THE CHANGE
Two words that strike terror in the hearts of half the population on planet earth. WHY?
Because it alters life, is not within our ability to control, and brings an ending of what was. But change can be a good thing. It all depends on how you choose to deal with it.
WMU of Texas has been living in the midst change. Our offices moved in June. Now we are announcing two more changes.
Several new staff members have come on board in the last six months. After 47 years with Texas Baptists Looie Biffar retired and chose to work with WMU of Texas as our Creative Arts Director. She brings a wealth of knowledge in graphic design and marketing.
New voices that may greet you when you call belong to two talented ministry assistants, Janie Page and Sandy Garcia. Janie also coaches volleyball at a local
Christian school, and Sandy stays busy as a wife and mom. Erica Zamora now serves as office manager.
Isaiah Morales is a college student who is responsible for sending out thousands of packages containing week of prayer materials for the three special mission offerings.
Beth Campbell is the newest addition to our staff. She will help coordinate our communication plan and various other projects. She is a past vice president of WMU of Texas.
With a new location and new staff, new email addresses are also part of the change. They are intended to be easier to remember, shorter in length, and reflective of who we are. Please make appropriate changes in your address books and databases.
Yes, change can be a good thing, especially when God is the One directing it.
Sandy Wisdom-Martin
Sandy.WMUTX@texasbaptists.org
Carolyn Porterfield
Carolyn.WMUTX@texasbaptists.org
Liz Encinia
Liz.WMUTX@texasbaptists.org
Becky Ellison
Becky.WMUTX@texasbaptists.org
Pam Poole
Pam.WMUTX@texasbaptists.org
Suzette Mitchell
Suzette.WMUTX@texasbaptists.org
Erica Zamora
Erica.WMUTX@texasbaptists.org
Janie Page
Janie.WMUTX@texasbaptists.org
Sandy Garcia
SandyG.WMUTX@texasbaptists.org
Looie Biffar
Looie.WMUTX@texasbaptists.org
Beth Campbell
Beth.WMUTX@texasbaptists.org
Isaiah Morales
Isaiah.WMUTX@texasbaptists.org
6 THE BRIDGE
By blessing her one yard of cloth at a time through something as simple as a reusable menstrual pad or a yard of flannel.
The majority of women and girls in many parts of the world cannot afford disposable feminine products. Each month they use whatever they can find to meet their need or use nothing at all. The Pad Project was created to make reusable menstrual pads to meet a need and open the door for a gospel witness and church planting. Since 2013 over 4,000 pads have benefited women in South Asia as well as Uganda, South Africa, and Honduras. And we can still use more!
In recent months another option has presented itself. In one South Asian country, there are gifted Christian seamstresses who want to make pads to sell but cannot find absorbent flannel in their country. That’s how Blessings by the Yard was born. We dreamed of sending enough flannel for these women to make 10,000 pads to sell and use as a tool to share Jesus and start churches. We estimate that it will take 715 yards of flannel to make 10,000 pads. Over 100 yards have already arrived in South Asia. We only have 615 yards to go!
WMU of Texas will ship flannel, pads, and drawstring bags where they are needed. Donations to help with shipping are also accepted. Make a check out to WMU of Texas and put “Women Helping Women” in the memo line. All items can be sent to: 10325 Brockwood, Dallas, TX 75238.
How can you help a woman in a South Asian country change her family’s future, come to know Christ, and grow as a disciple?
Career missionaries, 50 years or older with five or more years of service, were recently offered a Voluntary Retirement Incentive (VRI) package by the International Mission Board. With the acceptance of the VRI, missionaries have been making life-altering decisions regarding their career and home.
WMU of Texas is responding with open arms and coordinating efforts to help with the transition of missionaries relocating to Texas. Creating a database of the missionaries and their needs, we are encouraging them along with providing information regarding available housing, vehicle availability, and job opportunities.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
◗
Do you know a missionary that is relocating to your area? Let WMU of Texas know so we can include them in our database.
◗ Would your church provide a missionary home or help defray a rental fee?
◗ Would your church provide a vehicle and/or insurance for one year?
◗ Will you help find opportunities for them to use their skills and giftedness to continue serving in your area?
◗ Encourage them with prayer notes, meals, gift cards, or a welcome basket.
Contact Beth Campbell at Beth.wmutx@ texasbaptists.org for more information on how you can help and/or to provide information on available housing, transportation or jobs.
VRI from One Missionary’s Perspective
Grief…denial…this isn’t really happening?!? Sure, there have been many times in the last 27 years that I have dreamed of leaving the field—of going back to Texas and family. But we’ve been with the International Mission Board [IMB] that long because we were, and still are committed to what the Lord is doing through them and through us WITH them. When the announcement was made last August that the IMB had to reduce by one in six missionaries immediately, my first reaction was denial. “This isn’t about us.” Then, “Has it really come to this?” The VRI is a generous and gracious way to exit, but has it really come to this? Grief, shock—and yes—this really is happening.
Over the weeks that followed, as we understood that the Lord really was calling us back to Texas, the denial faded and fear set in. OKAY, fear is a bad
word in Christian circles, right? Especially from a missionary. But there it was…lurking…threatening. How will we put food on the table? I’m 55 and unemployed. Yes, FEAR.
And now we are on the ground in Texas getting used to our new normal. Scared and excited about what the Lord may be getting ready to reveal. And wondering when…
David Peterson
IMB Missionary Taking the VRI
Suggestions from a Missionary
Every returning missionary’s needs are going to be different, but here are some suggestions that will be helpful to the VRI-ers you know:
◗ Ask to hear our stories! And listen to them. Be prepared for tears—especially ours. We are still passionate about what we just left.
◗ Don’t put us on a pedestal. We are feeling vulnerable and uncertain right now, not heroic. Insisting that we are your heroes just makes us feel like we are going to disappoint you.
◗ Give us room to grieve. It hurts to lose so much, so quickly. You can care for us, be there for us, and pray for us.
◗ Be a friend. We left so many friends behind. We truly need you now.
◗ Put up with us! We are out of the loop on American politics and culture. We will have strong opinions. They will be…well…different. For now, we are foreigners, even in our own country.
◗ Help us network. We may need your help finding jobs, housing, schools or ministry opportunities, and we may not even know who to ask.
◗ Pray for us! The Lord allowed the VRI to redirect our lives. We need you, and we need Him to show us the way forward.
David Peterson
IMB Missionary Taking the VRI A Week’s Devotional for VRI-ers (and others struggling with overwhelming transition)
DAY 1: Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Read Psalm 20 and ask the Lord to walk with you through this troubling time.
DAY 2: Psalm 91:2 “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Read the entire Psalm. To what parts do you relate best right now?
DAY 3: Job 19:25,27 “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth… How my heart yearns within me!” Consider Job’s context. Can you find examples of Job expressing different stages of grief in the previous chapters?
DAY 4: Ezra 3:11-13 “No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping…” Why were some grieving and others rejoicing? Maybe some were experiencing both joy and grief?
DAY 5: Acts 16:6-11 Paul’s plans are changed when he has a vision of a man from Macedonia calling him for help. Are we not still called? Where is God re-directing you?
DAY 6: Acts 8:4-40 Philip is being used mightily in Samaria. But then he is sent to the desert road between Jerusalem and Gaza. And then just as suddenly he is transported to Azotus. And God shows up each time.
DAY 7: Nehemiah 1:1-2:5
Nehemiah had an important overseas role, but when he heard bad news from his home country, he was grieved and volunteered to return. Read his story again, from the perspective of coming back to the USA.
David Peterson IMB Missionary Taking the VRI
Do Missionaries Grieve?
As I counsel IMB missionaries through the Board’s current crisis, the most pervasive response I hear is, “I just feel so much grief.” Grief is not just about bereavement. It is the natural and overwhelming response to loss. Loss of a dream, a role, or a relationship. And missionaries who are leaving the field suddenly after years or even decades of service are losing all three.
For us as a couple, our last five years serving in the IMB’s MemberCare department have been a sweet spot, joyfully serving with our gifts and passions. I could hardly believe I had the privilege of serving the other IMB missionaries in that way. And now I don’t. The loss of a dream…of a role…of relationships. Grief
The commonly accepted stages of grief are: Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance. Read Job, Jeremiah, or the Psalms to find numerous examples of all five of these stages being expressed by godly men. And do not be surprised if you slide back to a previous stage now and then. Grieving is important. Give yourself time and permission to do it well.
David Peterson
IMB Missionary Taking the VRI
Flo sat at her desk after graduation and looked through the photos from the semester. She came across the photo of her and Lisa. She smiled at the sweet memory of that day. Thankful that God is guiding her to make changes in her life. We gather photos and trinkets to remember significant moments in our lives. God instructed Joshua to ask twelve men to gather stones in remembrance of what God did for the Israelites. Monuments of stones are tangible reminders of God’s presence and provisions.
CHRISTIAN
will gather together on FEBRUARY 24, 2016 to pray across our Texas communities. The theme for the Texas Day of Prayer is Remembrance: Gathering Stones. Prayers of remembering God’s faithfulness, mercy, provision, and healing for those served. Join us in prayer on February 24th as we remember what God has done through our ministries. For a downloadable prayer guide, visit www.wmutx.org.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2016 CHILDREN'S MINISTRY DAY (CMD). WMU is excited to hear your stories and reports from your special day. Don't worry if you were not able to participate on February 13th. You can plan a CMD event anytime throughout the year. Don't forget to report your group's project to National WMU at www.wmu.com/cmd.
A special thank you to Lifeway Christian Resources for hosting CMD projects at their store locations.
For additional information about CMD and it's coordinating resources, go to www.wmu.com/cmd.
WOMEN’S JOB CORPS and CHRISTIAN MEN’S JOB CORPS
CHECK THEM OUT
Missions discipleship develops faith skills. Below are some great tools to add to your tool kit.
Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. This video-based study is a great way to prepare people to serve without hurting. The participant’s guide provides discussion questions. The book includes information on accessing the videos. Available through online bookstores.
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society is a great read that challenges disciples to persevere in following Christ. Using the Psalms of Ascent, author Eugene Peterson does a masterful job of presenting new insights from an ancient text. Available through online bookstores.
Cross-Cultural Servanthood helps disciples better understand how to develop a servant attitude as they reach across cultures. Living in Texas affords us the opportunity to touch the nations who live in our communities and neighborhoods. Will those we serve see Christ in us? This book will help improve your serve. Available through online bookstores. There is much in the news these days about Muslims in America. Disciples are ambassadors for Christ. If God is asking you to reach Muslims, you will benefit from Bridges. The Crescent Project has developed this insightful study using both DVD and print information to help us understand Islam and how we can build bridges to share the gospel. This resource is available at www. crescentproject.org/resources.
Do you know your neighbors? Want to be a better neighbor? Take a look at The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon. The book gives great ideas on knowing your neighbors and being a good neighbor. Learn more by going to www.artofneighboring.com. One thing everyone can do to love their neighbors is PRAY for them. Pray4EveryHome can help you do just that. Go to www.pray4everyhome.com to learn more.
1. Give a sweet
Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 sticks of real butter
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
Cream together
2 eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla
Mix well and add to above creamed mixture. Mix well again.
1 1/2 cups Flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt
Combine together and mix into the creamed mixture. Mix well again.
3 cups old fashioned oatmeal
1¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 bag Reese’s® peanut butter chips
Mix the above ingredients into the creamed mixture.
Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes. Drop the dough on the cookie sheet about 2” apart, in 1½ inch balls. Place pan with rolled dough in freezer for 5 minutes.
Put pans directly in oven and bake in 350° oven for 12 minutes or until edges of cookie are brown. Let cool for 2 minutes on sheet pan then transfer to wire rack to cool
2. Warm the Heart
Taco Soup
2-3 pounds of hamburger meat (or turkey/venison)
3 taco seasoning packets (2 cooked into meat, 1 in soup after everything has been added)
2 cans yellow corn
1 can white corn
2 cans pinto beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 ranch seasoning packet mixed into bowl
2 cans mild Rotel® tomatoes/peppers
1 can regular Rotel® tomatoes/peppers
Brown meat in large pot then mix all other ingredients in same pot. Stir occasionally, simmer for
Let’s extend our arms around our neighbors and love well. Invite them into your home or walk to their home. Here are two easy ways to show Christ’s command to love others:
Recipes provided by Janie Page
Chalkboard art has become one of the most popular ways to express design. Here are some easy, stepby-step ways to add a homey feel to your house this year.
Supplies Needed: ◗ Chalkboard ◗ Chalk—white and colors ◗ Bowl or glass of water ◗ Damp rag – Do not use paper towels—they will leave a fiber residue on your board. ◗ Q-Tips®—dipped in water are the best erasers to get into tight spots and fix mistakes. ◗ Sewing measuring tape or ruler ◗
Computer fonts or art print-outs, clippings, or stencils to use as visual guides ◗ Sketch pad and pencil
1. Clean board with a wet rag. Repeat to make sure you are getting as much chalk residue off the board before starting your drawing.
2. Use the tape measure to find the center of the board – width and height. You can draw a faint
line down the board to help guide you and erase it later with a Q-Tip®.
3. If you are creating a border, do it first as it helps guide how much space is open. Use a ruler to make straight lines if needed.
4. Using your sketch as a guide, start drawing your focal image. If you mess it up, wipe it away and do it over. You can also use the chalk transfer method to get your drawing or photocopied image on to the chalkboard (Details below).
HOW TO TRANSFER A DRAWING TO A CHALKBOARD
On the back of your drawing, lay a piece of chalk on its side and then rub the back of the paper with the chalk so it is covered with chalk. Flip it over and place the paper/drawing where you want it to go on the chalkboard. Draw over the image with a soft tipped pencil. The pressure from the pencil will transfer chalk to the chalkboard. When you remove the paper you will see a faint copy of your drawing. Go over the lines with chalk to bring your image to life.
Taken from www.inmyownstyle.com
DiY
