Pray for Osanidde’s “Lighthouse” Girls

We want to encourage our friends and missions partners to pray for the children at Harvest Ministry’s Osanidde Village. This week, we’re highlighting the eight girls in the “Lighthouse”. May God bless these precious, young, and virtuous girls.

Sharon

Margaret

Rebecca

Monica

Justine

Harriet

Esther

Phiona

Keep it PURE!

There are 143 million orphans in the world today.
But why should you CARE?

 

 

’cause it’s PURE!  

We all know that it’s physically healthy to drink a lot of pure fresh water. And how many glasses-a-day are recommended? Isn’t it about eight? Well, how much of God’s PURE and undefiled religion are we getting into our spiritual system on a regular basis?

Let’s drink more.
Let’s keep it pure.

 

A note from my journal:

I’m feeling so blessed to know that God is hearing our prayers for all of the 700+ orphan children in our care. It’s so wonderful to know that when God  gives us a responsibility — when HE puts a specific need on our hearts to follow Him in obedience — He always provides.

Just a while back (randomly “out of the blue” — on a day when Harvest Ministry had some huge pressing orphanage needs), two people “just so happened” to sneak generous handshakes (with mission checks), both because they said the “Lord told them” to help the orphans in Africa (what a BLESSING!!!). One man drove across town to present us with a special missions gift . . . and he said he had never given an offering like this in his entire life. He was struggling to conquer a “fear of lack” in his own life, yet he felt “compelled” that he was supposed to help these orphans with their needs. And right now, others are also seeking God’s direction regarding what they should do to help.

God is SOOO good. I’m feeling the Lord’s focus for me is simply to not worry and to not fear. He simply wants us to obey . . . with a pure heart.

Yep.
Hand me another glass.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness sake, for they shall be filled” (JESUS – from Matthew 5).

 

Related audio: COMPASSION

 

Here’s a copy of a recent postcard we sent to our ministry partners:

Please keep these precious children in your prayers!

Correction: Our mailing address is Harvest Ministry – P.O. Box 727 – Hood River, OR 97031

Will you “plead” for orphans and souls?

Completely surrendering to God is more than merely asking Jesus to “come into our heart.” Instead, it’s coming into “HIS LIFE” and allowing the heart and passions of Jesus to flow through us.

iPlead [i-pleed]

VERB: to allow GOD Himself to make an earnest and urgent entreaty through me, perhaps in emotional terms, on behalf of another person or a specific need, and to willingly argue for His justice in support of someone or something, especially for SOULS.

In our hightech world of ipods, itunes, and iphones — in a world that needs God more deperately that ever — comes a new mission word we recently combined.

The word is “iPlead” and this fresh yet timeless theme sums up so much of our heart . . . for reaching SOULS with the Gospel, for helping orphans and people in need, and most importantly, for loving GOD.

Just think of the word “I.” Have you ever wondered, “What difference could “I” ever make?” or “How could “I make an impact for God, when the needs are so huge?

But the exciting point and focus of this new word is that the “I” in “iPlead” doesn’t represent us. The only “I” we should care about is the Great “I AM” . . . not ourselves or our personal lives and selfish ambitions (me, myself, and I).

When God spoke to Moses at the burning bush, He declared, “I am that I am” was sending him. It was God Himself who spoke to Pharoah and to the children of Israel. (Remember the words, “Thus sayeth the LORD…”?) And today, God wants to speak through you, and through us, and through all Christians. To literally “plead” through us for His purposes.

II Cor. 5:20 says, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” Prov. 31:8-9 tells us to “plead” the cause of the poor and the needy. And Esther was challenged to “plead” for her people before the king.

Wow.

Those words “plead” and “implore” are passionate and intense, and how much more-so when I realize that God wants them to refer to pleading for HIS purposes, on HIS behalf.

God is giving me a bigger passion to plead for precious orphan children, and to plead for the lost.

In the world today, there are over 143,000,000 orphans in the world (which is more people than the entire population of Russia, now at 141,800,000), and too many of these precious children are in desperate need. They need the basic necessities of life . . . something for their tummies, somewhere for them to live, and something for their nakedness; yet more importantly, these little ones are “people” who need love . . . specifically to know their Heavenly Father’s love, and to be shown the eternal life God has provided for them through the only way of salvation: JESUS CHRIST.

In the world today, literally billions of people are so lost, and they’re totally oblivious to the forever-punishment they deserve. Because of sin, there’s a guilty charge against them, that’s completely impossible for them to pay . . . without God.

So this is the question I’m asking myself? “Who will plead on their behalf?”

“ipead” is about being God’s ambassador and submitting to His purposes. Following God is more than simply “asking Jesus to come into our lives.” Instead, it’s surrendering into “HIS LIFE” and allowing God’s heart to flow through us.

There’s a lot stirring in my heart along these lines. For now, I’m simply responding to what I believe the Lord (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is asking of me:

He’s asking, “Who will plead for Us?”

And I’m responding, “I will.”

iPlead.

Ann

So, here’s a question to consider: What about you? Will you allow God to plead through YOU . . . for the specific assignment that’s from His heart, through yours?

Feel free to share your comments . . .

Kid Orphan Sponsor Featured on TV News

KELOLife Television in Aberdeen, South Dakota ran a feature about one of our Osanidde sponsors, an energetic 10-year-old, named Ethan, who’s been selling lemonade (for three years!!!) to support his orphan friend, Allan, in Uganda. Ethan really takes his sponsorship commitment seriously!

It’s a sweet news clip . . . and a blessing!

You can view the TV station’s video file right here. And if any of you could take a moment to log in to view the article on the TV station’s website, it would be wonderful to add some positive comments about the feature. Please keep Harvest Ministry and all of our orphan children (currently over 700 kids!) in your thoughts and prayers.

P.S. Ethan was inwardly “moved with compassion” with a specific burden on his heart; he felt that if he didn’t raise that last $4, his orphan friend would “die.” We’re all so inspired by Ethan’s commitment; but be assured that if any of our sponsors are unable to meet their commitment (of $1/day), we’ll simply trust God together for His provision!!! Amen???

God’s Heart for Orphans

We appreciate all of our friends who help us to care for hundreds of precious children at Harvest Ministry’s two orphanages, Osanidde Village and Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center.

The Lord has such a heart for orphan children . . . and so do we!

God calls us to care for orphans…

• Learn to do good; Seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:17, NASB)
• Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27, NIV)
• When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not go over it again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. (Deuteronomy 24:21, NASB)

God’s justice will cover the orphans…

• Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. I f you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. (Exodus 22:22-23, NIV)
• He executes justice for the or phan and the widow.(Deuteronomy 10:18a, NASB)
• Woe to those who…rob the poor of My people of their rights, so that widows may be their spoil and that they may plunder the orphans. (Isaiah 10:1a-2b, NASB)
• Do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow. (Jeremiah 22:3b, NASB)
• Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against…those who oppress…the widow and the orphan. (Malachi 3:5a, NASB)

The Bible says evil men take advantage of orphans…

• They drive away the orphan’s donkey and take the widow’s ox in pledge. (Job 24:3, NIV)
• They slay the widow and the stranger and murder the orphans. (Psalm 94:6, NASB)
• Others snatch the orphan from the breast, and against the poor they take a pledge. (Job 24:9, NASB)

God promises His love and protection for orphans…

• Leave your orphans; I will protect their lives. (Jeremiah 49:11a, NIV)
• I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:18, NIV)
• You have been the helper of the orphan. (Psalm 10:14b, NASB)
• You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror. (Psalm 10:17b-18, NASB)
• For in You the orphan finds mercy. (Hosea 14:2c, NASB)

God blesses those who are obedient to care for the needs of orphans…

• When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (Deuteronomy 24:19, NASB)

For when the ear heard, it called me blessed, and when the eye saw, it gave witness of me, because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the orphan who had no helper. The blessing of the one ready to perish came upon me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. (Job 29:11-13, NASB)

These verses were compiled from the These verses were compiled from the facebook group, “A Heart for Orphans.” Photos from Harvest Ministry’s Osanidde Village orphanage.

Osanidde Village Sponsorship: Q & A

What a JOY!

It’s our 4 year anniversary since the founding of Osanidde Village!!!

In February of 2006, Harvest Ministry embarked on a new journey of faith and love for orphan children. We have grown so much, and our hearts have expanded. We started with 30 children, and by God’s AMAZING GRACE, Harvest Ministry is now caring for over 700 precious children through two ministries to orphans, and seeking God to raise each child for His MISSION-MINDED purposes. Over these 4 years, we’ve been amazed at God’s daily, monthly, and consistent yearly PROVISION for these children!

God truly cares about these kids, even more than we do . . . and what a joy it is to be a part of something so special to His heart!

God has been, is, and will always be our FAITHFUL PROVIDER.

Osanidde MOMMA Sponsorship

EXCITING NEWS!!!

All of our Osanidde Village kids have personal sponsors!!!! As of June, 2010, ALL of the children at Osanidde Village (one of Harvest Ministry’s two orphanages in Uganda, East Africa) are sponsored (although we still have many ongoing needs for general orphanage support and for educational needs).

Several other projects include: Education and secondary school support, extra food support, raising sponsorship for our 16 MOMMAS (a commitment of $20/month), and general orphanage support. Every little bit makes a HUGE difference, and the one-on-one love and individual prayer support is powerful! For more information about sponsorship please download the following.

• DOWNLOAD MORE INFORMATION: Osanidde Sponsorship Q & A - (in PDF format)

• How to send a PERSONAL LETTER/GIFT to your Osanidde Child – (Download information in PDF format)

• TO CONTACT US . . .

Thanks for sponsoring these kids!!!

Mid-January, 2010 – Children in need of sponsorship: 36

NEW SPONSORS: 36!!!

Children currently available for one-on-one sponsorship: 0

Mommas currently available for one-on-one sponsorship: 16

Keep these kids in your prayers, and thank you for caring!!!

GOD BLESS YOU!

MyCause4Orphans

A new vision for a new voice . . .

The Vision:

We have a vision on our hearts to recruit mission-minded individuals (youth, small groups, and families) to be a new voice for orphans.

MyCause4orphans is a vision to inspire the next generation to see (and to share) the huge needs 4orphans, to pray for a specific “cause” 4orphans on their hearts, and to inspire and equip these individuals to see their cause 4orphans fulfilled.

MyCause4Orphans:

This new myCause4orphans vision and the 4-minute video referred to in the brochure is still “in process.” During the spring/summer of 2010, Harvest Ministry will be selecting a “target group” of youth, small groups, and families to test-run the idea.

Specifically for this MyCause4Orphans youth & family mission outreach, Harvest Ministry is now partnering with thecause.org, a Christian mission facilitation organization, based in Bend, Oregon.

(Note to YOUTH & FAMILIES with a heart 4orphans: Please contact us if you, or your family, or your youth group would be interested in learning how YOU could participate in MyCause4Orphans by helping to “try out” this new idea.)

MyCause4Orphans – MISSION PARTICIPANTS:

“Osanidde Village”

MyCause4Orphans: Osanidde Village – GENERAL ORPHANAGE SUPPORT

Creative Idea: Share the need & pray

Mission#: MyCause4Orphans #0001

MyCause4Orphans mission number (#0001) can be used for easy online giving for anyone’s committed (or special) Osanidde Village child sponsorship or orphanage support.”

To support the needs of Harvest Ministry’s Osanidde Village orphanage (for temporary orphanage assistance or for easy online giving for any regular Osanidde Village sponsorship commitment), please go to thecause.org – click “DONATE” and write FOR: “MyCause4Orphans #0001″

---

Tim & Wendy Jo Berg & Family

MyCause4Orphans: Bedding & Teddy Bears FOR THE GUMA KIDS

Creative Idea: Write letters & share the need

Mission#: MyCause4Orphans #0002

“We are passionate about raising the remaining $ for bedding for the precious orphan children at Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center, in Uganda, East Africa. Blankets are $5/each. So far, we have raised enough support for 400 blankets. Our preliminary goal is to provide new blankets for all 502 children. Olivia is also praying for God to provide teddy bears.”

To help Tim & Wendy Jo Berg & Olivia with their cause FOR THE GUMA KIDS (specifically for blankets, and then teddy bears), please go to thecause.org – click “DONATE” and write FOR: “MyCause4Orphans #0002″

---

Next Generation School Project

MyCause4Orphans: Vision for a greatly-needed “NEXT GENERATION” Secondary School & Vocational Ministry Training Center at Osanidde Village on Bussi Island, in Uganda.

Creative Idea: Use facebook & twitter to share the need.

Mission#: MyCause4Orphans #0003

“A huge need at Osanidde Village is appropriate education for our older teenage children. In 2011, we will have 15 teenagers. Our desire is for these children to stay on Bussi Island to attend a Christ-centered secondary (high) school, and for each child be trained for God’s purpose and destiny. To do this, we plan to build a 3rd school building, then acquire new secondary teachers.”

To help with NEXT GENERATION Secondary School & Vocational Ministry Training Center, go to thecause.org – click “DONATE” and write FOR: “MyCause4Orphans #0003″

---

Caela Dunagan

MyCause4Orphans: Manilla Envelope Gifts for all the kids at Osanidde Village.

Creative Idea: Share the vision with kids, teens, and young adults

Mission#: MyCause4Orphans #0004

“”It was so exciting to go on a mission trip to Africa with my mom and to visit all the kids at both Osanidde Village & Guma Na Yesu. It’s so exciting when sponsors send gifts, but I want to help many of the kids who’ve never received a gift. My vision is to motivate others to help me to prepare special gifts (each in a large manila envelope with a $2/shipping fee) for all 160 children.”

If you would like to give specifically for Caela’s gift project thecause.org – click “DONATE” and write FOR: “MyCause4Orphans #0004″

---

Jessica Wagar

MyCause4Orphans: Bedding for Orphan Children

Creative Idea: Bake Sale

Mission#: MyCause4Orphans #0005

“Jessica enjoys baking and cake decorating, and she also has a big heart for orphan children. She organized a bake sale at her Christian high school to raise money to make a difference. Her bake sale will help to provide greatly-needed bedding for Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center.“

To help with Jessica’s cause to provide bedding for the GUMA kids please go to thecause.org – click “DONATE” and write FOR: “MyCause4Orphans #0005″

---

New Osanidde Mattresses

MyCause4Orphans: 100 Needed Mattresses for Osanidde Village

Creative Idea: Share the need online (facebook, website, twitter)

Mission#: MyCause4Orphans #0006

“Recently, Harvest Ministry organized a successful orphan project to provide for 500 desperately needed mattresses for Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center. Now, we are believing for 100 new mattresses (to replace old and yucky ones) for 100 children at Osanidde Village. Cost is about $10/each”

To give toward this need for 100 new mattresses for Osanidde Village thecause.org – click “DONATE” and write FOR: “MyCause4Orphans #0006″

---

Rebecca & Anna Phillips & Friends

MyCause4Orphans: Greatest Orphan Need

Creative Idea: Sew & Sell African Purses – Raise Awareness

Mission#: MyCause4Orphans #0007

“Becca is a graduate of George Fox University, and Anna graduates from high school in June. They have a vision to raise awareness and support for orphans. In college, Becca studied in Rwanda, Uganda, and China; she also taught English in South Korea and ministered (twice!) at Osanidde Village. It is an honor to have Becca and Anna working to help launch MyCause4Orphans.”

To help toward Rebecca, Anna, & Friends, & their cause for orphans thecause.org – click “DONATE” and write FOR: “MyCause4Orphans #0007″

More about this new vision . . .

Believing for an INCREASE OF GOD’S GRACE:

For Harvest Ministry, it is a JOY to now care for over 700 precious orphan children (up from 610) through the ministries of Osanidde Village, Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center, and a network of village church-based Family Zone Centers.

To help meet these needs, we are believing for an increase of God’s GRACE and PROVISION and CREATIVE ideas.

INFO BROCHURE:

Here’s a brochure to help explain this new 4-part vision. For youth and families who want to participate, here is what this project involves:

1. See the need 4orphans pray for God to stir your heart with HIS COMPASSION.
2. Make a decision to get out of your COMFORT-ZONE.
3. Choose a specific “CAUSE” 4orphans that “tugs” on your heart.
4. Pray for a specific goal & CREATIVE IDEA . . . and take action:

MyCause4Orphans:

Read the brochure, pray about the needs, discuss with parents (or family) . . . pick a specific CAUSE, GOAL, & CREATIVE IDEA, then CONTACT US to apply for your MISSION #.)

CLICK here to download the brochure – in pdf format.

P.R.A.Y. WITH US . . .

The new vision 4orphans will be established on the foundation of prayer. Please PRAY with us for . . .

• P – Prayer and intercession
• R – Resources to meet the increasing needs
• A – Administration assistance
• Y – Youth mobilization

Stay tuned for more . . .

500 New Mattresses for GUMA!!!

At Harvest Ministry’s GUMA NA YESU (“Keep With Jesus”) Children’s Center in Mbarara, Uganda, there was a HUGE need for bedding for all of the orphan children . . . and God abundantly provided with designated mission gifts for 500 new mattresses.

Our prayer and focus for our GUMA NA YESU children is that they will “keep with Jesus” all the days of their lives, and now as they sleep, they will be reminded (in this small way) of God’s GREAT love for them.

GUMA Directors (and NETS Ministers) Naboth & Alice, were absolutely delighted with what they called the “MIRACLE at GUMA.” Now we are believing God for blankets (at $5/each) for all of the children, and possibly sheets and pillows.

(And one little preschool girl in Oregon, named Olivia, has added her own precious prayer, that God will also help to provide “teddy bears” for these kids!!!)

BEFORE:

AFTER:

We thank everyone who GAVE and who PRAYED for this need.
May God bless you for your heart for these children.

Pray for Osanidde’s “Clear Vision” Kids!

We want to encourage our friends and missions partners to pray for the children at Harvest Ministry’s Osanidde Village. This week, we’re highlighting the ten boys in the “Clear Vision House”. May God bless these precious young mighty men of God.

Trevor

Paul

Joshua

Stanley

Paul

John

Emanuel

Moses

Mark

Enoch

Three Precious Girls

Three girls, Josephine, Mariam, and Amooti (from Harvest Ministry’s Osanidde Village Orphanage), were in need of sponsorship, and God provided!

Josephine, Mariam, & Amooti

Here is the need we shared . . . and be sure to read the comments, because God provided!

For several years, the monthly sponsorship for these three Ugandan girls has come from a wonderful missionary family currently living and serving the Lord in Asia. This mission-minded family continues to have a huge heart for these three orphan children. However, because of a (temporary – in Jesus’ Name!!!) economic challenge in this missionary family’s ministry and personal finances, they had to let us know, with much regret, that they are unable to continue their sponsorship at this time (although they hope to resume their commitment as soon as their financial situation permits).

We’re all a family in this together, and like the early church in the book of Acts, we can all share to help meet this need.  After praying for this situation, I (Ann) felt to simply write on-line about this specific need and prayer request.  I’m believing for God to abundantly provide, as He always does.  I’m curious if anyone would be willing to take on one, or two, or all three of these awesome girls (at $1/day – or $30/month each) for this interim time while this missionary family is unable to do so. If you’re interested in helping to meet this need, just let us know!

Prayer & Response: Please pray specifically for God’s provision for this missionary family, as well as for these three orphan children. God is our provider, God is the provider for this family, and God is the provider for these kids!!! And He’s so GOOD!!!!

If anyone feels led to help, please send us an email from our “contact us” page.

To learn more about Osanidde Village – click here.

Next Page »