Missions and Family Finances
If you’re needing some help or ideas about raising money for missions, here is a chapter from The Mission-Minded Family. (Note, this is personally sent from Ann Dunagan. Out of respect from my book publisher, please do not share this publicly. Thanks.)
Money Chapter — from The Mission-Minded Family
Missions and Family Finances — click here < < <
Blessings to you!
Ann
Mission in East Africa
Harvest Ministry News:
Dear Friends and Family,
What a blessing you are! We are so thankful for your friendship and prayers. The Lord’s ongoing faithfulness and provision over all these years in missions and international evangelism (since Harvest Ministry was founded in 1987) continually fills us with gratitude.
During September, 2012, we will be ministering in East Africa, leading our second Harvest Ministry Fellowship International (HMFI) Conference. Hundreds of national ministers from remote villages and churches throughout Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Congo, are scheduled to attend for a special time of leadership training.
HMFI: Training Leaders in East Africa . . .
Our theme is “Raising the Next Generation for Christ” and we will also be encouraging these pastors and evangelists to keep training disciples and reaching the lost. Many will travel long distances to come, all eager to worship and to learn from God’s Word.
Philip’s 1st Mission Trip!
A highlight of this trip is that our youngest son, Philip, will be coming with us. Philip has been involved in some local ministry (community outreaches with acts-of-kindness and evangelism), but this will be his first international mission trip. He is especially looking forward to spending time with the orphan kids at Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center and being an “example to the believers”(as the Bible says in I Timothy 4:12), even at age 11.
Highlights from the Costa Rica Mission
Team Ministry in Costa Rica & Highlights from Mark:
This past month, Josh & Anna led a team mission trip to Costa Rica, where they distributed Bibles door-to-door and shared the love of Jesus on the streets. Our 16-year-old son, Mark, was a part of this outreach; his favorite moment was quietly singing (one-on-one for about 20 minutes) to a severely handicapped child at a home for abandoned children.
What a joy to our hearts!Family News . . .
In the past few weeks, all of our young adult “kids” moved away: Patrick is getting his MBA at Harvard; Josh & Anna are leading Gospel Projects International from a new home-base in Washington state; and Trae & Christi and Daniel & Anna are in Tulsa.
Our family is growing and shrinking at the same time. We are down to three kids at home now: Mark, Caela, and Philip.
Thank you for helping us to expand God’s kingdom!
Jon & Ann (& all)
Hot off the press preview of THE SCARLET CORD!!!
It’s a dream coming true . . .
The Scarlet Cord: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus is a concise call to world missions. This brand-new little book, co-authored by Jon & Ann Dunagan of Harvest Ministry, has been a dream of our hearts for many, many years.
And it’s finally becoming a reality!
An Excerpt . . .
From the Preface of The Scarlet Cord . . .
Jesus Christ allowed His hands and feet to be pierced by Roman nails.
As His blood flowed down that rugged cross, it was God’s love that was poured out for you and for this world. As we were writing this little book, we prayed for those of you who would someday read these pages, and as we prayed, that word “pierced” kept coming to our minds.
Our Lord was pierced because of God’s perfect love.
As you take hold of The Scarlet Cord: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus, may God’s passion pierce Your heart.
–Jon & Ann Dunagan
A Review . . .
“I have just finished reading The Scarlet Cord: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus. This powerful book has put a fresh fire in my heart for world evangelization.
To those serious about world missions, I recommend this book strongly, and to those not serious about world missions, I recommend it even more.”
— Timothy Johnson, Dominican Republic:
foreign-based missionary for over 25 years
Click here for a closeup preview of the COVER . . .
Please pray for us . . .
We would appreciate your prayers as we are beginning to share this new book with others.
Our preliminary vision is for it to be used in churches (especially in congregations where we will be ministering) to instill a passion for world missions and reaching the lost for Jesus.
If you are interested in learning more, please CONTACT US.
LOVING ORPHANS: Home Sweet Home in Uganda
Praising God for His Provision
We’re so thankful to be able to share an AWESOME report of God’s provision for much needed renovations (building maintenance, painting, roof repairs) along with a retaining wall to keep flood waters away from the school buildings and living areas.
Thank you for caring for these precious children!
Balancing Missions & Motherhood
Finding God’s balance for motherhood and ministry is sometimes a difficult (and continually changing) tug-of-war; but I believe the struggle is healthy . . .
(Photo: Ann Dunagan encouraged many women in ministry from Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, and Tanzania at the recent HMFI – Harvest Ministry Fellowship International leadership conference in Uganda, East Africa.)
Most of the time, just doing another load of laundry, or drilling the kids on grammar, or reading a bedtime story . . . doesn’t seem very important. But God sees the big picture. He highly esteems motherhood and He values a faithful mom who is willing to lay down her “big dreams” . . . to serve her family. And at the same time, He sees the lost and the reality of heaven and hell . . .
God cares about my kids and God cares about the lost. As a mission-minded mom, how can I keep these two “pulls “on my heart in balance — in a way that will truly please the heart of the Lord?
Screaming Babies & Praying Mommas . . .
Today, Ann is leading a discussion about balancing missions and motherhood over at Passionate Homemaking (a great site especially for young women and moms, focused on simple, natural, and intentional living).
The featured article is: Screaming Babies & Praying Mommas. Come see . . . > > >
A Mission-Minded Family Legacy
Today, the Christian Post is featuring a fascinating article about the generational legacy of a wonderful mission-minded family hero.
Hudson Taylor, the legendary missionary to China, is an outstanding example of how to effectively balance a passion for ministry and for family. Hudson Taylor was known as a man of consistent prayer and daily devotion to God’s word. Along with his world-impacting ministry, he was consistent at home and believed in the spiritual training and discipleship of his own children.
And what a difference this balance made, not only during his own lifetime, but even today, three complete generations later. Hudson Taylor died in 1905, yet over 100 years later, his godly legacy is still making Christian news headlines. What a beautiful mission-minded family example!
Take a look at this: Great-Grandson of Legendary Missionary to China Dies.
Equipping Nationals: N.E.T.S. News from Naboth!!!
“N.E.T.S” – National Evangelism Team Support: EAST AFRICA
N.E.T.S. Minister Naboth Tumuhairwe and his wife Alice have been working together with Harvest Ministry’s N.E.T.S. Outreach since 1991. By God’s grace, they have planted hundreds of self-supporting village churches throughout East Africa (currently overseeing 190 congregations and many national ministers), and are directors of Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center in Mbarara, Uganda.
Here’s a glimpse of remote mission outreaches from Naboth & Alice:
Please PRAY for Naboth & Alice and their ministry outreaches and village churches!
For more about Harvest Ministry’s N.E.T.S. Outreach – click here.
For more about N.E.T.S. Ministers, Naboth & Alice – click here.
Next Generation Missionaries: to ASIA
Mission to INDIA:
Recently, four of our newlywed young adults, Josh & Anna Dunagan (along with their baby-in-the-womb) and Trae & Christi Childs, ministered in South Asia with Gospel Projects International.
Mission outreaches included visiting remote village churches, checking up on the “orphans-no-longer” at GPI’s Aasha Children’s Home, and ministering at the two Bible schools they pioneered.
We’re so proud of them. Be sure to head over to the GPI Website to see their mission video.
“My friend, will you go? Has God spoken to you? Have you heard His Call? Will you not answer, ‘Lord, here am I, send me’? And if you cannot go, will you not send a substitute? — Oswald J. Smith
Lately, the continent of Asia has been in our thoughts and in our prayers, especially the need to support remote national ministers and evangelists.
There are many spiritual needs in this vast region, and so many people who need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Here are some links to help you to focus your prayers:
Dr. Duff’s Appeal
An excerpt from A Challenge to Missions
By Oswald J. Smith
Dr. Alexander Duff, that great veteran missionary to India, returned to Scotland to die, and as he stood before the general assembly . . . he made his appeal, but there was no response.
In the midst of his appeal he fainted and was carried off the platform.
The doctor bent over him and examined his heart.
Presently he opened his eyes. “Where am I?” he cried. “Where am I?”
“Lie still,” said the doctor. “You have had a heart attack. Lie still.”
“But,” exclaimed Dr. Duff, “I haven’t finished my appeal. Take me back. Take me back. I must finish my appeal.”
“Lie still,” said the doctor again. “You will go back at the peril of you life.”
But, in spite of the protests of the physician, the old warrior struggled to his feet, and, with the doctor on one side and the moderator of the assembly of the other side, he again mounted the steps of the pulpit platform, and, as he did so, the entire assembly rose to do him honor. Then, when they were seated, he continued his appeal.
And this is what he said:
“When Queen Victoria calls for volunteers for India, hundreds of young men respond; but, when King Jesus calls, no one goes.”
Then he paused. There was silence.
Again he spoke: “Very well,” he concluded, “then, aged though I am, I’ll go back to India. I can lie down on the banks of the Ganges and I can die and thereby I can let the people of India know that there was one man in Scotland who loved them enough to give his life for them.”
In a moment, young men all over the assembly sprang to their feet, crying, “I’ll go! I’ll go!”
And after the old white-haired warrior had been laid to rest, these young men, having graduated, found their way to dark benighted India, there to labor as his substitutes for the Lord Jesus Christ.
My friend, will you go? Has God spoken to you? Have you heard His Call? Will you not answer, “Lord, here am I, send me”? And if you cannot go, will you not send a substitute?
It is for you to decide.
Why should anyone hear the Gospel twice before everyone has heard it once?
ORPHAN NEWS: Group pictures & Answered prayers!
Group Pictures: Primary Kids @ “Guma Na Yesu”
We just received some new group photos from the primary school at Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center. It’s challenging to get a picture with so many kids at once. These are the younger children. The older children are at the Secondary School (a few miles away).
Non-teaching staff
With the teachers & directors
Answered Prayers!
At Harvest Ministry’s Guma Na Yesu (Keep With Jesus) Children’s Center, in Uganda, East Africa, we had an urgent need for a new water tank and for teacher’s rooms at the school. Through a generous gift from a brand-new friend, God provided . . . and answered this need.
Recently, we shared about the testimony of answered prayer, and now we’re excited to share a few praise-report photos. This answer to prayer brings a HUGE RELIEF to the children and workers. We’re so thankful to the Lord.
From all of us and on behalf of every child at Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center . . .“Thank You!!!”
We’re so appreciative for every friend
and for every gift of love . . . and for every prayer!God bless you!
God bless you . . . and please keep praying!!!
Learn more about how Harvest Ministry is LOVING ORPHANS.
Learn more about how you can SPONSOR ORPHAN CHILDREN.
Learn more about what GOD’S WORD says about ORPHANS.
Learn more about a few STARTLING ORPHAN STATISTICS.
