West Texas Missioner

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Word from West Texas: "Chat@God"

In August, 2008, John P. Van Dusen and his wife moved from Fort Collins, Colorado, to West Texas, to help build The Bridge,a contemporary worship service in a new space in a traditional Protestant church.

Chat@God

John writes ...

1 X 2 and here U r in our midst
we <3 U here @ Your house in our <3's
@ Your s3rvice no < grace = peace

CLICK HERE to read the rest of John's post at Into the West Texas Sun

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 3/9/11

Afghanistan
• Pray for children who live in some of the most violent
provinces of Afghanistan-the southern provinces of Kandahar and Helmand and in Kunar and Kunduz provinces in the east and north. More than 750 children were killed in conflict-related security incidents last year according to an independent Afghan rights watchdog. Pray for children who live in fear for their lives, who are denied a childhood, who are unable to attend school because of the violence.
A report from Reuters/alertnet.org
• Give thanks to God for the agreement between the UN and the Afghan government outlawing the recruitment of children in the Afghan armed forces. Pray for boys who are forced into militias and government forces to serve as foot soldiers, suicide bombers, or sexually exploited as bacha bazi.
Another report from Reuters/alertnet.org

Libya, Tunisia, Egypt
• Pray for the children and people of Libya as revolutionary violence continues in this country. Pray for those who have been attacked by the Libyan government's mercenary forces. Pray for children and families whose lives have been totally disrupted by this violence. Pray that God will comfort and provide for children who have lost parents or family members in the fighting.
A report from The Washington Post
• Please pray for children and families that have fled the fighting and crossed into neighboring countries like Tunisia and Egypt. Pray for those who are extremely vulnerable to trafficking or other exploitation because they are refugees.
A report from The Telegraph
A report from The New York Times

Middle East, Northern Africa, Europe
• Pray for refugees in the Middle East and North Africa who are fleeing the revolutionary violence in their own countries. Pray they will find safety and protection from the violence. Pray for the leaders in countries like Italy, France, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, and Spain who anticipate a huge influx of refugees from countries in revolutionary tumult. Pray that God will give them wisdom in dealing with the situation and courage to do what is right.
A report from Reuters/alertnet.org

New Zealand
• Please keep the children and people of Christchurch, New Zealand held close in prayer as they deal with the destruction caused by a powerful 6.3 magnitude aftershock on February 21, 2011.
A report from US Geological Survey
• Pray for those who lost loved ones in this earthquake, especially for children who lost parents or caregivers. Pray that God will comfort 18-year-old Lizzy and her 15-year-old brother Kent as they grieve the death of their mother.
A report from The Mirror
A report from Australia Network News

Zambia
• Pray for the children and people of Zambia's Western Province as tensions rise because of tribal conflicts. Lozi tribal loyalists want to secede from the rest of Zambia and would like to reinstatement the Barotse Agreement of 1964 that recognized the authority of the king of the Lozi people. Please pray for a peaceful resolution to this conflict.
A report from Global Voices Online
Another report from Global Voices Online
The barotseland.com website

United States
• Pray for 19-year-old Jenny*, a homeless young mother who is expecting a baby in the next week. Please pray that God will be with her as she cares for this new baby and her daughters, 3-year-old Serenity and 5-year-old Gabriella. Give thanks to God for the Family Promise Program ( www.familypromisemidlandtx.org in which Jenny is involved and through which she receives support as she works to become independent and secure more permanent housing for her family.
* Name changed for confidentiality and/or protection

Faces of Children
• ive thanks to God for the new intercessors from the Canton, Ohio area and from Granbury, Texas who recently joined with Faces of Children to pray for 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.

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission:
February 2 / Travel Day

Partnering with local healthcare workers and churches in medically underserved countries, Odessa, Texas-based Mercy Trips Healthcare Outreach provides free medical clinics and surgical care as an outreach of Christian love for our fellow man.

February 2 / Travel Day

"It was a day of travel for the team. Craig and Jack are in Kampala, the hotel where they are staying tried to say they had no reservations but they did finally get a room. Tomorrow Craig will go see the child he has sponsored through Compassion International and Jack willl have meetings. The rest of the team will go on a safari (no donated funds used for this). More tomorrow ..." (more)

CLICK HERE to visit Mercy Trips' blog.

In the News ... "Clergies notice increased participation at Ash Wednesday Mass"

Clergies notice increased participation at Ash Wednesday Mass
By Audrie Palmer
Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Mass services were full across town Wednesday, according to clergies, as many came out to partake in Ash Wednesday and get the symbolic sign of the cross marked on their foreheads to start Lent.

"This season we lift our heads from whatever we're preoccupied with and focus where it needs to be, on the Lord and wherever he needs us to be," the Rev. Edward DeLeon of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish told the congregation at the noon service.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer & 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.

The stories for the 2011 Mission Yearbook were collected around General Assembly Mission theme “Grow Christ’s Church Deep and Wide” based on Matt. 28:18-20 and Mark 9:35. Each yearbook page bears witness to the abundant possibilities of the church because of the leadership of Christ.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 10, 2011

MALAWI, Part 2 - Praise God with me, please. Something positive is happening at Chigodi Women's Center. There were no programs under way when I arrived because of the lack of water and lack of money. Just getting to Chigodi is a challenge because of the condition of the road. The new dorm that was to be built sits unfinished. We are still working on the water issue. I know all of this sounds bleak. It is, but there is hope.
CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Call for Conference Volunteers

On March 25 and 26, 2011, First Presbyterian Church, Midland will host a Healing and Wholeness Conference with several local churches and church organizations participating. If you are interested in helping on a prayer/healing team or as a volunteer for this conference, please contact one of these Faces of Children prayer partners: Jean Kiker, jbkiker@suddenlink.net, (432) 686-9509 or Sally Green, egreen3444@sbcglobal.net, (432) 686-0949.

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission:
February 1 / Final Impressions

February 1 / Final Impressions

"The team finished the outreach today and tomorrow they are off for photo safari (no donated funds used for this). Jack is going to have some meetings with the University Officials to work on a letter of Understanding so that he can bring students over from UT Pan American next year. Craig is off to meet his Compassion International sponsored child near Masaka." (more)

CLICK HERE to visit Mercy Trips' blog.

In the News ... "Founder of Free Wheelchair Mission visits First Presbyterian to thank Midland donors"

Founder of Free Wheelchair Mission visits First Presbyterian to thank Midland donors
By Meagan Lee Buck
Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - During a 1979 summer vacation in Morocco, Don Schoendorfer saw something he would never forget. On a street crowded with people begging for food and money, a disabled woman was dragging herself through the dirt.

Schoendorfer and his wife seemed to be the only people who noticed the woman.

"You look around and say 'How can you let people live like this?'" he said.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 9, 2011

ASH WEDNESDAY MINUTE FOR MISSION - The images from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and subsequent spill along the Gulf Coast were heartbreaking. Birds and sea creatures, marshlands and beaches were smothered in oil. The livelihoods of individuals, families, and entire communities were washed away as the crude mixture washed ashore.
CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Won't You Join Us, Tomorrow?

Ash Wednesday: A Service of Repentance, Ashes and Pilgrimage, will take place Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, Midland, located on the northwest corner of Texas and A streets, just west of downtown Midland. Dinner will be served before the service, begining at 5:30 p.m. in the church's Lynn Fellowship Hall. For more information, call (432) 684-7821.

Teichert Prayer Letter for February

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 un-reached 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. Karl’s ministry focuses on research, church planting, and leadership development training. In addition to caring for their four children, Jenny enjoys ministering through hospitality and equipping Sunday school teachers

February Prayer Letter, ...

Last October, I had the privilege of being invited to join 4,000 leaders from nearly 200 nations to participate in the Cape Town 2010 Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization. It was the most globally represented assembly of evangelicals in world history. Mission and church leaders gathered for seven days to assess the unfinished task and partner together to complete the Great Commission of Christ in our generation.

Initiated by Billy Graham in 1975 and held every two decades, Lausanne Congresses assist the global church to seize the tremendous opportunities for the Great Commission. The critical issues included world evangelization, authentic faith, persecution, biblical truth in the context of pluralism, poverty, reconciling a broken world, and strategic partnerships.

I had the opportunity to meet with leaders from various ministries and networks to strengthen efforts to disciple the people of Southern Africa through multiplying healthy churches. The fruitful planning and collaboration resulted in the following church planting and missions consultations this year:

• Church Planting Alliance of Southern Africa — ongoing training events and follow-up in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.
• Global Church Planting Network — global consultation March 23-25 in Turkey.
• Movement for Africa National Initiatives — Africa-wide consultation September 5-9 in Abuja, Nigeria.

Please pray for me as I facilitate and participate in these strategic events. Pray that God would enhance the ministry partnerships and mobilize many leaders to reach their nations for Christ.

We are also thankful to the Lord for John’s decision to follow Christ in baptism. On December 14, I had the great joy of baptizing John at our annual team retreat. Our teammate Micah was also baptized by his father. John had the opportunity to express his faith and love in Christ with our team and Jenny’s dad, who was also visiting. We are so grateful for God’s work in John’s life. Please pray that John would continue to grow in spiritual maturity and intimacy with the Lord.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for our family and mission work. We are so grateful for you!

Karl, Jenny, Ann, Scott, Stephen, and John

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.

Invitation to Prayer

"I have slowly become aware of what my Lenten practice might be. It might be the development of some type of 'holy indifference' toward the many small rejections I am subject to, and a growing attachment to God and God's passion."

"I am constantly surprised at how hard it is for me to deal with the little rejections people inflict on each other day by day ... this atmosphere often leaves me with a feeling of being rejected and left alone. When I swallow these rejections, I get quickly depressed and lonely; then I am in danger of becoming resentful ..."

"But maybe all of this is the other side of a deep mystery, the mystery that we have no lasting dwelling place on this earth and that only God loves us the way we desire to be loved. Maybe all these small rejections are reminders that I am a traveler on the way to a sacred place where God holds me in the palm of God's hand."
"Gracias! A Latin American Journal" by Henri J.M. Nouwen

"Lord, our Savior, let me heed the example of total giving that you demonstrated when you died on the cross for my sins. I pray that my pale imitation of your sacrifice during this Lent may be acceptable in your sight."
"Lent and Easter Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen" compiled by Judy Bauer

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

The pear trees are blooming again in the courtyard outside my office. I look up through their branches and can see the tiny white petals opening more and more each day. It is spring in West Texas and, in just a few days, we will celebrate Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season. I wonder where the months have gone ... wasn't it just Christmastime?

Not only is it time to watch the pear trees blossom and bud, it's time for me to think about what Lenten practice I might take on during the next 40 days. I really like Henri Nouwen's idea of "holy indifference" to the small rejections that cloud my heart and a "growing attachment" to God and God's passion.

I've also considered taking on another practice this Lenten season - being obedient to the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit. Quite often I'll sense a need to talk to a specific person. It's a persistent sensation ... for example, a specific person's name will come into my mind repeatedly throughout the day. If I follow through with the prompting, I usually find out that there is something about which this person needs prayer or that he or she is in a difficult situation. And the times that I don't follow through ... it's that very uncomfortable feeling of disappointing a beloved parent.

I hope you'll join us on Ash Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s Room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland, as we gather to pray for the children of our local and global communities. Please join us for prayer, and then fellowship and lunch ($5) 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 your prayers for the children of our community and world.

On the journey with you this Lenten season,

Chris

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission:
January 31 / Another Long Day

January 31 / Another Long Day

"Today was a busy day for both teams, the clinic team saw over 1000 patients today and had to have meds restocked 3 times. The surgery team worked late on a bad goiter. Everyone is pretty tired. One more day to go." (more)

CLICK HERE to visit Mercy Trips' blog.

In the News ... "Lenten Luncheons unite denominations"

Lenten Luncheons unite denominations
Lyxan Toldanes
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - As the halfway point of the week, Wednesday is an unremarkable day for most people looking toward Friday as a break from work. For more than 130 Odessans, however, Wednesday will mark the beginning of the Lenten season and the first lunch of Odessa Ministerial Alliance’s Lenten Luncheon series.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 8, 2011

MALAWI - Children in Malawi have names like "And Next Comes the Grave'' due to the astronomically high child mortality rate there. Malaria is one of its primary causes. Malaria was eradicated from the southern United States in the 1940s by a combination of water projects and insecticide spraying, but funding and safety concerns limited the spread of this technology for a time.
CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Won't You Join Us, Wednesday?

Midland Group Updates Story of Detained Chinese Church Leader

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 Updates Story of Detained Chinese Church Leader

Released by ChinaAid, February, 2011 ...

"NANGYANG, CHINA – After Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers in Tongxu, Henan province detained Pastor Bike on Feb. 24th, the prominent house church pastor was transferred to PSB officers from his home town, Nanyang, who then released him on the 25th.

Thank you for your concern and prayers"
The Original Report from ChinaAid Concerning Pastor Bike's Detention

Call for Conference Volunteers

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission:
January 30 / Water Wells and Waterfalls

January 30 / Water Wells and Waterfalls

"As promised here is a little more detail about the well project. Clean water is an important part of promoting a good healthcare strategy for the region where we are doing our work. The spring improvement project will provide clean water for anywhere between 500 and 1500 people, and will prevent a miriad of diseases." (more)

CLICK HERE to visit Mercy Trips' blog.

In the News ... "Christ Church Midland ceremony marks completion of four-year stitching project"

Christ Church Midland ceremony marks completion of four-year stitching project
By Meagan Lee Buck
Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

SPECIAL NOTE: This is about an event that took place over the weekend, but includes a lot of background on the project at CCM.

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Four years ago, Christ Church Midland members and leaders of the Saintly Stitchers, Lana Cooper and Nancy Shaw, sat down with Atlanta designer Nancy Keating to look at needlepoint canvases. The Midland women had found Keating through another church's website and hired her to design kneelers the group would stitch for their new church building's communion rail.

Because of the church's name, Cooper and Shaw knew they wanted the designs centered around the life of Christ. Each of the sample designs Keating presented was a Scripture-based illustration with a label stitched on the side of the kneeler. The first sample the women saw showed Christ healing someone.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 7, 2011

EQUATORIAL GUINEA - In the tropical forest of Equatorial Guinea grow the Ceiba trees that one can find in South America. Rooted deep in the ground, their shade reaching as wide as two hundred yards from their trunk, they are a powerful metaphor for teaching Guinean pastors about Christ's gospel to the church.

ZAMBIA - The church sanctuary had bare, concrete block walls, a concrete floor, simple wooden pews, corrugated roof, and glass-less windows. There was no carpet, no sound system, no organ, but there was a congregation alive with the love of Jesus Christ.
CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Won't You Join Us, Wednesday?

Lent 2011: Relentless Acts of Justice

Lent 2011: Relentless Acts of Justice from World Vision ACT:S on Vimeo.

Faces of Children: Prayer Requests

Prayer Concerns for the week of 2/30/11

Dominican Republic ( CURE International – www.helpcurenow.org )
• Pray for the disabled children receiving treatment at the CURE International Hospital in the Dominican Republic and for the medical staff and caregivers there. Also pray for a 15-year-old girl named Winifer.

Uganda ( Lulwanda Children's Home – www.ugandaorphans.org/ )
• Please keep the children at the Lulwanda Children’s Home in Uganda in prayer. Give thanks to God that the students did exceptionally well in the P7 national examinations. They are enrolled in a secondary boarding school and are very excited about this new experience.
• Thanks be to God that the new girl’s hostel at Lulwanda is almost complete. Pray for the older girls who will be moving into this new facility. Pray that God will guide the staff in discerning which 20 orphaned girls are most in need and will join the Lulwanda Children’s Home. Pray for these new little girls as they make the transition into the home. Pray for the current children as they adjust to having new siblings.
• Pray for the staff and volunteers of Lulwanda. Give thanks for their compassion and love for these children.

United States / Ghana
• Give God thanks and praise that 7-year-old Grace, a young refugee from Liberia, was recently reunited with her Liberian mother, grandmother, and aunt in the United States. Grace was granted humanitarian parole in the U.S. and had to make her way from Liberia to Ghana before she could come to the U.S.
• Please pray for Grace’s 9-year-old cousin Emmanuel, an orphan who accompanied her to Ghana and who is still there. Emmanuel wasn’t given humanitarian parole, but his aunt in the U.S. would very much like to adopt him.
• Give thanks to God for the Faces of Children prayer partner who has been helping this family negotiate the legal hurdles involved.

United States
• Continue to pray for baby Lexi who was born two-and-a-half-months premature to young parents addicted to cocaine. Pray for comfort and healing for this baby girl who is having seizures due to the drugs found in her system at birth. Continue to pray for Lexi’s father who was arrested and for her mother who is only allowed supervised visitation because of continued drug use. Give thanks to God that Lexi’s aunt and uncle want to adopt and care for her. Lexi will probably have life-long physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Please pray that Child Protective Services and the other authorities involved will make the best decision for Lexi.
• Please keep newborn Elizabeth Anne held close in prayer…she was born two months premature and is hospitalized in a neonatal unit. Pray that God will comfort her parents, grandparents, and family during this difficult time.
• Pray for 5-year-old Henry who is very sick with a liver ailment and also needs a kidney transplant. Pray that God’s healing touch will comfort this little boy who is too sick to go to school. Pray for Henry’s parents who work hard to care for him, but also have jobs outside the home. Please pray that God will strengthen and encourage them in this challenging season.
• Pray for baby Paula who was born prematurely and whose twin brother died shortly after birth. Pray that she will grow stronger and gain weight. Pray for her parents and family as they make decisions about her care and grieve the loss of her twin.
• Please keep Kim in prayer as she heads up the Free Clothing Giveaway at her church in Los Angeles. Pray that her church will be able to meet the needs of the poor families in their community. Pray they will have enough good clothing for the children in need as well.
• Pray for God’s comfort and provision for 2-year-old Star * and her single mom who are in a difficult situation.
* Name changed for confidentiality and/or protection

Faces of Children
• Thanks be to God for the new prayer partners in Zambia who have recently joined with Faces of Children to pray for children at risk.
• Please continue to pray for Peachy, the daughter of a Faces of Children prayer partner, who will have surgery soon to remove an aggressive brain tumor. Pray for her healing and for God’s comforting presence throughout this frightening time.
• 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.

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission:
January 29 / HOT! HOT! HOT!

January 29 / HOT! HOT! HOT!

"A quick check in….It was so hot in the OR today you could wring water out of your scrubs. Despite the heat 4 surgeries were done. The clinic team had the day off from treating patients but they still worked." (more)

CLICK HERE to visit Mercy Trips' blog.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 6, 2011

After my wife, Margaret, and I had served on the faculty of Shikoku Christian College in Japan for some twenty years, several colleagues urged me to run for presidency of the school at the end of the incumbent's four-year term.
CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Got Prayer? ... Got Bear?

Available now at First Presbyterian Church-Midland

(there's no charge ... just look for one of the baskets inside any of the main doors of the church, which is located on the northwest corner of Texas and A streets, at the west edge of downtown Midland)

Dear Friend,
I'm Just a teddy bear, it's true,
but I have a message to bring to you;
I've been to church, and sat in a pew,
and I've been hugged by quite a few;
I've bowed my head when they said a prayer;
I've been charged with love by those who care.
And now I've come to live with you -
to bring you joy when you are blue,
to let you know that others care
and want all your days and nights to share.
So keep me close and squeeze me tight,
and know God's love makes all things right.
With our prayers for you,
In Touch Ministry, First Presbyterian Church

When you've had your time with me,
maybe you can set me free
to someone else who needs a prayer,
to show that God is always there.

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission:
January 28 / Koizeyo

January 28 / Koizeyo

"... or hello (good morning, how was your night) in the dialect spoken near the hospital. The teams had a great day today." (more)

CLICK HERE to visit Mercy Trips' blog.

March 13 is Global Day of Prayer for Burma

"TOGETHER WE SEEK FOR JUSTICE, JUST AS THE WIDOW DID, CRYING OUT TO GOD DAY AND NIGHT. WE BELIEVE GOD ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS."
Karen Eubank, Christians Concerned for Burma

PRAYER GUIDE - Thank you for the past 13 years of praying on this Global Day of Prayer for Burma. We have included some stories this year that we and ethnic relief teams, who live year round inside Burma, wrote while in different ethnic areas. In spite of the obstacles and our own failings, when we pray together and obey, look what God does.
Psalm 107:1-3

Please use this book as a guide to pray, think and act as God leads you for the people of Burma.
CLICK HERE to download the prayer guide

Partners Relief & Development is a registered charity in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States, working with communities impacted by war in Burma. "Through holistic action, we demonstrate God’s love to children and communities made vulnerable by war in Burma."

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 5, 2011

HIV/AIDS. Expansive orphan population. Economic collapse. Food insecurity. Lack of health care and medication. Zimbabwe, the former breadbasket of Africa, faces problems that are as deep as they are wide. Fortunately, the ministry of the Presbytery of Zimbabwe is also deep and wide.
CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, March 4, 2011

From ServLife International: "Meet Shanti Tamatta"

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

"Meet Shanti Tamatta"

Shanti is one of the new member of our recently opened Daya Girls Home. Shanti belonged to a poor family. Her parents had responsibilities of earning sufficient money for her family, but she is unfortunate because she has lost both of her parents. Her father died before she was born, and her mother passed away when Shanti was three months old. She is in our Daya Girls Home because a pastor found her when he was visiting the village to preach the Gospel. She is the youngest one in Daya Girls Home.
CLICK HERE for the rest of this report.

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission:
January 27 / Long day = short note

January 27 / Long day = short note

"Team was awesome today. Everyone worked really hard and things went very smoothly even with a huge number of patients." (more)

CLICK HERE to visit Mercy Trips' blog.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 4, 2011

Minute for Mission ... What is your goal for today and the rest of your life? Can you state it in a simple phrase or sentence?
CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission:
January 26 / Three Posts

January 26 / A Full Glass of Water

"I picked up some medicine yesterday and the pharmacist said 'drink a full glass of water each time you take the medicine.'" (more)

January 26 / Prayer

"This happened during clinic today … In need of immediate pray … Dr. Patrick is running for office, to become a member of Parliment, and has been accused of buying votes with the promise of free medicine from the clinics and campaigning without a permit." (more)

January 26 / Ugandaholics Anonymous

"Welcome to our Meeting. My name is Craig Daniel and I’m an Ugandaholic." (more)

CLICK HERE to visit Mercy Trips' blog.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 3, 2011

When she heard God's call to enter the ministry, Jacqueline Ntumba had never met a woman pastor. Confident that God would help her surmount the obstacles in her path, and with the support of her husband, Emanuel, Jacky packed up her three children and headed to Kananga to attend college and seminary
CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission:
January 25 / Best andWorst of today by returning team members

January 25 / Best andWorst of today by returning team members

"A note from Betsy….if you notice the blog entries look a little different they are..to make it a little easier on me, the keeper of the blog, a team member will write the happenings of the day and post them on facebook. Then I will copy and paste them to this blog." (more)

CLICK HERE to visit Mercy Trips' blog.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 2, 2011

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), two young Presbyterian pastors, Pastor Albert Kabwe wa Muela and Pastor Probe Augustine Mukendi Kabongo, with their wives, Godilieve and Helene, sensed God calling them to take action against AIDS.
CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Word from Uganda: "2010 in Review at LCH"

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 ...

2010 in Review at LCH

"God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good. And that is His nature," Natalie writes.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post

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

Mercy Trips Uganda Mission:
January 24 / First Impressions

January 24 / First Impressions

"Here are some initial impressions and stories of “how I got here” from all of our first time team members." (more)

CLICK HERE to visit Mercy Trips' blog.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 1, 2011

Kihumo Parish is only a short distance from Nairobi, but its environment is dramatically different from the crowded, polluted city where upscale malls and thriving businesses mask the poverty of most Kenyans. The tin-roofed houses and small farms sprawl up and down steep hillsides. A maze of narrow pathways enables the residents to visit each other and walk to the market about two kilometers away.
CLICK HERE to read more.