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 Rick Jones

Today in the Mission Yearbook: October 25, 2018

HURRICANE RECOVERY - t’s been more than a year since a trio of hurricanes wreaked havoc on Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, leaving a path of destruction, major power outages and many people without homes. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, in quick succession, pummeled their targets over several days late last summer ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Midland to host Texas Tech, New Mexico State men's basketball in Hurricane Harvey Relief match

Sunday, November 5 at Midland College

Thanks to a waiver from the NCAA, the Texas Tech men's basketball will play a Hurricane Relief exhibition contest versus New Mexico State on the afternoon of Sunday, November 5 to benefit the Greater Houston Community Foundation.

Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m. (CT) from the Chaparral Center located at 3600 North Garfield on the Midland College campus. General admission seating will apply for all fans with tickets priced at $10.

• more on this event ...

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.

“God sent angels to make us smile.”
Photo by Mike Markum

Today in the Mission Yearbook: October 19, 2017

HURRICANE HARVEY - It’s called the Golden Triangle, a region about an hour and a half east of Houston. Most people had never heard of it until Hurricane Harvey. The communities in the triangle made national news when flooding cut off many residents from immediate help. Like many impacted by Harvey, some homes saw minimal damage, while others had several feet of water ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

PNS Photo by Rick Jones

Today in the Mission Yearbook: October 16, 2017

PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (PDA) - Weeks after Hurricane Harvey pounded the Houston area, many emergency response teams were packing up and preparing to leave the area. But Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) was setting its sights on the long haul ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "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, hurricane relief efforts and more ...

• read the rest of this OA report ...

In the News ... “Federal Harvey relief funds might take years, officials tell legislators"

TT Photo by Michael Stravato

• Bureaucratic processes and several layers of government agencies

Brandon Formby, Reporter
• Texas Tribune

AUSTIN, TEXAS - It could be months, if not years, before southeast Texans receive federal funds to pay for the long-term rebuilding and recovery of homes and communities battered by Hurricane Harvey’s epic rains, officials told legislators Monday ...

 • read the rest of this MRT report

In the News ... "Millions Raised By Rebuild Texas On Hold For Now"

KXAN/KMID Photo

• Focusing on another piece of the clean-up puzzle

Alicia Inns, KXAN-TV, Reporter
• KMID-TV

AUSTIN, TEXAS - Millions of dollars for hurricane relief are sitting still for now.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s commission to Rebuild Texas after Hurricane Harvey is growing daily. So far it has raised more than $68 million. During a press conference Tuesday, Abbott said none of the money raised has been distributed yet, nor has the group identified which community organizations it will go to ...

• read/watch the rest of this KMID report

In the News ... Bonham looks to help fellow middle school

OA Photo by Mark Sterkel

• A Helping Hand

By Ruth Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Bonham Middle School is doing its part to help victims of Hurricane Harvey in Victoria by collecting school supplies for a fellow middle school campus and a former Bonham teacher. ...

• read the rest of this OA report ...

In the News ... "9-Year-Old Lubbock Girl Organizes Harvey Donation Drop-Off"

KMID Photo

• McKenzie Baker is a little girl, on a big mission

Avery Travis, KLBK-TV, Reporter
• KMID-TV

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - 9-year-old McKenzie Baker goes to school and dance class, just like many girls her age. But she is on a mission.

"I just want to make the world a better place and change it,” McKenzie Baker said.

She was inspired to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey ...

• read/watch the rest of this KMID report

In the News ... "Hurricane Harvey relief fundraiser by Coahoma ISD tops $2,200"

Courtesy Photo

• Effort also built character through teamwork and individual responsibility

Staff Report
• KOSA-TV

COAHOMA, TEXAS - [Last] Friday night in Bulldog stadium, the Coahoma High School cheerleading squad and members of the varsity football team displayed a ceremonial $1,800 check to symbolize funds raised last week by students and staff to help with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. By the end of the game, donations had topped $2,200 ...

• read the rest of this KOSA report 

In the News ... "Big Spring Salvation Army raising money for disaster relief"

Courtesy Photo

• TODAY, from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Staff Report
• KWES-TV

BIG SPRING, TEXAS - The Big Spring branch of the Salvation Army is hoping to raise money for disaster relief and all you need to do is bowl a few frames.

"Bowl for Disaster Relief" will take place on Thursday at the Big Spring Bowl-A-Rama.

If you're looking to have some fun and give back to a good cause, you can put in by yourself for $10 or bring the whole family in on the fun for $40.

It starts at 4 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m.

In the News ... "Catholic Charities, churches donating goods to help hurricane relief"

KWES Photo

• The call to action didn’t need a push

Eric Onyechefule, Reporter
• KWES-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - Two churches coming together as one.

“It demonstrates a spirit of charity and solidarity as fellow human beings,” said Bishop Michael Sis of San Angelo.

Parishioners from St. Anthony’s and St. Joseph’s in Odessa loaded up a trailer of much needed supplies for those who evacuated the Gulf Coast and ended up in Austin ...

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

In the News ... "Southeast Texas still needs help"

KWES Photo

• A small donation can go a long way

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

ODESSA/MIDLAND, TEXAS - It has only been a few weeks since the devastation of Hurricane Harvey hit Southeast Texas.

From the Panhandle and all throughout the Permian Basin, more than 51 Rotary Clubs are collecting donations and money to help our Southeast Texas neighbors. Mark Lowe, President-elect of the Midland Rotary Club, said, "West Texas has shown to be a very giving, very compassionate area of the country."

Craig Stoker of the West Texas Food Bank wants to remind people that the food bank is in it for the long-haul ...

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

In the News ... "Howard College and Midland College 'adopt' two Houston-area community colleges for Hurricane Harvey relief "

• HC and MC students and employees lead efforts to provide needed items for Alvin Community College and College of the Mainland

From Rebecca Bell, Dean of Community Relations & Special Events
• Midland College

MIDLAND, TEXAS - n the aftermath of this month’s hurricanes, West Texans are expressing their blessings for abundant sunshine and dry climate. Students and employees at Howard College (HC) and Midland College (MC) have received reports from Gulf Coast community colleges of the devastation encountered from Hurricane Harvey, not only to personal property and belongings, but also to technology and other educational material at these colleges.

Student organizations at both colleges are leading efforts to “adopt” two of the worst-hit community colleges in the Houston area—Alvin Community College located in Alvin, TX and College of the Mainland located in Texas City, TX. Fundraisers are being organized to help replace students’ damaged laptops and library material at both institutions. In addition, HC and MC students and employees are working with officials at Alvin College and College of the Mainland to provide basic household supplies and food for students whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged by Hurricane Harvey.

“We hope we can make a difference for our sister colleges on the coast who are struggling to recover,” said HC President Dr. Cheryl T. Sparks. “Although this event is tragic for so many involved, it also gives us an opportunity to show support and kindness to others, and we are proud to be a part of that effort.”

“I am so proud that our students in West Texas have ‘stepped up to the plate’ and are willing to assist their peers in a time of need,” added MC President Dr. Steve Thomas.

For more information about efforts to assist Gulf Coast community colleges contact Cindy Smith, director of Information and Marketing, Howard College, (432) 264-5034, csmith@howardcollege.edu, or Rebecca Bell, dean of Community Relations, Midland College, (432) 853-7099, rbell@midland.edu.

In the News ... "Harvey refugees finding hope in Abilene ISD"

CCCT Photo by Rachel Denny Clow

• The heart of policy

By Timothy Chipp, Contributor
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - It's impossible for Andrea Brewington to express exactly what happened to her hometown of Rockport.

Thursday, she was at a loss for words as she returned to the town 30 miles northwest of Corpus Christi after taking refuge in Abilene from the cataclysmic Hurricane Harvey that wrecked the Texas coast ...

... The Brewington family was lucky, in some respects ...

• read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... "Officials overwhelmed by goods donated to disaster areas"

SAST Photo by Terry Mikeska

• Those who still wish to provide help urged to donate money and time

Staff Report
• San Angelo Standard Times

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - State officials are asking Texas to please hold off on sending donated items such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, medicine or perishable foodstuffs to disaster areas at this time.

According to a news release from the Department of Public Safety, organizers are grateful for the massive influx of donated items, but they are making the request so they can free up volunteers and workers who have been kept busy dealing with relief supplies ...

• read the rest of this SAST report

In the News ... "Abilene High, Midland Lee bands salute Houston"

ARN Photo by Jonathan Kremer

• Under the "Friday Night Lights"

Staff Report
• Abilene Reporter-News

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The Abilene High band, in black, joins the Midland Lee band to play "Amazing Grace" to honor those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Together, the bands spell "Houston" at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland, where the football teams played a non-league game Friday night.

• audio-video clip from the tribute ...

In the News ... "Cavender's to begin selling Hurricane Harvey relief t-shirts, all proceeds going to charities"

Courtesy Photo

• Shirts going on sale today

By Ronnie Marley, Online Content Manager
• KWES-TV

MIDLAND/ODESSA, TEXAS - Cavender's is encouraging their customers to purchase a Hurricane Harvey "Tough" t-shirt starting on Thursday.

We're told the shirts will be sold at all of their 79 stores across Texas and the southwest ...

 • read the rest of this KWES report ...

In the News ... "Texas State Guardsmen help Hurricane Harvey victims"

Courtesy Photo

• House-by-house medical services

Staff Report
• KOSA-TV

MIDLAND/ODESSA, TEXAS - Texas State Guardsmen of the 39th Regiment are helping Hurricane Harvey victims ...

• read the rest of this KOSA report 

In the News ... Gardendale woman leads search, rescue team into hurricane zone

Courtesy Photo

• Concern as Hurricane Irma approaches, is that the same thing could happen in Florida

By Ruth Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - As West Texas team leader for TEXSAR — Texas Search and Rescue — Dawn Keller of Gardendale said the devastation from Hurricane Harvey in Houston was the most destructive she’d seen in a first-world setting.

Keller, who had volunteered with TEXSAR for about four years, has a background as a special operations paramedic with a specialty in mass casualty disaster. She’s worked internationally in disaster response and mass casualties in Mexico, the Philippines and now Texas ...

• read the rest of this OA report ...