West Texas Missioner

Thursday, February 20, 2014

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 02/20/14

Phillipines

• Pray for children in the Philippines who are involved in compressor mining, a dangerous form of underwater mining for gold. Children and adults dive deep into murky water breathing from a long tube connected to a diesel-powered air compressor on the surface. Underwater, they dig into the sides of narrow tunnels, filling bags with mud and rock that is hauled to the surface then panned for gold. Pray for those who are at great risk of injury or death because of tunnel collapse or engine failure.
• more on this request
• Pray for impoverished families in the coastal province of Camarines Norte who make their living mining gold in this very dangerous way. Pray for children who aren’t able to attend school because their family needs them to help dive or pan for gold. Pray parents will find employment that will help them support their families and allow their children to obtain an education.
• Please keep in prayer children involved in this hazardous form of mining as they are exposed to long term health risks from poor air quality in the breathing tubes divers use (the air sucked through the tube has a mix of diesel fumes, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants because it’s close to the air compressor engine); poor water quality in which they are susceptible to bacteria and parasites; and pressure on the body from diving deeply underwater (gas bubbles can form in the bloodstream at those depths causing the blood supply to be blocked from the brain or lungs).

Syria

• Continue to keep the children of Syria held close in prayer. Pray for the estimated 1,000 infants and children who are being held in jails and state security buildings allegedly by the Syrian government.
• Pray for children, some as young as 10, who are being held on their own. Pray for mothers detained with their infants in conditions that are reported to be inhumane. Please pray these children and mothers will be given access to sufficient food, water, and medical care.
• more on this request
• Pray for peace in this country that has been ravaged by three years of civil conflict and violence between opposing factions.

United States

• Please pray for children affected by the recent cold fronts that have moved through the United States. Pray for those without sufficient clothing or shelter to keep them warm during bitter winter weather.
• Give thanks to God two children left unattended on a school bus in Fargo, ND were both found safe and warm despite the subzero weather. One of the children, 5-year-old Preston, fell asleep on the school bus (which was left running) and wasn’t noticed by the driver who failed to perform a walk through after the morning run. Pray for this driver who didn’t follow established procedures to prevent this from happening.
• more on this request
• Please pray for the estimated 400,000 to 500,000 children, most born in the U.S., who pick crops for long hours in brutal conditions throughout the country. A 1938 labor law allows children 12 years old, and depending on the circumstances, even younger, to legally work in agriculture.
• more on this request
• more on this request
      o Pray for children, some as young as 8 years old, who pick, trim, and cultivate fresh fruits and vegetables for nine to ten hours a day in 100-degree heat. Pray for those whose developing bodies are exposed to pesticides and fertilizers in the fields.
          o Please pray for teenage pickers who drop out of school to follow their families and the crops. Pray this cycle of poverty and child labor will be broken.
          o Pray for migrant farm-working parents who struggle to provide for their families and desperately need the wages their children make picking crops to help make ends meet. Low wages for migrant workers means families need more helpers in the field.

Faces of Children

• Please keep Faces of Children prayer partner Jean Kiker in prayer as she recovers from surgery. Pray God’s healing touch will be upon her. And pray God will comfort Jean and her husband Bob following the recent death of Bob’s mother.
• Please pray for Faces of Children intercessor Sara who has a recurrence of cancer. Pray she will feel God’s loving and healing presence through the prayers of family, friends, and fellow prayer partners. Pray for Sara’s complete healing and recovery.
• 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 ... " Ukrainian Conflict Hits Home for West Texas Missionaries"

By Matt Rist, Reporter
KWES-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - As violence explodes in Ukraine, missionaries from an Odessa church are caught in the middle while on a two week mission trip. At least 25 people have been killed and hundreds more have been injured after protests in the eastern European country.

But the group from First Baptist Church of Odessa says they are praying and will continue their plan to teach English.

Despite the risk, dozens of other churches in West Texas send members to foreign countries to minister or serve. Most West Texans who go abroad to serve say they know the risks. And while this group may not be heading to Ukraine anytime soon, even in the midst of deadly protests, they are keeping their faith.

Images from Kiev, Ukraine, the city where eight Odessa missionaries are staying. The church members are just two miles away from the center of the violence.

• read/watch the rest of this story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

BOLIVIA - I am a member of the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia, which is a member of the UMAVIDA (Joining Hands for Life) network. I have been volunteering with UMAVIDA for six years, actively participating in the International Youth Environmentalist Congresses and events for youth leadership.

I am committed to ecological justice—the defense of the environment, including water—and see it as an essential part of seeking the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness. Both within and outside my church I testify that the gospel is not limited to the salvation of human beings but includes all creation, thereby obeying the Great Commission to go and proclaim the good news to the whole creation (Mark 16:15). We must reread Genesis, building bridges with the indigenous and popular movements of South America in order to prepare an agenda of liberation that treats the poor with justice.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

FPC-Midland Belize Mission: Looking Back ... Karen Lang

From January 4-11, 2014, a team from 1st Presbyterian Church-Midland will be traveling to the Central American country of Belize, and working with The Word at Work ministry. This will be an opportunity to reach out and share the gospel with the people of Belize while working side-by-side with the local community and The Word at Work staff on a much-needed construction project.

Looking Back ... Karen Lang

From Karen Lang, Mission Team Member ...

Belize 2014

Having been to Uganda and Tanzania, the Belize trip was different in many ways. Tim Tam’s mission philosophy and that of The Word at Work out of Amarillo really reached my soul. Working along side the community of El Progresso and getting to know the people on a personal level in the process was eye opening, passionate and a great joy.

We met the community the first time at worship on Sunday with lots of music, preaching, testimonies from our team and a joyful welcome into El Progresso.

During the week I spent a lot of my time at the schools in the classrooms twice a day. Pedro Cano, the school principal, and his staff of 5 were so very dedicated to their students and choose this village over other offers in wealthier areas of Belize. One teacher walked 8 miles to and from the village school at one time. That is 2 hours each way. The “Three Musketeers” as they referred to themselves, have a deep conviction for the students of the village and the potential they possess. As a 36-year retired teacher, I really identified with their needs. At the Inservice I led, these dedicated professionals told me that the government distributes school supplies and by the time they get to their mountain village, they are given what is leftover. I would really like to look into getting supplies to their school. Pedro is both Principal and a Standard 3 teacher. He said they have 1 pair of scissors per class and 1 bottle of glue for the school. Most class materials were teacher made. Regular schooling ends in the 8th grade and students must pass an exam to continue into High School, which they referred to as The University. Many El Progesso students were eligible to continue their education, but unable to afford the $1,000 cost of further education. I can see developing a scholarship fund for their Community Council to award to eligible students.

I also had the privilege of meeting Pastor Victor’s quadriplegic nephew, Ronnie, as well as a Down’s Syndrome 8 year old child named Lewis. These children were so loved and accepted in their village. It was a joy to visit with these parents in their homes and encourage them after working with the handicapped for so many years.

The Community Center/Church was definitely an effort of the whole village raising money a little at time to complete a 40x80 foot structure. It was a privilege to work along side the many volunteers to complete the walls. It would be helpful if we could help them raise the $7500 Belize/ $3250 American money to complete the roof on this project they have worked so hard to build.

Another great need we discovered was a single mother whose husband had left her, the house she was renting had been destroyed in a flood and she was temporarily living in the school clinic building. There were so many needs we have the potential to help with.

The last night was movie night and I know it was very emotional for our team as we were recognized in front of the village after the movie, prayed for and departed with many hugs, love and a few tears. God is definitely at work in El Progesso where He is loved, praised and worshipped. These people have such a deep faith. It was contagious! I look forward to seeing my new friends next year! .

The 2014 Belize Mission Team from 1st Presbyterian Church, Midland, Texas

GOT QUESTIONS?

Is there something you'd like to ask any of our mission team members, or our pastor?

CLICK HERE to e-mail us your question

In the News ... "Church Under the Bridge Midland Selling Window Decals"

Staff Report
KOSA-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Church Under the Bridge of Midland is taking another avenue to help the homeless.

CUTB window decals are now in. They are $5.00 each.

All proceeds go towards feeding the homeless in Midland.

• read the rest of this story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

COLOMBIA - Elías Guerra is a young adult who was born in a province called Valencia, in the Department of Córdoba. It is an area of limited resources, where peasant families live on small plots of land, too small to produce enough food for a dignified life. Because much of the land in that region has been expropriated by paramilitary groups, many families have left for the cities, where they have little chance of building a successful life. The Colombian government calls this phenomenon forced displacement..

Elías studied amid these circumstances in a rural area, at a level inadequate to face life in the city. In 2000 he moved to the city of Barranquilla in order to find a job, because he had no chance of getting into a university..

The Presbyterian Church of Colombia (IPC) has always been a source of hope for transformation in Elías’s life. Finding himself in the city, surrounded by businesses and industries, he looked toward that horizon.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Word from Uganda: "Faces"

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 ...

Faces

HOW CAN YOU NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THEM?!

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post, and enjoy the photos

FPC-Midland Belize Mission: Looking Back ... Greg Bartha

Looking Back ... Greg Bartha

From Dr. Gregory Barta, Mission Team Member ...

Here are my thoughts on the trip ...

I would say that the mission trip was a study in poverty. The reading we did before the trip and the discussions we had during our stay in Belize focused our attention on what as Christians our commitment to the poor should be. What should mission trips try to accomplish. How can we help but not foster dependency.

I think we built up a solidarity and intimacy with the people by working along side them, sharing our life stories,our faith, and our visions. These relationships can be nourished on future trips.

The people were rich in many ways, hard working, strong in faith, kind and gracious. We the team members realized that we are poor on many ways.

It wa a blessing for me to participate in this mission trip.

The 2014 Belize Mission Team from 1st Presbyterian Church, Midland, Texas

GOT QUESTIONS?

Is there something you'd like to ask any of our mission team members, or our pastor?

CLICK HERE to e-mail us your question

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).

Prayer for an Open and Earnest Spirit

“When I watch little children at play, Jesus, I remember what you said about our needing to become like them. They teach me at least some of what you meant. They are fearless and enthusiastic explorers, laughing with delight at each new discovery or surprise. They lose themselves in their play, wholly absorbed in the moment, at one with the noises they make and the towers they build and the visions they see. Give me such an open and earnest spirit, God.”

A Little Treasury of Prayers by Walter C. Sutton

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

The Midland Faces of Children prayer group will meet on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 11:30 a.m. in Room 217 at First Presbyterian Church-Midland, as we lift in prayer the children of our hearts and communities. The church is starting an 18-month-long renovation project and we won't have access to the Bride's Room during that time. We will have lunch ($5) and fellowship after our time of prayer. I hope you will be able to join us.

Thank you for praying for the children of our local and global communities. Your prayers matter! Your prayers are instruments of a gracious and generous God who uses them to bring healing and hope to a broken world. Thank you again for your faithfulness in prayer.

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

In the News ... "Church helps provide food to those in need"

• Food Bank, St. John’s team up for Parish Pantry

OA Photo by Edyta Blaszczyk

By Jared Wilson, Reporter
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Food is not often thought about when discussing individuals on fixed incomes, and unfortunately, too many of these families aren’t able to receive the food they need for various reasons. However, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Odessa is attempting to assist these families and bridge the economic gap with the Parish Pantry.

The members of St. John’s Episcopal Church opened what they call the Parish Pantry many years ago to help assist the community of Odessa in filling the gap that some families experience.

“We are serving a need here in Odessa,” coordinator Bruce Shearer said. “We try to help the families that are living off of fixed incomes and can’t really afford to get these items.”

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

VENEZUELA - OK, I’m going to be the moderator!”

“And since we are going to be pastors, we will also be here.”

That was a conversation that could be heard, among whispers and laughter, at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Venezuela (IPV). We were three young people imagining our future roles in our community of faith: a hopeful conversation in a church that is becoming older every day.

A delegation of young people was invited to participate and to contribute our experiences, visions, and expectations to our church’s decision-making process. This initiative helped us feel involved and needed in the life of our community of faith—as a foundation and pillars for the church in the making.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, February 17, 2014

ChinaAid Commentary: "Sichuan house church employees denied acknowledgment of innocence by local authorities"

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.

Sichuan house church employees denied acknowledgment of innocence by local authorities

Distributed by ChinaAid, January, 2014 ...

LANGZHONG, SICHUAN, CHINA – The request for administrative reconsideration by a house church employee concerning his December detainment in the southwestern province of Sichuan was denied on multiple occasions in December and January.

Li Mingbo, an employee at the Langzhong house church, was given 15 days of administrative detention on Dec. 24 for organizing a Christmas gathering for church members.

• more on this story from China Aid

FPC-Midland Belize Mission: Looking Back ... Chris Hammitt

Looking Back ... Chris Hammitt

From Chris Hammitt, Mission Team Member ...

Church Service the First Day

This being my first mission trip, as I traveled in the van on the first day, Sunday, to meet with the church in El Progresso my stomach was in knots. You see, I don’t speak Spanish (besides counting to ten) and was wondering how I was going to communicate with most of the members of the church. Well, when our group arrived at the church we found all the members waiting outside. As we stepped out of the van the whole church came forward to greet us warmly. They were as excited about us being there as we were to visit. We went into the small wooden structure of their current church which was actually inside the new half-completed building. The church was full. Each of us from First Pres. sat in a different pew to visit with the people. I sat next to two little girls (ages 8 and 11) who did know English (the children learn it in school), and we tried to learn a little about each other before the service started.

The service was in Spanish but somehow I felt a part of it. As the congregation and Thelma, the soloist, sang my heart soared with them. When we all prayed out loud all at the same time I was taken by the beautiful simplicity. One of the things I noticed was the enormous faith they had in God. They trusted in Him to help in so many ways in their lives. One minister spoke on how he got bit by a poisonous snake and could not get to a doctor. So he prayed and was healed. Another minster told us they had been praying for a long time for someone to help them build their church, and our team was an answer to their prayers. The meeting ended with the all the children standing in front of the congregation singing a hymn. It was so cute. I think with it being a farming community there were more children than adults in the congregation.

Working with Carlos

The next day we went back to help finish the cinder block walls of the new church which was about 40 by 60 feet in size. We also added the concrete footing on top of the cinder blocks which contained metal fasteners to hold the future roof. One of the things I loved about this project was we were working WITH the people. They showed us what they were doing and we joined in. It was very different construction methods than the United States. For example, the concrete was mixed by hand, carried by hand to the scaffolding in 5 gallon buckets and then lifted up to the workers building the walls.

I noticed one man cutting and bending wire (which ended up being used to hold the concrete forms to the walls). He was doing it by himself and kept having to drop the wire and pick it up off the ground after each cut. So I started helping him. We exchanged names. While neither knew much of the other's language, we found we could communicate and had a good time learning how much we were alike. He was a farmer, and I am a gardener. We talked about what each grew in our gardens. We also talked about our children and their ages. We both got a big surprise when I told him how much I enjoyed the service and loved hearing Thelma sing. That’s when he told me that Thelma was his wife!

The next day at lunch Carlos called me over to meet his wife and children. They had delivered the meal, and he wanted me to meet them. I felt honored. But it was funny; I had a much harder time talking with them. I guess it’s easier when you’re working and talking than it is to just start up a conversation.

The 2014 Belize Mission Team from 1st Presbyterian Church, Midland, Texas

GOT QUESTIONS?

Is there something you'd like to ask any of our mission team members, or our pastor?

CLICK HERE to e-mail us your question

Invitation to Prayer: Wednesday

In the News ... "A night of respect, diversity"

• Free to all, Interfaith Event returns for fourth year

By Lyndsay Weaver, Reporter
Odessa American

MIDLAND, TEXAS - A mutual respect exists among the faith leaders in the Permian Basin who are gathering again for the fourth time for the annual Interfaith Event on Wednesday, February 19, in Midland.

“I love being there and hearing what my colleagues have to say,” Rabbi Holly Levin Cohn said.

The night is a meeting of five leaders with diverse theological dogmas — from Hinduism to Judaism to Christianity and so forth — where they’re asked a series of questions by moderator Midland Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Russell Meyers.

It’s free to the public and will explore topics as varied as the panel on stage.

• read the rest of this story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

CARIBBEAN ISLANDS - nce every three years, member churches of CANACOM (Caribbean and North America Council for Mission) bring together young adults from across the Caribbean and North America. In July and August of 2012, this event, held at Camp J. J. Philbert in rural Gran Couva, Trinidad, brought together more than 30 individuals between 18 and 30.

This group of Young Adults in Mission (YAM) would spend the next two and a half weeks in morning devotions, afternoon Bible studies, work projects, and, of course, having fun. Discussions would blossom about ways to strengthen their communities, get youth involved in the life of the church, reduce violence and abuse, and have better relationships with other Christians around the world.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

FPC-Midland Belize Mission: Looking Back ... Agradecimiento

Looking Back ... Agradecimiento

From Pastor Walter Thompson, Mission Team Co-Leader ...

I don’t know about you, but I am still reveling in all that God did. I hope y’all are doing well. I wanted to share this email from Pastor Felipe that I received. He is simply thanking us for coming to invest in their church both spiritually and morally. He says once again that we were a blessing to them. He asks that we take greetings to our whole church from them. He prays that God would bless us and repay us 100 for 1 for what we have done for them. He prays for us to have a happy return to our country, our homes and our families. There’s a picture of him and his wife there as well—hopefully it comes through OK.

"Just as we all served as God’s blessing to the people of El Progreso, y’all as a team have served as a blessing to me. I really appreciate all your hard work and flexibility. I am excited about what God will do with the ministry in Belize and with our team, too. I’ll be writing you soon with a plan of getting B12 back together and how we can share our experience with our congregation. Thank you all!"

Peace,

Walter

Saludos Pastor Walter,

Quiero agradecerles a usted, al grupo y familia por haber viajado de muy lejos dejando sus bienes para venir a estas montanias como lo es Siete (7) Millas y bendecirnos.

Hermanos gracias por haber venido a bendecirnos espiritualmente, gracias por haber venido a envertir en nosotros, gracias por haber venido a levantarnos moralment (Prov 10:22).

Hermanos porfavor lleven nuestros saludos a su familia y congregacion.

Oro para que Dios los Bendiga y les recompense al Ciento por Uno (100*1) por lo que hacen por nosotros (Mateo 13:8).

Oro para que tengan un feliz returno a su tiera, a su hogar y a los suyos.

Que Dios los guarde,

Pastor Felipe Pena y Familia
Belice C.A.

The 2014 Belize Mission Team from 1st Presbyterian Church, Midland, Texas

GOT QUESTIONS?

Is there something you'd like to ask any of our mission team members, or our pastor?

CLICK HERE to e-mail us your question

In the News ... "Annual prayer breakfast to feature author, attorney Bob Goff"

Ragini Venkatasubban, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - In the back of his 2012 New York Times best-selling book, “Love Does,” author Bob Goff included his personal cell phone number.

Since then, his phone’s been ringing off the hook. But Goff, an attorney, author, speaker and founder of the nonprofit Restore International, said he doesn’t mind.

“One of the things we can be is ‘available,’” he said. “People — they don’t follow vision as much as they follow availability. What if you and I are the most available people in the world? It’s a crazy, backward way of thinking about things, but that’s what Jesus did all the time.”

Goff will speak at the Midland Prayer Breakfast at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the Midland Center, 105 N. Main St. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased by contacting Henry Musselman at 686-6003. Table sponsorships are $500 for a table of eight and $250 for half of a table. Tickets are also sold at various churches around Midland; for a complete list, visit www.npbmidland.org .

• read the rest of this story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and 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.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 16, 2014

MINUTE FOR MISSION: HEALTH AWARENESS AND PRAYER FOR HEALING - According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over a third of adults are obese. Overweight rates have doubled in children and tripled in adolescents since 1980. Being overweight puts people at risk for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, psychological disorders, and stroke, among other equally disabling or life-threatening maladies.

God has given us beautiful bodies, which we despise by eating processed foods and failing to exercise. The food industry adds empty calories through sugars, gluten, fat, and salt in order to appeal to our taste buds and keep us wanting more. Let us remember that God never intended for any of us to become addicted to food to fill our spiritual emptiness.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

In the News ... "Midland Christian high school principal publishes e-book"

Ragini Venkatasubban, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Byron Myers said he sees God at work in his day-to-day life.

More than two years ago, the high school principal of Midland Christian School started blogging his weekly thoughts on devotionals. As principal of a Christian school for the past 23 years, he said he’s experienced many devotionals and felt the need to start writing them down.

“A lot of these thoughts, I just wanted to hold on to,” he said. “It’s whatever themes God is doing in my life. I notice how I will think of something, and then I will see it happening in other people’s lives, too. It’ll keep showing up. I see God working in different places.”

Whether it’s a life situation, sermon or personal problem, Myers takes the underlying biblical lesson of the issue and applies it in a practical way. That’s the theme of his first e-book, self-published on Amazon last month, “Weekly Devotional Thoughts: Weekly Practical Applications of God’s Word.” • read the rest of this story