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 ...
Oh, Uganda
Today a friend borrowed my car to take it to LCH to pick up one of his GOATS that he wanted to give to his friend as a wedding gift. But the friend lives in Kenya so he needed the car tonight to bring his friend to his village house, pick up the goat, in order to take it across the border to Kenya tomorrow. REALLY?
CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post
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).
Guidance
A Prayer for Wholeness by Patricia B. Clark
"Lord, I have become too busy:
too busy for you,
too busy for me,
too busy for those who need me.
Gather the fragments of my scattered self.
Help me to discern what is important and what is expendable.
It is so difficult, this business of giving-of being all for you.
I am overwhelmed by its enormity and lose sight of its utter simplicity.
Show me how to let go-to give up control -
that you might draw and bend and mold and carry,
Lord, in your goodness and incomprehensible love for me,
That I may be now and ever one in you,
Gather the fragments of my scattered self.”
Women’s Uncommon Prayers; Our Lives Revealed, Nurtured, Celebrated
edited by Elizabeth Rankin Geitz, Marjorie A. Burke, Tracy J. Sukraw
A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children
Greetings, Faces of Children Intercessor,
Thank you so much for your prayers for the women (and also the few brave men) who participated in the 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Orlando, Florida last week and for the team that worked the Faces of Children booth there. Let me tell you, God heard and answered those prayers in abundance!
Hundreds and hundreds of women came through the Faces of Children exhibit booth last week and made beaded prayer prompts to remind them to pray for children. Many new prayer partners/intercessors also committed to pray for children regularly using the Faces of Children ministry materials. Will you join with me in welcoming these new prayer partners and in giving God thanks for answering these prayers so generously? Thank you!
The Faces of Children prayer group will meet on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland, with lunch ($5) and fellowship to follow.
If you have prayer concerns or celebrations 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 me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call.
Grace and peace,
Chris
By Doug Carman
Reporter
Odessa American
ODESSA, TEXAS - There is plenty of sand in the Monahans Sandhills, but Aaron Rogers said he didn’t know of a well-kept recreational sand-pit anywhere in the Permian Basin.
Whether to play volleyball, sand soccer, or even just sit down and build a sand castle or two, Rogers thought the area needed a place for that.
“I saw facilities like this (that were run) well, and they had a huge impact on the community,” Rogers said. “There’s nothing like this up to Fort Worth.”
So, with the help of New Life Church, where Rogers is a member, he opened Sandpit Sports Club in early June on a leased part of the church’s property, east of Odessa just off of Highway 80.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story
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 House Church Alliance’s 7th Anniversary Celebration came to a perfect ending, abundantly blessed by Jehovah the Lord
Distributed by ChinaAid, July, 2012 ...
NANYANG, HENAN, CHINA – On July 4, 2012, over 50 coworkers and ministry partners from across China met at Nanyang, Henan Province to jointly celebrate the 7th Anniversary of China House Church Alliance, testify to the work of the Association in difficult circumstances over the past seven years and the advancement of the Gospel in China, and give glory to the supreme true God for all accomplishments.
CLICK HERE for more on this story from China Aid
By Kathleen Petty
ReporterMidland Reporter-Telegram
MIDLAND, TEXAS - Bob Fu never imagined all that God was calling him to do. When he and his wife, Heidi, started ChinaAid Association from a Pennsylvania garage 10 years ago, their goal was to meet an immediate need, he said. A decade later, the ministry has advocated for the human rights and religious freedom of dozens of Chinese citizens. ChinaAid's staff has grown to include employees in multiple states. Hundreds of volunteers and donors have signed onto the cause. And, after Fu's involvement this year in the release of Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng, the Midland-based ministry now is recognized by nearly every major media outlet in the country, as well as by a growing number of elected officials worldwide.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 29, 2012
MINUTE FOR MISSION: PRESBYTERIAN FRONTIER FELLOWSHIP - Presbyterians are bearing fruit today. The good news of Jesus is spreading to ethnic groups around the world where the church has not had a presence. Several Presbyterian congregations have a prayer partner relationship with emerging bodies of believers in a war-torn part of Central Asia. They share prayer requests and pray regularly with each other. A Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship (PFF) staff member connected them and facilitates the relationships.
CLICK HERE to read more.
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 28, 2012
JOHN CALVIN PRESBYTERY - In 2011, John Calvin Presbytery held two mission trips sponsored by the presbytery's Disaster Assistance Team and hosted an international peacemaker. An Annual presbytery-wide leadership even, held throughout the congregations of southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas, drew record attendance. A Ministry begun by a small group of pastors, born from their desire to share faith in Christ and their love for one another as colleagues in ministry, is also bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God. John Calvin is a presbytery of 56 congregations and 6,693 members.
CLICK HERE to read more.
By Lyxan Toledanes
Reporter
Odessa American
SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - The sun was setting on the farm lands outside of San Angelo when more than 100 Catholics began to filter into the backyard of Daryl and Jeanie Schniers’ ranch home for the annual Rural Life Mass. There were five priests from surrounding parishes already present at the home, enough to capably celebrate the Mass that mid-June evening. But the group was waiting on the only man fit to conduct such a special occasion for the farmers and their families.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 27, 2012
HEARTLAND PRESBYTERY - The 102 congregations of Heartland Presbytery are the spiritual home for 20,184 Presbyterians. Heartland's congregations have been "bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God" (Col. 1:10) for a rather long time. Over a long congregational life, growth comes in spurts and fruit changes with the season, but service to Christ continues. Heartland Presbytery strives to help its congregations grow and bear fruit for generations to come.
CLICK HERE to read more.
Natalie Rolfe serves Lulwanda Children's Home in Uganda as program coordinator: organizing and coordinating the programs of the Home, school, and clinic; overseeing sponsor connection and relationships (on the side of the children); and hosting American visitors that come to the Home.
May, 2012
"As May began, children played outside and enjoyed fun and games with their friends. As May concludes, children are busy in their books and looking smart in their school uniforms."
"We are continually blessed and reminded of God’s blessing over Lulwanda Children’s Home as new contacts, interactions, and opportunities present themselves to us."
CLICK HERE to read the rest of Rolfe's May, 2012 report.
By Sara Higgins
Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram
MIDLAND, TEXAS - One church trying to feed hungry children in Midland might have to shut down its summer lunch program if it can't improve attendance within the next week. St. Paul United Methodist Church has been providing free lunches since July 2 for kids between the ages of 1 and 18, with $3 lunches available for adults. The lunches, which are served from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, are sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service program. The program intends to provide healthy meals throughout the summer for children who receive free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch during the school year.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 26, 2012
PRESBYTERY OF GIDDINGS-LOVEJOY - The Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy is committed to ministries that build up the urban core of the city. Second Presbyterian Church in St. Louis has intentionally tethered itself to the urban environment. When a lot behind Washington Montessori School, the church’s adopted school, became available, the congregation began an urban garden as a learning lab for elementary school children. Partnering with Gateway Greening, a community organization that promotes urban neighborhood vitality, an abundance of fresh vegetables and flowers were produced in raised beds.
CLICK HERE to read more.
By Lyxan Toledanes
Reporter
Odessa American
ODESSA, TEXAS - As Odessa’s population grows from the economic boom, some of the town’s religious centers are benefitting from the influx of families. Three churches on Highway 191 are in the process of expanding their education wings to accommodate more families and children.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 25, 2012
SYNOD OF MID-AMERICA - As a point of mission to encourage minister members to be attentive and intentional in creating Christian community, the synod started a pilot program, "Coaching Skills for Pastors." It intends for these leaders to experience Spirit-filled confidence, to expect change, and to encourage positive actions in their ministries and in their relationships.
CLICK HERE to read more.
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 ...
God is good, all the time!!
We are still alive and kickin', enjoying the many summer visitors that we have been blessed to host.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post
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).
Morning Prayer
Today by The Reverend Virginia Going
"Let me live today.
Let me be open to the miracle of this day.
Let me breathe the best of today.
Let me not miss the heart of today.
Let me find the gift of today,
hidden like a jewel in rubble of care, duty, and detail.
Let me pause to hear
the steady beat of the heart of God —
hoping, aching, sorrowing, expectant, patient,
despairing heart of God.
Listen, listen.
Do you hear it?
Ever so faint but steady, steady,
rhythmic organ, strong muscle,
thumping, beating, pumping, sustaining, encompassing,
wildly dancing heart of God.
Let me live this day, aware, open, listening, breathing, alive.”
Women’s Uncommon Prayers; Our Lives Revealed, Nurtured, Celebrated
edited by Elizabeth Rankin Geitz, Marjorie A. Burke, Tracy J. Sukraw
A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children
Greetings, Faces of Children Intercessor,
I’m sending out the next two weeks’ worth of prayer requests this week because I will be at the 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Orlando, Florida next week. Please keep the women (and also the few brave men) who attend, work, or volunteer at this conference in your prayers. And I’d also like to ask you to keep in prayer the Faces of Children team working our exhibit booth at this national conference. Thank you!
The Faces of Children prayer group will meet on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland, with lunch ($5) and fellowship to follow.
If you have prayer concerns or celebrations 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 me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call.
Grace and peace,
Chris
By Meagan Lea Buck
Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram
MIDLAND, TEXAS -
When Becca Roepke returned from a Christian Church of Midland mission trip to Haiti in the summer of 2010, she told her mother, Dana Roepke, about the stifling heat and the nine-hour bus ride from Port-au-Prince to the village where she stayed. When Dana Roepke asked her daughter if she'd ever want to make the trip again, Becca said she'd leave the next day if she were given the opportunity.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 24, 2012
VANUATU - Upon the independence of Vanuatu in 1980, the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu (PCV) gave nearly all the schools that they were running to the new government as a show of support and solidarity. Recent studies have shown, however, that the remaining church-run schools in the country have been doing a more effective job than those run by the government. Now the PCV is taking back nearly 80 of the schools.
CLICK HERE to read more.
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.
Lawyers, Activist Push for Investigation into “Suicide” of Long-time Jailed Christian Dissident
Distributed by ChinaAid, February, 2012 ...
BEIJING, CHINA – group of some of China’s most prominent human rights lawyers and activists have set up a “Legal and Citizens Support Group” to push for an investigation into the “suicide” of long-time jailed dissident Christian Li Wangyang.
CLICK HERE for more on this story from China Aid
By Nathaniel Miller
Reporter
Odessa American
ODESSA, TEXAS - The bishop of the Diocese of Northwest Texas of the Episcopal Church, which covers Episcopal churches in Odessa and Midland, said in a statement he supports the decision of blessing same-sex unions, but has not made it clear whether he will enforce the decision.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story
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 ...
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