The Bridge Magazine - Fall/Winter 2016

NATIONAL WMU

WMU OF TEXAS

ASSOCIATIONAL WMU

LOCAL CHURCH WMU

Coming to a venue near you.

Check out the WMU of Texas Annual Meeting & Missions Celebration ad on page 2 to learn more.

WMU OF TEXAS ANNUAL MEETING & MISSIONS CELEBRATION

WMUTX.ORG

APRIL 8-9, 2016 ❚ AUSTIN BAPTIST CHURCH, 7016 RIBELIN RANCH DR, AUSTIN, TX 78750

WMU OF TEXAS ANNUAL MEETING & MISSIONS C

APRIL 8-9, 2016 ❚ AUSTIN BAPTIST CHURCH, 7016 RIBELIN RANCH DR,

THE

CONTENTS WMU of Texas Annual Meeting & Missions Celebration

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A Word of Encouragement from the Executive Director Treasurer

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"The Leagacy Lives On" WMU Open House

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EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND!

"Keep Calm and Go Forward" Annie Armstrong

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Registration fee is $20 per person. Register online at www.wmutx.org by March 30, 2016 to receive a free gift (individual value $ 29.95) at the event. A light snack supper included for all who pre-register and want to remain on site Friday evening, April 8. For assistance in registering, please call 214.828.5150.

The Change

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Women Helping Women

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CELEBRATION

THE BRIDGE , AUSTIN, TX 78750

VRi About Missionaries

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CWjC/CMJC Day of Prayer Children's Ministry Day

10 10-11

On the Bookshelf

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Love Well

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DIY-Chalkboard Art WorldCrafts

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12 Thrifty Ideas

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A Missional Lifestyle Crossword Puzzle

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Sisters Who Care Day of Service

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THE BRIDGE Published semiannually by the WMU of Texas Sandy Wisdom-Martin Executive Director-Treasurer 10325 Brockwood Road Dallas, TX 75238 214.828.5150 wmutx.org

X facebook.com/wmuoftexas Y twitter.com/texasmissions

WMUT X.ORG

\ pinterest.com/wmuoftexas 3

In the military, I learned a step called marking time. You move your legs as in marching, but without stepping forward. That’s where the idiom mark time derives. It is to wait idly for something to occur.

I was never a fan of marking time in the military. I would rather march five miles over rough terrain than lift my feet two inches off the ground to mark time without going anywhere. I guess I am still that way.

In life, there are certainly occasions to mark time. And of course, we are to wait on the Lord. Yet it seems in Christian life we are most content to wait idly for something to occur long after the command has been given to advance. Seize the opportunity to obediently move forward in faith regardless of the obstacles.

More than 125 years ago, Annie Armstrong worked tirelessly to grow a grassroots organization into a missions advocacy movement.

She said, “The future lies all before us…shall it only be a slight advance upon what we usually do? Ought it not to be a bound, a leap forward, to altitudes of endeavor and success undreamed of before?” As we begin 2016, may her words echo in our ears and hearts, Go Forward! Who knows? You may be the Annie for our time.

Take the first step.

Sandy Wisdom-Martin

THE

Legacy

LivesON

We will be hosting an open house on March 5, 2016 at our new location from 2-4 pm. It will be a fun time to celebrate our past and envision our future.

We can’t wait to see you!

Our new address: 10325 Brockwood Road, Dallas, TX 75238

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ORDER NOW For $ 20, you can have a WMU KEEP CALM and GO FORWARD long sleeve t-shirt sent to you. $10 of every purchase will go toward the Texas Touch Tomorrow Today Endowment. You will receive contribution verification. Choose pink or gray in 100% comfortable cotton. Call 214.828.5150 or visit the website (wmutx.org) to order by the March 15th deadline.

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.

Christian school, and Sandy stays busy as a wife and mom. Erica Zamora now serves as office manager.

WMU of Texas has been living in the midst change. Our offices moved in June. Now we are announcing two more changes.

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.

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 6

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.

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 THE BRIDGE

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?

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.

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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 8

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.

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◗ 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.

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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

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T hank you to everyone who participated in the

2016 CHILDREN'S MINISTRY DAY (CMD).

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.

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.

CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S JOB CORPS and CHRISTIAN MEN’S JOB CORPS 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.

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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.

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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:

1. Give a sweet

2. Warm the Heart

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookies

Taco Soup

2 sticks of real butter Mix the above 3/4 cup dark brown sugar ingredients into the 3/4 cup sugar creamed mixture.

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

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 completely.

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 about 30 minutes.

Recipes provided by Janie Page 12

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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

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.

◗ Damp rag – Do not use paper towels—they will leave a fiber residue on your board.

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).

◗ Q-Tips®—dipped in water are the best erasers to get into tight spots and fix mistakes.

HOW TO TRANSFER A DRAWING TO A CHALKBOARD

◗ Chalk—white and colors ◗ Bowl or glass of water

◗ 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 THE BRIDGE

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 13

New Year, New Spending Habits The words “fair trade” are becoming a more common and familiar term. Due to the continuing improvement in shopping differently, there will be questions surrounding the idea of purchasing with purpose.

As knowledge deepens of what this really means, there is ample opportunity to improve spending habits. As Christians we have a responsibility to live out Micah 6:8: “…to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly.” In changing our thought process when spending money, there are ways to know pieces are made with love, passion--and in many cases--family traditions. We must be mindful and know opportunities for dignified jobs, a sustainable income, and the ability to empower individuals is possible.

Change is rarely easy, but when a person’s livelihood is on the line, change is necessary. Join us arm-in-arm, and let’s use our purchasing power for good. Pause before you swipe that card, hit that purchase key, or fork over the dollars. Is the person’s face behind your purchase thriving in her/his work by your purchase? When you satisfy the needs of the oppressed, “…your night will become like the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10 Want to know more about changing your spending habits? Visit www.Free2Work.org or download the app to see how your favorite brands are rated.

y t i os r ne

When you need a gift, shop WorldCrafts (www.WorldCrafts.org) to ensure you are buying fair trade products.

For fair trade information, contact Janie Page at Janie.wmutx@texasbaptists.org.

Ge

12 Thrifty Ideas

1. Before purchasing any new gadget, read consumer reviews online. You may change your mind.

2. Limit eating out to once a month.

3. Turn the air conditioner up three degrees during the summer and turn the furnace down three degrees in the winter.

4. Get rid of cable or satellite for a year.

5. Stop purchasing soft drinks, coffee, and tea. Challenge yourself to drink water for 90 days.

6. Pay only in dollars to get coins as change. Each day put the coins away in a sealed container.

7. Prepare menus each week and grocery shop based only on those menus.

8. Set goals with a budget tracking application.

9. Ditch unread magazine subscriptions.

10. Delete credit card numbers from online accounts. If you have to type in the card each time, it will make you think about the potential purchase.

11. Wait 30 days before buying something you really want to cut down on impulse buying.

12. Double your recipes and freeze leftovers for later meals.

Now use these savings above and beyond your tithes and offerings to practice generosity. Consider donating to one of the WMU of Texas Endowments. For more information, visit www.wmutx.org and click on “give.”

14 THE BRIDGE

A MISSIONAL LIFESTYLE Complete the crossword puzzle below.

1 2

3

4 5

6 7 8

9

10

11 12 Created on The Teachers Corner.net Crossword Maker

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ACROSS 2 Telling others about the Lord.

3 GA Motto 8 Achievement plan for Acteens.

9 Intentional learning about missions.

10 New disaster relief ministry of WMU of Texas.

12 Missions organization for preschoolers.

13 Love your ________ as yourself. Mark 12:31 THE BRIDGE

Womens Build Mission Friends Giving Disciples Missions Education

Go Forward Pray Neighbor World Crafts Suds of Love

Missional Living Mary Hill Davis Missions Quest Witnessing

DOWN 1 A way to fund missions work.

2 Fair trade ministry of WMU. 4 Building ministry to families in the colonia of Peñitas.

5 Namesake for week of prayer for Texas missions.

6 Living on mission with God. 7 We make___________ who make disciples.

11 Lifting our missionaries to the Lord.

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Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit 1276 Dallas, TX

WOMAN’S MISSIONARY UNION OF TEXAS 10325 Brockwood Road I Dallas, TX 75238

Want to plan ahead for some summer fun and ways to join God with your hands and heart in unassuming ways?

Mark your calendars for the June 2016

SISTERS WHO CARE REGIONAL DAY OF SERVICE This is a day to roll up your sleeves and take part in ministry action as you connect with others while using your gifts and talents.

DALLAS

Cornerstone Baptist Church June 4

EAST TEXAS

Nacogdoches Bible Fellowship June 18

HOUSTON

Bethany Baptist Church June 4

LUBBOCK

New Millennium Baptist Church June 11

SAN ANTONIO

Berean Bible Fellowship Church June 4 For more information and how to register, please visit our website at www. wmutx.org/swc L

IONA

REG