Monday, April 30, 2018

From @chinaaid : "ChinaAid President speaks at American Bar Association panel"

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.

ChinaAid Photo
ChinaAid President speaks at American Bar Association panel
Distributed by ChinaAid, April, 2018 ...

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – ChinaAid Founder and President Bob Fu will be speaking today on a panel at the American Bar Association Section of International Law’s 2018 Annual Conference, titled “At the Crossroads: The Fusion of Private and Public International Law,” in New York City ...

more on this story from China Aid


In the News ... "A night of prayer in Midland - Thursday"

The Midland Ministerial Alliance would like to invite you to a night of prayer for America.


More on this event ...

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

The National Day of Prayer Task Force is a privately funded organization whose purpose is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer. It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and its families. The Task Force represents a Judeo-Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... Wednesday


Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Their mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, they 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).

Invitation to Prayer ... Wednesday

Hi Friends,

We will be meeting this Wednesday - at 11:30 a.m. -, in the gym conference room at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. I hope you can join us to pray together for children in our community and around the world!

Starting the first Wednesday in May - this Wednesday - we move our meeting time back to 11:30! Hope that enables some of you to rejoin us!

Warmly,

Carrie




Written April 26, 2018

A little girl, the same age as my own eldest daughter, and her three older brothers woke up this morning just a few miles from where my children were waking up. They woke up under the same bright blue sky with the same soft breeze. But today she woke up with no daddy, and all he did was go out for a bike ride with friends. A driver plowed into three riders last night and shattered so many lives in an instant; a heartbreaking loss for our entire community that will reverberate for generations. And as her mama stands looking out the window at the rising sun over her kitchen sink, I can only imagine how she must barely be able to breathe. How do you take those first steps forward when it feels like you're tumbling headlong into the darkest abyss? Oh God, it must feel dark.

Little Gia was born with a broken heart, and how it must have broken over and over again in the years she spent in an orphanage. But in what seemed like a fairy tale ending, she was adopted, had heart surgery, and lived the sweetest and happiest life on a farm, clutching baby rabbits and holding baby chicks in the palm of her hand, surrounded by the nurturing love of a family. Over the last few weeks, we've been praying for her as she fiercely battled to overcome a suddenly failing heart and lungs. She lost her earthly battle this past week, and now her family is burying her... and as her mama stands looking out the window at the rising sun over her kitchen sink, I can only imagine how she must barely be able to breathe. How do you take those first steps forward when it feels like you're tumbling headlong into the darkest abyss? Oh God, it must feel dark.


It feels like madness. The drunk driver gets away unharmed while the man on the bike, a father and community leader and lover of people, is instantly gone. A family goes to the ends of the earth to bring home their daughter, and she dies a few years later. It makes no sense. There's no equation one can follow to sidestep the pain. It feels like we're being swallowed up, tumbling headlong into the darkest abyss.

We can't see you, Father God, but we are standing on the promise that you never forsake us. In some ways, it feels like the greatest sort of human stubbornness to me... this clinging to you when we can't see you in the darkness. But you still remain.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
Romans 8:26

I don't have many words this week. Some things don't get tied up nicely and neatly with pat theological answers and placating promises that ring true on a coffee mug or a greeting card. My heart breaks for Hannah and her brothers and her mama. It aches for Gia's mom, dad, siblings, and the lost promise of her life. My heart burns with anger at the injustice of people who get swallowed up by darkness in places where no one even notices.

Help us know how to pray, Father God. We don't have the words to fight this darkness. Sometimes we don't know how to find you in the darkness. Help us not to lose heart. Amen

Praying with you,

Carrie

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

In the News ... "Church-builder reflects"

OA Photo
• The Rev. Channell stays busy in retirement teaching, creating small billboards and making caskets

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - The Rev. James Elbert Channell was emphatically on the wrong track before converting to Christianity in 1956, but he has followed the right one with even more passion since then ...

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.

Photo by John Martin
Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 30, 2018

MISSION CO-WORKERS AND MANGO FARMERS IN MADAGASCAR - Mangos taste so good that many consider them the world’s best fruit. But they have more qualities than flavor alone. The mango is one of the few tropical fruits that grows well on low-fertility soils and where there is a long dry season. Mangos are sold in local markets throughout the tropical world but can also be processed into dried fruit, drinks, pickles and chutney. Mango wood burns well and makes good charcoal.

Because of the ideal climate over much of the western part of the island, Madagascar is a major producer of mangos. But most mangos currently grown in Madagascar are seedlings of low quality that were not planted and have received no horticultural attention. There is enormous potential ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Teichert Family Update ... “Love Chinese”

The family of Karl and Jenny Teichert are serving the Lord as missionaries with OC Africa, in South Africa. They moved to Johannesburg in November, 1997 with their four children; Ann, Scott, Stephen and John. Karl serves as the Southern Africa Director of the Southern Africa Regional Team. Their vision is to see a healthy, Bible-based church established in every unreached village and community in South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia and beyond. Their strategy is to partner with key African church leaders to research, train, and mobilize the body of Christ to complete the Great Commission. They are striving to equip local leaders in Southern Africa to reach their nations for Christ and send missionaries into other countries as well.


OC Africa Photos
“Love Chinese”

Dear Family and Friends,

“Love Chinese” is the name of a group of believers in Mossel Bay, South Africa, who have started meeting monthly to pray for the increasing number of Chinese people who are moving into their area. Mossel Bay is a town of about 100,000 people on Southeast coast of South Africa. The Chinese people are primarily coming from the Fujian province of China to start small businesses. They work very hard and know very little English, but are open to building trusted friendships.

The leader of the Love Chinese group contacted our Southern Africa Chinese Outreach Network (SACON) to find out if our team could assist them to discover practical ways to reach out to the Chinese people. As a result, last February Karl and five members of our SACON team in Johannesburg flew to Mossel Bay to facilitate a weekend training.

Our training team consisted of a mother and daughter from Singapore, a South Korean missionary, another American missionary, and a South African who had been a missionary in Taiwan for 16 years. Our diverse team taught on Chinese culture, religion, and language, and practical strategies to evangelize and disciple Chinese people. Over 40 people from eight churches and organizations participated in the significant training.


After the training, our team prepared a traditional Chinese New Year celebration dinner. Since the Chinese New Year was starting the following weekend, this provided a meaningful way to build relationships with the Chinese. Invitations in Mandarin were distributed in the greater community, and over 40 Chinese people responded. Traditional food, music, dance, and gifts were enjoyed. Several of the Chinese visitors later shared that they have never celebrated the New Year with South Africans like this before. Many invited the members of our team and the Love Chinese group to celebrate with their families as well.


As a result, one of our team members returned to Mossel Bay several weeks later to continue building relationships with the Chinese and encourage the South African believers. It is our prayer that many Chinese would come to Christ and grow in Him through new Chinese speaking churches. We are also hoping that more laborers would come from around the world to reach the Chinese people in Mossel Bay and many cities across Africa.

Thank you so much for your fervent prayers and faithful financial support as we equip others to evangelize and disciple all peoples of Southern Africa. We are grateful for your partnership in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For His Glory,

Karl and Jenny



OC Africa is an interdenominational ministry committed to developing, equipping, and mobilizing church leaders to multiply healthy, Bible-based churches in every community in Southern Africa and the world. OC is a faith-based mission who depends on the Lord to provide committed, financial supporters and partners. The contributions from these individuals help generate ministry opportunities around the world, impact missionaries and their global work, and provide a means for the International Mobilization Center to function. CLICK HERE to learn how YOU can be a part of mobilizing church leaders around the world by donating to OC.

Equal Exchange Blog ... " Our Coffee Partners 2018"

Equal Exchange's mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate, through our success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world.


Our Coffee Partners 2018

Every year Equal Exchange evaluates how we did against an established set of Measures of Success. Profitability is but one of many critical aspects we measure. Of greater interest is how we have done by our various stakeholders including but not limited to farmers, consumers and worker owners ...

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

EE Photo

In the News ... "A lot of give and take at Saturday's Gospel Brunch in Abilene"

ARN Photo by Ronald W. Erdrich
• Part of Key City Rhythm & Blues Festival

By Greg Jaklewicz, Reporter
Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - The Rev. Phil Christopher joked that attending Saturday's Gospel Brunch would not count toward Sunday attendance, but then, witnessing the unity and spiritual direction of the event, he changed his mind ...

read the rest of this ARN 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.

Courtesy Photo
Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 29, 2018

CREATION LAB - Two years ago, I collaborated with colleagues and friends to develop an experimental, art-making, spirit-stirring, imagination space called Creation Lab. We believed that the church needed spaces set aside for creativity and trying new things — a research and design space, if you will ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, April 28, 2018

In the News ... "Hall of famer speaks Wednesday"

Courtesy Photo
• Jim Sundberg part of FCA scholarship event

Staff Report
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - Texas Rangers Hall of Famer Jim Sundberg will headline the third annual FCA Impact Scholarship Awards that hands out $22,000 in scholarship funds to area athletes.

Sundberg is a six time America League Gold Glove Winner and the 1985 World Series Champion. He is scheduled to speak during the Permian Basin FCA event that recognizes graduating senior athletes, coaches and FCA volunteers who have impacted the Permian Basin ...

read the rest of this OA report ...

Courtesy Photo

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


• Today, and in the days ahead

Matthew McDaniel,, Reporter
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 ... "Lubbock Faith Briefs"

Courtesy Photo
• What’s going on in area churches

By Erica Pauda, Reporter
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - From the Avalanche-Journal, news of special events and programs from Lubbock-area houses of faith ... ...

 • read the rest of this LAJ report ...

 • more from the LAJ's "South Plains Faith Calendar" ...

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, fundraisers, 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.

Photo by Getty Images/FatCamera
Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 28, 2018

CHILDREN - My husband and I had been married for three years when we had our first child. We learned quickly that even though we loved our daughter deeply, kids are disruptive and expensive. The change to our family meant learning to live on less sleep and smaller income. It meant figuring out who would do midnight feedings and make sure there were clean diapers. Once our daughter started crawling, it meant rearranging everything so that it wouldn’t be destroyed by a curious, free-range toddler ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, April 27, 2018

In the News ... "ECISD, West Texas Food Bank partner to fight hunger"

Courtesy Photo
• Wrapping-up TODAY

By Violet Trevizo, Digital Content Manager
KWES-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Students at Ector County ISD still have time to participate in the Cans for Kids food drive.

The district is partnering with the West Texas Food Bank and every campus in Odessa will take part in collecting non-perishable food items.

Children will have until Friday - TODAY - to donate items, they will then count the totals and the campus with the most will be recognized.

All students who take in donations will also be entered into a drawing to win door prizes.

From @FWMission ...Friday Story: "Free to Enjoy the Sunshine Because of You"

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.




Friday Story: "Free to Enjoy the Sunshine Because of You"

In a rural village just outside of Mianchi, China, 70-year-old Ruan Ying lives in government housing with her husband of 40 years and his ailing mother.

Ruan Ying and her family’s home is one without electricity or heat. During the winter, the temperature can get as low as 27° Fahrenheit. “It is very cold, but you just get used to it, it’s the only way to survive,” Ruan Ying told us when we visited her in her home.

Seven years ago, Ruan Ying suffered a stroke, losing her mobility and her independence, becoming confined her to her home ...

read the rest of this story ...

In the News ... "10 years later: Remembering YFZ Ranch children at Abilene's Hendrick Home for Children"

ARN Photo by Timothy Chipp
"They weren't bad kids ... they were brainwashed."

By Timothy Chipp, Reporter
Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - There were good times, tough times and moments 10 years ago, when volunteers and staff members of Hendrick Home for Children needed to check their biases at the door.

But when it came to caring for 12 children who came to the Abilene facility roughly three weeks after a raid of the Yearning For Zion Ranch of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints outside San Angelo, the adults believed they did their best.

Recognizing the 10-year anniversary of the children's arrival April 25, 2008, several of the staff and volunteers at the time gathered for a reunion to share their memories and experiences caring for the children ...

read the rest of this ARN 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 Josh Heikkila
Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 27, 2018

MISSION CO-WORKER IN GHANA - Members of the Fumbisi congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana recently expressed their generosity in big bundles: two large farm sacks filled with fresh peanuts ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

BR Report: "Rangers Provide Relief in Northern Kachin State"

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.



FBR Photo
Rangers Provide Relief in Northern Kachin State

The Burma Army in Kachin State spent the first half of 2017 readying and resupplying after a 2016 offensive in which they captured Gidon Post north of Laiza, effectively splitting the Kachin Independence Army’s (KIA) northern brigades from the KIA headquarters and from the southern brigades as well. The refortified Burma Army then increased ground attacks and air assaults into northern Shan State and began fresh attacks throughout Danai Township, northwest of the Kachin State capital of Myitkyina ...

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

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



Free Burma Ranger, the film ...

This film, currently in production, chronicles the journey of an American family bringing aid to hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people caught in Burma's war zones, a bloody conflict that is one of the longest-running civil war's in the world.

Learn more about the film, and hour YOUR donation can help complete its production ...

In the News ... "Audio+Gallery+Story: Confirmation Saturday at Our Lady of Guadalupe"


• Confirmation, I came to learn, is about the Holy Spirit

Steven Cottingham, Reporter
El Paso Herald-Post


EL PASO, TEXAS - Everyone was silent. As parishioners walked in, they dipped their fingers into Holy Water before making the Sign of the Cross on themselves, or their children. In silence they find their way to a pew, most often kneeling in prayer once they found a seat.

From outside I could hear the drums and chanting of the Matachines as they danced in the courtyard, to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe ...

Read/listen the rest of this EPHP report ...




This is the latest in a yearlong series collectively called A Year of Faith. Throughout the year Steven Cottingham will be meeting with, and bringing the stories of faith found around the Borderland. If you would like to be a part of this series, you can contact Steven by calling (915) 201-0918 or sending an e-mail to Steven@StillGoingSomewhere.com

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.

Courtesy Photo
Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 26, 2018

EARTH CARE CONGREGATION - Webster Presbyterian Church, just a few miles southeast of Houston on NASA Parkway, has been called “the astronauts’ church.” Just a stone’s throw from the Johnson Space Center, the church has become the preferred house of worship for astronauts, engineers and other employees at the center ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

In the News ... "Salvation Army looking for relief from faulty AC unit"

ARN Photo by Ronald W. Erdrich
• Getting out the word about need for funds to repair the unit

By Laura Gutschke, Reporter
Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - One of the air-conditioning units at the Salvation Army in Abilene is on its last gasp, just as late spring temperatures are heating up.

The unit for the drug/alcohol housing area and emergency shelter for men is “a dinosaur,” said Shelley Futrelle, public relations representative for the Salvation Army ...

read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... "Photo Album: 'Lady in Blue' statue ground breaking"

SAST Photo by Michelle Gaitan
• Marking the unusual way in which the gospel message arrived in this part of West Texas

Staff Report
San Angelo Standard Times


SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - Bishop Michael Sis, Diocese of An Angelo, was among the participants of a groundbreaking for the site where a statues honoring Jumanos and The Lady in Blue will be placed, along the banks of the Concho River. ...

enjoy this SAST photo album ...

more about The Lady in Blue ...

"Will the 'Lady in Blue' be a saint?"

"Vatican official: Evidence supports 'Lady in Blue' legend"

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... TODAY

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Their mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, they 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).

Invitation to Prayer ... TODAY

Hi Friends,

We will be meeting this Wednesday - TODAY - at 11:00 a.m., in the gym conference room at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. I hope you can join us to pray together for children in our community and around the world!

Starting the first Wednesday in May, we will move our meeting time back to 11:30! Hope that enables some of you to rejoin us!

Warmly,

Carrie




SYRIA, IRAQ, and MIDLAND // FPC member Jeff Darr moved to Middle East

Jeff Darr, a member of our congregation and dear friend of many in this ministry, moved to northern Iraq this past week to begin his work with Partner's Relief and Development He will be part of a team working to establish an office in Iraq that can serve as a base for Partner's relief operations in Syria, along with continuing development and relief work in Iraq. Given all the instability in the region, there are a lot of unknowns, but Jeff's initial plan is to rotate in and out of the area every few months.

Since this is someone near and dear to our hearts, I wanted to spend this week focusing on lifting Jeff up in prayer. Please join me in praying together for Jeff:

1: Pray he is able to find a good operational base in Northern Iraq. Partner's needs a place for their staff to live and also to establish a Partner's office. In addition to finding the right place, they also need all the proper permissions from local authorities.

2: Pray they are able to find reliable ways to enter Syria. Depending on the type of access to Syria they get, they'll be able to form relief-delivery plans. (If they have secure and open access, they can bring in larger amounts of supplies.)

3: Pray for the establishment of a local team. Currently Partner's has a few local contacts, but in order to establish a reliable, long-term plan to deliver relief, they need to make more contacts and pull together a team.


4: Partner's has plans to bring immediate and tangible relief to families caught in the crossfire of Syria's civil war, including an emergency food kitchen, food packs, and rebuilding schools, clinics and homes outside of the active fighting areas to begin re-establishing normalcy. Pray they are able to execute this plan and respond to other needs they encounter with excellence, efficiency and compassion.

5: Pray for Jeff's physical, emotional, and spiritual protection as he enters an unstable area. Pray for Robin and their extended family as they also enter this war zone, even though they are staying in Midland.


Father God, we know you deeply care for vulnerable children and their families, and your children in Syria are just as precious as your children in here in our own community. We pray for peace in Syria. We pray for wisdom for world leaders as they navigate how to best respond to the ongoing violence and war. We pray for children in Syria who have grown up in the midst of a 7-year-long war; please protect them from the physical and emotional effects of war. As Jeff and the Partner's team work to bring hope and relief to Syrian families, we pray for their protection and access to the people who need the most help. May their efforts to relieve their suffering also provide opportunities to share the Good News. Amen

Praying with you,

Carrie

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

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 Luke Asikoye
Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 25, 2018

PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE IN NEPAL - Today marks three years since the first of two powerful earthquakes rocked the country of Nepal, leaving thousands dead or homeless and millions in need of humanitarian assistance. Recently, Luke Asikoye, international associate with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), traveled to the country to assess recovery efforts and talk with survivors. ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

In the News ... "Speakers to offer their perspective to Abilene audiences"

Priscilla Shirer: Courtesy Photo
• Wednesday and Saturday this week

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Two nationally known speakers will present programs in Abilene next week, one live and one via simulcast.

Nicole Johnson will be at the Abilene Convention Center on Wednesday and Priscilla Shirer will appear via simulcast April 28 at Southern Hills Church of Christ. Both presentations are open to the public ...

read the rest of this ARN report ...

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... Tomorrow

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Their mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, they 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).

Invitation to Prayer ... Tomorrow

Hi Friends,

We will be meeting this Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., in the gym conference room at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. I hope you can join us to pray together for children in our community and around the world!

Starting the first Wednesday in May, we will move our meeting time back to 11:30! Hope that enables some of you to rejoin us!

Warmly,

Carrie




SYRIA, IRAQ, and MIDLAND // FPC member Jeff Darr moved to Middle East

Jeff Darr, a member of our congregation and dear friend of many in this ministry, moved to northern Iraq this past week to begin his work with Partner's Relief and Development He will be part of a team working to establish an office in Iraq that can serve as a base for Partner's relief operations in Syria, along with continuing development and relief work in Iraq. Given all the instability in the region, there are a lot of unknowns, but Jeff's initial plan is to rotate in and out of the area every few months.

Since this is someone near and dear to our hearts, I wanted to spend this week focusing on lifting Jeff up in prayer. Please join me in praying together for Jeff:

1: Pray he is able to find a good operational base in Northern Iraq. Partner's needs a place for their staff to live and also to establish a Partner's office. In addition to finding the right place, they also need all the proper permissions from local authorities.

2: Pray they are able to find reliable ways to enter Syria. Depending on the type of access to Syria they get, they'll be able to form relief-delivery plans. (If they have secure and open access, they can bring in larger amounts of supplies.)

3: Pray for the establishment of a local team. Currently Partner's has a few local contacts, but in order to establish a reliable, long-term plan to deliver relief, they need to make more contacts and pull together a team.


4: Partner's has plans to bring immediate and tangible relief to families caught in the crossfire of Syria's civil war, including an emergency food kitchen, food packs, and rebuilding schools, clinics and homes outside of the active fighting areas to begin re-establishing normalcy. Pray they are able to execute this plan and respond to other needs they encounter with excellence, efficiency and compassion.

5: Pray for Jeff's physical, emotional, and spiritual protection as he enters an unstable area. Pray for Robin and their extended family as they also enter this war zone, even though they are staying in Midland.


Father God, we know you deeply care for vulnerable children and their families, and your children in Syria are just as precious as your children in here in our own community. We pray for peace in Syria. We pray for wisdom for world leaders as they navigate how to best respond to the ongoing violence and war. We pray for children in Syria who have grown up in the midst of a 7-year-long war; please protect them from the physical and emotional effects of war. As Jeff and the Partner's team work to bring hope and relief to Syrian families, we pray for their protection and access to the people who need the most help. May their efforts to relieve their suffering also provide opportunities to share the Good News. Amen

Praying with you,

Carrie

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