Pray for Osanidde’s “Dayspring” 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 ten girls in Dayspring Girl’s House. May God bless these precious young virtuous women.

Annet

Jessica

Rose

Phina

Dina

Viola

Teddy

Irene

Sarah

Eunice

Pray for Osanidde’s “Covenant House” Kids!

We want to encourage our friends and missions partners to pray for the children at Harvest Ministry’s Osanidde Village. Today we are going to highlight the ten boys in Covenant House. God bless these young mighty men of God.

Drake

Charles

Rogers

John

Michael

Jonah

Simon

Derrick

Juma

Daniel

Christi in Cambodia – Part I

Jon & Ann Dunagan’s oldest daughter, Christi Dunagan (a recent college graduate, age 19), is now serving as an Assistant Team Leader (ATL) for a 6-week ORU summer music mission to CAMBODIA, working with long-term missionaries and Cambodian believers.

Here are a few preliminary ministry highlights along with some photos from the beginning of the trip. Christi said that she didn’t get many ministry pictures yet, but those will be coming!

The mission team will be focusing on the following:

• As an outreach to draw non-Christians to the church, Christi and several team members will help by teaching English (using the Bible as a text) to about 40 Cambodian students, mostly older teens and young adults, both guys and girls. About 80% of the believers at this church (and 100% of the Cambodian staff) received the Lord and became a part of the church through this free English school, which also provides free classes in office skills and typing.
• Helping people and doing mission work in a slum area.
• Doing children’s ministry at the church and in various locations.
• Learning more about the horrible problem of Cambodian child trafficking. Christi has met several who work full-time at the church’s home for rescued girls; however, this home is at an undisclosed location and her team will not be working with these girls.
• Teaching children’s Bible classes to the kids of the full-time missionary families.
• Teaching music theory classes, piano lessons, and classes about worship to the worship teams at the church.
• Using music ministry for outreach.
• Being a light, helping in whatever way possible, and sharing the life and love of JESUS!!!

A Welcoming Staircase in Hong Kong

HONG KONG photos:

The ORU Cambodia Mission Team

CAMBODIA photos:

Here is a quote from one of Christi’s journal entries:

“The last place we went to was Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple . . . since it was a holy holiday, lots of parents were coming to take pictures of their little boys who were monks.

Apparently it is good for a family to have their eldest boy be a monk for at least two years because they believe that will being “salvation” to the parents, so boys can be short term monks, but if women decide to dedicate their life to God it’s for life.

Monks also can’t touch a women, wear shoes, have cell phones, or look straight up – although the two monks I met and talked to did all three. Oh well. I guess they were taking a day off from monkdom.”

This photo (above), showing Cambodian children praying to false idols, makes us so sad; but we are thankful that the mission team will be able to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with kids (in the slums and at the church) during their summer outreach.

Please pray for Christi and the mission team, for the Lord to shine through them to people in need — with the truth of the Gospel and the love of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).

Enjoying WORLD MISSIONS . . . in FEBRUARY

February’s MISSION-MINDED FAMILY holiday focus includes: Valentines Day, Chinese New Year, President’s Day, Black History Month, and Mardi Gras/Carnival. Our emphasis is God’s LOVE for the WORLD, the PASSION of JESUS as He died on the cross for the world, and our need to PRAY for Christians who are being PERSECUTED for their faith.

TEACHING OPPORTUNITY:

Update Your February Calendar: Throughout the year, acknowledging international holidays and using these days as focus-points for prayer, can give our families an insight into our world’s need for Jesus. These vibrant festivities are filled with colorful expression, yet often these traditions are rooted in false religion and fear. Get out your family calendar, and take a moment to write down the names of these holidays on their respective dates.

Throughout the year, you can come back to the chapter, “Enjoying Missions Throughout the Year” in The Mission-Minded Family, to read about each holiday and pray accordingly.

Valentine’s Day

(February 14th) – This holiday, also known as Saint Valentine’s Day, was named after two early Christian martyrs named Valentine and is observed by Western and Western-influenced cultures. In the United States and some other countries, cards and gifts are given to friends, sweethearts, and family members to express love.

• A STARTLING MISSION FACT: From Neal Pirolo’s 1991 book, Serving as Senders – On just one day, February 14, Americans spend over 700 million dollars to say “I love you” with Valentine’s Day cards. Less than that is spent in the whole month of February (and in each of the other months) to tell a lost and dying world that God loves them!
• NEIGHBORHOOD VALENTINE OUTREACH: Encourage your kids to make Valentine’s Day cards to thank the special people in their lives. You could also use these cards as a witnessing tool – to share “Jesus LOVES You!” with unsaved family members, young friends, or adult neighbors who need the Lord.
• HELPFUL LINK: Click here for FREE Valentine’s Day notebook pages.
• PRAYER FOCUS – Voice of the Martyrs & the Persecuted Church: Pray for contemporary Christians who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. See persecution.org, or read a selection from the great book, Jesus Freaks, by dc Talk. Also, here’s an excellent article about St. Valentine the Martyr from Christian Persecution blog (The Voice of the Martyrs).

Chinese New Year – China

Pray for the nation of China!

(February 14, 2010) – The Chinese New Year is celebrated with family gift giving and celebrations. In China, many people need Jesus, and many Christians suffer persecution.

• Pray for Needs in China: Operation World, Missions Atlas Project.

• Learn about Missionaries to China: Hudson Taylor, Gladys Alyward.

• Fun ideas: Eat a Chinese meal with chopsticks. Translate words into Chinese with an online translator. Watch a classic film about Gladys Alyward, “Inn of the Sixth Happiness” starring Ingrid Bergman. (Although not totally accurate, this film is heartwarming and inspirational).

President’s Day – USA

(3rd Monday of the month - February 15, 2010)

Pray for government leaders and for the president of the United States. A good source for help:

The Presidential Prayer Team

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,  for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,  who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:1-4).

Black History Month – February

Did you know? Did you know that the first missionary from America was of African/American descent?  George Liele, a Baptist Minister, left America in 1782 to start a church in Jamaica. This was twenty years before Adoniram & Nancy Judson left from America to Burma.

(And did you know? There’s a GEORGE LEILE “Missionary Monologue” featured in THE MISSION-MINDED CHILD!!!)

• George Liele – America’s First Missionary (The Traveling Team)
• Regions Beyond – Pioneer Black Baptist History
• Black History Month – Christian Missionaries

Mardi Gras – Carnival

Beginning February 16th

Pray for Mardi Gras and Carnival (especially celebrated in Latin American countries). Carnival is a yearly “celebration of the flesh” before the 40 days of Lent. For many Catholics, Lent is a annual time of giving up fleshly things in preparation for Easter.

Mardi Gras and Carnival may look like a lot of fun — with feathered masks, colorful beaded necklaces, and elaborate parades; but it is a sinful celebration (to “party” before entering into a yearly “fast” to prepare for Holy Week).

• PRAYER FOCUS: God isn’t looking for an outward display of piety. He wants our whole heart. YWAM Mazatlan has some interesting information about specific Mardi Gras/Carnival mission outreaches and intercession-focus points for this holiday.

The world needs Jesus . . . all year long!

Let’s share God’s LOVE!!!

• “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13).

• “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Enjoying World Missions . . . in JANUARY

International Holiday Ideas
Throughout the year, acknowledging international holidays and using these days as focus-points for prayer, can give our families an insight into our world’s need for Jesus. These vibrant festivities are filled with colorful expression, yet often these traditions are rooted in false religion and fear.

Enjoying Missions throughout the Year
A great way to involve your family in world missions for 2010 – Excerpted from The Mission-Minded Family by Ann Dunagan, Authentic Publishing

Make a MISSION-MINDED CALENDAR:

As your family looks at current traditions around the world each month, you can utilize these specific days to target different people groups for prayer and to increase your family’s mission-minded vision. You may even want to commemorate some of these days. However, I am not encouraging your family to celebrate evil or pagan holidays. This international holiday list is simply to help your family learn about world cultures and to regularly remind you about the need for specific mission-minded prayer.

Get out your family calendar, and take a moment to write down the names of these holidays on their respective dates. Throughout the year, you can then come back to this section of The Mission-Minded Family to read about each holiday and pray accordingly.

January

1 – New Year’s Day, International – Around much of the world, this day is celebrated as a time of new beginnings. Many people make New Year’s “resolutions,” or promises, for the coming year. (We encourage you to see our FREE 15 page 2010 MISSION-MINDED “7″ Guide – for Women/Families & for Youth – with Evaluation & Prayer Questions.)

As mission-minded believers, pray for and seek God’s directions for the new year and take time to evaluate and realign your priorities.

6 – Epiphany, International – In many countries throughout the world, this day is celebrated to remember the wise men who came to bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child, Jesus. In Spain, children receive gifts on this day instead of Christmas. Children put hay in their shoes and find the hay replaced with treats the next morning.

Pray for the people of Spain to recognize Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah, just as the wise men did.

14 – Pongal, India – In southern India, this day marks the beginning of a four-day harvest festival. The people gather to watch a pot of newly harvested rice boil. If it boils quickly, the people believe it is a sign of a prosperous new year.

Pray for a mighty spiritual harvest in India.

18 (2010 date) – Martin Luther King Day, United States – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, was a Christian minister and a civil rights leader. King was active in seeing segregation laws in the South abolished, and in 1964 he received the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968. The third Monday of January is set aside as a national holiday to remember King’s leadership and the importance of civil rights.

Pray for harmony and love between different races and nationalities and for God to give you love and compassion for other people groups.

Check back each month, for more MISSION-MINDED HOLIDAY ideas for your family!

RARE ECLIPSE, RAW EVANGELISM & RAINBOW

Just a second . . . We’re redirecting you . . .

Hand Commands Explanation

QUESTION: Hi I am a children’s ministry director in South Africa and am busy teaching on God’s laws. I would love to use the Hand Commands too. Please could you email the basic outlines, as you did for Virginia in New Zealand? I would be so grateful.

Here you go!!! Included here are the hand motions from my book, HAND COMMANDS – The Ten Commandments for Little Ones, to assist you in helping your children to easily memorize all of God’s Ten Commandments, in order. Blessings to you all! ~Ann Dunagan

Commandment 1:

I AM the LORD your God…

(Hold up one finger, like a big #1 and a giant Capital “I”)

You shall have no other gods before Me.

(Now shake your finger, as if saying “No, No, No!”)

Commandment 2:

You shall not make any idols to bow down to and worship.

(Hold up two fingers together, and make them “bow” up and down.)

Commandment 3:

You shall not take the Name of the LORD in vain.

(Hold three fingers up to your lips and say, “SHHH.” – Watch what you say – especially when you are speaking God’s HOLY and wonderful Name!)

Commandment 4:

Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.

(Hold up two fingers on each hand, joined together like a steeple. – “On God’s special day, where do we LOVE to go?” – God wants us to have quiet times with Him – to rest and to listen for His voice.)

Commandment 5:

Honor your father and mother.

(Have child give a “high five” by lifting up their hand and clapping someone else’s hand up high. You need to give you dad and mom a big “high five!”)

Commandment 6:

You shall not murder.

(Hold up six fingers, pointing one finger like a gun into the palm of the other five. – “bang-bang” – God doesn’t want us to hate other people, or to want to hurt them.)

Commandment 7:

You shall not commit adultery.

(Hold up seven fingers – 2 + 5 – and say, “It’s a family!” -  Here is the husband and wife…and over here, their handful of kids! – however many blessings, kids are a handful!!! God wants moms and dads to be married and to always love each other with thoughts and actions pure . . . and He wants ALL of us to keep our thoughts and actions pure.)

Commandment 8:

You shall not steal.

(These hand motions are a little “tricky”! Hold up eight fingers: 5 on the left, 3 on the right, then quickly ‘bump’ your hands together and switch to 4 fingers on each hand. “Did you see that? That right hand just ‘stole’ a finger from the left hand!”)

Commandment 9:

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

(Hold up nine fingers. Then, say with a ‘sarcastic’ tone, “Nine is close enough to ten, don’t you think? Let’s just call it ten. What difference would it make? What’s wrong with just a ‘little lie?’” –  NO!!! God wants us to always tell the truth!)

Commandment 10:

You shall not covet.

(Hold up ten fingers and pretend to “grab” in front on you as if saying, “Gimmie-Gimmie! I want it!” – Don’t be selfish, or “want” things that belong to others.)

These HAND COMMAND motions are from Ann Dunagan’s book, Hand Commands – The Ten Commandments for Little Ones – published by Kregel Publications.

For assistance with these hand motions, please take a look at the 2nd week of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE videos, Day 6 (Commands #1-2) – Day 7 (Commands #3-4) – Day 8 (Commands #5-6) – Day 9 (Commands #7-8), and Day 10 (Commands #9-10).

Click for more about Hand Commands – The Ten Commandments for Little Ones

Our FREE book winner . . .

The Mission-Minded Child – Book Giveaway!!!

To encourage more comments and interactions during the 40-Day Mission-Minded Family Challenge, we had a drawing this week for a FREE copy – including FREE shipping – of The Mission-Minded Child – Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose. Our winner, who will be contacted by email for mailing information is . . . .

Jennifer and her family, from Canada!!!

Congratulations, Jennifer. We hope you enjoy this book, and pray that it will be encouraging. My heart in writing The Mission-Minded Child was to challenge families to focus more on God’s Great Commission, and to become more effective for God’s kingdom and for eternity. We thank everyone for all of your comments and feedback this past week. Please keep those comments coming!!!

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Ann’s Speaking Information & Topics

No matter what the forum, as a motivational speaker and minister, Ann Dunagan is called to “BRING FORTH LIFE!” The following are sample speaking topics and frequently requested themes; however, if you have a different idea or need, just contact Harvest Ministry.

For Missions Conventions:

• The Mission-Minded Child – Raising a New Generation for God’s Purpose
• The Mission-Minded Family – Releasing Your Family for God’s Destiny
• Our Godly Tug-of-War - Learning to Balance Dual-Passions – for Missions & our Family

NOTE: Along with mission-minded workshops for parents, teachers, and families, Ann can also be available to lead special kids workshops at mission conventions:

• Glorifying God as a Mission-Minded Kid!
• Using Hand Commands to Share the Good News of Jesus!
  

For Women’s Events:

• Living in SUB-Mission – It’s under the surface that matters!
• Get Me in Alignment! – Living a Life of Balance and Fulfillment with JOY!

For Mother-Daughter Retreats:

Ann and the Dunagan’s college-age daughter, Christi, often minister together for mother-daughter events. Two ideas are:

• Pillars in God’s Palace – A princess-theme event for little girls, based on The Princess and the Kiss and The Little Rose of Sharon and focused on the Faith of Anna, the True Beauty of Esther, the Purity of Mary, and the Excellence of the Proverbs 31 Woman.
• iPlead – an inspirational theme for older girls – about surrendering ourselves to let God “plead” through us . . . for missions, orphans, and the lost.

For Youth, College Students, and Christian Schools:

• C.L.A.S.S. Destiny – Christian Leadership and Speaking Skills
• Preparing Now for a Mission-Minded Family

Ann also leads an energetic mission-minded team of kids and youth called “The Flood” for Christian school chapel services. This special 45 minute presentation includes drama, music and dance, and a power-packed world missions theme.

• The Scarlet Cord – A Concise Message on the “Why?” of World Missions – God’s Enduring Passion for Souls – The Blood of Jesus . . .throughout time, throughout the Bible, throughout the world.

For Homeschool Conventions:

• The Mission-Minded Family - Teaching With God’s Heart for the World
• Training Teens On-Target – Making the Most of Homeschooling High School
• Playing the College Game: Winning Admissions and Scholarships . . .for God’s Glory!

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