of this season's devotionals.
• CLICK HERE to learn how you can support the mission of Austin Seminary

Advent Devotional - FOLLOW-UP - for December 6

Thank you for making this journey with our students, faculty, and staff. We hope that you are preparing the way for the Lord in your life as you read these meditations and prayers. And, we hope this Advent season is a meaningful one for you.

Please know that Austin Seminary’s dedicated, diverse, and loving community of faith is not complete without you.

Did you know?

     • Students in our masters-degree programs receive up to 85% need-based tuition aid.

     • Historically, more than 80% of our graduates are called to congregational ministry.

     • Our students come from more than a dozen denominations.

     • Our alumni serve in ministry in forty-eight U.S. states as well as in twenty different countries across the world.

Your gift to Austin Seminary contributes to scholarships, housing, computer equipment, library materials, and other resources needed by seminarians as they fulfill their calls to Christian service and leadership.

Your support underwrites the finest theological faculty and an administration committed to upholding the highest standards possible with respect to the unique vocation of ministry.

Every gift is significant and is appreciated. They are put to work right away and make a real impact.

Please send your gift today.

• CLICK HERE to learn how you can support the mission of Austin Seminary

For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.

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