Faces of Children: Prayer Requests

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Prayer Concerns for the week of 08/19/10

Brazil
• Please pray for the children of Rio de Janeiro's slums (favelas) who will be affected by the city's plans to clear and rebuild these areas ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games. Pray for the more than 260,000 households that will be affected by this plan and especially for those in the 123 most at-risk slums that will be destroyed and not rebuilt.
• Please pray that the city government will provide alternate housing for all those who will be displaced and that they will complete the project to improve living conditions for so many marginalized people.
A report from the BBC

Burma/Myanmar, Thailand
• Continue to keep Nancy *and her family in prayer as they care for 18 orphans in their modest home in the northwest part of Burma. Give thanks to God for healing several of the children who were suffering from Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and for replenishing this orphanage's well. Please pray for 2-year-old Thomas who is very sick with some kind of kidney problem. Pray also for Abisak and Dawtku, two little girls who are also ill. Pray that God will provide the resources to help these sick children and all of the other orphans in Nancy's care.
* Name changed for confidentiality and/or protection.
• Pray that God will encourage and sustain Sarah as she works with children in the refugee camps along the border of Thailand and Burma through Partners Relief and Development ( www.partnersworld.org/ ). Pray for all of the staff and volunteers of this organization as they minister to children in the camps.
• Please continue to pray for the hill tribe children and people of eastern Burma who are being systematically annihilated by the Burma Army. Pray for those who come to their assistance, like Free Burma Rangers ( www.freeburmarangers.org/ ) and Partners Relief and
Development.

Pakistan
• Please keep the children and people of northwest Pakistan held close in prayer as they deal with torrential monsoon rains. Pray for the 3 million people whose lives have been devastated by the worst flooding in 80 years.
• Pray for those who have lost loved ones, homes, schools, businesses, and livelihoods. More than 1,400 people have been killed in the flooding and 1.1 million acres of crops have been destroyed in the Punjab agricultural area.
• Please pray that God will provide for the 1.8 million children and families who need clean drinking water, shelter, and food. Pray for those who are susceptible to water borne diseases like cholera and diarrhea.
• Pray for the vulnerable in Pakistan - children, women, the elderly, religious minorities, and people with disabilities - who are in the greatest need of support and may be the last to receive it because of discrimination and cultural practices.
• Please pray that God will comfort children who have been traumatized by the things they have witnessed because of the flooding. Pray for those who are showing psychological damage, for those who have hallucinations of the sound of water, and for those who wake screaming from nightmares of the horrors they've seen.
A report from Reuters/AlertNet
A report from the Washington Post
Another report from Reuters/AlertNet
Another report from Reuters/AlertNet

United States
• Please keep 6-year-old Ellen held close in prayer as she completes her cancer treatments for leukemia-chemotherapy injection into the spine. Give thanks to God for Ellen's wonderful attitude throughout her treatment. Pray for God's healing mercies and a full recovery. Pray that God will also bring comfort to Ellen and her family.
• Pray for 10-year-old Emily who is recovering from surgery for an extreme form of scoliosis. The rods implanted in her back and the spacers in her ribs need periodic surgical adjustments. Pray that Emily will heal quickly from this latest procedure as well as the serious infections she's picked up in the hospital. Please keep this 10-year-old little girl held close in prayer as she undergoes further surgeries in the near future.
• Give thanks and praise to God for answered prayers concerning 3-year-old Andrea * and her adoption situation! Andrea, a little girl with multiple health challenges, had been with her foster family since she was a baby but was court ordered to be placed with a distant relative. Thanks be to God that the great aunt who was going to adopt Andrea decided the foster parents would be better parents for her.
* Name changed for confidentiality and/or protection.

Faces of Children
• Please continue to pray that more churches and individuals will join with the ministry of Faces of Children in spreading awareness about children in crisis and inviting more people to pray for children at risk.

In the News ... "Family Promise Comes To Midland To Help Homeless Community"

Family Promise Comes To Midland To Help Homeless Community
Diane Tuazon

Reporter
KWES-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The homeless situation never really seems to die down in the Permian Basin, at least that's what one organization would say.

"Some people lose their home and can't afford to move into another one. It's really hard to find affordable housing for a lot of people," Family Promise treasurer, Donna Edney, said.

That's why an organization like Midland's Family Promise is working on finding more churches in the community to help house homeless families.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the KWES story.

FBR Report: Burma Army Burns Villages, Chases People Into the Jungle

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. Ethnic pro-democracy 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.

Burma Army Burns Villages, Chases People Into the Jungle

"The Burma Army is now attacking villages in Papun (Muthraw) District, Northern Karen State, burning two villages and chasing 916 people into he jungle. Two Burma Army battalions, LIB 370 and LIB 361 continue the attacks ... One FBR team is currently with the displaced people helping to coordinate assistance. The Burma Army continues to attack ... Thank you for your prayers and care."
CLICK HERE to read the rest of this report from the Free Burma Rangers

Rolling Through West Texas

From First Presbyterian Church-Midland ... "A generous church member has offered to match donations to Free Wheelchair Mission, up to a grand total of $10,000. Each chair costs $59.20, so $10,000 will buy almost 170 wheelchairs, and a new life for people who are home bound, unable to get to school or work ... or sometimes, even get off the ground. Your donation of $59.20 will give someone the precious gift of mobility." To find out more, contact First Prez-Midland at (432) 684-7821, or see the information below the video.

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.

"Our mission is to transform lives through the gift of mobility to

the physically disabled poor in developing countries

as motivated by Jesus Christ.
Our vision is to provide 20 million wheelchairs."

Want to take one for a test drive? During normal business hours, visit the lobby at the Texas Street entrance of First Presbyterian Church-Midland, at the northwest corner of Texas and A streets, on the west side of downtown Midland. For $51.29, you can give the gift of mobility. You can donate by mailing FWC, calling them, or visiting their website.

Free Wheelchair Mission
9341 Irvine Boulevard
Irvine, CA 92618

(800) 733-0858

www.freewheelchairmission.org/

In the News ... "Making room at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton"

Making room at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Roy Waggoner
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Come Easter 2011, parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church should have a new place for a sunrise service.

But it’s the facility’s year-round duty as a youth center that draws attention from the Rev. Mark Woodruff as the most critical part to the $2.5 million construction project.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.
CLICK HERE for a slideshow accompanying the OA story

Word from Uganda: "Prayer Requests"

Missionary teacher Natalie Rolfe writes, "'When He calls me, I will answer ... I'll be somewhere working for my Lord.' My call was Mbale, Uganda and that is where I have returned to serve for another year. Specifically, I am teaching phonics at Lulwanda Children's Home, an orphanage and school for 90 kids." Natalie also keeps an online journal of her service at the weblog, When He calls me, I will answer ...

Prayer Requests

The following requests are posted this month on Natalie's blog.

Lulwanda Children's Home:
• While you are on summer vacation from school, our kids are in full swing with Term 2. Pray for the students and teachers to remained focused and excited about what they are learning
• Pray for all the mission teams that will be traveling to Uganda over the next 4 months- whether for work at LCH or for church plant missions * Pray for the tax issuse with the container (that was sent at the begining of the year) to be cleared so that we can beging using those items
• Pray for the coming election in Feb. 2011- that God would raise up the proper leader for this nation
• Pray for health and against Malaria
• Pray for unity among all staff members and that we would daily be reminded that we are here to serve these kids and without them, none of us would be here (at LCH)
• Pray for the new Phonics teacher- teacher Irene- as I am training her and she will soon begin taking over my classes
• Pray for the P7 class as they continue to study hard for the national exams in November
• Pray that the road from Mbale to LCH will be fixed. Pray against corrupt people using the money for roads on their own things

Personal:
• Pray for my travels back to the USA (June 21-Aug 1)
• Pray for my health and safety
• Pray for a heart that seeks Him first, and His kingdom and righteousness
• Pray for the financial provision for a car
• Pray for transition, purpose, and creativity
PRAISES:
• Nellie's head has healed completely and there will be no need for another surgery (as per now)
• Dyana (Nana) had a successful bone marrow transplant
• A new staff van that runs smoothly
• The continued Friday fellowship time at LCH
• Continued safetly on the roads as many people travel to and fro everyday

If you are interested in supporting LCH by sponsoring one of the 90 children, go to www.ugandaorphans.org If you are interested in financially supporting Natalie in her mission, you can send checks (with "Natalie Rolfe" in memo) to: Midland Bible Church, 2800 North A Street, Midland, TX 79705

In the News ... "Deacon says he was influenced most by display of selfless love toward disabled"

Deacon says he was influenced most by display of selfless love toward disabled
By Kathleen Thurber
Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - After serving Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, it was in washing dishes at a home for the disabled in rural Italy that Deacon Mike LaMonica said he learned what it looks like to truly love others as Jesus directed.

"It's a way to look at humanity differently," LaMonica said, of Casa Di Carita, a Catholic home that serves disabled individuals free of charge. "They don't look at them as they cannot contribute. This is not somebody you stick off in a corner somewhere."

It was a lesson he didn't expect to encounter when he left Midland earlier this summer for Rome.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Midland Group Reports Chinese Christian, Democracy Activist Detained

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.

Midland Group Reports Chinese Christian, Democracy Activist Detained

Released by ChinaAid, August, 2010 ...

"SICHUAN, CHINA – Christian and human rights activist Liu Xianbin was arrested on June 28, 2010 on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power.” The day after his arrrest, authorities also harrased and threatened Liu's wife and 13-year-old daughter. Liu has been a long-time voice calling for reform in China, particularly regarding human rights and religious freedom."
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

"Compassionate Prayer ..."

"Compassionate prayer on behalf of others is central to the Bible ... As disciples of the compassionate Lord who took upon himself the condition of a slave and suffered death for our sake, there are no boundaries to our prayers. Dietrich Bonhoeffer expressed this with powerful simplicity when he wrote that to pray for others is to give them 'the same right we have received, namely, to stand before Christ and share in his mercy.'

When we come before God with the needs of the world, then the healing love of God which touches us touches all those whom we bring before God with the same power. This experience of God's healing love can become so real, so immediate, that at times we can even sense God's healing grace in the lives of others, although they may be far away physically, mentally, or spiritually.

Thus, compassionate prayer does not encourage us to flee from people and their concrete problems into a self-serving individualism. By deepening our awareness of our common suffering, it draws us all closer together in the healing presence of God. It reaches out not only to those whom we love and admire, but also to those whom we consider our enemies.

Prayer cannot exist together with hostile feelings. The fruit of prayer is always love. In prayer, even the unprincipled dictator and the vicious torturer can no longer remain the objects of our fear, hatred, and revenge, because when we pray, we stand at the center of the great mystery of divine compassion."

The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life by Henri J.M. Nouwen

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

Please join us as we go before God in prayer for the children of the world as well as for those who care for them, have authority over them, and persecute them. We will meet this coming Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride's room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. We'll have lunch ($5) and a time of fellowship afterwards.

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children at risk, those who care for them, have authority over them, or, yes, even those who harm them, please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call. Thank you for praying for the children of our global and local communities!

With a rejoicing heart,
Chris

In the News ... "Church gets kids supplied for school"

Church gets kids supplied for school
David A. Johnson
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - “Are you ready to go back to school?” asked Zach Carter, Odessa Christian Faith Center associate children’s minister.

“Yeah!” shouted the more than 50 children gathered Tuesday evening at La Promesa Apartments.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.
CLICK HERE for a slideshow accompanying the OA story

Blogging for Fair Havens, Next Weekend

Things are up in the air for me next weekend, when I join local writer/blogger Jimmy Patterson on the scissor lift for the 2010 edition of Blogging for Fair Havens, Saturday, August 21, in the H.E.B. parking lot, near the corner of Wadley and Midkiff streets, in Midland.

We won't be hard to find ... just look for people with computers, in a shaded platform sitting atop a scissors lift, overlooking the parking lot. What we'll be doing is working our weblogs, raising awareness and - we hope - funds for Midland Fair Havens. In the past, other local bloggers have participated, as well, as have leaders from various facets of the community. I'm looking forward to a good time ... won't you join us?

"The mission of Midland Fair Havens is to equip single mothers and their children for self-sufficient living by addressing their educational, vocational, spiritual, and emotional needs in residential and non-residential settings."

"The Apostle Paul," we are reminded, "took temporary shelter at a place named Fair Havens when he was faced with adverse conditions while traveling to Rome (Acts 27:8). The harbor at Fair Havens provided sanctuary for Paul as he prepared for the rest of his journey."

"In a similar way, Midland Fair Havens serves as a place of refuge and restoration for single mothers as they prepare to make a better life for themselves and their children."

Rolling Mission

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.

"Our mission is to transform lives through the gift of mobility to

the physically disabled poor in developing countries

as motivated by Jesus Christ.
Our vision is to provide 20 million wheelchairs."

Want to take one for a test drive? During normal business hours, visit the lobby at the Texas Street entrance of First Presbyterian Church-Midland, at the northwest corner of Texas and A streets, on the west side of downtown Midland. For $51.29, you can give the gift of mobility. You can donate by mailing FWC, calling them, or visiting their website.

Free Wheelchair Mission
9341 Irvine Boulevard
Irvine, CA 92618

(800) 733-0858

www.freewheelchairmission.org/

Faces of Children: Prayer Requests

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Prayer Concerns for the week of 08/11/10

Burma/Myanmar
• Continue to pray for Nancy *, her family, and the orphaned children they care for in their home in Burma. Pray for their health during this rainy season when many people become ill. Pray that God will protect the children and adults from getting influenza or dengue fever. Please pray for God's healing touch on Zoe * and Ben *, two children in Nancy's home who are sick. And pray that God will comfort and heal Nancy who isn't feeling well either. Pray for her sister who will have a baby very soon.
* Name changed for confidentiality and/or protection.

Cambodia (Love146 – love146.org/)
• Please pray for the work of the staff and volunteers with Love146's prevention partner Cambodia Anti-Trafficking Coalition. Give thanks for their efforts to empower young people through catering and food service training and job opportunities.
• Pray for the young men and women in Cambodia who will be employed in the first project initiative, a new café in Phnom Penh called Jacob's Well. Give God thanks that these young people will be employed in dignifying jobs and positive work environments and that they will be offered competitive compensation enabling them to enjoy economic and social security. Pray that God will give them confidence in these new job situations.
• Give thanks to God for the recent graduation of 11 girls from a vocational training program in hairdressing skills. Pray for job placements for each of the hairdressing school graduates and that they wouldn't be easily discouraged as they venture into the "real world." Pray that they will make healthy social and professional relationships.

India
• Please be in prayer for the children and people of northeast and southwest India as they deal with flooding triggered by heavy monsoon rains. Pray for the half million people who have been displaced from their homes by this flooding. Pray for those who have lost crops, homes, schools, and businesses. Pray for children who are at greater risk of developing diarrhea or dysentery because of contaminated water.
A report from Reuters/AlertNet

North Korea
• Keep the children of North Korea in prayer as the government currency devaluation last November continues to cause devastation and suffering. One in three North Korean children under the age of 5 is malnourished according to the UN World Food Program. Pray for children who are too hungry to study or learn and who have dropped out of school. Pray for teachers who can't afford to teach because the schools are closing and government salaries are paltry, insignificant. Pray for parents whose life savings were wiped out by the devaluation and who are struggling to provide for their children.
A report from the New York Times

United States
• Please keep Kimberly, her husband Keith, and their two young daughters held close in prayer as Kimberly begins treatment for brain cancer. Pray that the surgeries to remove the cancer will go well and that she will heal fully and quickly. Pray that God will wrap arms of comfort around this young family. Please pray that God will provide a circle of compassionate friends to support them, especially the little girls, during this challenging time.
• Thanks be to God for the work of the Dreamcatcher Foundation with Chicago youth most at-risk of being lured into prostitution. Pray for the staff and volunteers with this organization as they work to combat human trafficking and raise awareness and support in the community. (Love146 – love146.org/)
• Please pray that God will provide the resources necessary for this ministry to reach girls desperately in need of mentorship and intervention.
• Pray that God will encourage the new peer volunteer advocate who is a graduate of the Dreamcatcher program. When this formerly homeless young woman entered the program, she had no income and had been in jail. Give God thanks that she was able to find housing, food services, and mental health counseling services through the program and is now a peer volunteer advocate, empowering other girls like her through sharing her story.

Faces of Children
• Please continue to pray that more churches and individuals will join with the ministry of Faces of Children in spreading awareness about children in crisis and inviting more people to pray for children at risk.

Reports From Lulwanda: May Photo Album

Every month, Lulwanda Administrator Edward Mukiibi provides an update on Lulwanda Children's Home in Uganda – how the children are growing and learning, how the staff is developing, and any ongoing needs that may arise.

---

May Photo Album
"Lulwanda Children’s Home opened its doors on December 1, 2004, the first children’s home established by the Grace International Children’s Foundation (GICF). Lulwanda now houses and cares for 90 orphaned or abandoned children between the ages of 4 and 13. Here are a few fun photos from recent activities around Lulwanda Children's Home"

CLICK HERE to view the rest of Mukibi's May, 2010 photo album.

Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

"A Return to Prayer ..."

"Dear God,
I desire to help create a new context for human work and wealth,
in which all people might prosper, in which all poverty might disappear, in which all of us might achieve as you would have us achieve, and give to others as you would have us give.
Let the illusions that hold us back, dear God, as individuals and as a society, now disappear.
Let me have new energy.
Let me have a new sense of purpose.
Let me know that I am on this earth to serve.
Let me not feel guilty about the expression of my power.
Let me no longer play small, regardless of other people's reactions to me when I play big.
I am willing to receive an expanded set of options that you, dear God, might work miracles in my life, that you might cast out all negative and limited conditions of this world.
May I receive a future unlike the past, for myself and others.
For I now open my mind to possibilities I have not dreamed of, to forces of life I have not allowed in, and to realms of joy I have hardly imagined.
I let go.
I release everything that blocks me in this endeavor, from my past, from my present, and from my future.
May I awaken from the dream of my inadequate self.
Amen."

Illuminata, a Return to Prayer by Marianne Williamson

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

We will meet to pray for children this Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride's room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. We'll have lunch ($5) and a time of fellowship afterwards.

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children at risk, those who care for them, have authority over them, or, yes, even those who harm them, please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call. Thank you for praying for the children of our global and local communities!

With a rejoicing heart,
Chris

Midland Group Reports Chinese Court Upholds Decision Sentencing Two Christians

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.

Midland Group Reports Chinese Court Upholds Decision Sentencing Two Christians

Released by ChinaAid, August, 2010 ...

"HENAN, CHINA – On July 21, 2010, Weidu District Court of Xuchang Municipality of Henan province ruled in the trial of first instance on the administrative lawsuit in which the Christians Gao Jianli and Liu Yunhua sued Shangqiu Municipal Committee. The court upheld the administrative decision sentencing the two plaintiffs to one year in re-education through labor."
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

In the News ... "Faith Temple Church of God to host Spiritual Explosion"

Faith Temple Church of God to host Spiritual Explosion
By Megan Lea Buck
Assistant Lifestyle Editor
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Inspirational speakers, pastors and musical guests will gather in Midland next week for the 36th annual Spiritual Explosion. Hosted by Faith Temple Church of God and Christ, the conference features nightly worship services open to the community.

"Each year we try to bring speakers and gospel artists to the area to bring inspiration and excitement to the area where we live," explained Sue Roseberry, who serves as the church's music director.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Rock the Desert 2010 ... "Medical tent stays busy during RTD weekend"

Rock the Desert, Agust 5-7, 2010, 2000 N. FM 1788, Midland
"It is the mission of Rock The Desert to reach today's generation through contemporary Christian music and recreation so that they may hear the life changing Message of Jesus Christ."

Medical tent stays busy during RTD weekend
By Audrie Palmer
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - A lack of water, too much heat and West Texas dust ... those kept the medical staff at this year's Rock the Desert busy as they've tended to one of the heaviest workload of patients they've seen in the past 11 years.

The 35 volunteers, which included Paramedics, EMTs and students, were working to treat their 97th patient inside the medical tent at the Christian music festival around 4 p.m. Saturday and expected several more later that afternoon until the final concert was to finish."
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Rock the Desert 2010: Rock On
Rock the Desert Website
2010 Festival Information
2010 Festival News

Rock the Desert 2010 ... "Festival provides chance to give back, family atmosphere"

Rock the Desert, Agust 5-7, 2010, 2000 N. FM 1788, Midland
"It is the mission of Rock The Desert to reach today's generation through contemporary Christian music and recreation so that they may hear the life changing Message of Jesus Christ."

Festival provides chance to give back, family atmosphere
By Kathleen Thurber
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Even with more people roaming in front of the main stage than living in their entire town, members of Veribest Baptist Church said they're always glad when they walk through the entrance gates at Rock the Desert.

"This is a great event," said Amy Brown, who drove up from the small city near San Angelo that in the 2000 census boasted 40 citizens. "It gets better and better every year."
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Rock the Desert 2010: Rock On
Rock the Desert Website
2010 Festival Information
2010 Festival News

Traveling Mission

A TassaTag is a 4” x 6” bright, heavy, hand-woven cotton luggage tag that helps you spot your luggage more easily while reclaiming children's lives. It is practical, environmentally sensitive, fair trade, and with it you can make a difference.

With a TassaTag you support ECPAT-USA. This is a non-profit children's rights organization whose mission is to protect all children from commercial sexual exploitation, and is the US Chapter of Thailand-based ECPAT (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking) International, working at the community, national and international levels.

With a TassaTag you support The Regina Center in Nong Khai, Thailand, which provides education and income generating skills and opportunities for women. All proceeds from sales are returned to the producers. The project enables women to stay in their villages and keep their children in school, which are two major strategies in reducing sex trafficking.

CLICK HERE to learn more about this project
CLICK HERE to learn more about sex slavery and trafficking
CLICK HERE to order TassaTags

With a TassaTag you will be part of the ECPAT project by increasing the recognition of the TassaTag logo as a symbol against the sexual slavery and trafficking of children, raising greater awareness of this major illegal trade around the world, and being a voice positively addressing a serious children's rights issue.

Rock the Desert 2010 ... "Festival-goers to try for world's largest line dance"

Rock the Desert, Agust 5-7, 2010, 2000 N. FM 1788, Midland
"It is the mission of Rock The Desert to reach today's generation through contemporary Christian music and recreation so that they may hear the life changing Message of Jesus Christ."

Festival-goers to try for world's largest line dance
By Kathleen Thurber
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - If you don't know the Cupid Shuffle yet, Rock the Desert organizers are hoping you'll be willing to learn.

Festival-goers will take a break amidst the Christian music performances, speakers and snow cones Saturday to make an attempt at the world record for largest line dance.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Rock the Desert 2010: Rock On
Rock the Desert Website
2010 Festival Information
2010 Festival News

A Message from ECPAT-USA ...

ECPAT-USA is is a non-profit children's rights organization whose mission is to protect all children from commercial sexual exploitation, and is the US Chapter of Thailand-based ECPAT (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking) International, working at the community, national and international levels.

---

Dear Friends of ECPAT-USA,

Tiana Star is a talented and driven singer/songwriter based out of Orange County, California. She has donated half the proceeds from the sale of this song to ECPAT-USA. It is lovely, haunting and ultimately uplifting. We are proud to have her join our mission of ending sexual exploitation of children. Please listen and share it with others.

Listen to it HERE
Buy it on itunes HERE
If you’re in Southern California, check out her performance dates HERE

Thank you, Tiana!!
Carol Smolenski, Executive Director

Rock the Desert 2010 ... "Band’s secular success doesn’t blur mission"

Rock the Desert, Agust 5-7, 2010, 2000 N. FM 1788, Midland
"It is the mission of Rock The Desert to reach today's generation through contemporary Christian music and recreation so that they may hear the life changing Message of Jesus Christ."

Band’s secular success doesn’t blur mission
By Nancy Adamson
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Of all the bands appearing at this year’s Rock the Desert festival, Skillet may be the most well known outside of the Christian rock scene.

Although the group’s ascension to fame hardly happened overnight — their first album was released in 1996 — it has been steady, and since the release of 2006’s “Comatose,” Skillet is hot.

Bassist and lead vocalisr John Cooper recently provided a glimpse of what Skillet, scheduled to appear Friday at the RTD festival, has in store for area fans.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Rock the Desert 2010: Rock On
Rock the Desert Website
2010 Festival Information
2010 Festival News

Faces of Children: Prayer Requests

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Prayer Concerns for the week of 08/04/10

Cambodia
• Please pray that God will guide Lida as she begins the process of forming a ministry in Cambodia to serve children in high-risk situations. Pray that God will provide the resources, volunteers, and staff members to build a drop-in center for children in a red-light district. Children of prostitutes, street children, and ethnic hill tribe children can often spend the nights roaming the bar areas of major cities selling flowers or trinkets and are at great risk to be exploited or sexually abused.

India
• Give thanks to God for new initiatives in India that help reduce the maternal mortality rate, which is ten times that of China. Indian women from poor, rural areas are given about three weeks' wages to give birth in hospitals- cleaner, safer environments than their homes. The government of India has also hired an army of women and trained them to become local health assistants called Ashas (which means "hope" in Hindi).
• Thanks be to God for the work of these Ashas in encouraging expectant mothers to go to the hospital and for accompanying them there.
A report from the Washington Post
• Give God praise for the Dharhara villagers' tradition of planting trees to celebrate the births of girl children.
• Thanks be to God for this generational tradition in which families save a portion of the profits from selling the fruit to pay for their daughters' dowries. Traditionally, boys have been preferred over girls in India, often because a girl's dowry can bankrupt a family.
• Give thanks to God for this tradition that reduces sex selective abortions, the killing of female babies, and dowry deaths (common in Bihar state in which this village is located).
A report from the BBC

Europe, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran
• Pray that God will protect and provide for Afghan child migrants who are making the difficult and dangerous overland journey to Europe, Pakistan, and Iran, often without their parents. Pray for those who travel with human smugglers and are exposed to trafficking and abuse.
• Please pray for the parents of these children ... that they are made aware of the dangers of putting their children in the hands of human smugglers.
• Pray for the 5,900 Afghan children, mostly boys, who sought asylum in Europe last year and for those continuing to arrive.
• Pray for Afghan child migrants who are forcibly deported back to Afghanistan where child protection and welfare services are nonexistent.
• Please pray that the situations causing children to leave Afghanistan will change ... that the fighting and violence will cease, the political situation will stabilize, widespread poverty will be eliminated, improvements will be made to the educational systems, and that families and children will have hope for a better future because of these changes.
A report from Reuters AlertNet
Another report from Reuters AlertNet

Philipines (Love146 – love146.org/)
• Give thanks to God for the work of Love146 in the Philippines with children rescued from trafficking and prostitution. Please continue to pray for the 10 girls living at the Round Home, a Love146 safe home.
• Pray for the three newly-rescued girls, all of whom have recently given birth to babies. Pray for these new mothers, that they would be filled with patience, love, and kindness for themselves and their children.
• Give God thanks for the successful reintegration of several rescued girls. Two have received small grants to start businesses in their villages and several have already been able to make small profits selling fresh vegetables, cooked food, mobile phone cards, and handmade greeting cards.
• Pray that these girls would grow in confidence as they develop healthy and sustained relationships with people in the community.
• Pray that their businesses would thrive. Pray that they would continue to develop their independent living skills, especially with using their free time in a positive way.

Faces of Children
• Please continue to pray that more churches and individuals will join with the ministry of Faces of Children in spreading awareness about children in crisis and inviting more people to pray for children at risk.

Rock the Desert 2010 ... "Former Midlander joins Rock the Desert lineup"

Rock the Desert, Agust 5-7, 2010, 2000 N. FM 1788, Midland
"It is the mission of Rock The Desert to reach today's generation through contemporary Christian music and recreation so that they may hear the life changing Message of Jesus Christ."

Former Midlander joins Rock the Desert lineup
By Kathleen Thurber
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Having left Midland to play basketball at Montana Tech and then graduating a few years later with a petroleum engineering degree from Texas Tech, David Dunn admits his career in music wasn't the initial aim.

"It just sort of happened," said Dunn, who is scheduled to perform at 12:50 p.m. Aug. 6 at Rock the Desert.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Rock the Desert 2010: Rock On
Rock the Desert Website
2010 Festival Information
2010 Festival News

Reports From Lulwanda: May, 2010

Every month, Lulwanda Administrator Edward Mukiibi provides an update on Lulwanda Children's Home in Uganda – how the children are growing and learning, how the staff is developing, and any ongoing needs that may arise.

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May, 2010
God has been gracious and things seem to be going on well. The children had their busy holiday and have grown and fully participate in all the different activities of the home. We do thank you all for your continued prayer and financial support in such difficult global financial hardships. The children have been active through out the month with a number of activities going on at the home. They participated in virtually all the activities; cooking, washing and supporting the younger ones or those who are sick."

CLICK HERE to read the rest of Mukibi's May, 2010 report.

Rock the Desert 2010 ... "Dynamic of cross to focus festival-goers on weekend message, speaker says"

Rock the Desert, Agust 5-7, 2010, 2000 N. FM 1788, Midland
"It is the mission of Rock The Desert to reach today's generation through contemporary Christian music and recreation so that they may hear the life changing Message of Jesus Christ."

Dynamic of cross to focus festival-goers on weekend message, speaker says
By Kathleen Thurber
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Armed with an ax, a sledgehammer and 12-inch spikes, Christian speaker Joe White said he should have no trouble drawing the Rock the Desert crowd's focus toward God.

Scheduled to take the main stage at 7 p.m. August 7, White said while the atmosphere at the annual festival may at times be loud and chaotic, with his own pounding of nails to create a replica of the cross accompanied by the message of Christ, both youth and adults likely will quickly turn their focus to the Gospel presentation.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Rock the Desert 2010: Rock On
Rock the Desert Website
2010 Festival Information
2010 Festival News

Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

" God is with the children of this world ..."

Acts 7:32-33, Stephen, speaking of God's presence with Israel
throughout history ...

"'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.'
Frightened nearly out of his skin, Moses shut his eyes and turned away."

"God said, 'Kneel and pray. You are in a holy place, on holy ground.'"The Power of a Prayer: Words to Speak and Pray by Eugene H. Peterson

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

Reading this passage reminded me of last week's Vacation Bible School at my home church where I volunteered to lead storytelling (what was I thinking?). The first evening's story came from Exodus 3 where Moses encountered God on Mount Horeb.

It was fun to share the experience of Moses on the mountain top with these little ones. We pretended to be sheep, and then to tend them like Moses did. We also talked about what we'd do all alone up on the mountain. Then we discovered the burning bush (ours was a bit of fake greenery and a fan/lamp with pretend fabric flames) and heard the booming voice of God speaking to Moses (that would be me hollering "Moses! Moses!" and scaring the fire out of most of the kids). We all took our shoes off when God told Moses he was on holy ground and then we talked about the really hard thing God asked Moses to do - to go before Pharaoh and tell him to let God's people go.

We shared about the hard things in life each of us has to face and how we felt about it. Some children talked about injuries and the medical treatment they'd gotten. Others talked about the difficulties of school and strict teachers. Some talked about how hard it was to move to a different state or country (several of our VBS friends are from Burma). And others talked about how difficult it was to be the new kid in school.

I reminded them that Moses didn't want to do what God asked because it was so scary and hard. But God told Moses, "I will be with you." (Exodus 3:12). I reminded these precious VBS children that God makes them the same promise, no matter what they're facing. "I will be with you."

We can rejoice that God is with the children of this world-the VBS kids, the unchurched kids, the orphans, the overprotected, the poor, the affluent, the weak, the strong, the vulnerable, the confident, the sick, the healthy. God is with them. God is also with us when we face the difficult task of learning about suffering children and those at risk. God is with us when we pray, when we go before God on behalf of these hurting ones. Thanks be to God for being with us!

I hope you will be able to join us in praying for the hurting children of our world this coming Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride's room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. We'll have lunch ($5) and a time of fellowship afterwards.

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children at risk, those who care for them, have authority over them, or, yes, even those who harm them, please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call. Thank you for praying for the children of our global and local communities!

With a rejoicing heart,
Chris

Rock the Desert 2010 ... "Metalcore band’s frontman talks about playing Rock the Desert"

Rock the Desert, Agust 5-7, 2010, 2000 N. FM 1788, Midland
"It is the mission of Rock The Desert to reach today's generation through contemporary Christian music and recreation so that they may hear the life changing Message of Jesus Christ."

Metalcore band’s frontman talks about playing Rock the Desert
By Nancy Adamson
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Christain music sure has come a long way from the days when Amy Grant, Petra and Stryper were dominating the genre, and play on secular radio or promotion was virtually non-existant.

The Devil Wears Prada, a six-man group formed in 2005 in Dayton, Ohio, is a fairly new presence on the scene, but with three full-length albums and a rep for a solid live show, they are quickly emerging as one of the top metalcore bands in the world.

The band is scheduled to play August 5 at the Rock the Desert festival.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Rock the Desert 2010: Rock On
Rock the Desert Website
2010 Festival Information
2010 Festival News