Lodoi Development: "Community Health Education"

Lodoi Development Fund (LDF) is a Ugandan Non-Government Organisation (NGO) working in Pallisa District in Eastern Uganda. LDF is working to provide a better life for people, most especially children and women, in rural communities. LDF initiates different programmes in the project area to help improve the lives of community members ...

... one of those programmes is Community Health Education.

Lodoi Development reports that, "LDF found many of the diseases treated at the hospital were preventable, and so LDF embarked on a Community Health programme in two neighbouring sub counties (namely Kakoro & Kabwangasi Sub Counties), training Peer Health Educators from the area, who disseminated health prevention messages to the community."
CLICK HERE to learn more about Community Health Education, and the Lodoi Development Fund

In the News ... "Cowboy Church Supports Our Troops"

Shelly Childers
Reporter
KOSA-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - It's an unconventional church, with very traditional values. And at the West Texas Cowboy Church just because you dress a little differently doesn't mean you pray with less passion, love with less heart and it certainly doesn't mean you're any less patriotic.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the KMID story.

Pack the House for MAAS

Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support, Inc. (MAAS) has organized "Broadway in the Basin" for over ten years, as the organization's premier annual fundraising event. This year, MAAS welcomes former Midlander Eddie Pleasant back home to perform his newly-created show, "Sincerely, Nat - The Life & Music of Nat 'King' Cole," currently touring nationwide. The 2009 annual gala takes place Thursday, October 29th at the historic Yucca Theatre in downtown Midland. The evening is a benefit for the Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support, Inc. (MAAS).

“Everybody knows his music,” Pleasant said in this report from the Midland Reporter-Telegram. “I’m not impersonating the man. I’m paying homage to him as a human being. I do sing a good 20 to 30 minutes of his music, but a lot of what I’m going to present is just his story.”
Read the rest of Pleasant's story in the MRT

General admission $20. Sponsor tickets range from $1500 Platinum for 8 tickets and 24drink coupons to $250 Bronze for 2 tickets and 2 drink coupons. All sponsors will receive a pre-party invitation (6:30 p.m.). For more information, and reservations, please call MAAS at 684-7821, extension 123.

Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support (MAAS) was founded to counsel, comfort and support individuals with HIV/AIDS and their families. The story of MAAS will always be the story of Judy Warren, MAAS founder, and her brother Larry Yates, who changed lives as he died and forced a community to look at itself.

MAAS programs benefit people living with HIV/AIDS by providing benevolent assistance, but also provides patients and their families with emotional support by hosting the only HIV/AIDS support group in the Midland/Odessa area. In addition to weekly support group meetings and a variety of other ongoing services and events, MAAS also developed and delivers HIV/AIDS prevention education to public schools, conferences and a wide variety of public forums.

MAAS is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization funded by donations from concerned individuals and foundations. Services are confidential and free of charge. Contributions are tax deductible. For more information, please contact:
Judy Warren - Executive Director
Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support,Inc.(MAAS)
800 W. Texas Street
Midland, Texas 79701
(432) 520-3055
(432) 684-7821

In the News ... "Mighty Men"

Roy Waggoner
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - They may not be as famous as the Promise Keepers, but for a group of Odessa men, the goal is the same: strengthen men’s leadership in church, at home and in the community.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.

Midland group: Beijing Christian pastors family calls for his safe return, requests prayer

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: Beijing Christian pastors family calls for his safe return, requests prayer

Released by ChinaAid, September, 2009 ...

"BEIJING, CHINA – ChinaAid received a letter from the Hua family, urging fellow believers to pray for Pastor Hua Huiqi's release and safe return."
Read the Letter and the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

Pack the House for MAAS

Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support, Inc. (MAAS) has organized "Broadway in the Basin" for over ten years, as the organization's premier annual fundraising event. This year, MAAS welcomes former Midlander Eddie Pleasant back home to perform his newly-created show, "Sincerely, Nat - The Life & Music of Nat 'King' Cole," currently touring nationwide. The 2009 annual gala takes place Thursday, October 29th at the historic Yucca Theatre in downtown Midland. The evening is a benefit for the Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support, Inc. (MAAS).

“Everybody knows his music,” Pleasant said in this report from the Midland Reporter-Telegram. “I’m not impersonating the man. I’m paying homage to him as a human being. I do sing a good 20 to 30 minutes of his music, but a lot of what I’m going to present is just his story.”
Read the rest of Pleasant's story in the MRT

General admission $20. Sponsor tickets range from $1500 Platinum for 8 tickets and 24drink coupons to $250 Bronze for 2 tickets and 2 drink coupons. All sponsors will receive a pre-party invitation (6:30 p.m.). For more information, and reservations, please call MAAS at 684-7821, extension 123.

Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support (MAAS) was founded to counsel, comfort and support individuals with HIV/AIDS and their families. The story of MAAS will always be the story of Judy Warren, MAAS founder, and her brother Larry Yates, who changed lives as he died and forced a community to look at itself.

MAAS programs benefit people living with HIV/AIDS by providing benevolent assistance, but also provides patients and their families with emotional support by hosting the only HIV/AIDS support group in the Midland/Odessa area. In addition to weekly support group meetings and a variety of other ongoing services and events, MAAS also developed and delivers HIV/AIDS prevention education to public schools, conferences and a wide variety of public forums.

MAAS is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization funded by donations from concerned individuals and foundations. Services are confidential and free of charge. Contributions are tax deductible. For more information, please contact:
Judy Warren - Executive Director
Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support,Inc.(MAAS)
800 W. Texas Street
Midland, Texas 79701
(432) 520-3055
(432) 684-7821

West Texas Mission Opportunities: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 message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

"From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in-we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we're telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us."

"We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!"

1 John 1:1-4, from The Message/Remix
by Eugene Peterson

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

Can you put yourself in the place of the recipients* of this letter? What an amazing gift to receive an eyewitness account of Jesus' life and ministry! I loved the Apostle John's invitation to experience communion with God and Jesus Christ and that we would find great joy in this relationship.

Would you pray with me this week for the children of our world who do not know of this joyful relationship with God? Let's pray together for their communion with Christ and joy in him. For their joy will surely double ours!

On Wednesday, October 28, 2009, we will pray for the children of the world and their relationship with God. Please join us in the Bride's Room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland at 11:30 a.m. for prayer and afterwards for lunch ($5) and fellowship.

If you have concerns or celebrations about children that you’d like included on the prayer list, please send it to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call. Thank you for keeping the children of our communities and our world held close in prayer!

Joyfully yours,

Chris

* This epistle is commonly attributed to John, the beloved disciple [John 21:20] of Jesus Christ and was thought to have been written to churches near Ephesus in the province of Asia, which is now modern Turkey. http://bible.org/seriespage/non-pauline-epistles

In the News ... "MAAS offers support to families, counseling to AIDS patients"

By Megan Lea Buck
Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Judy Warren used to describe herself as a “shy, people-pleasing person.” That began to change in 1991 when she started a support group for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. The group began meeting at First Presbyterian Church.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Midland Group Offers "Prayer Band That Started a Revolution"

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.

Issued by ChinaAid ...

This prayer band has been declared illegal in China.

Chinese police have stopped people on the streets and taken the bands off their wrists. Some have been interrogated and arrested; at least three families were evicted from their homes—for the government, the prayer band is a symbol of revolution.

We thank everyone across the U.S. and around the world who answered the call to wear a "Pray for China" prayer band and pray during the Olympics. Your willingness to stand with Chinese house church Christians encouraged them as they also wore prayer bands and prayed for their country. Their commitment came with a cost. Read more.

Yet, house church Christians refuse to be intimidated. They say that prayer for China is even more critical now that the world is no longer watching. Persecution has increased. Will you join in this revolution of prayer for China?

"They can arrest me or put me in prison, but I'm not going to stop praying for China. Although the prayer band is banned in China, prayer can never be banned. I am asking every Christian to support believers in China by wearing a prayer band." - a prominent house church leader

At this crucial time, will you partner in prayer? And, will you please forward this information to others who will want to pray for the persecuted in China.

» Click here to order a China Prayer Band

Word from Uganda: "Another Home in Mbale"

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 ...

Another Home in Mbale ...
"There is another orphanage/Home in Mbale that I have gotten to visit a handful of times. St. Kazito's is different from LCH in that they deal with the really young ones. They have around 40 kids that have been brought to them. Also different from LCH, they don't keep kids beyond 4 years old and try to reintegrate the kids they have been helping back into their family once they reach this age. It is run by the local Catholic church.”

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

In the News ... "Odessa CFC Releasing CD"

Roy Waggoner
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Officials at Odessa Christian Faith Center want a biblical message heard somewhere besides Sunday morning sermons. In fact, they wouldn’t mind if people were to tune in on a daily basis. OCFC has its own audio editing equipment, and music minister Lowell Hohstadt has put it in overtime use during the past year as the church compiled a CD of its own worship music.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.

'Empty Bowls' in the Tall City Tonight

An especially good fundraiser is making its way to the Tall City this week, and I hope you'll do your part to fill-up some empty bowls.

Midland first 'Empty Bowls' event takes place Friday, October 23, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, 4000 W. Loop 250 North. Proceeds raised benefit the West Texas Food Bank.
CLICK HERE to read more on this story from the MRT

For $10, you receive a hand-made ceramic bowl (created by local art students) and dinner (soup and bread). Accompanying your dinner will be music by the Odessa High School orchestra and the UTPB jazz band.

Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort to raise money and awareness in an effort to end hunger and food insecurity. Each group that participates in the Empty Bowls project works with their community to create their own event.

According to Empty Bowl's Wikipedia entry, "Art teacher John Hartom initiated the project during in 1990-91 when he joined a drive to raise charitable funds in his Michigan community. Hartom's idea was to organize a charitable event to give artists and art students a way to make a personal difference. Hartom's students made ceramic bowls in their high school art classes. The finished products were then used as individual serving pieces for a fund-raising meal of soup and bread. Contributing guests kept the empty bowl. During the next year, Hartom and other participants developed this concept into 'Empty Bowls.'”

I've participated in Empty Bowls before, at the UTPB C.E.E.D. Building between Odessa and Midland, and later in Odessa. This is the first year that they are having events in both cities. It's a wonderful event, and leaves you with a lasting memento ... and a reminder that some bowls out there are still empty.

Won't you please do your part to fill those bowls.

Lodoi Development: "Nutrition Program"

Lodoi Development Fund (LDF) is a Ugandan Non-Government Organisation (NGO) working in Pallisa District in Eastern Uganda. LDF is working to provide a better life for people, most especially children and women, in rural communities. LDF initiates different programmes in the project area to help improve the lives of community members ...

... one of those programmes is Nutrition Program.

Lodoi Development reports that, "Uganda Women, Infant & Children (UWIC) was initiated by Lodoi Developmental Fund (LDF), Kanginima Hosipital in 2008. This program was to address the serious problem of malnutrition rampant in the villages of developing countries like Uganda."
CLICK HERE to learn more about Nutrition Program, and the Lodoi Development Fund

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Upward Basketball & Cheerleading

There are some for whom the word "mission" conjures up images of travels to the far side of the world for extended periods of time ... but that is NOT always the case. There are opportunities going on in your community - right here, right now - that have a genuine need for someone with exactly your skills, and exactly your schedule.

One is Upward Basketball & Cheerleading, which kicks-off its 2009 season in West Texas, in just a couple of months - though registration is under way NOW.

Upward introduces children to Jesus Christ by creating opportunities to serve through sports. Upward is a fun, reliable, passionate and encouraging sports experience for boys and girls, in K5 through sixth grade. Upward provides first class, organized and detailed sports programming. Unique aspects of Upward include an evaluation system that promotes equal and competitive teams as well as a substitution system which allows for equal playing time for all participants.Through Upward, children are exposed to quality coaching and sport development. Upward emphasizes character and integrity instead of a “win at all costs” mentality associated with today’s sports world.

And, NO, you don't have to be a member of a church in order to participate!

There are all kinds of ways you can help the Upward program in your community ... all kinds of ways you can become a West Texas Missioner. You can be a coach, or an assistant, a referee or a timekeeper. You may also choose to present a brief devotional to the audience during the halftimes, while the teams are resting and getting ready for the next round of play. Your focus can be current events, a piece of Scripture from the Bible, or sports. You can compose your own, or work from guidelines that participating churches will provide you.

You can also help by signing-up your child, then heading to the game and cheering for everyone on the floor!

In Midland, there are programs at First Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church.

In Odessa, there are programs at First Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church and First Church of the Nazarene.

And in Lamesa, there is a program at First Baptist Church. This church's Upward Soccer program is already under way.

'Empty Bowls' in the Tall City This Friday

An especially good fundraiser is making its way to the Tall City this week, and I hope you'll do your part to fill-up some empty bowls.

Midland first 'Empty Bowls' event takes place Friday, October 23, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, 4000 W. Loop 250 North. Proceeds raised benefit the West Texas Food Bank.
CLICK HERE to read more on this story from the MRT

For $10, you receive a hand-made ceramic bowl (created by local art students) and dinner (soup and bread). Accompanying your dinner will be music by the Odessa High School orchestra and the UTPB jazz band.

Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort to raise money and awareness in an effort to end hunger and food insecurity. Each group that participates in the Empty Bowls project works with their community to create their own event.

According to Empty Bowl's Wikipedia entry, "Art teacher John Hartom initiated the project during in 1990-91 when he joined a drive to raise charitable funds in his Michigan community. Hartom's idea was to organize a charitable event to give artists and art students a way to make a personal difference. Hartom's students made ceramic bowls in their high school art classes. The finished products were then used as individual serving pieces for a fund-raising meal of soup and bread. Contributing guests kept the empty bowl. During the next year, Hartom and other participants developed this concept into 'Empty Bowls.'”

I've participated in Empty Bowls before, at the UTPB C.E.E.D. Building between Odessa and Midland, and later in Odessa. This is the first year that they are having events in both cities. It's a wonderful event, and leaves you with a lasting memento ... and a reminder that some bowls out there are still empty.

Won't you please do your part to fill those bowls.

Midland group reports threats continue against pastor of Christian church

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 threats continue against pastor of Christian church

Released by ChinaAid, September, 2009 ...

"GUANZHOU, CHINA – At noon on September 3, 2009, the administrative reconsideration office in Zhuhai notified Pastor Wang Dao of Guangzhou Liangren Church that the Guanzhou court had ruled in favor of his application for reconsideraton on behalf of the church, and requested he come to the office to pick up the award. At 5:00 PM, four public security officials came to his home in Donghai Garden Community, and requested that he join them for an investigation in Luoxi Police station. They claimed they were from Guangzhou Bureau of Public Security, but when Pastor Wang demanded they show him the warrant of investigation, they could not furnish one. Instead, they instructed him to 'lighten up,' claiming they just 'wanted to talk.' The security officials then took Pastor Wang to the residential police office and 'conversed' with him for two hours."
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

Please Take Note

Here is a wonderful way to spread the news ... AND spread the WORD. Notecards bearing images created by orphans of the Lulwanda Children's Home of Uganada, are now on sale at First Presbyterian Church of Midland. A packet of eight 51/2" x 3" cards, printed on heavy card stock, with envelopes, costs $10 and all of the proceeds from the sale goes to Lulwanda Children's Home.
All of the images that appear on the cards were created by the children this summer, when they were visited by FPC's 2008 Uganada Mission Team. You can choose from full-color landscapes, black-and white barnyard animals, or variable-color native plants from this region of Uganda. First Presbyterian Church is located on the northwest corner of Texas and A streets, on the west edge of downtown Midland, please use the Texas Street entrance near the intersection. The church office is open Monday through Friday, from eight o'clock in the morning until five o'clock in the afternoon. For more information, please call First Prez-Midland at (432) 684-7821.

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 3 and 12.

Before coming to Lulwanda Children’s Home, many of these children had no one to care for them, while others were living in desperate conditions with aging and overburdened grandparents. Now the children are thriving in a healthy, nurturing environment. The children not only live at Lulwanda, they also attend primary school on site, learning basic life skills, English, math, and a variety of other subjects. Pre-school, kindergarten, and first through fifth grades are held simultaneously for five hours daily, five days per week. The children receive regular medical care, nutritious meals, and lots of outdoor play time – all in a warm family environment that promotes bonding between the children, their house mothers, and the rest of the staff members

Facilities at the Lulwanda Children’s Home include boys’ and girls’ dormitories and bathhouses, living / dining areas, 6 classrooms, a large playground, a kitchen, laundry room, and a garden which provides some of the food for the Home. A 10 acre farm was recently acquired and food crops are being grown and harvested. The Home Administrator lives on site, as do the four housemothers.

CLICK HERE to view or download a 2 page color tri-fold brochure about Lulwanda, in PDF format.

Word from Uganda: "End of Term 2 Holiday"

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 ...

End of Term 2 Holiday ...
"As most of you know, we have started Term 3 this week. The kids are glad to be back at school but had a fun holiday. I did too. Holiday is the chance for me to catch up on the things that I have not had time to do during the school year. Like participating in the summer missions. There was an open air crusade held the first week of holidays. I was able to participate in doing hut-to-hut evangelism.”

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

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Upward Basketball & Cheerleading

There are some for whom the word "mission" conjures up images of travels to the far side of the world for extended periods of time ... but that is NOT always the case. There are opportunities going on in your community - right here, right now - that have a genuine need for someone with exactly your skills, and exactly your schedule.

One is Upward Basketball & Cheerleading, which kicks-off its 2009 season in West Texas, in just a couple of months - though registration is under way NOW.

Upward introduces children to Jesus Christ by creating opportunities to serve through sports. Upward is a fun, reliable, passionate and encouraging sports experience for boys and girls, in K5 through sixth grade. Upward provides first class, organized and detailed sports programming. Unique aspects of Upward include an evaluation system that promotes equal and competitive teams as well as a substitution system which allows for equal playing time for all participants.Through Upward, children are exposed to quality coaching and sport development. Upward emphasizes character and integrity instead of a “win at all costs” mentality associated with today’s sports world.

And, NO, you don't have to be a member of a church in order to participate!

There are all kinds of ways you can help the Upward program in your community ... all kinds of ways you can become a West Texas Missioner. You can be a coach, or an assistant, a referee or a timekeeper. You may also choose to present a brief devotional to the audience during the halftimes, while the teams are resting and getting ready for the next round of play. Your focus can be current events, a piece of Scripture from the Bible, or sports. You can compose your own, or work from guidelines that participating churches will provide you.

You can also help by signing-up your child, then heading to the game and cheering for everyone on the floor!

In Midland, there are programs at First Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church.

In Odessa, there are programs at First Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church and First Church of the Nazarene.

And in Lamesa, there is a program at First Baptist Church. This church's Upward Soccer program is already under way.

In the News ... "No Shortage at 'Pumpkin Patch Church'"

Stephanie Sobic
Reporter
KMID-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Certain parts of the country are dealing with a pumpkin shortage, is West Texas on the list? One local pumpkin patch - St. Lukes United Methodist Church - told us not to be scared.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the KMID story.