2010 Magale Mission: NEW VIDEO!!!

God demonstrates His LOVE . . .

Here are some exciting photos and a NEW VIDEO from Harvest Ministry’s recent evangelistic outreach in East Africa to the remote mountain village of MAGALE, Uganda (on the border of Kenya). Over the course of the outreach, over 25,000 people came to hear the preaching of the GOSPEL, and approximately 5,000 people surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. The city (previously a tribal-religion/witchcraft stronghold) was impacted for GOD’S KINGDOM. Many were touched by the Lord, including a “head witchdoctor” who came forward to repent of his sins and to receive God’s salvation.

To God be the GLORY!!! What a JOY to reap a HARVEST of SOULS!!!

Mission to Magale, Uganda - NEW VIDEO!!!

Rare Solar Eclipse, “Raw” Evangelism, & a Rainbow!

On the first day of the MAGALE MISSION, this area of Uganda experienced a RARE SOLAR ECLIPSE (the news referred to it as a “RING OF FIRE” - and to us it was a “TOKEN” - like Rahab’s Scarlet Cord from Joshua 2:12-21 - emphasizing the BLOOD OF JESUS and God’s saving love, even in the midst of destruction). The mission was truly “RAW & RUGGED EVANGELISM (with rainstorms, witchdoctors trying to curse us, a crazy guy charging through the crowd with a rock, thousands of villagers hearing the Gospel and about 5,000 people surrendering their lives to Jesus Christ!!!) Then, on the final night, right during the preaching, there was a beautiful RAINBOW over the crowd! How AWESOME!!!

God loves the whole world, and even this remote and hidden area of Magale, Uganda!

MORE ABOUT THE ECLIPSE: On the opening day of the Magale Mission Outreach (while the world’s eyes were focused on the devastating aftermath from the earthquake in Haiti) Uganda witnessed a very rare solar eclipse. A red ring around the darkened sun, described by national newspapers as a “Ring of Fire”, was a “token” to us and to the people of Magale, like the “true token” of the Scarlet Cord of Rahab from Joshua 2:12-21, remarkably illustrating God’s provision of salvation for the whole world, only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, even for the people of this remote and hidden village of Magale, Uganda.

What can wash away my sin? NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS!
What can make me whole again? NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS!
Oh, precious is the flow, that makes me white at snow!
No other ‘fount I know. NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS!

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR MAGALE!

Please continue to keep these people of Magale, Uganda in your prayers. Right now, a qualified national pastor (a friend of our co-worker and NETS minister, Drake Kanaabo) is working hard to establish a new church in this area to help these brand-new believers to grow in their faith and to become fruitful for Christ.

“Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown” (Mark 4:20).

Thanks for your prayers, and for all who helped send us!

To God be the GLORY!

In His Love & Harvest,
Jon & Ann (& all)

P.S. If you would like to join with us in specific prayer and/or mission support to help us to reach the lost with the Good News and Gospel message of Jesus Christ, we would be honored to send you our monthly HARVEST MINISTRY newsletter (for those of you in the US and CANADA). If interested, please CONTACT US with your mailing address!

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.

Recently, there was a wonderful Christmas celebration for the children, with special meals and gifts. It’s so exciting when God gives an idea to someone, and to be a part of the delivery. A Christian elementary school in the U.S. conducted a LEGO toy-drive, where kids donated baggies of LEGO’s, Christian women coordinated a large sewing project (making about 100 uniquely crafted jumper-dresses), and other child sponsors continue to send caring notes and small gifts. What a blessing!

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 facebook group, “A Heart for Orphans.” Photos from Harvest Ministry’s Osanidde Village orphanage.

RARE ECLIPSE, RAW EVANGELISM & RAINBOW

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

Lwakhakha HARVEST! - mission video

Our recent Harvest Ministry outreach to Lwakhakha, Uganda - on the Kenya border - was so exciting! The Lord moved mightily as this remote and predominantly-Muslim area was “shaken” for Jesus Christ!

Five small local churches gathered together for this first ever open-air Gospel outreach in Lwakhakha - with worship, dancing, prayer, and preaching of the Gospel. During the daytime, hundreds of local believers gathered together (with NETS Ministers Naboth, Paul, and Joseph) for a local believers training, and in the evening approximately 5,000 people a night gathered in this isolated area (standing 360 - all around the platform!!!) to hear the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Multitudes listened intently and many (approximately 1,800 precious people, over the course of the evangelistic outreach) turned from their sins and surrendered their lives to the Lord. On one evening, lightning and wind came just after the altar call - It was awesome!

These people definitely need our continued prayer support, as the Christian persecution and opposition many will face (especially newly saved wives) in this Muslim area may be great. Please pray for the five hard-working local pastors, and for the local Christian leaders, as they are beginning to follow-up on these new believers.

Thank you for your prayers, your heart for world missions, and for standing with us at Harvest Ministry to REACH SOULS for Jesus Christ. To God be the GLORY!!!

Audio #1 - VISION

To fulfill God’s purpose for our family, we need God’s perspective and His vision. God’s heavenly perspective is so much bigger than ours. God sees from the vantage point of the entire universe and all of eternity!

Audio #1 - VISION

Listen to the first audio in Ann’s 3-part-series, “Living Joyfully as a Mission-Minded Family.”

Audio #2 - COMPASSION

God’s compassion is nothing to fear; it’s compelling and exciting. If God “moves” your heart with compassion in regards to a specific need, rest assured that He will provide all that is needed (in finances, wisdom, and connections) to do all that He’s called you to do!

Audio #2 - COMPASSION

The second audio in Ann’s 3-part-series, “Living Joyfully as a Mission-Minded Family.”

Audio #3 - MISSION

God has a specific “mission” - a plan and a “bulls-eye” destiny for your family. He has a purpose for each member individually and for your family as a unit. You’re called to be a part of God’s bigger eternal picture. Your family is called to expand God’s kingdom!

Audio #3 - MISSION

The third audio in Ann’s 3-part-series, “Living Joyfully as a Mission-Minded Family.”

Ann’s Books & Mission-Minded Resources

Books for Families and Children:

Click on each book cover for more information.

IMPACT FAMILIES FOR WORLD MISSIONS

The Mission-Minded Child and The Mission-Minded Family

Both books are now available in BOXES of 12 and CASES of 44 (TMMC) & 48 (TMMF)

to help you & your church or ministry to IMPACT families for MISSIONS!

See Biblica for special prices!

Free Teaching Materials and Curriculum:

(Mission-Minded Curriculum for Homeschool Families, Churches, & Christian Schools)

Be sure to see all of our FREE Mission-Minded Family Resources!

Articles & Devotionals:

On-Line articles:

• @ Crosswalk.com - Training Teens On-Target - Part I
• @ Crosswalk.com - Training Teens On-Target - Part II
• @ Crosswalk.com - Striking Balance as a Mission-Minded Family
• @ Crosswalk.com - God Has a Mission for Your Family (By Whitney Hopler, featuring Ann’s book, The Mission-Minded Family)
• @ The Christian Post - “Better Parents, Better Families” - Ann is a regular feature writer for this national and international on-line news source.
• @ The International Faith Telegraph - World Christian News & Missions News - Ann has contributed several mission articles for this missions news source.

Example of Ann’s speaking and preaching:

• OCEANetwork - Homeschooling Workshop: “Playing the College Game - Winning Admissions and Scholarships . . . for God’s Glory!”
• OCEANetwork - Homeschooling Workshop:  “The Mission-Minded Homeschool - Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny”

Raising Missionaries - by Laurel Diacogiannis

“We didn’t make a plan to raise up missionaries; we made a plan to raise up children who joyfully love and serve our Lord. Whether He calls them to the military, to missions, to teaching, to the pastorate … it doesn’t matter. Really … ALL we have wanted for our children (career wise) is for them to love and serve the Lord in whatever they might do. And, that’s exactly what they are doing.” - Laurel Diacogiannis

Raising Missionaries

We are honored to feature this special guest article, written by speaker and writer (and our good friend) Laurel Diacogiannis of A Journey of Faith. Jim & Laurel Diacogiannis are mission-minded homeschooling parents of 13 children (ages 7-24), including three adopted children from Ghana, West Africa.

 

Recently, someone asked me how I have raised up 3 children who have chosen to live overseas in service to the Lord.  (I have one child serving the Lord in Argentina for the next 2 years; one in Jordan for the next 2 years; and one currently in India as part of a 6 month missions outreach.) This woman went on to say that it is exciting when even one child from a family chooses such a personal journey … but for 3 to choose a similar journey was quite unbelievable for her.

No, we did not tell our children, “When you grow up, you should be a missionary.”  We did not focus all of our homeschool curriculum on missions (which would not at all have been a bad thing, it just wasn’t something that we thought of).  So, what did we do?

1. We demonstrated an active, everyday, personal walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The heart of a true missionary must come from such a daily, vibrant relationship with the Lord, that they absolutely know, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are called into missions work.
2. We trusted God for financial provision, when having 13 children and a teacher’s salary don’t match up on the budget spreadsheet. Our kids know that the Lord will provide for their needs.  They grew up learning how to pray, and how to trust God for the outcome.
3. We talked about and read about missionaries … ordinary people doing extraordinary things for God. One year, each of the children that knew how to read (7 kids that year, I think), read the Trailblazer Books or Christian Heroes Then and Now series (both from YWAM Publishing) for their homeschool history course.
4. We watched videos of missionaries. The Gladys Aylward story (The Inn of the Sixth Happiness) was our first, I think.
5. We went to hear missionary speakers. Cassie told us at age 10 or 11 that she wanted to go to India, after hearing (and meeting) K.P. Yohannan.  (And, that dream came true when she was 21, after previous trips to Haiti, Senegal, and The Gambia.)
6. We supported missionaries. (We have supported Gospel for Asia, K.P. Yohannan’s ministry for over 15 years.)
7. We took our family on Mission Trips. In 2001, we took all 9 children to work in inner-city Los Angeles for 10 days.  We weren’t afraid to take them to the ghetto, to work at a church there.  In 2006, we took all 10 children to New Orleans for 2 weeks.  Just the other day, Elijah (who was only 4 at the time) asked me, “Mom, do you remember when we went to New Orleans and gave all the presents to the kids there?”  We didn’t buy our children any Christmas Presents that year, but not one ever complained … they were filled with joy to be giving presents to the children in New Orleans.

Seriously, we didn’t make a plan to “raise up missionaries”.  We made a plan to raise up children who joyfully love and serve Our Lord.  Whether He calls them to the military, to missions, to teaching, to the pastorate … it doesn’t matter.  Really … ALL we have wanted for our children (career wise) is for them to love and serve the Lord in whatever they might do.  And, that’s exactly what they are doing.

While we have 3 young adults serving the Lord overseas, we also have 3 young adults serving the Lord here on the homefront.  And, we have 7 younger children, still at home, that we are raising up to follow the Lord, follow their dreams, follow their passions, and to be excited wherever it may be that the Lord leads them.

This article is an excerpt from “What Does the Future Look Like for Our Children?”, first published on Laurel’s blog - “I’m Ghana Adopt.”

For more about raising mission-minded children, and having a mission-minded family:

The Mission-Minded Child - Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose
The Mission-Minded Family - Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny
FREE - The 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE

N.E.T.S. Ministry Leaders

It is an honor and a blessing to work alongside anointed national ministers to more effectively reach the lost with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Currently, Harvest Ministry is partnering together with five N.E.T.S. Ministry Teams (led by these five anointed men of God, their wonderful wives, and assisted by their many ministry co-workers), in Uganda, East Africa, and in East India.

N.E.T.S. Ministers Drake & Josephine
Kampala, Uganda

Focusing on City-Wide Evangelism, Evangelism Training,
Orphan Ministry (Osanidde Village), and International Missions
More about Drake & Josephine

N.E.T.S. Ministers Naboth & Alice
Mbarara, Uganda

Focusing on Church Planting and Overseeing, Pastoring,
Village Evangelism, and Orphan Ministry (Guma Na Yesu).
More about Naboth & Alice

N.E.T.S. Minister Joseph (& Margret)
Bwera, Uganda

Focusing on remote Evangelism in the Rwenzori mountains
Village Church Planting, and Care for Pastors
More about Joseph & Margret

N.E.T.S. Ministers Paul (& Juliet)
Masaka & Kampala, Uganda

Focusing on City-Wide Outreach Preparation,
Evangelism, Prayer, and Organization
More about Paul & Juliet

“Tentative” N.E.T.S. Ministers Paul (& Krishna)
Andhra Pradesh, India

Focusing on remote village evangelism and church planting
Preaching, helping the poor, making disciples
More about Paul & Krishna

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