West Texas Missioner: October 2021

Sunday, October 31, 2021

From @mmm_water ... 2021 Well Season: Daily Devotional

September 1 - October 31 is Marion Medical Mission Well Season for 2021. The season will include daily devotionals - one for each day the U.S. volunteers are overseas, sharing the love of Jesus by providing safe, clean, sustainable sources of drinking water to the extreme poor in sub-Saharan Africa. Marion Medical Mission is one of our mission partners at Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, and we STRONGLY encourage you to read these devotions to learn more about - and pray for! - their mission.

October 31, 2021

WHO GOD CREATED US TO BE
Tom Logan
MMM Co-founder and President

"For this is the message you have heard from the beginning; that we should love one another.” 1 John 3:11

Marion Medical Mission is different because of what we do together.

Your partnership with Marion Medical Mission means lives have been saved and changed for the better. This partnership means a sustainable source of safe drinking water for the extreme poor in Africa. At each well the people are told their well is special because Christians shared the love of Jesus with them. What do they think of Christianity and what do they think of the United States? Sharing the love of Jesus is the best defense against war and terror.

The light that shines through us is so desperately needed... especially now. Together…the extreme poor, the not so poor, the wealthy; black people, white people; Americans, Africans; white collar, blue collar; college professors, those who never attended school. God’s creation.

Marion Medical Mission is about loving your neighbor.

Astounding! Miraculous! Thank you for being a part of the impossible that is Marion Medical Mission.

This year the goal is 3,000 new wells in 3,000 remote African villages. Meeting this goal will mean 375,000 people knowing their children will no longer die from contaminated water because the love of Jesus was shared with them.

This partnership is God’s love in action. Only together can we be who God created us to be.

Application Question: How will you put God’s love into action?

Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven ...

Looking for Easy Ways to Help?

Follow us on social media! Liking, commenting on, and sharing our posts helps increase our exposure so that new supporters will find us! Writing a quick, 5-star review on Google or recommending us on Facebook are also great ways to share our mission!

Visit Our Website ...

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 of the Presbyterian Historical Society

Today in the Mission Yearbook: October 31, 2021

REFORMATION SUNDAY - Up until 1521, it had been relatively safe to show an interest in the writings and teachings of Martin Luther (1483–1546). When Luther refused to recant his writings in opposition to various doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, the Edict of Worms was signed by Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, on May 25, 1521, officially declaring Luther a heretic and an outlaw ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, October 30, 2021

From @mmm_water ... 2021 Well Season: Daily Devotional

September 1 - October 31 is Marion Medical Mission Well Season for 2021. The season will include daily devotionals - one for each day the U.S. volunteers are overseas, sharing the love of Jesus by providing safe, clean, sustainable sources of drinking water to the extreme poor in sub-Saharan Africa. Marion Medical Mission is one of our mission partners at Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, and we STRONGLY encourage you to read these devotions to learn more about - and pray for! - their mission.

October 30, 2021

JUSTICE & RIGHTEOUSNESS
Rich Rej
Volunteer, Michigan

"But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.” Amos 5:24

Marion Medical Mission has a central focus on providing clean and safe drinking water to the poor villagers living in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia. One of the first phrases that I learned during my time in Africa was ”Madzi ndi moyo,” “Water is life.” These words aren’t said flippantly in passing by villagers, but with deep reverence and understanding that both water and life have come to their village.

The words written by the prophet Amos are a reminder that our God is a God that loves justice and righteousness, and that we as followers of Christ are to live in a manner that honors God.

When we help to provide clean water, we fulfill God’s commandment to love our neighbor and by providing wells we work towards the righteousness that God loves.

There are other organizations that provide clean water to the poor, so what makes MMM special? It is because MMM’s efforts are rooted not in a particular ideology, but are based in seeking God first. By seeking God first, everyone involved with MMM is obedient to God, and is able to be used as a tool for His eternal purposes on earth. It is in this way that justice and compassion flow naturally from our hearts as our hearts and our lives are conformed to Him.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King often spoke the words of the prophet Amos as he urged our society and our world to recognize that justice would be achieved when we achieved the status of the “beloved community.” No matter what your role is or has been with MMM, as you work to provide clean water you are working closer to Rev. Dr. King’s dream of the beloved community.

Application Question: Tien? This simply means ‘ready?’ Are you ready to hear God’s call upon your life for your role in building His kingdom?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we come to You today grateful for the call that You have placed upon our hearts to help build Your kingdom here on earth. Please grant us strength and courage to seek You first in our lives, and to live in a manner that allows justice to flow down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream. In Your Son’s most precious name we pray. Amen.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Brian McLaren

Today in the Mission Yearbook: October 30, 2021

BRIAN MCCLAREN, ACTIVIST AND PUBLIC THEOLOGIAN - Preachers, Brian McLaren told more than 1,400 people viewing the Festival of Homiletics online recently, must also be doubters. If they need role models, the author, speaker, activist and public theologian said, preachers have to look no further than Jesus and Paul ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, October 29, 2021

In the News ... "Shinefest"

• Sunday evening at Sherwood Baptist

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Sherwood Baptist Church, 505 E. 42nd St., has scheduled its annual Shinefest celebration from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

There will be hot dogs, candy, cup cakes, games, prizes and more.

Presentation of Plagues of Egypt Walk Thru and musical presentation of “The Champion.”

The event is open to the public.

For more information, call (432) 362-0331.

From @FWMission ... Friday Story: “Beyond Happy”

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.

FWM Photo

Friday Story: “Beyond Happy”

What a difficult week this has been for so many around the world.

Zaid is a six-year-old boy who lives with his parents and three brothers in provincial Peru.

When Zaid was 10 months old, he suffered a stomach infection that spurred an illness that doctors could not diagnose.

Meanwhile, this motor disease progressively weakened his muscles and Zaid eventually lost mobility ...

• Read the rest of this story ...

Help Double the Gift of Mobility!

During Free Wheelchair Mission's annual x2 Gift Challenge from October 1-31, every gift you give will be DOUBLED thanks to the gracious support of a group of generous donors!

• Click here for more information, and to donate ...

In the News ... "Rock the Pumpkin"

• Sunday evening at Odessa First Assembly

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Odessa First Assembly, 1101 N. Lee Ave., has scheduled Rock the Pumpkin from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

There will be free food, free games, free candy, prizes and a cake walk.

This is a free, family friendly event.

Visit HERE for more information.

From @mmm_water ... 2021 Well Season: Daily Devotional

In the News ... "Singer Matt New to perform at Christmas benefit event for Jesus House"

• Midland-based ssinger-songwriter appeared on NBC's "The Voice"

By Jacy Lewis, Reporter
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

ODESSA/MIDLAND, TEXAS - The Old-Fashioned Christmas Fair benefiting the Jesus House Women and Children’s Center will be from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Mid-Cities Church located at 8700 State Highway 191.

The special music guest artist, Matt New, a Midland-based soulful singer and songwriter who was on season 17 of “The Voice” where he landed a spot on team John Legend. New is currently working on his debut EP in Atlanta and Nashville, where he plans to release the project in the spring of 2022. Tickets for the event can be purchased on Eventbrite or on the Jesus House website.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Photo by Neil E. Das

Today in the Mission Yearbook: October 29, 2021

MENTAL HEALTH VARIANCES - From February through April, the Rev. Thirza Sayers was in bed, in another space of darkness.

The leader of Light for the Darkness, a new worshiping community that serves as a mental health ministry in the Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy and pastor at Hillside Presbyterian Church in House Springs, Missouri, has lived with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder for 30 years. Then came post-traumatic stress disorder ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, October 28, 2021

FBR Report: "Heart and Soul – The Myanmar Mission – BBC Sounds"

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.

Heart and Soul – The Myanmar Mission – BBC Sounds

1 October 2021

Dear friends,

We are happy to pass along this link to a new BBC audio report put out by the BBC about the work of the FBR bringing relief to the people of Burma ...

• CLICK HERE to LISTEN to the rest of this FBR report ...

Thank you and God bless you,

Dave, family, and team

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

“LOVE EACH OTHER.
UNITE AND WORK FOR FREEDOM, JUSTICE, AND PEACE.
FORGIVE AND DON’T HATE EACH OTHER.
PRAY WITH FAITH, ACT WITH COURAGE, NEVER SURRENDER.”

In the News ... "Retirement Reception"

• Friday evening at Asbury UMC

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Asbury United Methodist Church, 4001 E. University Blvd., has scheduled Bishop’s Odessa Retirement Reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.

Bishop W. Earl & Leslie Bledsoe to celebrate their ministry with the N.M. Conference. This is a come and go event.

From @mmm_water ... 2021 Well Season: Daily Devotional

September 1 - October 31 is Marion Medical Mission Well Season for 2021. The season will include daily devotionals - one for each day the U.S. volunteers are overseas, sharing the love of Jesus by providing safe, clean, sustainable sources of drinking water to the extreme poor in sub-Saharan Africa. Marion Medical Mission is one of our mission partners at Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, and we STRONGLY encourage you to read these devotions to learn more about - and pray for! - their mission.

October 28, 2021

ARE YOU IN NEED?
Susie Selock
Volunteer, Illinois

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.” John 15:7

It was a very hot and dusty day in early October in Western Central Malawi. The area was in its third year of drought and people were suffering. My husband Dan and I had been installing wells in this area for the past two weeks with our African brothers and sisters from Marion Medical Mission. Our days were long, from sun up to sundown. On this day we had started early and had been able to install seven wells before our lunch in the field.

After lunch, we arrived at our next well site. It was a flat dry field with no trees for shade, no breeze and very little vegetation. Unlike most of the other well installations, there was no greeting party of happy, excited villagers engulfing us as we got out of the truck and leading us to the well site with singing, dancing and smiles. The sun was intense and unforgiving. I was bone weary and felt I could not go on.

I had no energy or joy to muster up. My reserves had run dry. I asked God for strength. It was a very short prayer - Help me, Lord. Almost immediately help arrived. It came in the form of a crowd of about 50 children magically appearing at the horizon, singing and coming toward us. They happily surrounded me and began giving me “high fives.” I felt the coolness of God’s spirit in that instant, completely forgetting the heat of the blazing sun. I saw God’s love clearly reflected in these happy welcoming young faces. Words came to me from God. The words were “Susie, see these children. This is why you are here.”

I am still not sure where all these children came from as there was no village in sight. Maybe they were school children returning home. I will never know for sure. But what I do know is that they were angels (messengers) from God that lifted a weary soul at the very moment it was needed.

God is good!!! All the time!!!

Application Question: When you need help, do you think to ask God?

Prayer: Dear Lord, we need you, oh how we need you. Help us to remember that all we have to do is ask and, in your love and mercy, you will provide and sustain us. Amen.

In the News ... "Family Promise of Midland housing project"

KOSA Photo

• “This is an exciting project to come to fruition."

Staff Report
• KOSA-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Family Promise of Midland is building transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness. They call the project “Developing Dreams.”

The non-profit came to Midland in 2010 with the mission to end homelessness, one family at a time ...

• Read/watch the rest of this KOSA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Dr. Grace Y. Kao

Today in the Mission Yearbook: October 28, 2021

DR. GRACE KAO, CHRISTIAN ETHICIST - he Rev. Dr. Lee Hinson-Hasty of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Committee on Theological Education, host of the podcast “Leading Theologically,” likes to start off the Facebook Live events by asking his guest, “What is making you come alive?”

Dr. Grace Y. Kao (pronounced “Gow”), professor of Christian Ethics at the Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California, told Hinson-Hasty during a recent podcast it’s “this next generation” of students ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

In the News ... "City-wide Lighthouse event"

• This Sunday, October 31

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - The Odessa Bible Church has scheduled a Lighthouse event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 31.

Visit one of the OBC houses for fellowship, candy or to trick-or-treat.

OBC houses are: Falkenberry household, 3001 Pleasant Ave.; Matta household, 1404 Nabors Lane; Llanas household, 1600 Redbud Ave.; Garcia household, 14 Plantation Cove; Wilson household, 2701 E. 17th St.; Thayer household, 6 Cherrywood Circle; Albe household, 1412 Inwood Drive; Hackett household, 3008 Beechwood; Brady household, 1318 Brittany Lane; Kirk household, 2357 Bainbridge Drive; Pool household, 6314 Mecca St.; Aguilar household, 6912 Haywood Ave.; Canales household, 8902 Partner Lane; Mitis household, 1508 Englewood Lane; Shaver household, 4 Hummingbird Place; and Swanner household, 124 Oahu Lane.

A map of the OBC house locations is available HERE.

From @mmm_water ... 2021 Well Season: Daily Devotional

September 1 - October 31 is Marion Medical Mission Well Season for 2021. The season will include daily devotionals - one for each day the U.S. volunteers are overseas, sharing the love of Jesus by providing safe, clean, sustainable sources of drinking water to the extreme poor in sub-Saharan Africa. Marion Medical Mission is one of our mission partners at Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, and we STRONGLY encourage you to read these devotions to learn more about - and pray for! - their mission.

October 27, 2021

WORDS FROM PAUL
Isaac Tindi
MMM Field Officer, Zambia

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.” Colossians 1:12

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, (Colossians 1:3)

because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints--(Colossians 1:4)

the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you (Colossians 1:5)

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. (Colossians 1:6)

You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the spirit (Colossians 1:7-8) For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Colossians 1:9)

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, (Colossians 1:10)

being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully (Colossians 1:11)

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:12)

Prayer: Heavenly Father help us understand your great love in such a way that we also share the same love with others. Help us learn to share your love spiritually and materially. Amen.

In the News ... "'Kooky Karnival' returns"

• Proceeds from the Karnival go straight back into the school

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Inflatables, Slime Alley, a rock wall, a slide and an enticing raffle are just some of the items to look forward to when St. John’s Episcopal School’s Kooky Karnival returns Oct. 30.

The annual event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Barns D and E of the Ector County Coliseum. Admission is free.

Heather Kirk, interim head of school, Rebecca Grisham and Friends of St. John’s Board President Jennifer Robles are all looking forward to the event, which the school’s major fundraiser of the year ...

• read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Rev. Dr. Craig Barnes

Today in the Mission Yearbook: October 27, 2021

FESTIVAL OF HOMILETICS - One night when the Rev. Dr. Craig Barnes was a boy, his father woke him up and introduced him to his new brother, Roger.

Barnes’ father was the pastor of a church in a poor community, and Roger came to services with his mother. The pastor had talked to the family and tried to help the mother and father with their addictions, to no avail ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

In the News ... "Local churches gather supplies for Afghani refugees"

KWES Photo

• "Just as a small way of shining our light to provide a path to them to come and find a new home in the United States"

By Rachel Robinson, Multimedia Journalist
• KWES-TV

ODESSA/MIDLAND, TEXAS - Mhree Christian churches from across the Permian basin all met Sunday to combine and gather supplies for Afghani refugees. ...

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

From @mmm_water ... 2021 Well Season: Daily Devotional

September 1 - October 31 is Marion Medical Mission Well Season for 2021. The season will include daily devotionals - one for each day the U.S. volunteers are overseas, sharing the love of Jesus by providing safe, clean, sustainable sources of drinking water to the extreme poor in sub-Saharan Africa. Marion Medical Mission is one of our mission partners at Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, and we STRONGLY encourage you to read these devotions to learn more about - and pray for! - their mission.

October 26, 2021

FEAR NOT, STAND FIRM
Kimberly Richey
Volunteer, Illinois

"Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”” Exodus 13:17-14:31

“Be silent!” I’m really not good at this command. Most of us who have travelled to Africa probably share a similar trait – we want to get involved, get our hands dirty and GET THINGS DONE! However, if 2020 taught us anything, we learned that sometimes we have to be still and wait for God to fight for us. We waited and prayed…and God helped MMM staff install more wells than ever before, bringing water to those who needed it so badly. He fought for all of us who couldn’t be there in person to assist. A year has passed, and still, the American volunteers are forced to stay home and allow God to fight for us.

Whether we’re fighting physical battles like the water crisis, or more spiritual, personal challenges, God still speaks to us. We have to remain silent long enough to hear what He is saying. We will encounter more dark times; we may experience some wandering in the desert, but when we stand firm, pray for wisdom, and then step back to wait – God always shows up. How comforting to think, “The Lord will fight for you,” but how difficult to remember, “You have only to be silent.” Wait for His answers. Wait for His direction. Allow yourself to be dependent upon His mercy and wisdom. God was faithful to the Egyptians and He is faithful to us. Stand firm, be silent and know that God will show up to fight for you, for all of us.

Application Question: Where is God calling you to stand firm? Where is He directing you to be silent?

Prayer: : Heavenly Father, thank you for always being with us, in good times and in bad. Help me replace my fear with faith and to trust Your wisdom which tells me when to act and when to remain silent. You have brought me through tough times, and You continue to bless me always. Amen

In the News ... "Golden Rule is Welsh’s emphasis"

OA Photo by Jacob Ford

• Coin dealer, longtime minister says communicating with God an essential

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

MIDLAND, TEXAS - William Swansey “Bill” Welsh is a man of highly varied interests who has combined careers in education and numismatics, or coin collecting, with a dedication to the ministry that led him to serve 31 years at two Churches of Christ ...

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: October 2, 2021

SABBATICAL GRANTS AVAILABLE - 1001 New Worshiping Communities (NWC) is offering its leaders and pastors an opportunity for rest, renewal and reflection time through a round of Sabbath and sabbatical grants. There are two opportunities available ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, October 25, 2021

From @chinaaid : "'Free on the street or seized, Chen Wensheng encourages Christians to simply share Jesus"

The ChinaAid 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.

Photo: ChinaAid

Free on the street or seized, Chen Wensheng encourages Christians to simply share Jesus
Distributed by ChinaAid, September 2021 ...

HENGYANG, HUNAN PROVINCE, CHINA – Last year in August [2020], ChinaAid introduced Chen Wensheng, a former drug addict, now a clean, Chinese Christian street preacher. "Believe in Jesus...," Brother Chen urges others he sees when preaching on the streets in China, as well as Chinese police officers and guards when detained in a police station or jail. He simply shares Jesus ...

• More on this story from ChinaAid ...

From PC(USA) Store ... "New Kid's Books for Educators, Families, and Leaders!"

The Presbyterian Church (USA) offers a central online store where you can find all PC(USA)-produced books, curriculum, and resources in one place. PCUSAStore.com is a comprehensive selection of PC(USA) resources that provides the information and materials necessary to support new and existing congregations, leaders, study groups, and individuals forge a deeper understanding of Presbyterian beliefs and doctrines. PCUSAStore.com is maintained by the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, the publishing house of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Geneva Press curriculum publishing, and other agency partners.

New Children's Books!

"Three Lines in a Circle"

This bold picture book tells the story of the peace symbol and how it inspired people all over the world. Depicting the symbol’s travels from peace marches and liberation movements to the end of apartheid and the fall of the Berlin Wall, Three Lines in a Circle offers a message of inspiration to readers. An author’s note provides historical background and a timeline of late twentieth-century peace movements.

• Read an Excerpt ...
• Buy Now and Save 35%! ...

"100 Sheep"

This board-book version of the Parable of the Lost Sheep is adapted from the picture book Who Counts? 100 Sheep, 10 Coins, and 2 Sons. With accessible language and sturdy pages just right for little hands, this book builds early counting skills while showing that God’s love finds us wherever we go.

• Read an Excerpt ...
• Buy Now and Save 35%! ...

"God's Coming to Visit"

The news spreads like lightning: God’s coming to visit! All the animals want to do something to impress God. But what could possibly be special enough?

With sensitivity and humor, this story explores the nature of God’s presence and love, affirming that although God may not appear in the ways we expect, we can always be certain that God is with us.

• Read an Excerpt ...
• Buy Now and Save 35%! ...

"Liberty's Civil Rights Road Trip"

This book serves as an early introduction to places, people, and events that transformed history. An author’s note and more information about each stop on Liberty’s trip offer ways for adults to expand the conversation with young readers.

• Read an Excerpt ...
• Buy Now and Save 35%! ...

Please Note: We can currently only ship to customers in the United States. For our international distributors, please contact us at support@pcusastore.com.

PC(USA) Store
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(800) 533-4371
support@pcusastore.com

From @mmm_water ... 2021 Well Season: Daily Devotional

September 1 - October 31 is Marion Medical Mission Well Season for 2021. The season will include daily devotionals - one for each day the U.S. volunteers are overseas, sharing the love of Jesus by providing safe, clean, sustainable sources of drinking water to the extreme poor in sub-Saharan Africa. Marion Medical Mission is one of our mission partners at Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, and we STRONGLY encourage you to read these devotions to learn more about - and pray for! - their mission.

October 25, 2021

WE AREALL NEEDED
Jessi Stitt
Volunteer, North Carolina

"For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” Colossians 2:5

Last year when the American volunteer trip was cancelled, I got worried. Not that the wells wouldn’t be installed, not that 375,000 people wouldn’t get access to clean water, not that the African staff couldn’t do it without us. I got worried that someone would figure out that the American volunteers aren’t all that necessary.

It is something that I know. Marion Medical Mission has trained staff: Field Officers, Installation Supervisors, Builders/Maintenance People. They all know their jobs and can do them very well (pun intended). As American volunteers whose responsibilities are to drive, greet people, and lead the dedication service in a language the villagers don’t understand, we aren’t compulsory. We don’t dig the wells, make the bricks, have the expertise of putting them all together. What if ‘someone’ figured that out?

Then well season 2020 was upon us. And 3,172 wells were installed and dedicated without our physical presence. Praise God!!

I was in touch with some of the Field Officers and they reminded me that yes, they were doing the work, but that we were missed. MMM is about the clean water but also and possibly more importantly MMM is about the fellowship, the relationships, the presence of Christian family. They also said that our spirits were together and that we can be confident that in the future we would be together again--breaking bread, cracking jokes, installing wells, and sharing Christ’s love. Praise God!!

Application Question: Distance can be hard. Who and how can you reach out to show someone Christ’s love today? Remind them that they are important to you and to God.

Prayer: Creator and Giver of Life, thank You for this day. For Your presence in our lives and for those that You send to us as reminders of Your love. Let us be Your reminders to others that You are with us and that You love us. Amen.