West Texas Missioner

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

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).

Being All-Ear for God

“It is clear that we are usually surrounded by so much inner and outer noise that is it hard to truly hear our God when God is speaking to us. We have often become deaf, unable to know when God calls us and unable to understand in which direction God calls us. Thus our lives have become absurd. In the word ‘absurd’ we find the Latin word surdus, which means ‘deaf.’

A spiritual life requires discipline because we need to learn to listen to God, who constantly speaks but whom we seldom hear. When, however, we learn to listen, our lives become obedient lives. The word ‘obedient’ comes from the Latin word audire, which means ‘listening.’ A spiritual discipline is necessary in order to move slowly from an absurd to an obedient life, from a life filled with noisy worries to a life in which there is some free inner space where we can listen to our God and follow God’s guidance. Jesus’ life was a life of obedience. He was always listening to the Creator, always attentive to God’s voice, always alert for God’s directions. Jesus was ‘all ear.’ That is true prayer: being all ear for God. The core of all prayer is indeed listening, obediently standing in the presence of God.”

Making All Things New by Henri J. M. Nouwen

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Intercessor,

The Midland Faces of Children prayer group will meet on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center conference room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland, Afterwards, we'll share lunch ($5) and fellowship.

I hope you are able to join us as we pray for the children of our local and global communities.

Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer for the littlest citizens of God’s Kingdom! 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 ... "Buckner Family Place event draws attention to domestic violence"

• October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Steve Kuhlman, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - With recent high-profile cases of domestic violence in the news, such as the incident involving Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice, the issue has once again come to the forefront of mainstream media attention.

According to the United States Bureau of Justice Statistics, between 2003-2012, domestic violence accounted for 21 percent of all violent incidents in the nation with intimate partners ranking as the most frequent offenders. Among victims of domestic violence, 76 percent were women and 77 percent of the occurrences happened at or near the victim’s home.

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Buckner Family Place partnered with several other local organizations including the Midland Police Department and District Attorney’s office, Safe Place of the Permian Basin and Midland Fair Haven to host the “It’s No Secret” event Thursday to educate women and children on domestic violence and to make them aware of the services available locally ...

• read the rest of this MRT report ...

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: October 14, 2014

PRESBYTERY OF NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND - First Presbyterian Church of Barre, Vermont, has partnered with Barre Congregational Church in seeking to engage people who might be uncomfortable deepening their spiritual life within the four walls of a church. Instead, we have been meeting in a local establishment for Theology on Tap.

The group began with a focus on twenty- and thirtysomethings. Our hope was to provide an opportunity for them to explore faith and current events as well as spiritual practices through which God can make a difference in one’s life ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Invitation to Prayer: WEDNESDAY

In the News ... "Conference to bring awareness about moral injury in veterans"

Courtesy Photo

• Event begins Wednesday at Midland DoubleTree

Steve Kuhlman, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - While post-traumatic stress disorder has garnered attention and research, some — including those at Texas Christian University’s Sour Repair Center at the Brite Divinity School — believe there is another, separate piece to the trauma soldiers experience: moral injury.

Beginning Wednesday, the Soul Repair Center will host a conference at Midland’s DoubleTree by Hilton about the role of community support in the process of recovery from moral injury. The three-day conference will include multiple speakers, workshops and a community discussion ...

• read the rest of this MRT report ...

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: October 13, 2014

PRESBYTERY OF NEWTON, NEW JERSEY - oung adult ministry feels a little bit like looking at a panel of dials and trying to figure out how to adjust them all in just the right way. The Presbyterian Church in Morristown has, like every other church in the country, been trying to reach young adults for years. It has offered contemporary services, lunches after church, service projects, events to see speakers like Rob Bell, and Theology Pubs in the vibrant local restaurant community. Its story is really no different than any other congregation’s. Statistics continue to show that over half of involved youth will leave their congregation during their young adult years.

The Morristown congregation continues to look for new ways to engage young adults. ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

MINUTE FOR MISSION: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS - Did you know that every year one in four adolescents reports physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual abuse and that one in three teens reports knowing a friend or peer who has been physically hurt by his or her partner through violent actions that included hitting? Every year I have the privilege of presenting a seminar on domestic violence to high school students.

I begin with an experiential exercise that allows the students to walk in the shoes of domestic violence victims—to enter into their lives and make decisions that determine the outcome of their stories ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

PRESBYTERY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - Following the example set by Jesus in Matthew 19, Newark Presbytery proclaims, “Let the children come!” Caring adults lead initiatives like the Montclair Summer Youth Program at Trinity and Central churches. Music, multimedia academies, and mission trips engage youth and young adults at First Presbyterian (Caldwell); Grace (Montclair); Korean United and Bethany, both in Bloomfield; and the Roseville, First Hispanic, Elizabeth Avenue-Weequahic, and St. Paul’s congregations in Newark.

The youth and young adult ministry at Elmwood United (East Orange, West Orange, and Newark) typifies our story. ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, October 10, 2014

From @FWMission ... Friday Story: "Mobility x 2"

Founded in 2001, Free Wheelchair Mission is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing nations. Headquartered in Irvine, California, FWM works around the world in partnership with a vast network of humanitarian, faith-based and government organizations, sending wheelchairs to hundreds of thousands of disabled people, providing not only the gift of mobility, but of dignity, independence, and hope.

Friday Story: "Mobility x 2"

Greetings and happy Friday!

Mobility is our number one goal when giving the gift of a wheelchair to someone in need. We want that individual to be lifted off the ground and able to move around when and where they want. This week I want to tell you about Mark—he is from Zambia, and the gift of mobility changed his life.

Mark dreamed of the day when he would be able to play and explore with his friends. For the past 14 years he has been completely dependent on his family and friends for everything—to meet even his basic needs.He spent his life crawling on the ground to get around or waiting for someone to carry him wherever he needed to go ...

• read the rest of this story ...

Want to take one of these wheelchairs for a test drive? During normal business hours, visit the lobby at the Texas Street entrance of First Presbyterian Church-Midland, at the northwest corner of Texas and A streets, on the west side of downtown Midland. You can give the gift of mobility. The cost of $72.00 is a bargain to us ... but it is a life-changing gift to impoverished and disabled recipients ... and there are times when your contribution will be matched, reaching not one - but TWO, and sometimes FOUR recipients. Please note on your check "Wheelchair Gift."

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

WAW Wednesdays: Wow

"The Word at Work is a ministry that mobilizes churches and individuals to answer God's call to minister to those in need," writes Rev. Tim Tam, Director of the Amarillo, Texas-based ministry. "Through our relationships, God reveals needs and opportunities for service. As we come along side the poor, new friendships develop and doors for ministry open. As we serve, God provides the resources to supply for the needs he reveals."

Wow

Dear Friends,

My calendar says today is the first day of October! Wow, time is flying!!

Here's another WOW we wanted to share with you:

We are overwhelmed at Drew Merritt's talent displayed on this wall at the King's Children's Home! Drew is in Belize making a video documenting his creation and the amazing kids at KCH. Plans are to raise awareness and funding for the home in conjunction with an art show in Los Angeles in 2015.

Another WOW!

Dr. Ron Williams, world class expert and board certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon- specializing in musculoskeletal pathology has agreed to assist Dr. Keith Bjork on Ladeni's surgery and treatment plan! Dr. Williams has an extremely busy practice in Austin, Texas ... we are working on setting a date for Ladeni's surgery and will need to get Dr. Williams to and from Austin as speedily as possible since he has so graciously offered his services.

An Amarillo friend has offered his plane and pilot, and we are working to raise funds to cover the fuel (about $2500). Additionally, we've had a few other expenses (phone, meds, supplements) come up for Ladeni's care over the past 3 weeks. If you would like to make a donation toward these expenses, please let me know.

In this shot, you see Ladeni's mother, Grace (second from right) share her heart with a group of friends that gathered to pray with Ladeni last Sunday. It's amazing to see how God is providing for the Osorto's since they arrived.

It was a great afternoon of worship and prayer. Dr. Bjork asked that we pray specifically, "that there is sufficient muscle, blood supply, and tissue left undamaged by the tumor to successfully reconstruct Ladeni's leg." Hope you will pray that prayer with us!

Gratefully,

Tim Tam
The Word at Work

EDITOR'S NOTE: Speaking from my own first-hand experience, working side-by-side with Tim, Kenny and our brothers and sisters in Belize, won't you give thoughtful, prayerful consideration to supporting the efforts of Tim, the Word At Work staff and their partners? Please please fill out this Commitment Card and return it to their office!

Also, remember that you can follow The Word At Work on their Facebook page!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

In the News ... "St. Stephen’s newest priest takes unusual road to ministry"

MRT Photo by Tim Fischer

Steve Kuhlman, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - While he may have felt a calling from an early age, St. Stephen’s Catholic Church’s newest priest, the Rev. Lorenzo Hatch, took an unusual road to fulfilling it.

The Dumas native spent his early life heavily involved in the Baptist church along with his family.

“I was in the Baptist church every time the doors opened,” Hatch said. “We even moved closer to the church, to about a block away, so that we could just walk. We participated in everything.”

Hatch said that his first step toward realizing his spiritual calling came at the age of 12 while at a religious summer camp ...

• read the rest of this MRT report ...

Monday, October 6, 2014

In the News ... "Midland Church Sending Food Donations to Cambodia"

• Contribution to “Stop Hunger Now”

Staff Report
KWES-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - A church in Midland has announced that the donations they raised during an event they held last month will be going to help orphans and widows in Cambodia.

The congregation at First United Methodist Church held a food packaging event back on August 10 to gather their contributions to worldwide organization Stop Hunger Now ...

• read the rest of this KWES report ...

Sunday, October 5, 2014

FPC-Midland Belize Mission: Where We're Going - The Culture

From November 8th through the 15th, 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 ... all of this building upon a foundation of relationships that was laid early this year.

WHERE WE'RE GOING - THE CULTURE

The center of the Mayan empire for almost 1,000 years, the Spanish arrived in the 16th century and used the area primarily for logging. During the next two hundred years, many British and Spanish pirates inhabited the area, battling for naval supremacy. Finally in 1798, the British navy defeated the Spanish and laid official claim to the area. In 1862, Britain formally named the territory “British Honduras,” a title that lasted until 1962 when a peaceful independence was granted and British Honduras became Belize. The country gained full independence by 1982. As of 2012, an estimated 324,000 people lived in Belize.

Language

Belize is the only country in Central America where English is their official language. Creole is often spoken among the locals, along with Spanish in the western region near the Guatemalan border, and in the north near the Mexican border.

Currency

Belize's dollar value is tied to the United States dollar. Two Belizean dollars equal one U.S. dollar, and either currency can be used. Belizean banks are still not connected to the international banking system, so Americans can not use the ATM's. Most hotels and restaurants accept Visa and MasterCard.

Economy

Belize's economy is seeing steady growth due to an increase in international tourism. Its jungles are touted as destinations for eco-lodges. And being located next to the world's second longest barrier reef makes it a great destination for scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing. The per capita income, however, is just over $3,000USD per year.

Food

Most of the food in Belize is traditional Latin American (chicken, rice and beans, and enchiladas), with some Caribbean, Creole and Chinese. Most restaurants serve a good variety of foods, from chicken to steak to shrimp and a variety of fish, and even pizza. Local fruits, such as mangoes, bananas and pineapples are widely available and taste great.

Religion

The majority of Belizeans declare some sort of faith. Many are Roman Catholic, while Christian Protestantism continues to grow. Jehovah's Witnesses, Hindu and Voodoo are also practiced.

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 ... "Midland Pastor Claims Valuables Were Unfairly Seized"

KMID Photo

Nick Russo, Reporter
KMID-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - A Midland Pastor calls it a case of David versus Goliath, after he says another church forced him out of his church's home, and threw away his valuables.

"We feel that we've been slighted, we've been done wrong, and I don't think that's the christian thing to do, by the Catholic church or the Methodist church," said Pastor Ervin Thompson, of "Abundant Faith Ministries", who says he had permission to run a ministry out of a vacant building owned by the Rio Grande Conference of the United Methodist church for the last four years.

"We thought we were doing something good by coming in the community, opening the door and inviting people in, and making it a nice place to be," Thompson said ...

• read/watch the rest of this KMID 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: October 5, 2014

MINUTE FOR MISSION: WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY, PEACEMAKING OFFERING - Invisibly, a young girl’s family is given wages she has yet to earn. One of many, she is taken away from her home by boat to a destination unknown. A mother quietly weeps, pulling her luggage through an airport. She is uncertain of her return or reuniting with her family. She is now one of the many so-called Overseas Filipino Workers. In a rural village, a boy old enough to work in the sugarcane fields is fortunate that his family is able to send him to school. While at school he is recruited for a job in the city that will make him more money than in the fields. Living and working in a building that is locked and monitored, he climbs through an open window onto a mango tree and patiently waits for six hours hoping to escape. Free from the building, he is lost, alone, and without money or connections ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

FPC-Midland Belize Mission: Where We're Going - The Country

WHERE WE'RE GOING - THE COUNTRY

An Overview of Belize
(from The Word at Work ministry)

Belize is located in the southern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula, bordering Mexico and Guatemala, with the Caribbean Sea to the east. The coast is at-or-below sea-level with swamps, mangroves, lagoons and sandy beaches. The Maya mountain range lies to the west and south, rising to over 3,000 feet at some peaks. The capitol, Belmopan, is in the center of Belize, near the Maya Mountain foothills, with Banana Bank and the El Salvadorian refugee settlement (called The Valley of Peace) right nearby.

Belize City, over 300 years old and the country's main commercial area and seaport, is the largest city with over 80,000 residents. The Burial Grounds is on the northern outskirts of the city where TWAW does a significant amount of ministry. This is also where St. Andrews Presbyterian Church is located (one of our ministry partners). Other areas of TWAW activity include Orange Walk and Corozal to the north.

Many come to vacation in Belize for its beautiful beaches, casinos, scuba diving off the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world, and its smattering of quaint islands. We spend 1 of the 8 days on TWAW mission trips recuperating and reflecting on the past week on a private island right near the barrier reef.

Climate

Belize has what's called a subtropical climate the entire year. The rainy season lasts from late-August through November, followed by a dry season from December through March. Normal highs all year are 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit, while temperatures never drop below the mid-60's. However, your comfort has something to do with where you'll be serving... Belize City is on the Caribbean, so the sea breeze keeps things feeling a bit cooler. If you're in the jungle regions of central Belize there is no breeze to speak of, so it does feel a bit warmer.

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 ... "A congregation ready to move"

• First service in new home set for October 5

Steve Kuhlman, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - After years without a permanent home, St. Paul’s Anglican Church will soon relocate to its newly built facility on “A” Street.

The oldest of the three remaining Anglican churches in Midland, St. Paul’s changed locations several times since its founding in 1978. Most recently, the church met at what is now Providence Presbyterian Church on Princeton Avenue.

While it once owned the building, St. Paul’s senior warden and long-time member James Henderson said that the church could no longer handle the size of the facility ...

• read the rest of this MRT report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

PRESBYTERY OF GENEVA, NEW YORK - Spurred by a growing commitment to connect local and global mission, the Presbytery of Geneva began conducting annual mission and learning experiences in 2010. Through these trips (over Columbus Day weekend), the presbytery is developing strong partnerships with the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations in New York City and the Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC. All the trips involve group meals and reflections, learning modules, hands-on mission, and intergenerational fun activities. Tracks for children, adults, and young adults are offered ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, October 3, 2014

From @FWMission ... Friday Story: "Transformation x 2"

Friday Story: "Transformation x 2"

Greetings and happy Friday!

This week I wanted to share a story about two brothers in Peru. Their lives were transformed with the gift of their very own wheelchairs.

Edgar and Franklin were born with birth defects; Edgar was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and Franklin struggles with clubfoot. Together these two brothers have pushed the limits of what is considered possible.

Before they received their wheelchair, they were unemployed and unable to socialize with family and friends in their community ...

• read the rest of this story ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

PRESBYTERY OF GENESSEE VALLEY, NEW YORK - In his song “Free Life,” Dan Wilson sings, “And in the air the questions hang/Will we get to do something?/Who we gonna end up being?/How we gonna end up feeling?/What you gonna spend your free life on?”

These questions occupy the thoughts of young adults heading out into the world. Our driven culture offers little time or space to explore answers—to reflect on how God calls them to be in this world.

A new program in the Presbytery of Genesee Valley, Lagom Landing, offers young people 10 months to reflect on these questions while learning from the monastic practices of labor, simplicity, and community ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.