Monday, February 15, 2016

From ChinaAid: "Officials raid Christian care center, forcibly transfer patients"

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

China Aid Photo
Officials raid Christian care center, forcibly transfer patients
Distributed by ChinaAid, February, 2016 ...

HUIZHOU, GUANGDONG, CHINA – More than 100 personnel from multiple government departments raided a Christian care center in China’s southern Guangdong province on Thursday, seized 15 staff members and patients, including an infant, and relocated them to another shelter.

Under the pretense of conducting a medical check-up, authorities forced their way into a Huizhou branch of Guanai (Care) Center, a Christian facility established for the care of people with a variety of medical conditions, despite pleas from local Christians to leave the premises. They forced 15 staff members and patients into a vehicle and moved them to a shelter in Huiyang District ...

more on this story from China Aid



In the News ... "Get your ash at mass ..."

Courtesy Photo
Bishop Michael James Sis, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, presided over an Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, February10, in the Dollye Neal Chapel, on MC's main campus.

The mass was open to all, and attendees included MC's Catholic Student club, college faculty and staff club, and members of the general public.

The day included the traditional imposition of ashes on the foreheads of attendees, on the grounds of the chapel.

CLICK HERE for a photo album

Sunday, February 14, 2016

In the News ... "Lenten Series seeks change"

• Several guest speakers scheduled to speak in Basin

OA Photo by Mark Sterkel
Staff Report
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS -Lent is a period when Christians should reflect on their shortcomings and resolve to imitate Jesus Christ by becoming more self-sacrificial toward their fellow man, say two ministers who’ll speak during the Odessa Ministerial Alliance’s annual Lenten Series.

Observed during the 40 days prior to Easter, Lent began with Ash Wednesday Feb. 10 and will continue with speakers at five churches ...

• read the rest of this OA report ...

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... TODAY

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).

Invitation to Prayer, Today

Hi Friends,

I hope you can make it to our time of prayer tomorrow at 11:3, at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, followed by lunch together.

Please join us in lifting up the needs of vulnerable children around the world.

Hallelujah Home in Kalaymyo, Burma


On their recent trip to Burma, members of the FPC Missions Team visited the Hallelujah Home in Kalaymyo. This home has been supported by our church since it began in 2008, when Nu Bawi felt God call her to help care for vulnerable children and she began taking children into her family's home. Currently 11 children live at the Hallelujah Home. The children are a mix of orphans and children from surrounding villages who would not have any opportunity to receive an education if they stayed at home with their families. Sadly, last year Nu Bawi passed away quite suddenly due to illness. Thankfully her family has continued in her steps, caring for the children and providing them a safe place to grow, get an education and learn about Jesus, but it is a big responsibility to take over for Nu Bawi. Please pray for strength and wisdom for those leading this ministry now, and please pray that they continue to receive the support they need to love and serve their children well. Also, please pray for the following children who live at the Hallelujah Home.

Daniel - 2 years old
Samuel - 5 years old
Thomas - 7 years old
Dawt Ku - 11 years old
Abisak - 12 years old
Thangte - 14 years old
Dawt Tha - 15 years old
Bapa Hmun - 15 years old
Sanda - 16 years old
Mawi Mawi - 18 years old
Lian Lian - 19 years old

All the best,

Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153



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 info@facesofchildren.net

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... 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).

Invitation to Prayer, Tomorrow

Hi Friends,

I hope you can make it to our time of prayer tomorrow at 11:3, at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, followed by lunch together.

Please join us in lifting up the needs of vulnerable children around the world.

Hallelujah Home in Kalaymyo, Burma


On their recent trip to Burma, members of the FPC Missions Team visited the Hallelujah Home in Kalaymyo. This home has been supported by our church since it began in 2008, when Nu Bawi felt God call her to help care for vulnerable children and she began taking children into her family's home. Currently 11 children live at the Hallelujah Home. The children are a mix of orphans and children from surrounding villages who would not have any opportunity to receive an education if they stayed at home with their families. Sadly, last year Nu Bawi passed away quite suddenly due to illness. Thankfully her family has continued in her steps, caring for the children and providing them a safe place to grow, get an education and learn about Jesus, but it is a big responsibility to take over for Nu Bawi. Please pray for strength and wisdom for those leading this ministry now, and please pray that they continue to receive the support they need to love and serve their children well. Also, please pray for the following children who live at the Hallelujah Home.

Daniel - 2 years old
Samuel - 5 years old
Thomas - 7 years old
Dawt Ku - 11 years old
Abisak - 12 years old
Thangte - 14 years old
Dawt Tha - 15 years old
Bapa Hmun - 15 years old
Sanda - 16 years old
Mawi Mawi - 18 years old
Lian Lian - 19 years old

All the best,

Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153



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 info@facesofchildren.net

Sunday, February 7, 2016

In the News ... "Bishop to talk adversity at National Prayer Breakfast"

MRT Photo by Steve Kuhlman
• Event set for Tuesday morning, February 9, at Midland's Horseshoe Pavilion

Trent Johnson, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - On Thursday, President Barack Obama addressed the crowd at the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. with a message about how faith has enabled him to overcome countless fears in his presidency, his personal life and even in dealing with his children. Even though the circumstances highlighted were empirical to the president, the theme of fear is prevalent and even extends to Midland and West Texas ...

... Midland will follow suit with its own prayer event Tuesday in an effort to join all Christian denominations together to pray for local and national leaders. Featured speaker Bishop Michael J. Sis, of the Diocese of San Angelo, will focus his words not on fear but adversity ...

 • read the rest of this MRT report

Saturday, February 6, 2016

In the News ... "Food Bank's Souper Bowl of Caring wraps up Feb. 7"

• Grocery store customers may participate through food bag purchases, cash donations

Rich Lopez, Reporter

Midland Reporter-Telegram

ODESSA/MIDLAND, TEXAS - he West Texas Food Bank and Albertsons and Market Street Stores will have their final push this weekend for their Souper Bowl of Caring campaign. The campaign will accept both grocery and cash donations through Sunday. The Food Bank, which recently moved into new facilities in Odessa, distributes donated and purchased food through a network of more than 75 partner Agencies in 19 counties throughout West Texas with every dollar donated providing four meals for the hungry ...

 • read the rest of this MRT report


Souper Bowl of Caring is a national youth-led movement that works to spread awareness of and fight hunger in the United States with every penny collected by participants. Souper Bowl of Caring will send anyone who asks everything necessary to start a donation drive, at a time of year when most food banks are depleted from the holidays. But the best part is that you get to choose where the money goes in your local community. No money gets sent to the organization; all you do is report your total amount raised.

Friday, January 29, 2016

From @FWMission ...Friday Story: "Blessed to Be a Blessing"

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: "Blessed to Be a Blessing"

Greetings, and Happy Friday!

As we pause to reflect on our blessings, we are reminded that we also have the privilege of blessing others.

Soun lives in Roarng Leu Village in Cambodia. In 2006 he fell from a tree and suffered a spinal cord injury. His wife took him to the hospital in Phnom Penh, but Soun never regained the ability to walk ...

read the rest of this story ...

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Equal Exchange Blog ... "Five Ways to Celebrate Fair Trade Valentine's Day"

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.


Five Ways to Celebrate Fair Trade Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! What do you have planned for your special someone (or yourself)? This year, we’re celebrating love of all kinds – including our love for Fair Trade, of course. Here are a few ways you can incorporate your support of small farmers into your gift-giving and activities on February 14 ...

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

Friday, January 22, 2016

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... ALL 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).

Faces of Children Sunday

Hi Friends,

This week, I'd like to ask you to pray for the ministry of Faces of Children in particular. On January 31, 2016, here in our home church of First Presbyterian in Midland, Texas, we are dedicating our Sunday services to the ministry of Faces of Children, hoping to connect more of our congregation to the needs facing children in our community and around the world.

Right now, we're in the midst of planning that service, and I'm excited about some of the ways we might be able to engage our congregation in praying for vulnerable children around the world. But it's also a lot to coordinate and arrange, and I'd just like to ask that you lift us up.

Specifically, please pray that God helps us follow His leading and plans, that the services would go smoothly, and that He uses this time to mobilize more of this local body to be His hands and feet in the lives of hurting children around the world.

I'm sorry this email is so brief today ... but I need to get back to planning! :)
Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153



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 info@facesofchildren.net

From @FWMission ...Friday Story: "Life Keeps Getting Better"

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: "Life Keeps Getting Better"

Greetings, and Happy Friday!

We love to share stories of the joy and immediate relief upon receiving the gift of mobility. But today we want to share the wonderful story of ongoing life transformation one family in Peru has experienced.

Doreli was forced to quit her job with an airline to care for her beautiful baby girl, Aimar, who was born with serious health issues. She made ends meet with support from her ex-husband and help from her parents ...

read the rest of this story ...

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Midland woman seeks help this weekend with Habitat for Humanity build

Hello all,

Well it’s a new year and I am at it again. I am ready to get the building of my home behind me so that I can focus on my last full year of college and other upcoming events. Being a Midland Habitat for Humanity 2015 recipient I would like to request your assistance once again. As part of being a 2015 recipient, I must reach 350 hours on the build. The Habitat community has set a deadline in which these hours must be complete, and It is crucial that I have at least another 85 hours by the first of February and with your help I can reach this goal.

These hours will go towards the building of my home and any hours left over can be donated to another family that is a part of Habitat for Humanity. This will be the last time that I will be able to bring a large group to help on the building of my new home.

The volunteer day is Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 9:00 am located at Ortloff Ct. (Directly across the street from the new Bunche Elementary School, behind the 3 houses that sit there in the front). Volunteers are more than welcome to stay all day or just part of the day; however all day is encouraged. lunch is between 12:00 and 1:00 pm (most locations end at 4:30pm, or whenever everything is completed and cleaned).

If you are able to volunteer please send me an email as soon as possible so that I can notify Habitat. If you have volunteered and are not able to make it, please contact me at least a day ahead of time so that I can notify Habitat as there may be another family that can take that spot.

Please be sure to mark your calendars on this date if you have pledged to volunteer, also a reminder email will be sent out prior to the day. If there are volunteers under the age of 18 a waiver for minors has to be completed and returned upon their arrival to the site.

Thanks in advance!

Nikki Lewis
Midland, Texas

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... ALL 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).

Faces of Children Sunday

Hi Friends,

This week, I'd like to ask you to pray for the ministry of Faces of Children in particular. On January 31, 2016, here in our home church of First Presbyterian in Midland, Texas, we are dedicating our Sunday services to the ministry of Faces of Children, hoping to connect more of our congregation to the needs facing children in our community and around the world.

Right now, we're in the midst of planning that service, and I'm excited about some of the ways we might be able to engage our congregation in praying for vulnerable children around the world. But it's also a lot to coordinate and arrange, and I'd just like to ask that you lift us up.

Specifically, please pray that God helps us follow His leading and plans, that the services would go smoothly, and that He uses this time to mobilize more of this local body to be His hands and feet in the lives of hurting children around the world.

I'm sorry this email is so brief today ... but I need to get back to planning! :)
Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153



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 info@facesofchildren.net

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

WAW Wednesday: Back from Cuba, a Timely Gift, a Sad Note

"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."


Back from Cuba

I haven't yet figured out a good way to communicate this trip. For now I will just report ...
Water filters were delivered to areas plagued with cholera. This effort supported the work of the local church and will save lives.
Now we need to see how we can widen the door. Our effort was a drop in the bucket.
Because of the solid relationship between Cuba and Belize we pray that Belize may become the staging point for more Christian aid to Cuba.

A Timely Gift

A short while back we were given the gift of property in Southern Belize to sell and the proceeds to go to two children's homes, Marla’s House of Hope in Belize and Valley of Angels in Guatemala. Thanks for praying that through with us. And have a look at the touching thank-you note below.

Dear Mollie,
Peace!
I am writing to you to personally thank you for your overwhelmingly generous support. While I don't have the words to thank you enough, I want to give you a little context to help you see how much this means to me and Valley.

This morning I was called to go to the public hospital in Guatemala called San Juan … One of our children is there … When I arrived I found her in a large room with 40 other children, in a small dirty bed all alone hooked up to an intravenous, burning with fever, and miserable. She hadn't slept or eaten all night …I was looking around at all the poor children who were there. I was thinking what an awful place but at the same time I am grateful … I am truly grateful that we have amazing supporters who make it possible for us to help these children who have no-one … Your gift not only enables us to provide a place to live, food to eat, education, the faith but the ability to communicate love to them. To let them know they are loved and they are lovable and they are worth it.

So today was a tough day, most of all for Monica, but thanks to you she felt loved and smiled and played puzzles in her bed and hopefully will be well enough next week to come back to valley and continue her year studying with us.

[Fr Della Penna shared that his budget had been cut by $30K USD due to lack of funding; the check TWAW sent on behalf of our generous land-donor was just over $31K USD.]

Fr Michael Della Penna ofm
Director
Valley of the Angels


A Sad Note

WAW Photo
Our dear friend and ministry partner in the Belize city Burial Grounds area has passed away.

Pastor Rita Flowers of Alpha and Omega children's church will be missed by us, throngs of children, and her innumerable dogs.


Tim Tam
The Word at Work

ps:
Our Ministry Associate team gathers school supplies, toys, and stuffed animals through out the year ... we've discovered blankets are an ongoing need as well, so please be saving them, too. Click here to learn more about becoming a TW@W Ministry Associate, or get in touch with Tim Hagen for more information!



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 !

Equal Exchange Blog ... "2015 Year in Review"

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.


2015 Year in Review

At the end of every year, we reflect on the accomplishments, challenges, developments and memorable moments that have helped us grow. Here are a just a few of the highlights from 2015, which we’re so proud to share with you all – and which we couldn’t have done without your support ...

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... ALL 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).

Faces of Children Sunday

Hi Friends,

This week, I'd like to ask you to pray for the ministry of Faces of Children in particular. On January 31, 2016, here in our home church of First Presbyterian in Midland, Texas, we are dedicating our Sunday services to the ministry of Faces of Children, hoping to connect more of our congregation to the needs facing children in our community and around the world.

Right now, we're in the midst of planning that service, and I'm excited about some of the ways we might be able to engage our congregation in praying for vulnerable children around the world. But it's also a lot to coordinate and arrange, and I'd just like to ask that you lift us up.

Specifically, please pray that God helps us follow His leading and plans, that the services would go smoothly, and that He uses this time to mobilize more of this local body to be His hands and feet in the lives of hurting children around the world.

I'm sorry this email is so brief today ... but I need to get back to planning! :)
Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153



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 info@facesofchildren.net

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... ALL 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).

Faces of Children Sunday

Hi Friends,

This week, I'd like to ask you to pray for the ministry of Faces of Children in particular. On January 31, 2016, here in our home church of First Presbyterian in Midland, Texas, we are dedicating our Sunday services to the ministry of Faces of Children, hoping to connect more of our congregation to the needs facing children in our community and around the world.

Right now, we're in the midst of planning that service, and I'm excited about some of the ways we might be able to engage our congregation in praying for vulnerable children around the world. But it's also a lot to coordinate and arrange, and I'd just like to ask that you lift us up.

Specifically, please pray that God helps us follow His leading and plans, that the services would go smoothly, and that He uses this time to mobilize more of this local body to be His hands and feet in the lives of hurting children around the world.

I'm sorry this email is so brief today ... but I need to get back to planning! :)
Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153



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 info@facesofchildren.net

Friday, January 15, 2016

From @FWMission ...Friday Story: "One Family's Double Blessing"

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: "One Family's Double Blessing"

Greetings, and Happy Friday!

Last month a Vision Trip team went to Costa Rica and distributed 150 wheelchairs in seven locations with our distribution partner, Do It Center Foundation. In the city of La Cruz they were able to bless one family twice!

Nicolasa has spent a lifetime putting others before herself. She raised nine children who live nearby and help care for her. A few years ago she received a wheelchair to help her get around as her Parkinson’s disease made walking difficult. But she could still walk a little, and she knew someone who needed a wheelchair even more than she did, so she gave hers away ...

read the rest of this story ...

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Equal Exchange Blog ... "Five Ways to Fundraise This Valentine's Day"

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.


Five Ways to Fundraise This Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day always comes as a delightful break from winter doldrums for all ages, and at school, it offers a festive and easy fundraising opportunity. Here are a few ways to celebrate with your students and raise money for your next project ...

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

Monday, January 11, 2016

From ChinaAid: "Church pastor charged with ‘illegally holding state secrets’ sentenced to criminal detention"

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

China Aid Photo
Church pastor charged with ‘illegally holding state secrets’ sentenced to criminal detention
Distributed by ChinaAid, December, 2015 ...

GUIYANG, GUIZHOU, CHINA – After witnessing officials forcing her husband into an unidentified van, Wang Hongwu, the wife of detained Huoshi Church pastor Yang Hua, received a notice on Sunday, stating that Yang is suspected of “illegally holding state secrets” and has been criminally detained ...

more on this story from China Aid



Friday, January 8, 2016

From @FWMission ...Friday Story: "Hope in a Box"

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: "Hope in a Box"

Greetings, and Happy Friday!

will you join us in expressing gratitude for our partners around the world who receive and distribute wheelchairs?

In Malawi, the Namikango Mission staff carefully unloads box after box from the trailer of a 40-foot truck. Each box contains possibilities for another person who has faced near hopeless conditions. The label says it all: “Free Wheelchair Mission.” ...

read the rest of this story ...

In the News ... "52 Faces" Q&A with Mary Hardin

MRT Photo by Tim Fischer
"52 Faces of the Community" is a new, regular feature of the Midland Reporter-Telegram that is recognizing the unsung heroes and volunteers of Midland, Texas. The latest installment in this series offers a question-and-answer session with Mary Hardin, Helping Hands of Midland executive director.

read the rest of this MRT report

visit the "52 Faces" index page

Thursday, January 7, 2016

In the News ... "Salvation Army finds gold coin in kettle"

MRT Photo by Tim Fischer
• Tradition dates back more than 20 years in cities across nation

Cassie Burton, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - It has happened the same time of year and at the same place, for a decade. Someone approaches the Salvation Army’s red kettle outside Hobby Lobby and drops in a $5 or $10 bill. Wrapped inside the bill is a gold coin worth hundreds of dollars ...

read the rest of this MRT report

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Equal Exchange Blog ... "The Small Producer Symbol: What Does It Stand For?"

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.


The Small Producer Symbol: What Does It Stand For?

In the last year, you may have noticed a new logo on the package of your coffee: the Small Producer Symbol. The SPP (the acronym of the Spanish name, Simbolo de Pequeños Productores ) is a relatively new certification label that you can now find on many of our coffees and in stores nationwide.

Certification labels help us understand our food choices better, allowing us to make informed decisions about what businesses we want to support based on their practices ...

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

In the News ... "52 Faces" Q&A with Stephanie Wilbanks

MRT Photo by Tim Fischer
"52 Faces of the Community" is a new, regular feature of the Midland Reporter-Telegram that is recognizing the unsung heroes and volunteers of Midland, Texas. The latest installment in this series offers a question-and-answer session with Stephanie Wilbanks, 3:11 Ministries director.

read the rest of this MRT report

visit the "52 Faces" index page

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

In the News ... "Midland church gives out black eyed peas to neighborhood"

KWES Photo
• They do it for more than just good luck

Staff Report
KWES-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - It's something they have done every year for the past seven years.

The Lifehouse Fellowship Church handed out black eyed peas for the start of the new year ...

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

Monday, January 4, 2016

From ChinaAid: "Updated: Detainees released in Zhejiang"

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

China Aid File Photo
Updated: Detainees released in Zhejiang
Distributed by ChinaAid, December, 2015 ...

WENZHOU, ZHEJIANG, CHINA – As of Dec. 22, China Aid received a report that three more detainees were released: Wei Wenhai, Pan Liyue and Zhang Zhi. The name of another Wenzhou detainee, Zhang Chongzhu, was also recently discovered. China Aid will continue to update this list as further information is received ...

more on this story from China Aid



In the News ... "52 Faces" Q&A with Jim Morris

MRT Photo by James Durbin
"52 Faces of the Community" is a new, regular feature of the Midland Reporter-Telegram that is recognizing the unsung heroes and volunteers of Midland, Texas. The latest installment in this series offers a question-and-answer session with Jim Morris, whose community involvement includes First Christian Church of Midland, and Christmas in Action.

read the rest of this MRT report

visit the "52 Faces" index page

Friday, January 1, 2016

From @FWMission ...Friday Story: "Learn More About Free Wheelchair Mission"

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: "Learn More About Free Wheelchair Mission"

EDITOR'S NOTE: Wanted to kick-off the new year with some info points about my mission friends/partners at Free Wheelchair Mission. We'll get back to their usual "Friday Stories" next week ... but, for now ...

What We Do: Why Wheelchairs? ...

What We Do: Our Wheelchairs ...

What We Do: Where We Work ...

What We Do: Distribution Partners ...

What We Do: Our Impact ...

... we now return you to your regularly-scheduled program ... Happy New Year !!!

In the News ... "A New Ministry Opens Its Doors To The Homeless"

KOSA Photo
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By Carla Ruiz, Reporter
KOSA-TV


ODESSA, TEXAS - A new ministry called “Hope Heals All” [at First Assembly of God in Odessa] is aimed at serving the homeless around the Basin Area ...

read the rest of this KOSA report