Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... TODAY

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

Invitation to Prayer ... TODAY

Hi Friends,

If you're in town and free, please join us to pray together on Wednesday - TODAY - at 11:00 a.m., in the gym conference room at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas.

Please note the new time. We are trying this for one semester so that we have less time conflict with the new women's Bible study that is starting on Wednesdays at 11:30.

Also, Faces of Children is now on Facebook! I invite you to like our page so that you can see regular stories, prayer needs, and updates from partner ministries.

All the best,

Carrie

---

See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
Isaiah 49:16a

Dear Intercessors,

This week, I wrote half of this email before the Texas church shooting, and I was going to focus on being seen. When we see people for who they really are -- the way God sees them -- we sometimes can help them see themselves more clearly. And this is certainly true for children. So many children around the world live in circumstances where they are not shown their preciousness and value and worth; they are discarded and mistreated, abused and used, shamed and mocked, but not treasured. In spite of this dark reality, God says he has our names written on the palm of his hands. He knows us. He sees us. He treasures us. I found two stories this week that I thought exemplified people living with the "eyes of God." The first, a group of teachers committed to really seeing their students. The second, a little girl who didn't just see another child's disabilities, but looked past and saw a potential friend instead. I thought as we read these stories, we could thank God for moments like these; moments when humanity is at our best, seeing each other as brothers and sisters and precious children; calling forth the best within each other.

And as we praise him, we can also pray for the victims of the Sutherland Springs shootings. Surely God has their names written on the palms of his hands, too, and he grieves over each lost life. Please pray for the families of these victims, many of whom lost young children in the violence.

And finally, please join me in praying for our church's Thailand Mission Team this week as well. They are visiting our partner ministries in the country and spending time getting to know the names and faces of children and families we support. Pray for their time to deepen connections with our ministry partners and help share the love of God with all they meet.

Edutopia Photo by Christian Amundson

NEVADA // The Power of Being Seen

ne Nevada school has found a unique approach to improving student performance and graduation rates. They are learning all their students' names. Watch the video below, and read the article to learn more about the power of being seen. Join me in praising God for the strides this school is taking to really get to know their students; not satisfied just in surface level knowledge, but digging deeper into the hearts, minds, and stories of the kids in their classrooms. Pray for other educators to have the perseverance and passion to pursue this type of connection as well, and pray for students to open up.


USA // To The Red-Haired Girl At The Splash Pad Who Asked About My Daughter With Down Syndrome

Photo by Michelle Odland

"You walked to me, shivering in the air, soaking wet. And you smiled this beautiful, crooked smile with your front teeth missing. I smiled back. And you sat next to me and watched my daughter again. Here is where I brace myself as a mom. My daughter has Down Syndrome. She's non verbal and has some autistic tendencies. She doesn't know how to relate to other kids, sometimes doesn't mind just watching others. Some kids watch it and ignore it. Some kids ask questions. What is wrong with her? Why doesn't she talk? Why is she mean? (If she pushes somebody too close to her out of the way) Why is she yelling? As her family we are used to it. The kids she has gone to school with for the past few years know her quirks. But "strange" children are rarely accepting of a child with special needs. Especially when she's nine and doesn't speak. So I braced myself when you looked up to me. Because even though you look so sweet I get tired of explaining my daughter's quirks. It hurts every time I have to explain that my child has special needs. "Is that your daughter?" you asked. I said yes. "What is her name?"
Learn more here ...

Praise God for a little girl who saw through differences and asked a question to build a relationship. Let's ask God to strengthen and encourage families with children who have visible differences, special needs, or stand out for any reason whatsoever. Pray God surrounds those children with good friends and community who sees the heart of who they are.

Praying with you,
Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153

---

If you have prayer requests about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to info@facesofchildren.net

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

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

Courtesy Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 8, 2017

JOAN FENG NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT GRANT - The legacy of a woman known for her dedication to Presbyterian mission is living on through Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) grants that bear her name ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Partners Blog: "Humanity"

Steve and Oddny Gumaer started Partners Relief and Development in response to the needs of refugees and displaced people from Burma, and now in the Middle East, as well. Their mission is to demonstrate, through holistic action, God’s love to children and communities made vulnerable by war in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and other conflict zones.

Partners Relief and Development Photo

Humanity

Over the last few days I have heard many horrendous stories of what human beings can do to each other. Some of this is simply too disturbing to write here. Yesterday we we sat down with a small group of Rohingya women who had arrived in Bangladesh 3 days prior. As soon as they entered the small dimly lit room I knew that these women had suffered massive trauma, you could see it in their eyes and they way their carried themselves ...

• read the rest of this post ...

---

Partners Relief and Development is a registered charity in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. "We’re a small, grassroots nonprofit passionate about making a big impact in communities affected by conflict and oppression, demonstrating God’s love to children and giving them the opportunity to live free, full lives." For more information aboput Partners, visit their website at partners.ngo/

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... Tomorrow

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

Invitation to Prayer ... Tomorrow

Hi Friends,

If you're in town and free, please join us to pray together on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., in the gym conference room at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas.

Please note the new time. We are trying this for one semester so that we have less time conflict with the new women's Bible study that is starting on Wednesdays at 11:30.

Also, Faces of Children is now on Facebook! I invite you to like our page so that you can see regular stories, prayer needs, and updates from partner ministries.

All the best,

Carrie

---

See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
Isaiah 49:16a

Dear Intercessors,

This week, I wrote half of this email before the Texas church shooting, and I was going to focus on being seen. When we see people for who they really are -- the way God sees them -- we sometimes can help them see themselves more clearly. And this is certainly true for children. So many children around the world live in circumstances where they are not shown their preciousness and value and worth; they are discarded and mistreated, abused and used, shamed and mocked, but not treasured. In spite of this dark reality, God says he has our names written on the palm of his hands. He knows us. He sees us. He treasures us. I found two stories this week that I thought exemplified people living with the "eyes of God." The first, a group of teachers committed to really seeing their students. The second, a little girl who didn't just see another child's disabilities, but looked past and saw a potential friend instead. I thought as we read these stories, we could thank God for moments like these; moments when humanity is at our best, seeing each other as brothers and sisters and precious children; calling forth the best within each other.

And as we praise him, we can also pray for the victims of the Sutherland Springs shootings. Surely God has their names written on the palms of his hands, too, and he grieves over each lost life. Please pray for the families of these victims, many of whom lost young children in the violence.

And finally, please join me in praying for our church's Thailand Mission Team this week as well. They are visiting our partner ministries in the country and spending time getting to know the names and faces of children and families we support. Pray for their time to deepen connections with our ministry partners and help share the love of God with all they meet.

Edutopia Photo by Christian Amundson

NEVADA // The Power of Being Seen

ne Nevada school has found a unique approach to improving student performance and graduation rates. They are learning all their students' names. Watch the video below, and read the article to learn more about the power of being seen. Join me in praising God for the strides this school is taking to really get to know their students; not satisfied just in surface level knowledge, but digging deeper into the hearts, minds, and stories of the kids in their classrooms. Pray for other educators to have the perseverance and passion to pursue this type of connection as well, and pray for students to open up.


USA // To The Red-Haired Girl At The Splash Pad Who Asked About My Daughter With Down Syndrome

Photo by Michelle Odland

"You walked to me, shivering in the air, soaking wet. And you smiled this beautiful, crooked smile with your front teeth missing. I smiled back. And you sat next to me and watched my daughter again. Here is where I brace myself as a mom. My daughter has Down Syndrome. She's non verbal and has some autistic tendencies. She doesn't know how to relate to other kids, sometimes doesn't mind just watching others. Some kids watch it and ignore it. Some kids ask questions. What is wrong with her? Why doesn't she talk? Why is she mean? (If she pushes somebody too close to her out of the way) Why is she yelling? As her family we are used to it. The kids she has gone to school with for the past few years know her quirks. But "strange" children are rarely accepting of a child with special needs. Especially when she's nine and doesn't speak. So I braced myself when you looked up to me. Because even though you look so sweet I get tired of explaining my daughter's quirks. It hurts every time I have to explain that my child has special needs. "Is that your daughter?" you asked. I said yes. "What is her name?"
Learn more here ...

Praise God for a little girl who saw through differences and asked a question to build a relationship. Let's ask God to strengthen and encourage families with children who have visible differences, special needs, or stand out for any reason whatsoever. Pray God surrounds those children with good friends and community who sees the heart of who they are.

Praying with you,
Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153

---

If you have prayer requests about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to info@facesofchildren.net

In the News ... "Local ministers offer perspectives"

Austin American-Statesman Photo by Nick Wagner

• Ministers say churches must oppose the world’s evil

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Local ministers’ reactions to Sunday’s mass shooting at a church near San Antonio ranged from dismay and heartache to calls for enhanced security.

Monsignor James Bridges of Midland and the Revs. Vernon Groce, Tim Halstead and Larry Hood of Odessa said the tragedy was a reminder that evil is ever-present ...

• read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

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

Photo by Robyn Davis Sekula

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 7, 2017

STEWARDSHIP KALEIDOSCOPE CONFERENCE - Nonprofits are doing a better job than most churches of compelling people to support their work, says Adam Copeland, a noted stewardship expert. He believes churches need to work harder at telling the stories of their work and the ways the church impacts lives, and ensure church members make the spiritual connection to giving ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From @chinaaid : "China takes aim at churches with new plans to force registration"

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.

China Aid File Photo

China takes aim at churches with new plans to force registration
Distributed by ChinaAid, September, 2017 ...

MIDLAND, TEXAS – An organization affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party published a report on Sept. 8 detailing how the government planned suppress and control churches ...

• more on this story from China Aid

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... Wednesday

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

Invitation to Prayer ... Wednesday

Hi Friends,

If you're in town and free, please join us to pray together on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., in the gym conference room at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas.

Please note the new time. We are trying this for one semester so that we have less time conflict with the new women's Bible study that is starting on Wednesdays at 11:30.

Also, Faces of Children is now on Facebook! I invite you to like our page so that you can see regular stories, prayer needs, and updates from partner ministries.

All the best,

Carrie

---

See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
Isaiah 49:16a

Dear Intercessors,

This week, I wrote half of this email before the Texas church shooting, and I was going to focus on being seen. When we see people for who they really are -- the way God sees them -- we sometimes can help them see themselves more clearly. And this is certainly true for children. So many children around the world live in circumstances where they are not shown their preciousness and value and worth; they are discarded and mistreated, abused and used, shamed and mocked, but not treasured. In spite of this dark reality, God says he has our names written on the palm of his hands. He knows us. He sees us. He treasures us. I found two stories this week that I thought exemplified people living with the "eyes of God." The first, a group of teachers committed to really seeing their students. The second, a little girl who didn't just see another child's disabilities, but looked past and saw a potential friend instead. I thought as we read these stories, we could thank God for moments like these; moments when humanity is at our best, seeing each other as brothers and sisters and precious children; calling forth the best within each other.

And as we praise him, we can also pray for the victims of the Sutherland Springs shootings. Surely God has their names written on the palms of his hands, too, and he grieves over each lost life. Please pray for the families of these victims, many of whom lost young children in the violence.

And finally, please join me in praying for our church's Thailand Mission Team this week as well. They are visiting our partner ministries in the country and spending time getting to know the names and faces of children and families we support. Pray for their time to deepen connections with our ministry partners and help share the love of God with all they meet.

Edutopia Photo by Christian Amundson

NEVADA // The Power of Being Seen

ne Nevada school has found a unique approach to improving student performance and graduation rates. They are learning all their students' names. Watch the video below, and read the article to learn more about the power of being seen. Join me in praising God for the strides this school is taking to really get to know their students; not satisfied just in surface level knowledge, but digging deeper into the hearts, minds, and stories of the kids in their classrooms. Pray for other educators to have the perseverance and passion to pursue this type of connection as well, and pray for students to open up.


USA // To The Red-Haired Girl At The Splash Pad Who Asked About My Daughter With Down Syndrome

Photo by Michelle Odland

"You walked to me, shivering in the air, soaking wet. And you smiled this beautiful, crooked smile with your front teeth missing. I smiled back. And you sat next to me and watched my daughter again. Here is where I brace myself as a mom. My daughter has Down Syndrome. She's non verbal and has some autistic tendencies. She doesn't know how to relate to other kids, sometimes doesn't mind just watching others. Some kids watch it and ignore it. Some kids ask questions. What is wrong with her? Why doesn't she talk? Why is she mean? (If she pushes somebody too close to her out of the way) Why is she yelling? As her family we are used to it. The kids she has gone to school with for the past few years know her quirks. But "strange" children are rarely accepting of a child with special needs. Especially when she's nine and doesn't speak. So I braced myself when you looked up to me. Because even though you look so sweet I get tired of explaining my daughter's quirks. It hurts every time I have to explain that my child has special needs. "Is that your daughter?" you asked. I said yes. "What is her name?"
Learn more here ...

Praise God for a little girl who saw through differences and asked a question to build a relationship. Let's ask God to strengthen and encourage families with children who have visible differences, special needs, or stand out for any reason whatsoever. Pray God surrounds those children with good friends and community who sees the heart of who they are.

Praying with you,
Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153

---

If you have prayer requests about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to info@facesofchildren.net

In the News ... "Local churches evaluate security after church shooting"

KOSA Photo

• A good shepherd is always watching closely

By Devin Sanchez, Reporter
• KOSA-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Security was definitely top of mind Sunday, for local church officials. The question being raised: where is the balance between being a welcoming environment and leaving your congregation vulnerable? One Midland priest said it can be difficult to find the balance ...

• read/watch the rest of this KOSA report 

In the News ... "Church Not Changing Security Protocol After Sutherland Springs Shooting"

KMID Photo

• Hopes tragedy makes community resources more accessible

Haylee Brooks, Reporter
• KMID-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - Sunday the deadliest mass shooting in Texas state history happened at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs.

26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley, killed 26 people and injured 20 more when he stormed the church ...

... back in the Basin, churches let their bells ring out, not letting the shooting change the tone.

Dawn Weaks, an Odessa pastor said the church is not changing any security protocols following the shooting ...

• read/watch the rest of this KMID report

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

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

Photo by Rick Jones

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 6, 2017

PRESBYTERIANS FOR EARTH CARE - Clear blue skies were on display during the opening day of the Presbyterians for Earth Care Conference at Menucha Retreat and Conference Center near Portland, Oregon. Just two weeks prior to the event, organizers were concerned that the smoke and flames from a season of wildfires would force them to find a new location ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Equal Exchange Blog ... "It's All Connected"

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

---

It's All Connected

A year ago we hosted Tomy Mathew at our first Action Forum event at Kickstand Cafe in Arlington, Mass. Tomy works with Fair Trade Alliance Kerala (FTAK), a small farmer organization in Kerala, India, that supplies cashews to Equal Exchange. FTAK was formed during the agrarian crisis that set producers in a cycle of poverty and indebtedness; farmers were not getting paid the cost of production for their crop ...

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

Equal Exchange Photo

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

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

Courtesy Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 5, 2017

FREEDOM RISING - High incarceration rates, widespread unemployment and low educational attainment among African-American young men have led some observers to call them a “lost generation.” However, the Rev. Mary Susan Pisano rejects this description.

“I don’t believe anybody is lost,” says Pisano, co-moderator of Western Reserve Presbytery’s Race Action Network ...

• 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.

Photo by Gwenda Fletcher

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 4, 2017

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - Aware that educational mission played a key role in their native land’s development, members of the Korean Presbyterian Church in Fresno, California, want to strengthen Presbyterian education in the Democratic Republic of Congo ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From ServLife International ... "Mary's Passion"

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.

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ServLife Photo

Mary's Passion

When it comes to building global community, there is perhaps no better example than Mary Davis. When Mary passed away in 2014, she left a legacy of compassion, advocacy and selflessness. An attorney in Cleveland, she heard about ServLife in 2009 at Church of the Good Shepherd. She was so moved by the people of Nepal and ServLife’s microfinance program, that she soon began traveling to Thingan, Nepal and helped raise enough money to bring the microfinance program to the small village ...

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post from ServLife ...

---

 
From Adam Nevins
Executive Director
ServLife International Inc.


Join Our Mission

ServLife International propels reconciliation and justice by building global community to plant churches, care for children and fight poverty. Compelled by the message, life and love of Jesus Christ, we seek to care for the spiritual, physical, social, and economic areas of life in northern India and Nepal.  Learn more about our latest news, featured stories, and how to get involved at servlife.org

Support a Pastor Our church planters spread the love of Christ in some of the most difficult environments in the world. • Support Them ...	Sponsor a Child For only $30 per month you can help give a child food, education, care and, most importantly, hope. • Sponsor Now ...	Fight Poverty The HOPE Fund, our micro-finance program, provides start-up funds for a small business, paving a way out of poverty for families in need. • Learn More ...

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ServLife International, Inc.
P.O. Box 20596
Indianapolis, IN 46220
USA

From @FWMission ...Friday Story: "Why Does He Need Another Wheelchair?"

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.

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FWM Photo

Friday Story: "Why Does He Need Another Wheelchair?"

José lives in a seaside village along the Pacific coast of Ecuador.

Every morning since he was 12 years old, José would head out to sea on a fishing boat to earn a living, having learned the trade from his father and grandfather.

He was working hard to provide for his wife and children when, one day, violent waves pummeled his boat, causing a spinal injury that left him immobilized ...

• read the rest of this story ...

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.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 3, 2017

MINUTE FOR MISSION: WORLD COMMUNITY DAY - After World War II, denominational leaders felt called to promote unity. In 1943, they established World Community Day, a day set aside for ecumenical study and prayer. Many denominations were doing their own justice and peace work, but leadership determined that one day of joint study would strengthen unity among them ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Midland College students holding Thanksgiving food drive

• Benefiting local church food pantry

This week, the Student Government Association at Midland Collegeand and MC's Chaparral Golf team kicked-off their annual canned food drive in support of local families who may experience difficulty during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

The drive will benefit the food pantry at First Christian Church of Midland.

You will notice large blue barrels about campus where you are encouraged to leave non-perishable food items.

The canned food drive will run until Monday, November 20.

Thank you again for your continued support of these missions! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Taneekwa Hurdle
Student Activities Coordinator
(432) 685-4543
• thurdle@midland.edu

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 Charles Johnson

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 2, 2017

CHASEFU, ZAMBIA - In Zambia, most people are farmers, regardless of whether they have another profession — and this includes pastors. For the majority, the thought of zinja, or hunger season, is never far away. Many people in Zambia are smallholder, or subsistence, farmers who grow the staple crop, maize (corn), with which the mainstay of the Zambian diet, nshima, is prepared ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

WAW Wednesday ... "Christmas is Coming"

"The Word at Work is a ministry that mobilizes churches and individuals to answer God's call to minister to those in need," writes Rev. Tim Tam, Director of the Amarillo, Texas-based ministry. "Through our relationships, God reveals needs and opportunities for service. As we come along side the poor, new friendships develop and doors for ministry open. As we serve, God provides the resources to supply for the needs he reveals."

---

WAW Photo

WAW Wednesday: "Christmas is Coming"

Friends,

When my sons were little, I remember spending a lot of time selecting the perfect gifts for them. To be honest, I over-indulged them. I made sure they had an equal number of presents; I spent a lot of time worrying over each gifts' size and expense ... even counting how many little things were in each of their stockings. I made it all about the joy I felt watching their faces as they opened their gifts on Christmas morning. Am I the only one?

Then one year that changed. The boys and I had taken a few mission trips together to build homes for families in Juarez, Mexico. I'll never forget hearing my youngest say, "Mommy, going to Juarez is better than Christmas presents!" Gifts are his love language. I was stunned. I was convicted.

After that, we started doing ONE present for each of them; to represent the gift that was given to us through Christ. What a difference that made in how we celebrated Christmas!! The boys never fussed about this change, much to my surprise.

For children in Belize, gifts are not the focus of the Christmas celebration--Jesus is! There's joy in receiving an apple and banana; in the simplicity of feasting on turkey and stuffing and acting out the account of Jesus's birth ... for many, if a gift is received, it's through the local church. Families celebrate together with food, games, and JOY. That's what our Christmas Project helps make happen -- a true celebration of the greatest gift of all!

Gifts are making their way to Belize (or have already arrived) because of generous donors in the U.S. like you Thank you! These presents will be sorted and shared with our partners by our Christmas Project Team--helping each child understand how special they are to Jesus.

Our need now is funding to help make those joyful parties happen for our partners ... to purchase phone cards for inmates at Belize Central Prison so that they can hear their loved ones voices on Christmas Day ... to help provide meals for Belize Hospice & Palliative Care patients as they celebrate our Savior's birth ...

Would you help us make Christmas special by making a financial gift? Maybe you'll consider, like we did all those years ago, that too many presents distract from the true meaning of Christmas -- but making a gift in honor of a loved one to The Word at Work's Christmas Project would bring joy to our friends in Belize. We'll send a lovely card to whomever you'd like announcing your gift. Thank you for helping us spread Christmas Joy in Belize!

Please join us in making Christmas 2017 bright, beautiful, and joyful ... Thank you SO much!

---

We are very excited about celebrating 15 years of ministry to God's glory! I'm guessing some of you have photos and stories you might share with us--please send them along to me! Or feel free to share them on our Facebook page @TWAWMinistry

Does anyone recognize these faces?

Blessings,

Mollie
#wearethewordatwork

---

EDITOR'S NOTE: Speaking from my own first-hand experience - working side-by-side with Tim, Kenny and our brothers and sisters in Belize - won't you give thoughtful, prayerful consideration to supporting the efforts of Tim, the Word At Work staff and their partners? Please please fill out this Commitment Card and return it to their office!

Also, remember that you can follow The Word At Work on their Facebook page!

In the News ... “H-E-B is preparing for annual Feast of Sharing"

MRT Photo by James Durbin

• Turkey dinner with all the trimmings is event for entire community

Staff Report
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - H-E-B is gearing up to feed thousands of people at this year’s Feast of Sharing event, and while that number is large, there’s one issue the grocer persistently confronts each year.

Feast of Sharing is H-E-B’s way of saying thank you to the community it serves; however, some residents perceive the event as only for those who are food insecure. “I think any time you’re feeding large groups of people, there’s a question mark,” H-E-B’s local spokeswoman Nancy Wells told the Reporter-Telegram.

“It’s a perception that I fight,” she said.

H-E-B has found word-of-mouth effective in informing residents that Feast of Sharing is for the entire community, which Wells said particularly happens as volunteers invite others to attend. And there are a lot of volunteers in Midland who participate ...

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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 Greg Brekke

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 1, 2017

BELHAR CONFESSION - Having first visited South Africa in 1984, when the struggle against apartheid was reaching a crescendo, I was overjoyed to be present at the 222nd General Assembly (2016) when, after nearly a decade of study and debate, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) formally embraced the Confession of Belhar and acknowledged its profound capacity to illuminate our calling as followers of Christ ...

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