Global Day of Prayer for Burma/Myanmar - Sunday March 14, 2010

Praying for Freedom in Burma

"On Sunday, March 14, 2010, people from around the world will join with the people of Burma to pray for the future of their nation."

"Dave Eubank of Christians Concerned for Burma notes, 'I met Aung San Suu Kyi in 1996 and it was her request for prayer and unity that inspired us to call people to pray and act on behalf of the people of Burma. I believe that God guides and uses people to bring about justice, to defend the cause of the fatherless, the widow, and the oppressed (Isaiah 1:17).'"

"Please join us in solidarity with the people of Burma. Pray for peace, to an end to the reign of terror in their land, and for healing and reconciliation."

"We invite you to share this call to action with your friends, family, leaders and church. Join Partners, Christians Concerned for Burma and the oppressed in Burma for an important day of unity, intervention and prayer."

CLICK HERE to download Partners' guide for a Global Day of Prayer (.pdf file)

Thank You,
Partners Relief & Development

Steve and Oddny Gumaer started Partners Relief & Development in response to the needs of refugees and displaced people from Burma.

Book Time for Marj Carpenter

Marj Carpenter of Big Spring - storyteller, author, journalist and former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church USA - will be signing copies of her latest book Thursday, March 11, from 4:30 - 6:00 pm at the Heritage Museum, 510 Scurry Street, in Big Spring.

Carpenter's life has been exciting, to say the least. Drawing upon her skills as a journalist, Carpenter traveled to more than 100 countries worldwide, documenting the global mission of the Presbyterian Church and reporting on what she found ... sometimes under conditions that were dangerous, and in societies that discouraged Christianity. Many missionaries called her their “voice.”

Her latest book, "Get Your Foot Out of the Durn Petunias," includes "stories from her childhood and through her days working for Texas newspapers, covering everything from macaroni to murder ... as a mission interpreter for the Presbyterian Church USA, she traveled into jungles where there were grass fires and snakes and angry people. She also traveled where there was love and concern and caring people. Some of her life stories are extremely humorous and some are tragic."

For more information, call (432) 267-8255.

In the News ... "Haiti Relief One Bucket at a Time"

Jennifer Samp
Reporter
KOSA-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - It doesn’t seem like much, but things like beans, rice, pasta, and peanut butter are jam packed in a bucket will help a Haitian family not worry about food for several days.

“Just amazing to me,” Pastor Gary Redwine said, “For about 40$ with the contents of just one bucket we could feed a family.”

The youth group at the Alamo Heights Baptist Church says they realize how good their quality of life really is.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the KOSA story.

Partners Blogcast: "Hope for the People of Burma"

Steve and Oddny Gumaer started Partners Relief & Development in response to the needs of refugees and displaced people from Burma. This blog is meant to be a more personal stream of conversation than newsletters allow for. The opinions expressed here may not be those of Partners Relief & Development.

Hope for the People of Burma

"I received the FBR report dated February 12 of recent events and it is easy to be discouraged. However, this week I have been reading through the book of Amos and I have been really encouraged and I share this with you all."

"Firstly, Amos 4:13 says 'He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man; He who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth – the Lord God Almighty is His name.' This is the God whose eye is on Burma. This is the God who calls us His sons. This is the God working behind the scenes on behalf of the people of Burma and on behalf of Partners!"

"Then I got to Amos 9:13-15. The context of these verses is God speaking in regards to the nation of Israel. However, the heart of God never changes. He is always true to Himself. The principles of deliverance and restoration that God is espousing in these verses is (I believe) true today for the nation of Burma. So, I don’t think God would be offended if I alter some words to fit the context of what we are involved in. Therefore, I believe God says: "

“'The days are coming, declares the Lord, when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills. I will bring back my exiled [internally displaced people of Burma]; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant [IDP's] in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them, says the Lord [their/your/our] God."

"The message puts in this way: 'They’ll rebuild their ruined [burnt] cities [villages]. They’ll plant vineyards and drink good wine. They’ll work their gardens and eat fresh vegetables. And I’ll plant them; plant them in their own land. They’ll never again be uprooted from the land I’ve given them.'”

"As I read and have re-read these passages over recent days, I have sensed this is Gods heart for Burma. So, be encouraged. This is a fight to be won; change is coming! "

"Amos 5:24, 'But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.' The days are coming when 'All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what He has done.'”

Blessings to all you amazing Partners people! Stay strong and enjoy God!"

Don Noble

In the News ... "Churches join to offer bilingual service"

By Kathleen Thurber
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS -
In an effort to grow its religious community and expand its outreach, St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church and Santa Maria Virgin Episcopal Church have joined together to offer a bilingual service.

“We’re all called to preach the good news to all nations, to all people,” said the Rev. Josie Rose, who previously led bilingual services at Santa Maria Virgin Episcopal.

The Rev. James Liggett, pastor of St. Nicholas’, agreed and said he expects to see involvement in the bilingual service — which started in February — both from new parishioners and from those who already were involved.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Word from Uganda: "February in pictures"

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 ...

February in pictures

"February has been very busy," Natalie writes. "I hope you enjoy the photos.”

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 ... "Leading the flock"

Roy Waggoner
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - The Rev. Don Fankhauser spent 26 years at Antioch Christian Church before moving to Missouri to lead another church at the end of 2009.

In stark contrast to the lengthy pastor search some churches go through, the Rev. Matt Wilson has already taken over the reins of the church in the wake of Fankhauser’s departure.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.

Midland Group: Obama, Dalai Lama Meeting Brings Hope for Stronger Human Rights Stance

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: Obama, Dalai Lama Meeting Brings Hope for Stronger Human Rights Stance

Released by ChinaAid, February, 2010 ...

"CHINA AID – On behalf of human rights defenders around the world, ChinaAid welcomes the positive exchange between the Dalai Lama and President Barack Obama on February 18, 2010. After the President refused to accept a meeting with the Tibetan religious leader last year, many of us worried that this indicated the Administration's apathy toward human rights and religious freedom. In the past we have seen a softer side to the President's pragmatic stance on international policy, but [the]meeting and recent events defending internet freedom and other security issues have shown a new trend in U.S. policy towards human rights in China."
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

In the News ... "Teacher seeks to help readers learn about faith, renew passion in lifelong Christians"

By By Megan Lea Buck
Assistant Lifestyle Editor
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Though Midlander Kathy Howard recently saw the publication of her second book, she said she doesn’t think of herself as a writer.

“I really consider myself more of a Bible teacher than a writer,” said Howard, who has a master’s degree in Christian education and serves as minister of adult education at Fannin Terrace Baptist Church. “The writing is a means to teach.”
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

From ServLife International:Electric Power Grid

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.

Electric Power Grid from servlife on Vimeo.

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 03/03/10

Afghanistan
• Please keep the children and people of southern Afghanistan in prayer as NATO leads one of the biggest offensives of this eight year old war in the militant stronghold of Marjah.
• Pray for the thousands of civilians who have fled the area and for children and families who are caught up in the fighting. Pray for those who are trapped in the area by insurgent-planted booby traps, mines, and homemade bombs. Pray for children and people who have been injured during the violence and are unable to get medical aid.
• Pray for the NATO soldiers and their families. And, as difficult as it is, pray for the insurgents. Pray for their children and their families.
• Pray for peace and justice to prevail in this turbulent area.
A report from alertnet.org
Another report from alertnet.org

Haiti
• Please continue to keep the children of Haiti before God in prayer as they struggle to adapt to life amid the rubble and debris from the January earthquake. Pray that God will provide for their needs and bring them comfort and peace. Pray for the people and leaders of this country as they begin reconstruction following one of "the most destructive natural disasters in modern times, when viewed in relation to the size of Haiti's population and its economy." (IADB study)
A report from alertnet.org
• Pray for those who are grieving the deaths of their family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and leaders. Pray for those who don't know where their loved ones are buried. An estimated 230,000 people were killed in the January 12 earthquake-what the NY Times called an "equal opportunity leveler that erased the individuality of its victims." Many were buried in mass graves without documentation.
A report from the New York Times

Kenya
• Pray for the disabled children receiving treatment at the CURE International Hospital in Kenya and for the medical staff and caregivers there. Please also pray for two boys: 12-year-old Pius and 13-year-old Nilton.

United States
• Please pray for the children of poor families in this country who lag almost a year behind their peers by the time they start school. Pray for programs that target vulnerable families and provide support and parenting classes that can help close the gap for these children.
A report from the BBC

United States/Mexico
• Give thanks to God for the arrest and prosecution of a couple who recruited Mexican women to give birth in the United States and then sold their babies there. Pray for women who are in such desperate situations that they will consider selling their babies. Pray for the babies who have already been trafficked through this scheme.
A report from MSNBC

United States
• Please pray for 3-year-old Julia as she continues recovering from a complicated surgery on her eyes. Pray for complete healing and for the success of the surgery.
• Pray for the children of military personnel being deployed soon or already serving overseas. Pray that each child is in a safe and nurturing environment while the child's mother and/or father are serving in the armed forces, especially far away. More than 10,000 single parents on active duty were deployed overseas last year.
A report from the New York Times

Faces of Children
• Give thanks to God for the opportunity to share the ministry of Faces of Children at the women's retreat at First Presbyterian Church in San Luis Obispo, California and during the Sunday worship services last week. Thanks be to God for the new Faces of Children prayer partners who committed to pray for children at risk.
• Please keep Bonnie, a Faces of Children intercessor, and her family held close in prayer as her cancer has spread. Pray that God will continue to comfort her and bring her peace during these final months.
• Please continue to pray that more churches and individuals will join with the ministry of Faces of Children in spreading awareness about children in crisis and inviting more people to pray for children at risk.

In the News ... "Church celebration"

Staff Report
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS -St. Matthew Baptist Church will celebrate 50 years in Odessa today and Saturday. The church will hold a reunion musical "Fifty Years of Spirit-Filled Music" at 7 p.m. today (Friday) at the church.

On Saturday, the church will have a dinner banquet and program at 6:30 p.m. at the MCM Eleganté Hotel, 5200 E. University Blvd. The guest speaker is the Rev. Patrick Joubert, founder of The Fellowship Church in Fort Worth.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.

Book Time for Marj Carpenter

Marj Carpenter of Big Spring - storyteller, author, journalist and former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church USA - will be signing copies of her latest book Thursday, March 11, from 4:30 - 6:00 pm at the Heritage Museum, 510 Scurry Street, in Big Spring.

Carpenter's life has been exciting, to say the least. Drawing upon her skills as a journalist, Carpenter traveled to more than 100 countries worldwide, documenting the global mission of the Presbyterian Church and reporting on what she found ... sometimes under conditions that were dangerous, and in societies that discouraged Christianity. Many missionaries called her their “voice.”

Her latest book, "Get Your Foot Out of the Durn Petunias," includes "stories from her childhood and through her days working for Texas newspapers, covering everything from macaroni to murder ... as a mission interpreter for the Presbyterian Church USA, she traveled into jungles where there were grass fires and snakes and angry people. She also traveled where there was love and concern and caring people. Some of her life stories are extremely humorous and some are tragic."

For more information, call (432) 267-8255.

In the News ... "Local Children's Grief Center Asked To Help Kids In Haiti"

Shelley Childers
Reporter
KOSA-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Midland organization known throughout the country as the experts on helping children deal with grief is asked to travel to Haiti to help kids there re-build their lives.

In the aftermath 230,000 people have been confirmed dead since disaster struck seven weeks ago. Now, Rays of Hope, a local group that helps grieving children re-start their lives, is being asked to do the same thing for children in Haiti.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the KOSA story.

Partners Blogcast: "In the midst of suffering, they laughed with us"

Steve and Oddny Gumaer started Partners Relief & Development in response to the needs of refugees and displaced people from Burma. This blog is meant to be a more personal stream of conversation than newsletters allow for. The opinions expressed here may not be those of Partners Relief & Development.

In the midst of suffering, they laughed with us

"In January 2009 I travelled on foot in North Eastern Burma with three staff members, 8 FBR relief teams, a handful of pro-democracy resistance soldiers, and a group of villagers our group paid to help carry loads of medical and relief supplies.

While I was packing for my trip, I received the following report:

On 27 December, 2008, a Burma Army soldier abducted, raped, and killed 7-year-old Ma Ne Mya of Ma Oo Bin village in the area close to Kyauk Kyi Town, Nyaunglebin District. According to a report from teams in the area, upon entering the village at around 6 pm, a soldier from LIB 350, abducted the girl and proceeded to take her outside the village and began to rape her. The soldier shot and killed her when she began to cry loudly. LIB 350 is under the command of Captain Thet Khaing.[1]

In obscure jungle ravines and discreet places in Burma, that 7-year-old girl’s family and more than 1 million people hide today from the Burma Army. I met hundreds of them. I hiked to within an hour of where 7 year old Ma Na Mye was raped and killed. They are hungry, without security, struggling to survive in pockets of fragmented families and communities. They are the survivors of burned homes, stolen property, and broken dreams. They are separated from their loved ones by patrol lines and roads constructed by the Burma Army to deliberately divide communities and village tracts from one another –often keeping them from tending their rice fields, their only means of survival. We visited their hide sites, one with as many as 697 displaced villagers, walked through the abandoned, destroyed, and land mined villages they came from, and sat sipping tepid tea from dented tin cans while hearing their stories first hand.

Right now Partners helps support 66 relief teams who are helping people like Ma Ne Mye’s family. This January alone, more than 10 more villages were burned down and 2000 villagers joined the fleeing and hiding displaced population in North Eastern Burma. Our teams are with them now with medical and material aid, praying for them and serving them –showing them, not just talking about the love of God.

Their experiences are a catalog of human misery. They described their homes being burned down, their loved ones being abused, killed, or otherwise molested by Burma Army soldiers, and the brutal end to their way of life. Many of them bear the physical scars of the abuse they described for me.

In stark contrast to their stories of suffering, these are some of the most hospitable people I have ever met. When we showed up they brought us vegetables, chickens, or dogs, very precious forms of food, for us to eat. They came to laugh with us, show off their newborn babies, and challenge us to a game of soccer. Their smiles, faith, and dedication to community were inspiring. I wanted to stay with them.

Ma Ne Mye’s mother and father don’t need my pity today as they fight to stay alive in their jungle hide site; they need my solidarity, help, and prayers. I pray that your heart is moved as mine is by the story of the people of Burma and join us in our audacious faith venture to help them and turn the tables on evil with unstoppable good. Thank you for being a part of our team and bringing bring free, full lives to the children of Burma."

Steve Gumaer

In the News ... "Freshman Schools Partner with Local Churches to Host Math TAKS Study Sessions"

Staff Report (MISD News Release)
Reporter
KOSA-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Midland Freshman and Lee Freshman math departments are partnering with local churches to provide an enjoyable way for students to prepare for the math portion of the TAKS (Texas Assessment of
Knowledge and Skills).
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the KOSA story.

In the News ... "Midlander traveling to Haiti to work with children"

By Meagan Lee
Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Director of Rays of Hope Children's Grief Centre Vicki Jay will be traveling to Mizak, Haiti, to serve with Volunteers in Mission - Global Ministries. Working directly with the children as a director for a children's camp, Jay will be part of a team consisting of other international volunteers and Haitian leaders.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Midland Group Announces Site Launch for HelpLinfen.com

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Midland Group Reports Chinese House Church Leaders Detained, Facing Administrative Detention

Released by ChinaAid, February, 2010 ...

"SHANXI PROVINCE – Before dawn on Sunday, September 13, 2009, a band of 400 government officials, police and hired ruffians launched an attack on Linfen-Fushan Church in Shanxi. With no warning, members who were sleeping at the church construction site were mercilessly beaten, with more than 30 left in critical condition. Bulldozers razed the factory and church building to the ground, and the mob looted any valuables and smashed the remaining property. Following the brutal attack, the Fushan governing officials arrested more than ten Linfen church leaders ..."

"... ChinaAid has now partnered with Esther (Yang Xue) to tell the world about the persecution of Linfen Church, with our new website, www.HelpLinfen.com"
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

Invitation to Prayer

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

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44

“What is the core message of the Gospel? It is, ‘Love your enemies.’ When you’re still dealing with all your own needs and anxieties and fears, you have to divide the world into enemies and friends. But God doesn’t do that. God showers the rain over the good as well as over the bad. God doesn’t need to divide the world into those for God and those against God because God loves each one uniquely and unconditionally. Our God wants you to do the same, but you can only do that if you believe in God’s unconditional love for you and if you are not overly dependent on human affirmation or rejection. You will be able to love your enemy precisely when you no longer need to divide the world into friends and enemies anymore.

To love your enemies is the core message of the Gospel because it is a reflection of the way God loves you."
From Fear to Love: Lenten Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

Thank you so much for continually lifting in prayer the children of the world, as well as those who care for them, have authority over them, and yes, even for those who are the enemies of children. I have a hard time with that last one. Praying for the hurting child within them is one way that has made this a little easier for me. I’d love to hear how you deal with this type of prayer struggle.

This Wednesday, we’ll lift in prayer the hurting children of the world at our weekly prayer meeting. I hope you'll be able to join us on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s Room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland, to pray for children at risk. Please join us for this time of prayer and afterwards for lunch ($5) and fellowship.

If you have prayer requests about children, those who care for them, have authority over them, or harm them, please send them to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call.

Grateful for your prayers,

Chris

In the News ... "Helping Haiti"

Roy Waggoner
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Walls fall.

It’s a fact the Rev. Daniel Stephens, pastor of Mid-Cities Community Church, said hit a group of three medical professionals and himself hard on a trip to the devastated country of Haiti earlier this month.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.