ON THE LIGHT SIDE OF MISSIONS: Rats & Pits!!!

“The Pit” is unlike anything you have likely experienced. It is totally different than a camp porta-potty and has absolutely no resemblance to a typical American bathroom . . .

Mission Maker Magazine

Ann’s article, “The Lighter Side of Missions,” published in Mission Maker Magazine, featured funny mission stories about rats, pit toilets, and eating grasshoppers. It’s a highlight from her book, The Mission-Minded Child – Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose.

Back to Mission-Minded Books & Resources

Of Rats & Pits:

Never Shine a Flashlight Down THE PIT!

A Dunagan Family Mission Story

(from Ann’s perspective)

“The Pit” is unlike anything you have likely experienced. It is totally different than a camp porta-potty and has absolutely no resemblance to a typical American bathroom. Not one home decorating magazine is displayed in a basket to read at your leisure, not one pretty towel hands on a shiny silver bar, and fluffy coordinating bathmats are nowhere to be seen.

The Pit it a cement or mud cubicle with a weathered wooden door, a six-inch square hold in the ground, and an unforgetable “aroma” –all above a very, very deep pit.

One night we were in a remote African village dominated by demonic witchcraft. It was late . . . and dark; and a while after the evening ministry time was over our outreach team got rolling in one of those funny, middle-of-the-night conversations. The topic turned to some very practical missionary advice: “Be sure to never shine your flashlight down the Pit!” (Have you ever watched that scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark when Indiana Jones throws a torch down into the forbidden tomb and sees what he dreaded most–the floor alive with snakes?! I think you get the picture. The Pit is often swarming above with flies; and in the unknown depths below, it’s alive . . . with no ones now what!)

We were all laughing hysterically, including me . . . until I realized I had to “go,” and it just couldn’t wait until morning.

I got out my flashlight and went out into the darkness, through the rain–all by myself to the Pit. By this time, nothing seemed funny anymore. I was very tired and wouldn’t have minded those fluffy coordinating bathmats As I neared the “aroma,” I tried to decide my strategy. How could I go about using the Pit without shining the flashlight down?

When I arrived, I quickly threw open the rickety door–and barged in upon the biggest rat I had ever seen in my life! (With its tail it must have been nearly two feet long!) I wish I could say I was your strong unflinching woman; but I screamed and just stood there, soaking wet, crying in the dark.

My precious husband, Jon, came to my rescue, got rid of the creature, made sure the coast was clear, then stood guard to make sure I was protected.

I bravely reentered the Pit with my flashlight, while my husband reentered his comical, slightly mischievous mood. He told our team to come watch something funny as he rolled a rock toward me under the Pit’s door. My reaction did not let them down. I thought the rat was attacking me and I totally freaked out.

Everyone (except me!) thought it was the funniest joke of the evening!

ON THE LIGHT SIDE: Grasshoppers for Thanksgiving?

By Joshua Dunagan, at age thirteen

“So, what did you eat for Thanksgiving?”

During the week of Thanksgiving, my dad and I were across the world in Uganda, East Africa, holding evangelistic outreaches in remote cities out in the middle of nowhere. It was my second Thanksgiving holiday outside of America. But this time was really different.

In Africa, most people eat the same foods over and over again; at least we sure did.

Day after day, meal after meal, we had overcooked rice, matoke (mashed steamed bananas), and a few chunks of tough meat and guts. But for Thanksgiving we had a “special” African treat. Along with our standard food, we were given a plate full of greasy fried grasshoppers!! They were about two inches long, with the legs and head still on.

As I stared at these insects, thoughts flashed through my brain. I imagined all the yummy food my brothers and sisters were eating at Grandma’s house: turkey and pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes and gravy. I also remembered a time I had eaten big bugs before (at a kid’s camp when I was bribed with a bunch of candy). It wasn’t so hard to chug down an insect just once or twice on a dare, but this was different. It was Thanksgiving—and I was hungry!

Actually, they didn’t taste that bad. As I took my first bite, they reminded me of a cross between popcorn and shrimp—crunchy on the outside and a little gooey on the inside. Soon I was eating one after the other, even throwing them in the air and catching them in my mouth. I must have eaten about sixty of them by the time I was done!

By the way, the ministry went well that night.

We preached to thousands of people . . . and I felt just like John the Baptist!

(Note: Photo is actually our son, Joshua, at only 10-years-old, preaching the Gospel in Urua, Uganda)

Happy Mission-Minded Thanksgiving!

Related article on The Christian Post’s “Better Parents, Better Families” blog:

Give Ye, Them to Eat: Thanksgiving, Missions, & “Saints” – By Ann Dunagan

A Mission-Minded Thanksgiving article featuring Nate Saint (Ecuador missionary and martyr) and Rachel Saint (missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators) – two world-renown Christian missionary heroes . . . from the same family!

April Outreach to APAC, UGANDA

April 13th to 21st, 2009 – Harvest Ministry just returned from an exciting time of mission evangelism in Northern Uganda, East Africa, in an area called “APAC” (which sounds like “a-patch”). Approximately 13,000 people heard the GOOD NEWS of JESUS, and over a thousand people surrendered their lives to the Lord.

Background . . .

This isolated district has been a center for the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) Ugandan rebels and riddled with civil war and horrible human rights violations (slavery, abduction of children, forced child soldiers, prostitution, and other abuses).  It’s a place that needs JESUS!

April 17th -  Current Update & Report from Apac:

The land and spiritual condition in this Apac district is extremely dry, but God is beginning to move and to pour out His Spirit. This morning, there was a minister’s meeting where many national pastors and leaders repented before God of division between the churches. And right after the announcement of this week’s upcoming meetings, there was a physical torrential downpour of rain. We’re praying that God will continue to pour out His presence, open the eyes of these precious people who need Him so desperately, and draw SOULS into His kingdom through the Gospel message – God’s Good News of salvation from sin through the cross of Jesus Christ.

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April 18th – Thunder, Lightning, and SOULS!!!

In response, Jon says, “I love my job!!”

Later he said, “It’s still pouring rain! And it’s so much fun preaching with thunder, lighting, rain, and flooding. It makes me feel like Elijah. And it feels like God is in our midst!”

Please continue to pray!

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April 19 – Lunch anyone? How ’bout some GOAT GUTS and ANTS??

The city-wide Apac outreach began with approximately 4,000 people in attendance. Already, hundreds of people have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ and have prayed to receive God’s salvation . . . in the midst of torrential rain during the preaching. There were also 13 cases of violent demon possession “stacked on the platform.” Everyone was soaked, with mud and water everywhere.

Jon says, “Long Ugandan church services this morning. For lunch: rice, beans, goat guts, and a paste made of sesame seeds and smashed ANTS . . . nice!!!”

The final night outreach in Apac will start soon.

Thanks for your prayers!

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April 20th – Such JOY!!!

The final night in Apac concluded with “TOO MUCH JOY!!!” Over the three nights, approximately 13,000 people heard the Gospel message (combined total attendance) and approximately 1,200 individuals prayed to receive God’s salvation through the cross of Jesus Christ. There were many people set free of demonic activity, and many who were touched by the Lord. We thank everyone who has been prayed!

Please Keep Praying:

Continue to pray for all of these new converts, and for the local pastors and church leaders to welcome and to teach and to disciple these young believers. Also, be continuing to pray for safety and strength for Jon and the team as they begin the long journey back to Kampala, Uganda . . . and then home.

These rebels operate under a spiritual mixture of “so-called” Christianity, combined with Islam, witchcraft, sorcery, and tribal animism. This area is so remote, we can’t access it through M.A.F (Missionary Aviation Fellowship). Instead, our team plans to drive in, with all of our evangelistic equipment, for a large city-wide outreach to boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Harvest Ministry’s advance team (led by NETS Minister, Paul Kintu), just returned from securing local government permission for this outreach, along with cooperation and prayer support of the few local churches. There are many people in this area who desperately need God’s salvation and deliverance, and Jon is excited to GO!

Jon will also be ministering at Harvest Ministry’s Osanidde Village Orphanage on Bussi Island, and he looks forward to spending time with the children and encouraging the leaders.

Prayer Request: Please pray with us for provision and direction for this upcoming mission, for God to prepare the hearts of people in Apac, and for SOULS to be won to Christ!!!