West Texas Missioner

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Word from Uganda: "Prayer Dedication and Outing"

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 ...

Prayer Dedication and Outing

Monday begins the national exam for our P7 candidates. This exam is the culmination of all of their primary studies. Today we had a prayer dedication and outing for the P7 students. It was a wonderful day.

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post

"No Room at the Inn" ... Going on NOW at Grace Presbyterian

Just a reminder that "No Room at the Inn," an annual display of nativity scenes from around the world - created from a wide variety of materials and artistic traditions - is taking place RIGHT NOW at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2801 N. Garfield Street, this Saturday, November 23.

While the nativity displays are certainly the focus of the day, there is so much more to enjoy, as well ... including festive holiday treats and plenty of warm seasonal fellowship. A silent auction is also underway. Proceeds raised by this annual event benefit Family Promise of Midland, an interfaith hospitality network and partnership of congregations around the Midland community helping families who are facing homelessness.

In the News ... "10 Year-Old Boy Helps Those Fighting Hunger One Letter at a Time"

Sarah Strackhouse, Reporter
KOSA-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - Midland - Helping those in need of food in not only a fight for adults. One young student has taken it upon himself to make a difference in his community. Ten year-old, Garrett Whitehill, saw this suffering and decided he wanted to start a drive of his own. He’s been handing out letters in his neighborhood asking for cans or donations this week.

• read/watch the rest of this story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

STOCKTON PRESBYTERY, CALIFORNIA - The year 2011 was a time of change for Stockton Presbytery, as it finished dissolving the Sierra Mission partnership. After much study, the presbytery’s mission is clear: “Stockton Presbytery exists to equip the local church to love God and each other as we make disciples of Jesus Christ.” The three priorities of the 20 congregations and their 3,510 members are the Great Commandment, the Great Commission, and the health of the local church.

CLICK HERE to read more.

THE 2014 PRESBYTERIAN MISSION YEARBOOK - Where are the young adults? How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase a copy

Friday, November 22, 2013

Get involved with NightLight International

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2

Annie Dieselberg, founder and CEO, heads the staff at NightLight, a ministry in urban Bangkok, Thailand, that reaches out to women and children working in the bar areas of the Nana-Sukhumvit district. Located in a neighborhood with a growing sex trade, Nightlight’s vision is to share the Light of the world in both word and deed to those who live in darkness, and to combat the sexual exploitation of women and children, both Thai and foreign.

There are a number of ways to get involved with NightLight International. For more details on ministry opportunities, please, contact your local office directly.

Become A NightLight Team Member

NightLight’s offices in Atlanta, Bangkok, and Branson consistently need team member assistance in many areas, including outreach, prevention programming, marketing, and business management, and can be contacted individually for more information. Our Bangkok office requires a minimum three month commitment for visiting, non-Thai volunteers.

• atl@nightlightinternational.com
• bkk@nightlightinternational.com
• branson@nightlightinternational.com

Intern

NightLight’s offices in Atlanta, Bangkok, and Branson offer internships. Contact Atlanta or Branson directly for more information.

For Bangkok, email infoism@impactasia.ca NightLight Bangkok only offers internships through the Impact School of Missions. ISM is a hands on, practical 4 week missions training school which will equip its participants to serve with excellence at NightLight. Visit www.ismsea.com for more information.

Join Our Staff

Click HERE to find a description of our staffing needs. All director, staff, and team member positions are unpaid.

Become A NightLight Representative

Click HERE to find out more about becoming a NightLight Representative.

Host A Jewelry Party

NightLight representatives are available for parties and events. If you’d like to host a jewelry party or have a representative at your event, contact jewelry@nightlightinternational.com

Shop NightLight Design

Purchase NightLight jewelry through our online store: store.nightlightinternational.com

GOODSEARCH

Support NightLight International when you search the Web or shop online with GoodSearch. Find out more at www.goodsearch.com

In the News ... "Ring-a-ling, the kettles are here"

• Salvation Army looking for volunteers for fundraising

By Nathaniel Miller
Reporter
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - ther than Rudolph’s shiny red nose, the Salvation Army is about to start setting up the season’s second most famous red item.

That’s because the organization will soon place their famous kettles around town as part of their seasonal fundraising effort. Though separate from their larger Empty Stocking Fund drive, the kettles are also a source of income to help the Salvation Army keep its doors open and provide assistance to those in need.

Odessa Corps Officer Lt. Joe Contreras said this year, he is looking at setting up kettles in 13 different locations around the city, but has one major problem: he doesn’t have enough volunteers to ring the bell.

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

PRESBYTERY OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - Next to the sanctuary, the most valued room in the church might be the kitchen. In our presbytery we have kitchens filled with willing members ready to cook. One of our congregations, Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, has mobilized its kitchen to serve literally thousands of people each year, an ongoing miracle of loaves and fishes.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Reports From Lulwanda: Program Coordinator's Report for September 2013

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.

September, 2013

"It is hard to explain the joy that fills my heart when the children are on holiday from school. Of course school and learning is very valuable, but my favorite times of the year are when the children of LCH do not have such a rigid and time consuming schedule and we have the chance to have fun and do activities different from the norm."

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of Rolfe's September, 2013 report.

Faces of Children: Prayer Concerns for This Week

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 11/21/13

Mauritania

• Please pray for the estimated 150,000 children and people of Mauritania who are held captive in a centuries-old, traditionally-accepted practice of chattel slavery, where adult slaves and their children are the property of their masters. Mauritania takes the dubious honor of first place in a new slavery index that ranks countries according to the occurrence of slavery, child marriage, and trafficking.
• more on this request
• Pray this culturally-embedded tradition of using, buying, selling, renting out, and giving slaves away as gifts will cease. Pray the laws abolishing slavery and trafficking will be upheld and enforced. Pray for freedom and justice for all children and adults enslaved in this country.
• Please keep in prayer those who work to abolish slavery in Mauritania. Pray for their safety as many human rights defenders and their supporters have been arrested by police.
• Keep in prayer 18-year-old Noura Mint Aheimed who escaped from slavery after suffering 14 years of exploitation, maltreatment, and lack education allegedly at the hands of her masters. Pray for justice for this brave young woman who has become a symbol for the anti-slavery movement in Mauritania.

Philippines

• Keep close in prayer the children and people of the Philippines as they cope with the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan on November 8, 2013. Pray for the estimated 9.5 million people affected by this super-typhoon that hit the central part of the Philippines. Haiyan was one of the most powerful typhoons in recorded history.
• more on this request
• more on this request
• more on this request
• more on this request
• Pray for the estimated 660,000 people who have been displaced and lack access to food, clean water, or medical care. Pray humanitarian aid will reach everyone in great need, especially the most vulnerable. Pray for the 2.5 million people in need of food because of this disaster.
• Pray for those in remote areas who’ve been affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Please pray for survivors in communities like Tacloban (the coastal capital of Leyte province) where 10,000 are feared dead; Guiuan a city of 40,000 people that was almost totally devastated; Basey (a seaside town in Samar province) where 2,000 people are missing; and for survivors in the hundreds of other towns and villages that were in Haiyan’s path.
•Please pray communications, highways, airports, power lines, and other infrastructure can be repaired or restored quickly to allow aid to reach devastated communities. Pray for the safe transport of supplies and personnel in areas where looters have attacked trucks of food and relief supplies. Pray the supplies reach everyone in need and aren’t siphoned off by corrupt officials.
•Give thanks to God for the international support flowing into the Philippines from more than 20 other countries.
•Pray for children and families grieving the loss of loved ones, friends, homes, and communities. Whole towns have been reduced to rubble by Haiyan’s high winds, drenching rains, and massive storm surges. Please pray God’s peace will sustain those who are grieving and heal the visible and invisible wounds from this trauma.

United States

• Please keep close in prayer a 13-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted by Gary*, an 18-year-old young man with the emotional maturity of a much younger boy. Pray for her physical and emotional healing. Pray for her parents as they try to help their daughter and protect her from any further abuse.
• Pray God will guide Gary as he deals with the consequences of his actions. He was arrested for having sex with this 13-year-old girl and will now carry the “registered sex offender” status with him for the rest of his life. Pray for Gary’s adoptive parents who are beside themselves with grief and disappointment.
* Name changed for confidentiality and/or protection.

Faces of Children

• Keep Faces of Children prayer partner Karen Lang close in prayer as she recovers from dental surgery to remove an infection. Please pray for healing and comfort for this faithful intercessor.
• Give thanks to God for Sandy’s successful foot surgery. Pray this wife of Faces of Children intercessor Jim Alsup will experience God’s healing touch as she recovers from a difficult surgery. Pray for her healing and comfort, as well.
• 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.

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 Chris Laufer, FOC Coordinator, at claufer@facesofchildren.net

In the News ... "Homeless Alliance Preparing For Winter Services"

DeAnn Lopez, Reporter
KOSA-TV

MIDLAND/ODESSA, TEXAS - With winter just around the corner, hundreds of homeless people will have to face the cold nights that lie ahead with not much to keep them warm, but one group here in the Permian Basin is doing all they can to help.

Pastor Donny Kyker with Jesus House Ministries in Odessa, says that more people are having to live on the streets due to the current housing situation and the cost of living rising.

Now his ministry and Church Under the Bridge of Midland, are teaming up to make sure the homeless don't go cold and hungry this coming winter.

• read/watch the rest of this story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

PRESBYTERY OF SAN JOAQUIN, CALIFORNIA - On World Communion Sunday, congregations, new church developments, and fellowships of the Presbytery of San Joaquin held a special time of celebration. The many participants, representing many cultures, demonstrated their “One Faith, One Hope, One Lord” (the anthem of the presbytery-wide choir that practiced individually and sang together for the first time that Sunday). The service began with an African processional, which was followed by, and interspersed with, Hispanic congregations leading singing in Spanish, Lao dancers performing the “Holy Spirit Dance,” traditional songs such as “The Church’s One Foundation,” Korean dancers offering the Lord’s Prayer, and video messages from mission workers around the globe. While the Scriptures had been read in several languages before the sermon, no interpretation was needed when everyone gathered around the variety of breads to celebrate Communion. Worship continued with the assembly of hygiene kits for disaster relief, which were filled with items brought by each congregation. In good Presbyterian fashion, an enormous and enjoyable potluck followed.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

In the News ... "West Texas deaf church has worldwide ministry"

By George Henson
Staff Writer
baptiststandard.com

BIG SPRING, TEXAS - Blessed Hands Baptist Deaf Church hopes not only to minister to the non-hearing population of Big Spring but to reach the world.

Big Spring is home to the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf — believed to be the world’s only two-year college for the deaf.

“So, people from all over the world come here to Big Spring,” said Mark Lindsey, pastor of First Baptist Church in Big Spring.

The school serves about 170 students — 20 of them international students. But Big Spring’s deaf population is larger than most communities its size because many students stay in the area after graduation.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

PRESBYTERY OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - n the Presbytery of San Francisco, many congregations have been finding ways to “multiply loaves” in a time of scarcity.

Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church is a small, aging, suburban congregation that participates in mission projects as part of the Contra Costa Interfaith Alliance. One of the programs is 4th Week Food. Many families in crisis run out of food at the end of the month and risk having their children taken from them. Members of the congregation provide specific food items for 10 emergency food boxes.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Word from Uganda: "Holiday is so much fun!!!"

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 ...

Holiday is so much fun!!!

I love when the children are on holiday from school. Mid August to mid September was Term 2 holiday. The Lord is so good in his timing of this holiday. Having come off of a super busy summer, it was wonderful to get to have a whole month with the children to play, chat, and celebrate together.

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post

"No Room at the Inn" ... This Weekend at Grace Presbyterian

Just a reminder that "No Room at the Inn," an annual display of nativity scenes from around the world - created from a wide variety of materials and artistic traditions - will take place this weekend at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2801 N. Garfield Street, this Saturday, November 23, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

While the nativity displays are certainly the focus of the day, there is so much more to enjoy, as well ... including festive holiday treats and plenty of warm seasonal fellowship. Proceeds raised by this annual event benefit Family Promise of Midland, an interfaith hospitality network and partnership of congregations around the Midland community helping families who are facing homelessness.

Invitation to Prayer: TOMORROW

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).

Highest in the Kingdom

1 "At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, 'Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?'”

2-5 "For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me."

6-7 “But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don’t have to make it worse—and it’s doomsday to you if you do.”

Matthew 18:1-7, The Message by Eugene Peterson

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Intercessor,

The Faces of Children prayer group will meet this coming Wednesday, November 20, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland, as we lift in prayer the children of our hearts and communities. Pleasae join us for prayer and, afterwards, for lunch ($5) and fellowship.

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

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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 19, 2013

SACRAMENTO PRESBYTERY, CALIFORNIA - God’s abundance is encouraging new worshiping communities in Sacramento Presbytery! GKI-Sacramento, an Indonesian fellowship of the presbytery, broke ground October 30, 2011, on its new Indonesian Community Center. GKI-Sacramento was formed in 2002 and has grown to over 80 members. It has met at Westminster Presbyterian Church and at Parkview Presbyterian Church. The groundbreaking was the culmination of prayer and fundraising by the fellowship and friends in the U.S. and Indonesia, a loan from the Synod of the Pacific, and a grant from Sacramento Presbytery.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, November 18, 2013

ChinaAid: "Bob Fu, Guo Feixiong's wife and daughter testify at U.S. Congressional hearing about Guo Feixiong and freedom of expression in China"

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.

Bob Fu, Guo Feixiong's wife and daughter testify at U.S. Congressional hearing about Guo Feixiong and freedom of expression in China

Distributed by ChinaAid, November, 2013 ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – ChinaAid founder and president Bob Fu and the wife and daughter of Guo Feixiong, Zhang Qing and Yang Tianjiao, testified at a hearing of the U. S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights about Guo Feixiong and freedom of expression in China.

• more on this story from China Aid

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

PRESBYTERIAN OF THE REDWOODS, CALIFORNIA - Lives are being changed at the Buddy Eller Homeless Shelter in Ukiah thanks to a partnership between the shelter, First Presbyterian Church, Ukiah, and Toastmasters International. Toastmasters, referred to as Voicefinders at the shelter, enables individuals to develop speaking, listening, and leadership skills. Participants have shared their personal triumphs, struggles, and history with one another, resulting in renewed confidence and a willingness to take risks and engage with their communitY.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

MINUTE FOR MISSION: PRESBYTERIAN FRONTIER FELLOWSHIP - Many thousands of Muslims have become followers of Jesus in a movement in Southeast Asia the last few years. Among other things, they are multiplying their loaves in an intriguing way with respect to Bible translation.

This group of new disciples has not had a Bible translation that reflects their language and culture, so they have been creating their own with consultants from the United Bible Societies. As portions of Scripture are translated, they are used by leaders of the movement to teach and disciple regional leaders. Whenever people have problems understanding the text, that information is given to the translators so they can rethink the translation. The result is that the translation process is also the discipling process!

CLICK HERE to read more.