Monday, July 27, 2020

From @chinaaid : "Liu Xianbin released!"

The ChinaAid 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.

ChinaAid Photo
Liu Xianbin released!
Distributed by ChinaAid, June 2020 ...

BEIJING, CHINA – Authorities released activist Liu Xianbin after jailing him for 10 years ...

More on this story from ChinaAid ...


From Outreach Foundation ... Mission Partnership Update

• Your gifts to the COVID-19 Emergency Appeal are making a difference … in South Sudan

Outreach Foundation Photos
With gifts that Outreach supporters sent to the COVID-19 Emergency Appeal we were able to send $14,000 to support our family of faith of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan - those who are refugees in camps in Ethiopia as well as displaced women and children near Juba in South Sudan - in providing essential protection against the virus and lifesaving food for many families.

Saturday, June 20, was World Refugee Day and we learned that there are now nearly 26 million refugees globally who have left everything behind and crossed borders to escape war, persecution, or terror (20 people each minute). An additional 55 million have been internally displaced seeking safety and basic services. And the COVID-19 pandemic poses an extra threat to refugees and displaced people. They rely on the United Nations and other organizations to provide their safety and wellbeing. Most are living in dense, temporary camps with limited access to clean water (4 gallons/day, on average) and sanitation. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions in Ethiopian camps for South Sudanese, over 200,000 children are now out of school. COVID-19 prevention measures have also led to a reduction in food rations, fuel sources, and the number of humanitarian workers available in clinics and for other services. South Sudan reported nearly 2,000 COVID-19 cases as of June 22, and the surrounding countries each report 2 to 4 times more cases than South Sudan. Throughout the region, cases are continuing to increase and supplies are scarce.

Since 2012, The Outreach Foundation has been in relationship with the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCoSS). In South Sudan, a country less than 10 years old, about 35% (4 million) of the population are displaced or refugees in neighboring countries (Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda). Many of the 1.5 million members of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan are refugees or displaced.

Presbyterian leaders have requested help from The Outreach Foundation to provide emergency assistance. Outreach has utilized COVID-19 Emergency Appeal funds to join with host communities and other East Africa Outreach partners to supply food and non-food relief.

John Jock Gatwech, PCoSS refugee camp education coordinator in Ethiopia, writes:

The Presbyterian Church of South Sudan Outreach teams for pandemic virus (COVID-19) awareness, with the help of The Outreach Foundation, today on 21 June 2020, have launched the hands washing campaign in all six camps around Gambella region.

It was a great pleasure to all of the Trauma Healing group representatives from the camps, and the vulnerable people who are not able to support themselves, have received the food, oil, and some kilos of sugar. The teams for the Pandemic Virus Awareness Campaign have received the prevention materials that will be taken by them to the camps. They all thank The Outreach Foundation for their support and prayers.

Click here to learn more about Outreach’s COVID-10 Emergency Appeal

Thank you!



Engaging followers of Christ for His work in the world, the Outreach Foundation is committed to helping the church live out its missional calling, building the capacity of the global church, especially where the church is vulnerable or growing rapidly, and transforming lives through mission involvement.

The Outreach Foundation
381 Riverside Drive, Suite 110
Franklin, TN 37064,
United States
(615) 778-8881
info@theoutreachfoundation.org

In the News ... "El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank without help from guard members"

EPT Photo by Mark Lambie
• The center has changed their food pick-up procedures

By Mark Lambie, Photographer/Reporter
El Paso Times


EL PASO, TEXAS - Guard members who were helping at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank have been recalled ...

Enjoy the rest of this EPT photo album ...

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.

Photo courtesy of FPC-Yorktown, NY
Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 27, 2020

WORSHIP VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING - There’s no need to have an empty church on Sunday mornings, even in the midst of coronavirus social distancing directives ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, July 26, 2020

In the News ... "Op-Ed: With anniversary of Aug. 3 Massacre near, ‘El Paso Strong’ can be a call for all to unite against racism, hatred'"

EPHP Photo by Johnny Yturales
• As we remember and honor the fallen and other victims of this detestable act, we must all decide our role in this critical moment in history

By Rosemary M. Marin, Contributor
El Paso Herald-Post


EL PASO, TEXAS - As our great country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic and a push for racial justice continues to make headlines, common messages such as “Black and Brown” and “Tu Lucha Es Mi Lucha” (My Fight is Your Fight) remind us that this is not a new issue for Latinos, either. ...

Read the rest of this EPHP report ...

In the News ... GUEST VIEW: "Making the case for a change at Lee High School"

MRT Photo by Kim Denison
"Name of Robert E. Lee High School doesn’t pass the ‘why test,’ does not reflect community’s values"

By Rick Davis, President, Board of Trustees, Midland Independent School District, Contributor
Midland Reporter-Telegram


MIDLAND, TEXAS - I, along with my fellow school board trustees, have been listening to our community’s differing views on whether we should continue to have a high school, and a freshman school, named after Robert E. Lee, the commander of the Confederate States’ army during the American Civil War.

As you would expect, Midlanders have not been shy about making their views known about this sensitive topic through e-mails, letters, and telephone and in-person conversations, and no matter what side of this issue a person communicating with me has been on, virtually everyone has encouraged us to publicly address this issue. I agree.

I recently read an article by Dr. Jim Denison, entitled “What does the Bible say about removing statutes?” that I found to be extremely helpful and consistent with my views. Although it addresses statues and monuments, I believe it also has application to the naming of a school--especially because, generally speaking, students do not have a choice as to which public school they attend ...

Read the rest of this MRT report ...
• Related Story

Midland ISD trustees to vote Monday on Lee High School name change ...

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.

Photo by Josh Heikkila
Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 26, 2020

WEST AFRICA FARMERS - In the backyard of my house in Accra, Ghana, there are plantain, papaya and mango trees, each giving fruit at their particular times of the year. I’m excited as the dry season ends — the beginning of spring in the U.S. — when our avocados ripen and become ready to eat!

In addition to these trees, there is another fruit tree in West Africa that has had a huge impact on the people and economy for almost 150 years. It’s the cocoa tree. The fruit of the cocoa tree is processed to make chocolate, and almost two-thirds of the world’s production takes place in the countries of West Africa ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Equal Exchange Blog ... "COVID-19 and Peruvian Avocados: Growing Together Through Hardships"

Equal Exchange's mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate, through our success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world.



COVID-19 and Peruvian Avocados: Growing Together Through Hardships

Equal Exchange Photo
It’s rare to find a person who doesn’t love avocados, or who hasn’t assisted in making avocados a coveted, yet accessible fruit. In 2001, the US per capita avocado consumption stood at around 2.5 lbs, or about five medium-sized avocados per person. That number tripled to 8 lbs per person in 2018 – that’s about 15 medium-sized avocados. This growing demand motivated Equal Exchange to build an alternative to the conventional avocado supply chain – one that places small farmers at the forefront and combats the need for large productions and unequal power structures ...

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post


In the News ... "Photo Album: Scenes from Grace Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School"

MRT Photo by Tim Fischer
• Church leaders decided the best way to have VBS this year was drive-in style in the parking lot

By Tim Fischer,, Photographer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - This years theme for Grace Lutheran Church's Vacation Bible School was The Rainforest Explorers- Jesus Leads the Way, with puppets performing songs and teaching Bible verses ...

 • Enjoy this MRT photo album ...

In the News ... "San Angelo area churches announce worship options, 07/25/20"


• Here is a look at the communications received by the Standard-Times to date

By Matthew McDaniel, Reporter
San Angelo Standard Times


SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - Faith briefs may be submitted by emailing News@GoSanAngelo.com. Briefs are published in print on Saturdays and the deadline to submit an entry is noon Wednesdays ...

Read the rest of this SAST report

In the News ... "Odessa Church News"


• Today and in the days ahead, in Odessa-area houses of worship

Staff Report
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - Coming events include worship services, classes, Bible studies, community outreach, fundraisers, mission opportunities and more ...

Read the rest of this OA 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.

Photo by Gregg Brekke
Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 25, 2020

VITAL CONBREGATIONS - Using Ezekiel’s stark vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, the Rev. Dr. David Gambrell elicited any number of innovative ideas from about 70 pastors and other church leaders during a recent videoconference on Spirit-inspired worship, one of the Seven Marks of Vital Congregations ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, July 24, 2020

In the News ... GUEST VIEW: "WTFB reaches 10 million-pound mark 11 years too soon"

MRT Photo by Tim Fischer
"The only reason we have been able to provide this food is because of you"

Libby Campbell Executive Director, West Texas Food Bank, Contributor
Midland Reporter-Telegram

Photo by Rafael Aguilera
MIDLAND/ODESSA, TEXAS - Summer hunger is something that we take very seriously around the West Texas Food Bank, and this year is no different. Before I started at the food bank almost 10 years ago, I had become involved with feeding children through the Odessa Junior League, where I served on the committee that created Food 2 Kids ...

Read the rest of this MRT report ...

From @FWMission ... Friday Story: “In God’s Image”

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.



FWM Photo
Friday Story: “In God’s Image”

In light of recent events in our country, and now across the globe, I thought it would be timely to write to you.

I am doing so to express the importance our organization has always placed in recognizing the value of every person we are called to serve through our mission.

From the start, Free Wheelchair Mission has sought to honor the belief that we are all created in God’s image and are thus all deserving of being treated with dignity ...

Read the rest of this story ...

Here's a Chance for YOU to Get Involved!

“Get Rolling!” with Grace Presbyterian and Free Wheelchair Mission ...

In the News ... "Andrews church providing food to community in need"

• House of Mercy Ministries believes the community they belong to includes more people than just those nearest to them

By Pierson Beach, Reporter
KWES-TV

ANDREWS, TEXAS - House of Mercy Ministries in Andrews is providing for a community in need. But what community are they providing for?

"This is a community thing, and as long as this is available for us to give out, we're here to help Kermit, we're here to help Odessa, we're here to help Midland," explained Community Outreach Director Denziel Ortiz ...

 • Read/watch the rest of this KWES report ...

In the News ... "West Texas Food Bank distributing food Friday morning"

KMID/KPEJ Photo
"If they were unable to get food that morning they can come to the West Texas Food Bank."

Staff Report
KMID-TV/KPEJ-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - After a disappointing day at the Ector County Coliseum for many Odessans, Craig Stoker of the West Texas Food Bank wants to let those people know they have other options ...

 • Read/watch the rest of this KMID/KPEJ 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.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 24, 2020

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF COLOMBIA - The Presbyterian Church of Colombia is reaching out to its siblings around the world, sending greetings of “solidarity in God’s call that invites us to do everything in our power to protect the life of the people in our congregations and neighboring communities through pastoral and humanitarian care.” ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, July 23, 2020

FBR Report: "Update from the Jungle School of Medicine-Kawthoolei"

The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) is a multi-ethnic humanitarian service movement. They bring help, hope and love to people in the war zones of Burma (Myanmar) and the Middle East. Groups send teams to be trained, supplied and sent into the areas under attack to provide emergency assistance and human rights documentation. Together with other groups, the teams work to serve people in need.



FBR Photo
Update from the Jungle School of Medicine-Kawthoolei

5 June 2020
Karen State, Burma

Thank you for all your support of the Jungle School of Medicine-Kawthoolei (JSMK) in Karen State, Burma. This is a place of healing and learning nestled at our main FBR training site, Tha U Wah Camp, in a jungled valley by a beautiful, swift stream ...

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this FBR Report ...

... God bless you,

Dave Eubank

CLICK HERE to learn how YOU can get involved in FBR and its mission ...

“LOVE EACH OTHER.
UNITE AND WORK FOR FREEDOM, JUSTICE, AND PEACE.
FORGIVE AND DON’T HATE EACH OTHER.
PRAY WITH FAITH, ACT WITH COURAGE, NEVER SURRENDER.”

In the News ... GUEST VIEW: "Robert E. Lee’s name mustn’t have any more power "

"A problem with a solution which is within our grasp as a community at this time"

Lorry Blong, District 4 Representative, Midland City Council, Contributor
Midland Reporter-Telegram


MIDLAND, TEXAS - Names carry power and influence.

There is a reason your mother calls you by your full name and you KNOW you are in trouble. There is a reason you are devoted to the coach who called you by name on the first day of practice.

Names are important; they have the power to change our emotions, our loyalties and our perspectives. Ask any teacher and she can give you a list of names she would NEVER assign to her pet chinchilla…much less bestow upon her actual child. We pay attention to the names we love and the names we hate; we subconsciously assign characteristics to certain names ...

Read the rest of this MRT report ...

In the News ... "Big food donation at Ector County Coliseum Thursday"

KMID/KPEJ Photo
• Drive facilitated through the Ector County Coliseum, and Emergency Ministries

By Jake Eichstaedt, Reporter
KMID-TV/KPEJ-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - A private donor has set up a reoccurring drive-thru food bank benefiting the people of Ector County. It starts at 8 in the morning, and 100,000 pounds of food are said to be going to people who need it ...

 • Read/watch the rest of this KMID/KPEJ report ...