A Special Day with the Children
Jon just returned from a wonderful time with the kids at Harvest Ministry’s orphanage. We had a special “SPORTS DAY” to celebrate the end of the school term, with all kinds of races, cultural contests, singing, and dancing. This 4-minute video includes special praise reports about two special kids: Justine & Eliman. Justine is now excelling at KING’S COLLEGE; she ranks in the top academic percentile in the nation; and in this exclusive secondary school, she ranks #5 out of all of these top 77 students which is a huge “boost” to all of the children and to our school and teachers!. Eliman recently had surgery on his CLUB FOOT – He used to be called the little “lame boy” but now he can walk and RUN! Praise Jesus! God has a huge love for orphans, and so do we!
Thank you for loving these precious children! Please keep everyone in your prayers!
Mentor Families with a FREE study guide
We see a great need to motivate Christian families for local and international missions. Harvest Ministry has put together a 4-week study guide utilizing our mission-minded set: The Mission-Minded Child, Mission-Minded Family and/or The Scarlet Cord.
MISSION-MINDED Study Guide!
Mission-Minded Families – Small Group Study Guide
Suggested value: $9.99
Available now: FREE
FREE 4-week study guide Download NOW.
(30 pages. PDF format.) Click here < < < ---
The study, designed for small groups and mentoring (for church home groups, women’s studies, families, or personal use – FREE – for a limited time).
This guide utilizes The Mission-Minded Child, The Mission-Minded Family and/or The Scarlet Cord: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
If you are leading a small group, be sure to see The Mission-Minded Child + The Mission-Minded Family + The Scarlet Cord Our 3-Book SPECIAL — CLICK HERE
See also our new vision for Family Leadership Online!
“Missions is not just for missionaries;
God’s call is for all!”
— Jon & Ann Dunagan, The Mission-Minded Family
Girls Dorm at GUMA!
Providing a Safe Place for the Teenage Girls
UGANDA, EAST AFRICA — This past year, God provided for Harvest Ministry to build a beautiful new high school for the older orphan youth at Guma Na Yesu (Keep with Jesus) Children’s Center in Mbabara, Uganda — Kingdom Vocational Secondary School.
What a joy this has been and such an answer to prayer!
Our Next Project at Guma: A Girls Dorm!
Now, our next LOVING ORPHANS project in Uganda is to provide a safe place for 150 teenage girls to live: a new girls DORM building!
How you can help:
Giving toward this need is a great opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of many orphan girls and youth.
- This GIRLS DORM will provide a SAFE and close PLACE for teenage orphan girls to live, in a caring Christian environment, with daily prayer and spiritual support.
- The addition of a NEW BUILDING to sleep 150 students will be a long-term blessing to all of Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center.
- In addition to providing housing for our older teenage orphan girls, this DORM building will make it possible for Christian students from the community (who desire to attend a Christian high school and who will be paying for their education and housing) to live on campus. This will help to provide ongoing income to the Loving Orphan ministry and enable the national ministers and school to become increasingly self-sufficient in years to come. It’s a huge blessing and very important for our long-term vision.
A testimony from one girl . . .
“I’m an orphan, but now I’m okay. I study well. I sleep well. And I thank God because of this Bible. I was having a desire in my heart and prayed to God for a Bible just this size . . . and God has done it for me.”— Jolly Casandi
Did you know?
Every day, over 5,760
more children become orphans.
Every 2.2 seconds,
another orphan ages out of the system
with no family and no home.
This orphan project will provide a safe and joyful place
for 150 high school girls to live
while they are receiving a quality Christian education.
“For in you the orphan finds mercy.”
–Hosea 14:3
Location: Mbarara, Uganda — East Africa
The Vision: A Dorm for 150 Teen Girls
Equipping the Dorm — Beds, Mattresses, Pillows!!!
Inside the building, we will need to provide bunk beds,
mattresses and pillows for each of the teen girls.Bunk Bed: $35/person
Mattress: $30/person
Pillow: $3/person
The total cost per girl will be about $68/person.This building will provide safe and loving housing for 150 teen girls.
(This photo shows some younger boys at Guma Na Yesu – Keep With Jesus – Children’s Center, to give a visual of the bunk beds, pillows and mattresses needed for the DORM.)
How YOU Can Help:
SUPPORT LOVING ORPHANS in EAST AFRICA
EXCITING NEWS!!! — During this dorm project, all LOVING ORPHANS gifts to Harvest Ministry will be matched by a loving sponsor, until the building is complete. It’s a great time to see your mission giving DOUBLED to help orphans.(To give online, click ADD TO CART below. You can designate any amount.)
Or, if you prefer, you can send your MISSION GIFT for LOVING ORPHANS in the mail.
Write checks to HARVEST MINISTRY and put “Loving Orphans — Uganda Dorm Project” on the memo line. All mission gifts for this project will be doubled.)
Send to:
Harvest Ministry
PO Box 727
Hood River, OR 97031Please keep this project in your prayers!
GOD BLESS YOU!!!
Sharing the LOVE of Jesus . . . in Costa Rica!
Today, Josh & Anna Dunagan are flying to COSTA RICA on an exciting new mission adventure . . . to share the love of Jesus in Central America!
This past year, Josh & Anna started a children’s home in India, launched a remote Bible school, and began supporting four full-time national ministers. Now, they’re branching out into new countries and with increased vision to expand the Kingdom of God and to bring light into dark areas. And just recently (in January, 2012), these awesome young mission-minded newlyweds launched out from Harvest Ministry to establish a new mission called GOSPEL PROJECTS INTERNATIONAL.
Mission to Costa Rica – in Central America
On this mission in Costa Rica, Josh & Anna will minister to people on the streets and distribute Bibles door-to-door (working with our missionary friends Steve & Elizabeth Gilroy). As they were getting ready to go, Anna wrote:
As we prepare to leave for our trip to Costa Rica, we are so excited to see how the Lord will use us to minister to the lost and hurting and most of all, win souls for the Kingdom of God! Please keep us in your prayers, we will be meeting up with a missionary family in Costa Rica to: help with a Bible distribution program and minister to ladies who have been trapped in prostitution and human trafficking.
Please keep them in prayer!
You can read more about Josh & Anna’s mission to Costa Rica – – – > >
on their recent GPI news update.
The Challenge: DAY 10 – God’s Commands #5
His TRUTH
Welcome to DAY 10 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!
Today your family will learn the HAND COMMANDS (finger motions) for the Ten Commandments #9 and #10 – about being truthful (not lying, or bearing false witness against our neighbor), and not coveting.
Day 10 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE – daily encouragement to become more effective for eternity. Today focuses on Commandments #9 & #10, with the HAND COMMANDS, along with surrendering everything to follow Jesus.
C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!
- Recommended Mission Resource: M.A.P.S. for KIDS – Missions Adventure Preparation School – a FREE Mission-Minded Vacation Bible School Curriculum
- HAND COMMANDS – The Ten Commandments for Little Ones
- Missionary Quote by Keith Green
- Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: MIDDLE EAST
- Memory Verse: Matthew 19:21 (read in context: Matthew 19:16-22)
A few questions for feedback:
Discuss Commandment #9 – As a family, do you speak God’s TRUTH? Are there times that you may tell only “part” of the truth, or mislead others by not giving full information? Do you ever struggle with lying or being deceptive? (Does your mind ever ponder or “camp too long” on lies of the enemy? Do you ever think about these lies, or speak them to others, even to yourself, rather than God’s TRUTH?)
Commandment #10 – What does it mean to “covet”? Sometimes, by merely going “window shopping” too often, or browsing through store catalogs too frequently, it can lead to “coveting” unneccesary things. As a family, discuss being content with what you have. (And would you be willing to be content if God asked your family to live a simpler life for His purposes?) Discuss the story of Jesus and the rich young ruler: What did Jesus ask of this man? Has God ever presented you with “one thing” to surrender? If God asks anything (or everything!!!) of you, don’t go away sad. Respond to Jesus, and follow Him fully!!!
Our HMFI Vision (with a video testimony)
Harvest Ministry Fellowship International (HMFI) is a missions outreach of Harvest Ministry, to SERVE remote village churches and ministers.
Listen to a video testimony from a national pastor from Uganda, East Africa. Pastor Frank is a HMFI Zone Leader who helps oversee village pastors. He shares how the vision and fellowship of HMFI has been a blessing to him and to his congregation and community.
Harvest Ministry Fellowship International
H.M.F.I. is an international fellowship of Christian ministers and churches.
The vision of this non-denominational fellowship is to provide members with ministry accountability and identity, spiritual covering, fellowship with other ministers, and training for godly leadership. The purpose of H.M.F.I. is to unite ministers and churches to more effectively advance God’s Kingdom.
The Challenge: DAY 9 – God’s Commands #4
His DESTINY
Welcome back to DAY 9 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!
Today your family will learn the HAND COMMANDS (finger motions) for Commandments #7 and #8 – about keeping thoughts and actions pure (not committing adultery or “allowing” it into your home via movies or other media!!) and not stealing.
C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!
- Recommended Mission Resource: The Mission-Minded Family
- HAND COMMANDS – The Ten Commandments for Little Ones
- Missionary Quote by William Carey
- Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: MIDDLE EAST
- Memory Verse: Romans 12:1-2
A few questions for feedback:
Discuss Commandment #7 – As a family, how are you keeping your thoughts and actions pure? Do you have standards and guards over the media entering your home? Do you have boundaries (even for moms and dads) to protect marriage purity (such as not being alone with someone of the opposite gender, guarding unnecessary phone conversations or copying-in your spouse on emails or online networking)? Are each of your kids and teens guarding God’s best (in their thoughts, actions, and modesty) for their future spouse and marriage? How?? (Do you know of resources that have helped your family in this area? If so, let us know. It’s important for mission-minded training!!!! For teens, it’s also a good day to focus on God’s definition of marriage as ONE MAN and ONE WOMAN, for life!!!)
Commandment #8 – Is your family honest before God (and not “stealing” in regards to even little things)? Does your family ever borrow things – even from siblings – and not bother to return them? Are you, as a family and as individuals, faithful to your giving to the Lord (see Malachi 3:8-12 about “robbing” God)?
The Challenge: DAY 8 – God’s Commands #3
His WAY
Welcome to DAY 8 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!
Today your family will learn the HAND COMMANDS (finger motions) for the Ten Commandments #5 and #6 – “Honor your father and mother” and “You shall not murder.”
C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!
- Recommended Mission Resource: Teaching With God’s Heart for the World
- HAND COMMANDS – The Ten Commandments for Little Ones
- Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: MIDDLE EAST
- Memory Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
A few questions for feedback:
Discuss Commandment #5 – What does it mean to honor your father and mother? (One blessing of youth is that you can know you’re in God’s perfect will by simply honoring your parents and obeying them. Compared to the process in adulthood of earnestly “seeking” God’s perfect will for your life, it’s so easy!!!)
Commandment #6 – Some Christians use this commandment to teach their belief in pacifism. The wording actually refers to murder. There is a difference between ‘to murder’ and ‘to kill for justice’ – as in a judicial execution, in service to one’s country in a just war situation, or in self-defense. There is need in this world for godly people in all spheres of society, and that includes the military. My husband has preached the Gospel to many military soldiers throughout the world and this specific explanation – about the difference between “to murder” and “to kill” – has helped many people in the military to surrender their lives to the Lord. Without this understanding, many soldiers do not realize that it can be possible to be both a good soldier and a good Christian. On a more personal family note, our oldest son is a young man who strongly loves the Lord, and he is currently serving as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Our son definitely sought the Lord for guidance in this decision, and as parents, we prayed with him in that regards. We have a peace about his decision, and believe that wherever our son will be sent, he will go as God’s ambassador.
This commandment can also refer to abortion; as mission-minded families, it is vital to instill in our children the importance and value of LIFE.
By the way, although I refer to a quote by Helen Keller, I do not recommend her as a Christian role model, but rather, as a remarkable example of determination and perseverance.
Continue the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE . . .
Click here for DAY 9
The Challenge: DAY 7 – God’s Commands #2
His LAW
Welcome to DAY 7 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!
Today your family will learn the HAND COMMANDS (finger motions) for the Ten Commandments, specifically today #3 and #4. We’ll also discuss how to keep God’s Word and His Law in our hearts.
C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!
- Recommended Mission Resource: Bruchko and the Molitone Miracle, by Bruce Olsen
- HAND COMMANDS – The Ten Commandments for Little Ones
- Missionary Quote by Ron Luce of TeenMania
- Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: MIDDLE EAST
- Memory Verse: Proverbs 7:1, 3
A few questions for feedback:
Discuss Commandment #3 – As a family, do you honor the Lord’s name and even guard how you say the name of “God”? In our home, we train our kids to always conclude their prayers with a strong “In the Name of Jesus, Amen.” Far too often, Christians “water-down” prayers, especially in public settings, in an attempt to not be offensive; instead, we need to be unashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ and BOLD in our witness. If we’re given an opportunity to pray, at family gathering or a city meeting, our prayers should glorify the Lord without shame. Also, if you ever hear a person swear, by taking the Lord’s name in vain, it’s a great time to witness and to let that person know how much you love Jesus and His wonderful Name!
Regarding Commandment #4, how does your family remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy? Does your family have a specific day of “spiritual rest” from your regular work, to focus on the Lord?
Continue the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE . . .
Click here for DAY 8
The Challenge: DAY 6 – God’s Commands #1
His PATH
Welcome to DAY 6 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!
Today your family will consider God’s path of life and two “ditches” to avoid: legalism and lawlessness. This week we’re focusing on God’s Ten Commandments, and learning the HAND COMMANDS. These simple finger motions can help you to show people their need for God’s salvation.
C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!
- Recommended Mission Resource: David Livingstone – Africa’s Trailblazer – From YWAM’s Christian Heroes Then & Now Series
- HAND COMMANDS – The Ten Commandments for Little Ones
- Missionary Quote by David Livingstone, Missionary Explorer to Africa
- Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: ASIA
- Memory Verse: Matthew 7:13-14
A few questions for feedback:
Discuss as a family Commandment #1 and #2. What does it mean to love the LORD your God and to only serve Him? Is there anything in your family that is out of place? Also, are there are “idols” or things in your life that take priority over your relationship with the Lord? What do you think about walking on God’s path and not falling into either legalism or lawlessness; which “ditch” is more of a tendency for your family?
Continue the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE . . .
