WAW Wednesday ... "Christmas is Coming"

"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."

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WAW Photo

WAW Wednesday: "Christmas is Coming"

Friends,

When my sons were little, I remember spending a lot of time selecting the perfect gifts for them. To be honest, I over-indulged them. I made sure they had an equal number of presents; I spent a lot of time worrying over each gifts' size and expense ... even counting how many little things were in each of their stockings. I made it all about the joy I felt watching their faces as they opened their gifts on Christmas morning. Am I the only one?

Then one year that changed. The boys and I had taken a few mission trips together to build homes for families in Juarez, Mexico. I'll never forget hearing my youngest say, "Mommy, going to Juarez is better than Christmas presents!" Gifts are his love language. I was stunned. I was convicted.

After that, we started doing ONE present for each of them; to represent the gift that was given to us through Christ. What a difference that made in how we celebrated Christmas!! The boys never fussed about this change, much to my surprise.

For children in Belize, gifts are not the focus of the Christmas celebration--Jesus is! There's joy in receiving an apple and banana; in the simplicity of feasting on turkey and stuffing and acting out the account of Jesus's birth ... for many, if a gift is received, it's through the local church. Families celebrate together with food, games, and JOY. That's what our Christmas Project helps make happen -- a true celebration of the greatest gift of all!

Gifts are making their way to Belize (or have already arrived) because of generous donors in the U.S. like you Thank you! These presents will be sorted and shared with our partners by our Christmas Project Team--helping each child understand how special they are to Jesus.

Our need now is funding to help make those joyful parties happen for our partners ... to purchase phone cards for inmates at Belize Central Prison so that they can hear their loved ones voices on Christmas Day ... to help provide meals for Belize Hospice & Palliative Care patients as they celebrate our Savior's birth ...

Would you help us make Christmas special by making a financial gift? Maybe you'll consider, like we did all those years ago, that too many presents distract from the true meaning of Christmas -- but making a gift in honor of a loved one to The Word at Work's Christmas Project would bring joy to our friends in Belize. We'll send a lovely card to whomever you'd like announcing your gift. Thank you for helping us spread Christmas Joy in Belize!

Please join us in making Christmas 2017 bright, beautiful, and joyful ... Thank you SO much!

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We are very excited about celebrating 15 years of ministry to God's glory! I'm guessing some of you have photos and stories you might share with us--please send them along to me! Or feel free to share them on our Facebook page @TWAWMinistry

Does anyone recognize these faces?

Blessings,

Mollie
#wearethewordatwork

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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!

WAW Wednesday ... "Blessed to be a Blessing!"

"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."

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WAW Wednesday: "Blessed to be a Blessing!"

Blessed to be a blessing!
That's what you are.
In last week's letter we asked for your story on how God has impacted you through our ministry -- we received some awesome stories and we can't wait to get more!

So we are inviting you again ... Please take a moment and share the blessing. This invitation for stories is meant for both our Belize and U.S. partners. We are confident you've got a story to tell and we can't wait to hear it. (Hey, if writing isn't your thing, that's OK - you could always share a quick video on Facebook!)

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And here's another reminder ...

Kenny is coming to the states for more than a month starting October 5! We're putting him on the road to visit churches and friends.

Today while he was unpacking a shipping container from Pennsylvania, he took time out to send you this video message ...


Kenny wants to see you! from The Word at Work on Vimeo.

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Exodus Church Starts Feeding Program

Pastor Phillipa opened the program on September 4 in Belize City. She's getting by with what she has BUT she could do so much more with your help.

I asked her how we could help and she sent me this list ...

Whirlpool Stove or Commercial Stove
Hamilton Beach Juicer
Whirlpool Refrigerator
Hamilton Beach Blender
Cuisinart Bread Mixer
Funding for cabinet for kitchen sink

If you can get your hands on any of these, whether used or new, we have shipping containers leaving from Amarillo Texas and Gulfport, Mississippi, next month.

If you want to purchase any of these items just send us the funds and we can purchase locally from Sears….. Where we have inside connections.

Mollie's husband happens to work there ... "Mike, the appliance guy”!

Thanks, friends,
Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork

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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!

WAW Wednesday ... Here's Some Great News!

"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."

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We had a really special time together as Board and Staff Friday night.  We sent Tim off on his sabbatical with prayer and laughter!  Pictured in front row from left:  Kenny Logan, Dyann Folkner, Jo Cole, Tim Tam, Mollie Swafford & Tim Hagen.  Board Members from left in the back: Ron Allen, Rodger Hudson, Janie Thomas, Geoff Wright, Marshall Dawkins, Mary Zickefoose & Kurt Oheim.  (We missed Jose Valencia, Drew Allen & Derek Osborn, but we know they were with us in spirit!)

Here's some great news

Dear Friends and Partners,

Our Christmas container is fully funded!! Thank you to all who prayed for this portion of the Christmas Project...we've received word that our Belize friends at Love FM, the Love Foundation, and Department of Youth Services are sacrificially combining their resources to make sure Belize children all over the country will know they are loved this Christmas!

"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." Hebrews 13:3

It's not hard to imagine how difficult it is for families who are separated during Christmastime because their loved one is incarcerated or waiting in remand for justice. Each year we allocate $3,000USD to purchase phone cards (at a discounted rate) that are shared with inmates at Belize Central Prison. Families are able to connect and celebrate the birth of our Savior through this gift.

• CLICK HERE to donate ...

John Woods, Chairman Emeritus and Founder of the Kolbe Foundation which manages the prison shares, "Christmas is an exceptionally sad time of the year due to separation of loved ones. The Word at Work has always made sure that each inmate has a phone card so that if they don’t get to see loved ones, they can at least talk to them. The Word at Work is Christianity at work in its best form." Won't you please help us bridge the distance by donating toward the Christmas Project?

"I now feel safe!"

Sweet words from one of the young children at Marla's House of Hope. What a perfect example of the church body working together. Funds donated by Paoli Presbyterian Church in PA were used to purchase security cameras and monitors which were installed by Joseph Powell (pictured here and a member of FPC Pascagoula, MS) and Eric Maas (missionary in Belize)! Secure fencing is next at Marla's -- we're so grateful to witness the Word at Work!

Thanks for being the Word at Work!

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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!

WAW Wednesday ... Be a Part of Team 100

"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."

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Be a Part of Team 100

Hello Friends,

God is Amazing. How do we know it? Because we have seen people partner with one another to accomplish life changing results in the lives of children, men, women, families and for entire communities. And it’s not just the communities in Belize that are transformed. Every community is transformed because when one is helped all of us are helped. When one child gains hope, we all gain hope. When one community experiences the Gospel in fresh and meaningful ways, we all share in that experience.

I am personally grateful to God for every team member, mission team, and church who has been willing to sacrifice to Be the Word at Work. I am also grateful to the five missionaries (Mollie, Tim, Kenny, Chepito, and Jo) that join me in planning, organizing and facilitating people from the U.S. and Belize to join together as teams. As you all know their work is tireless and filled with the Spirit.

In the next couple of weeks you will be reading about TWAW TEAM 100. I want to ask everyone who receives this email to consider joining TEAM 100. It is vital to help us work efficiently, effectively and without distraction.

What does it mean to be a member of TEAM 100?

We are asking everyone who reads this message to commit to contributing $100 twice each year (May and November) toward the operations budget of The Word at Work.

By joining TEAM 100 each of you will make it possible for our operations team of 6 to be funded throughout the year. You may not know that 100% of the funds TWAW receives that are related to a project/ministry/trip go directly to that project. All our operations funds come from generous donors who know about our need and contribute. I write this to you today, because I know that more people would like to join in helping us fulfill our vision.

I invite you to pray and ask God’s guidance about joining TEAM 100 which will help us keep our operations funded, so that we can keep our eyes on the ball, and help people from Belize and all over the United States BE THE WORD AT WORK.

Thanks for Being the Word at Work, and for joining TEAM 100 - watch for a link to make your gift easily next week!

Thanks for being the Word at Work!

tt (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!

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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!

WAW Wednesday ... Refugee Support in the Valley of Peace

"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."

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Refugee Support in the Valley of Peace

Hello Friends,

Refugees continue to flow into Belize.

Mostly from El Salvador and mostly coming into southern districts of Belize. Yet over 200 are currently in The Valley of Peace. Many fleeing under death threats from gangs, and families arriving with just the clothes on their backs. The organization dealing with refugees, Help for Progress, reports1500 in the last 18 months ... 40% of those have arrived since January - currently at a pace of 150/month.

Oddly, it has not yet been featured in local news.

Amilcar Amaya from the Valley of Peace is now TWAW Liaison for refugee support. He is ready to organize and mobilize efforts of the local church. I asked what we could do to help ... here is his response:

"I am ready to get involve in whatever humanitarian assistance that can be rendered to the hundreds of refugee families coming to Valley of Peace and different parts of the country. On Thursday I participated on day of registration of new refugees. It was astonishing to see more that two hundred people just in Valley of Peace. I feel that there is an urgent need to assist these people.

What is needed? Blankets, dehydrated food, clothes for children and adult, shoes, exercise books, pencils, crayons for those children attending school, sleeping bags, vitamins for children, tooth paste and brushes, farming tools, cooking utensils, chairs, small tables... and so forth I hope these list can help. I believe that many families are struggling to survive. They need help immediately ... I pray that there will be kind- hearted people to provide these needs."

I am willing to go into the settlements and distribute the items personally to the refugees ..."

Kind regards,
Amilcar Amaya

If you can help with this effort, please begin acquiring and getting new or used items to our shipping points in ...

Amarillo, TX
Ocean Springs, MS
Paoli, PA

Thanks for being the Word at Work!

tt (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!

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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!

WAW Wednesday ... Good News to Share

"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."

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Good News to Share

Hello Friends,

Dallan Bailey

Shelly Usher writes, "Good news! Dallan’s visa was approved today and he was told to pick up the passport with the US visa tomorrow at 3:00 ... thanks for praying.”

• Visa approved
• Hospital and physicians on board
• Host family ready
• Money raised for airfare and hospital expense
• Still needed ... funds for new prosthetic replacement jaw ... $17,000

I know from your emails that God has put this on the hearts of many. Now is the time to make those donations.

Angels sighted in Belize!

If you have a moment to be encouraged, CLICK HERE ...

Diana Shaw of Child Development Foundation is with us in the states on a Fundraising tour.

Gomer House, a shelter and ministry for girls who are victims of trafficking and exploitation, is a $400,000 USD project. To date we are almost halfway there. I'm hoping that some of you Reading this letter have a passion for or even a calling to fight in this battle against the sexual exploitation of children.

Property has been purchased and building has already begun. One of our partner churches, Crosswinds Church from Hobbs New Mexico, came to Belize two weeks ago to work on construction. Your church can do the same.

Yesterday morning Diana was on local TV here in Amarillo. Last night she spoke at The Vine Community Church in Clovis New Mexico. Tonight she speaks at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Amarillo where Mollie has organized the event around CDF's slogan "Sell Tacos, Not Children!” Over the weekend we head to California to LaJolla Presbyterian Church.

In addition to other donations we've also had an offer for $50,000 matching grant. Please pray us to the finish line.

Please go to our website for an easy way to donate to Dallan's expenses or Gomer House - or you can mail a check to our address below. Please be sure to note where you wish funds to be directed. Thank you!

Thanks for being the Word at Work!

tt (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!

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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!

WAW Wednesday ... Amy's Account of Her Visit

"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."

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Amy's Account of Her Visit

Hopelessness. Forlorn. Abandoned. Isolation. Lonely. Angry. These are just a few words some might use to describe the feeling of being in prison. In the Belize Central Prison, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. And if I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would not have believed it. Under the leadership of the Kolbe Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental agency, this particular prison is described with words such as hope, togetherness, fellowship and love. John Woods of the Kolbe Foundation is a true beacon of optimism while maintaining the necessary order and structure of the prison system.

During my visit to Belize Central Prison, I witnessed John’s leadership and that of the foundation in some very surprisingly heartwarming ways given the context:

   • all of the prison staff treat the inmates with dignity, a kind eye and a soft hand
   • inspirational messages and uplifting songs permeate the campus via the prison radio station, Jeremiah 33.3
   • in Tango 1, the name given to the first cell block, Lisa Haywood, The Word at Work full-time volunteer, is leading a bible study called "Experiencing God"
   • the prisoners go through a 12-step program under the personal and loving care of Pastor Burns

Pastor Burns

The Word at Work comes alongside the Kolbe Foundation at Christmas to provide calling cards to prisoners during a time we all love to connect with family and friends. We thought you might appreciate an opportunity to provide a $25 calling card to a prisoner for them to connect with their loved ones (total cost of project is $3,000). If you can think of someone else who may find joy in learning about this project, please pass this along to them.

• CLICK HERE to donate

If you or someone you know is interested in hearing John Woods speak on Thursday, December 3rd in Ocean Springs, MS, please contact Amy Travis at amy@twaw.org or (228) 327-5757.

TT (Tim Tam)
The Word at Work

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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!

WAW Wednesday: World Headquarters needs your help!

"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."

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World Headquarters needs your help!

Good evening, friends,

The beauty of The Word at Work is that 100% of your contribution goes directly to the projects that you support in Belize. So you can see, first-hand, the impact that your gifts make in the lives of the community.

However, the staff and facilities of The Word at Work headquarters needs your consideration too. We strive for efficiency in everything we do. We still rely on funding from our partners and supporters to exist. Please help us keep the lights on and our staff paid. In-turn, they'll make sure that the projects that you support, continue well into the future.

• CLICK HERE to donate

TT (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!

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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!