Identifying with and praying for the poor

Scripture is replete with commands to love, serve and give generously to the poor. This year, VRBC's Global Missions Fair will center around Jesus' mission statement in Luke 4:18, "to preach good news to the poor." Most of us have never had to wonder where our next meal would come from, or where we would lay our head at night. Even those who grew up in poverty in the US had access to health care and a basic education. It is hard for us to identify with the poor around the world.

This week, we challenge you to eat a subsistence diet--a minimal amount of rice, beans and water. Decide with your family whether you will do this for one meal, one day, one meal/day, or even the entire week. Consider it a partial fast, a way to focus our attention and our prayers on behalf of the poor around the world. Each day, we will post some Scriptures and/or thoughts on this blog to help guide your prayers. At the end of the week, when we come back together for worship, Bible study, and the Global Missions Fair, we will have hearts and minds prepared for what God would like to teach us.

Prayers and Scripture for Sunday, September 23rd:

Luke 4:18

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

• Pray that the Spirit of the Lord would lead you in the path of Jesus. Ask that the Spirit would guide you, teach you, and give you a heart of compassion for the poor.
• Pray that God's Spirit would make clear your "anointing"--your calling--to the poor.
• Pray that God would reveal to you what truly constitutes "good news" to the poor. Be assured that the gospel is good news, but it is good news to the whole person, not just to the soul. 

Responding to Hurricane Isaac

We praise God that Hurricane Isaac has not wreaked havoc to the same degree as Hurricane Katrina seven years ago. Nevertheless, as the storm camped out on the Gulf Coast it brought flooding and winds that caused many to seek shelter from the storm. These families may return to find their homes flooded and treasured possessions damaged. Check out the following opportunities to give, pray and serve:

From the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship:
While volunteer opportunities are expected to emerge in the coming weeks, the best way to help now is to give online to CBF's disaster relief fund. Stay up-to-date with the latest response news at CBF's disaster response online community. Specifically check out the network for responses to Hurricane Isaac. Currently, CBF disaster response personnel are reconnecting with hurricane response partners and encouraging Fellowship Baptists in affected areas to prepare their homes and churches for Isaac's landfall.  

From the Southern Baptist Convention:
For information on the SBC's physical response coordinated through the North American Mission Board, read this article. Southern Baptists and others who want to donate to the disaster relief operations can contact their state conventions or contribute to NAMB's disaster relief fund via namb.net/disaster-relief-donations. Other ways to donate are to call 1-866-407-NAMB (6262) or mail checks to NAMB, P.O. Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368-6543.

Shelters:

Volunteers with the American Red Cross were ready Tuesday at a shelter at Faith Baptist Church in DeSoto. American Red Cross spokeswoman Anita Foster says shelters also have been set up at St. Louis Baptist Church in Tyler and Williams Memorial United Methodist Church in Texarkana, Texas. Each shelter can accommodate about 150 people. (Source:

http://www.wbrz.com/news/3-texas-shelters-open-for-isaac-evacuees/)

Disaster Relief Opportunities

One of VRBC's denominational partners is making a big difference in areas that have been hard-hit by fires. Read on about opportunities to serve with the Baptist General Convention of Texas in the coming weeks.

 

Texas Baptist Disaster Recovery 

 

Bastrop County - One Year Later

 

September 4th marks the one year anniversary of the Bastrop County Complex Fire, a massive wildfire that struck Bastrop County, TX. The fire destroyed 1691 homes, 38 businesses, burned over 34,000 acres. Two people lost their lives. This was the largest fire in Texas history, the third largest in US history. Approximately 276 of the homes destroyed had no insurance, 52% of all homes destroyed were underinsured. Over 700 of these homes are considered low income.

 

This event opened up a huge ministry field for Texas Baptists Disaster Recovery. Many churches and BSM groups have volunteered. More volunteers are needed. Meals, lodging and volunteer opportunities are available at the Faith Village Volunteer Center located at FBC Smithville. Go to www.texasbaptists.org/disaster for more information and to find out how you can help.

• Pastor, Harold Welch, of Primera Baptist Church in Bastrop has discovered a few fire survivors who don't fit the traditional mold for assistance. If it were not for Pastor Welch and his loving heart and commitment these folks would not be getting any kind of help at all. Find out how to help Pastor Welch and "the least of these" by contacting Marla Bearden at 214-537-7358.

• The Bastrop County Fire Relief Center, 201 Childers, suite 107, A non-profit organization continuing to serve the fire survivors with donated goods, furniture and appliances. Many of our churches and BSM Groups have volunteered in this center. Their Annual Fundraising event is Saturday, September 8th located on the parking lot of the center. There will be live music, silent auction, moonwalk, BBQ and much more. For more information contact Ruth Rogers at 512-629-9504.
   
• The Bastrop County Longer Term Recovery Team will commemorate this anniversary with a "Night Of Hope" at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa on Tuesday, September 4th. They will look at the past year and see how far they have come in recovery. Keynote speaker will be Juddy Maggio, anchor at KEYE, a local TV station in Austin. Tickets are $75 each. Contact Marla on how to get tickets.

 

Need for Volunteers in Mannford, Oklahoma

 

The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Disaster Relief Director, has asked Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief to assist them by deploying ash-out and chainsaw teams. He is asking for 7 teams of 8-10 volunteers to work in Mannford, Oklahoma (near Tulsa). He reports that there is ample work for experienced ash-out teams.

 

In addition, this is a GREAT opportunity to get volunteers some ash-out experience. He says that he will pair inexperienced volunteers with experienced ash-out volunteers.

• Housing will be in local Baptist churches 
• OK Baptist Men feeding volunteers are providing meals 

His hope is for a quick response in light of the fact that the heart of hurricane season is upon us. Teams are needed beginning Thursday, August 16. We hope to complete all work by August 31.

 

 

 

Texas Baptist Men has asked that if any Church Groups and BSM Groups would like to go and work with the TBM trained volunteers, contact TBMDR's Volunteer Coordinator, Cookie Slate. The cost will be your transportation expense. Lodging and meals will be provided.

 

If you are available to respond in any of the expected time frame, please email VolunteerDR@texasbaptistmen.org or call Cookie Slate, 972-754-4734.

Tatarstan Russia

Mission Trip:  Tatarstan Region of Russia
Purpose:  Evangelism through teaching English as a Second Language
Dates:  June 28-July 12, 2012
Church Partner:  Church Revival in Chelny, Russia
VRBC Member Participating:  Angela Benge...Sims/Struffolino ABF
Prayer Points:  Travel safety....it is a LONG way...by plane, train, & bus! 
        Endurance for team......fast-paced & rather non-stop camp setting
        Open & receptive hearts....Tatarstan is a Muslim region with less than 1% Christians. God must open hearts for us to plant seeds of salvation.



Neighboring church, Coppell Bible Fellowship, has been partnering for several years with Church Revival in Chelny, Tatarstan Russia for a church-sponsored language camp. (I have learned that in Russia, adults often go to focused camps in the summer.) The big draw is that Americans teach the classes! The popularity & size of the camp has grown & more teachers were needed, so Coppell Bible Fellowship reached out to other churches in the area with ESL ministries. Since I LOVE teaching ESL at VRBC & with this trip being primarily in a camp setting and my YEARS as a Girl Scout, I signed on. I am one of only 3 "newbies." The rest of the 11-member team have been before & know what to expect & are so organized. I have been amazed at all the planning & preparations that go into the trip! Along with English classes, we will be teaching American baseball & football & America's culture of Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, & the 4th of July...from a Christian perspective.

I will be teaching about the 4th of July & the devout Christian faith of our Founding Fathers & the Bible as the basis of our Constitution & laws. Marshmallows are not known to Russians, so on the 4th we will have a bonfire by the river, toast marshmallows (that we will bring with us,) & make S'Mores! :)

 As a fun activity to build vocabulary, classes will compete at "Family Feud." I want to thank VRBC's 86:12 for being a large part of the survey group. We received 188 responses to the survey! Awesome! Thanks too for the prayers & support of my VRBC family!



Texas Tornadoes

Many have been praying for and wondering how to respond to those affected by the tornadoes that ripped through DFW this week. You may have also heard that flooding and hail last week did a lot of damage in the Rio Grande Valley, one of VRBC's mission partnership areas, as well. Here are some opportunities to work with VRBC mission partners to serve those most affected by the storms:

TEXAS BAPTISTS DISASTER RECOVERY

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!

 

Texas Baptist Disaster Recovery

Marla Bearden, Disaster Response Specialist

Chris Liebrum, Disaster Response Director

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Long Term Recovery Missions Opportunities

Texas Baptists Disaster Recovery - Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus to those who need a touch from God...

Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

 DISASTER RESPONSE FUNDING IS NEEDED...
We are experiencing the largest Disaster in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in many years. Funding will be needed to assist with responding by Texas Baptist Men and Texas Baptists Disaster Recovery. Please go to www.texasbaptists.org/give click on Disaster Response. Or mail checks to the BGCT, Disaster Response, 333 N. Washington, Dallas, Texas 75246.

There will be many volunteer opportunities. Once these are discovered we will keep everyone informed. Texas Baptist Men and Texas Baptists Disaster Recovery are engaged with the State of Texas and the (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) in this response.

Volunteers are needed now at the following places:

• To Volunteer in Lancaster contact Spencer Harvey at 972-978-5918 of the Lancaster Public Safety Department. He will be coordinating volunteer opportunities and making assignments. The volunteer Reception Center is located in the Lancaster Public Library, 1600 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Lancaster, TX.
• Volunteers are needed in Forney. To volunteer contact Mustang Creek Community Church at 972-564-4250 located at 13851 FM 548, Forney, TX. This church is coordinating volunteer opportunities and giving orientation to assist volunteers.
• Donations are being accepted at Mustang Creek and the churches listed below. Go to the Forney Disaster Relief Facebook Page and click on docs for an up to date list of the items that are needed and where to take them.

*Please call before traveling to these towns to volunteer or bring donations. Volunteers and donations will be needed for many weeks. If you are traveling from out of town you will need to be sure of lodging.

18 Tornadoes Hit DFW April 3, 2012

Currently Disaster Response, Texas Baptist Men, are responding to needs in the Lancaster area with a feeding unit. Chain saw units are standing by. Some areas are still assessing the damage and do not need volunteers right now but that will change. We are working to discover any churches or church members affected and volunteer opportunities. Please call Marla Bearden at 214-537-7358 if you have any information about needs and volunteer opportunities in our Texas Baptist Family.

 

Watch for more information on this Disaster Recovery e-news letter as the days and weeks progress into this recovery.

Flooding and Hail in The Valley in McAllen, Texas.

On the evening of Thursday, March 29th a huge rain and hail storm struck the city of McAllen with flooding and 6 inches of hail, 1,100 homes and businesses were affected. The Director of Missions with the Rio Grande Valley Baptist Association is working to coordinate volunteer opportunities. Many elderly folks homes were flooded and are in need of assistance with clean out, removal of furniture and boxing up home goods. If you can volunteer call Robert Cepeda at 956-371-8516 or email him at rgvdom@gmail.com Volunteer housing and meals will be at the Rio Grande Valley Retreat Center at a cost of $120 per week.

Click on the link below for news stories from local news about our Texas Baptist Response to McAllen.

http://www.krgv.com/news/volunteers-helping-woman-with-storm-damaged-home/#.T3uZmdWylG4.email

Pray for VRBC's mission trip in Peru

This week VRBC has a group of students and families serving with e3 Partners in Lima, Peru. A few of the group members are pictured above preparing to do outreach with host church members and translators. Please pray for them as they evangelize, start I Am Second groups, and serve with VRBC mission partners in Lima. They are doing outreach, discipleship, children's ministry and sports ministry, and will arrive home on Friday. Here are a few pictures from their time so far. Hopefully we will have a chance to hear from them personally on the blog before they return home. Below you will some of the group participating in their I Am Second group before heading out to do their mission work for the day.

Pray for our VRBC Leaders in Africa

Yesterday Pastor Larry arrived safely in Nairobi, the first of several VRBC leaders heading to Africa this week to seek God's vision for potential partnership opportunities in Kenya and Sudan. Larry will spend the first few days with VRBC-supported missionary Tom Stickney, the director of African Christian Outreach (ACO). ACO is a ministry begun by Tom's parents to disciple Kenyan college students, and under Tom's leadership the ministry has expanded to involve the discipled students in community development ministry and global missions in other countries. Above you can see Larry teaching at an orphanage, one of the community development sites where the ACO students regularly serve.

Today (Feb 2) VRBC leaders Todd Szalkowski, Landa Parker, and John and Deirdre LaNoue depart for South Sudan, and Larry will join them en route tomorrow night in Uganda. The team will do evangelism, church planting, worship under a tree, and microfinance visits with e3 in South Sudan from Saturday through Monday. Tuesday they begin their trek back to Kenya, where Wednesday they will hop on another flight to visit schools and foster care ministries with Buckner International. VRBC leader / Buckner staff Jeff Jones will join them at this point in their trip. Thursday night they return to Nairobi; Pastor Larry begins the long flight home to preach on Sunday, while the rest of the group spends that weekend with Tom and ACO, visiting a college campus and then teaching at a leadership development conference for key students in ACO's ministry.

The trip obviously entails a LOT of travel and a lot of ministry. Please cover this group in prayer.

• Pray that God would multiply their rest and refresh their spirits as they make the most of their time in Africa.
• Pray also that God would give them wisdom and discernment as they visit ministries and churches and seek God's vision for VRBC's future partnerships in Kenya and South Sudan. Pray that they would identify ways that we could partner (1) in love, prayer and online communications to equip leaders across the distance, (2) through funding key projects that are capably led by African Christians, and (3) through opportunities that might require our presence and give us a chance of in-person relationships with our Christian brothers and sisters in Kenya and South Sudan.
• Pray for the actual ministry they will do on the trip--for effective evangelism, for powerful teaching, that the Holy Spirit would use whatever they do to bring people to Christ and to strengthen and equip the believers in Kenya and South Sudan.
• Finally, pray that their visit itself would serve as an encouragement to our mission partners in that country. Pray that they could share the love of Christ and of VRBC, that they could encourage and strengthen the believers there, and that even in the short time allotted they could build lasting relationships that would bring glory to God and be a witness to others.