“Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace.”
“If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace.”
“In that stillness you will know what His will is.”
— Amy Carmichael (1867-1951) – Missionary to India
Wow. “Blessed are the single-hearted…”
Isn’t that a beautiful focus?
Seeking God, more than anything
Oh, I want to be “single-hearted” for the Lord, with my entire soul (my mind, my will, and my emotions) staying steadfastly on God, and not going off on some “crazy-wild-goose-chase” of distraction from God’s peace and God’s best.
I want to STAY single-hearted in that place of stillness with Him, where my spirit is clear and uncluttered . . . so I can know His perfect will . . . and I can know Him.
I want to live and “stay” in that place of total peace with God.
Quotes from Amy Carmichael
What is really the #1 most important focus of my heart?
More than anything, I want to know God.
–Not just know “about” God.
–Not just know “how” to have an impressive devotional life.
–Not just know “how” to live as a godly or mission-minded woman.
–Not just know “how” to make an effective difference “for Him” in this world.
More than anything, I want to know God, personally and intimately.
I want to care about my relationship “with Him” more than anything.
–More than my relationship with my husband.
–More than that priority time with my kids.
–More than my special “girl-time” with my dearest friends.
–More than special “family-time” with our extended relations.
–Even more than I care about doing stuff “for Him” and for His kingdom.
–Even more than seeking His direction, or His provision, or His grace.
–And even more than seeking His help to finish everything on my “to-do-list.”
Being single-hearted means caring more about my relationship “with God”
than anything I might do “for God.”
Continued from Radical begins at Home. (Written from a remote village “deep in the bush” in East Africa.)
At the moment, the room is dark. My only light is a thin candle affixed by a dab of wax to an old tin can. The glimmer projects a soft glow on the chipped plaster walls. Outside, the air is filled with the pleasant sound of crickets and a faint melody of young boys singing to the rhythm of a tribal drum.
The kids are enjoying an evening prayer time with a song that is full of life; the native words mean, “Jesus is good, all the time!”
Listening to the joyful worship of these children is such an answer to prayer. All of these kids are orphans, and they have experienced more tragedies and hardship than most of us can imagine, yet they sing of God’s goodness.
Today, my husband and I were surrounded by hundreds of loving and hugging children — all orphans and all fully relying on God’s provision through our family’s mission outreach (Harvest Ministry) for ongoing food, education, spiritual care, and protection.
We stood in line with the children as they received their breakfasts (each receiving a bowl of warm porridge in a plastic cup or bowl). I didn’t see any spoons, but I noticed the resourcefulness of some of the older boys who “scooped-up” their porridge with plastic math rulers. For lunch, the boys and girls were laughing and remarkably happy as they each received a large bowl of “posho” and kidney beans. “Posho” is an East African staple food made from cassava flour. The consistency is like play-dough or “solid” mashed potatoes, with a gritty bland taste. It is cooked in huge kettles over wood fires and stirred with giant wooden paddles. The leaders explain how it sticks to the children’s tummies and keeps them going.
Today, it was such a joy to minister to these children. We interviewed boys and girls and took photographs — to get an understanding of their backgrounds and to help share a compassionate glimpse into their lives. One beautiful 13-year-old girl, Shidrah, told me how her mother had died when she and her twin sister were born and how her father had died of AIDS when she was eight. Her favorite color is green (because it makes her happy), and her favorite food is rice. When we asked her to describe her life, she smiled as she told us how she loved this children’s home and school. It was here where she had learned about Jesus. She was thankful that she could now praise God, all the time. She sang her favorite song for me (in the Ugandan Nyankola language); her words mean, “I need You, Lord; draw me close to you.”
Oh, my heart goes out to these boys and girls. As I met with many children, one-by-one, I thought about our own seven kids and how blessed we are. Back home, instead of a stinky pit toilet surrounded by flies (a square hole in the cement or mud floor), our family enjoys clean, flushing toilets and fluffy bath mats. Instead of porridge, posho, and beans, we have unlimited food varieties and take-home pizza.
Yet, instead of complaining, the children I talked with today were filled with gratitude. They laughed and sang and told me of how blessed they are. Here, the children know that they are safe, and they are thankful that they have been rescued from their former lives of abuse, or slavery, or begging on the streets.
But my loving momma-heart longs to do more. My heart goes out to every orphan child.
Worldwide, UNICEF estimates (as of this writing in 2012) that there are 143,000,000 to 210,000,000 orphan children, and the vast majority are in desperate need. To help comprehend the enormity of this crisis, did you know that there are as many orphan children as two-thirds of the entire population of the United States (300,000,000) or more than all of the people of Russia (141,800,000)? To survive, many orphan children are forced to beg or to steal food . . . or worse. Many are sold or “tricked” into slavery. Little boys are forced to become child soldiers. Little girls are forced into the sex trade. Every 15 seconds, another African child becomes an AIDS orphan; in Africa alone, at the end of every year, over two million more children will become orphans.
To me, these numbers are not just statistics. Each number is a real little child, with a heart and a soul and a potential to love and serve Jesus. Over the years (working with remote national ministers and by establishing church-based children’s homes and schools) our family has helped to rescue over one thousand orphans. Some were sleeping under trees or wandering the streets. Some were starving or being abused by relatives. For “blankets” some kids had nothing but old, ripped-up garbage sacks.
“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” ~ Hebrews 1:9
I just hate the devil and his deplorable acts. Not only does he “kick” people when they’re down (and condemn people when they’ve fallen into his sinful traps), but he has no qualms about taking the most innocent victims of his violence and diseases and sin — precious orphan children — and abusing them to further his evil agenda. God sees all of these needs; He knows and loves every child, and He cares for each one more than I do. I am comforted by the fact that God is not “stressed out” or overwhelmed. I thank Him for the honor of helping us to care for these children, despite our meager provisions, and I praise Him for His daily “manna.” I thank Him for every hard-working momma, leader, and teacher, as I pray for more help and grace. I think about the joy of seeing these children laugh and sing . . . and seeing them dance.
A challenge today was water. The city tap water had been out for three days, so our friends were trying to find enough water for all of the children and workers. Reminding me of Moses needing water in the wilderness for the multitudes of Israel, these directors ended up getting water from a nearby pond. We drove in a truck to see this source, and the situation was horrible. The small mud hole was covered with scum, yet men and children were filling hundreds of yellow plastic water jugs (“jerry cans”) with this brown water and hauling them back to the school. This water would be used for everything for all of these hundreds of children. For bathing. For cooking. Even for drinking (after boiling it thoroughly and skimming off the scum).
At the moment, I am thankful for our box of bottled water. I am thankful once again for the blessings we enjoy back home — especially for clean tap water and hot showers–yet my heart is stirred for our friends who struggle for such a basic necessity. As we preached in the chapel this evening, the children listened intently and then called out to God in heartfelt prayer. After our meeting, the boys and girls gathered on a large tarp and enjoyed a Bible story. Even now, as the children prepare for sleep, they are spontaneously praising God once again. Most of the mommas caring for these children are also widows, which meets another great need. After their husbands died, many of these women were without provision and without hope. Now, through their ministry of motherhood to orphans (raising these children as their own), God is helping them—physically, with food and safety; emotionally, with renewed vision and purpose; and spiritually, with Christian
fellowship and godly friends.
As I am thinking today about godly motherhood and God’s heart of simplicity in our homes, I am definitely coming from a different perspective. When the Bible talks about pure religion, He didn’t mention continuously homeschooling all of our children all the way through high school or insist that our daughters never wear pants or never cut their hair. He didn’t define “undefiled religion” as maintaining an impressively clean home or only cooking with organic foods and whole grains.
I care about homeschooling, modesty, cleanliness, and health, but I’m challenged that God’s pure religion is on another level — about having a heart for orphans and widows.
The candlelight flickers as I think of a worship song by Matt Redman:
“I’m coming back to the heart of worship,
When it’s all about You, all about You, Jesus.
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it,
When it’s all about You, all about You.”
I ponder God’s heart for Christian homemaking as I’m humming this verse:
“When the music fades,
All is stripped away, and I simply come.
Longing just to bring something that’s of worth,
That will bless Your heart.”
“I have seen the Vision, and for self I cannot live. Life is less than worthless, till my all I give.” –Oswald J. Smith, missionary evangelist
As Christians, we’re all called to expand God’s kingdom, but for each family God’s direction will be unique. Your family has a particular sphere of influence, abilities, and resources. You also have a unique background and likely a specific “drawing” to specific areas of need.
As my husband Jon and I often say,
“Missions is not just for missionaries; God’s call is for all.”
This article links with a post on Ann Voskamps blog, “What Does a bit of Radical Christianity Look Like, Right Where You Are?” The post refers to two compelling mission books, Radical (by David Platt) and Kisses from Katie (by Katie Davis), both highly recommended reading for Daring Daughters.
Voskamp’s challenge is for us to share a glimpse of what it means for us to live a Radical Christian life, right now, right where we are. For me, I’m going to share a several-part series . . . of my everyday life as a mission-minded mom, all excerpted from my missions chapter in The Heart of Simplicity: Foundations for Christian Homemaking.
If you visited our home, you would get a little glimpse of our heart.
Our family loves hospitality and we love life. There’s always a big pile of kid shoes on the front porch and a welcoming chalkboard sign. In the living room, wooden drums and elephants project a subtle international theme; Bibles, mission books, and an atlas are on the coffee table. Our kitchen has a “global” theme with teapots from various countries and world continents painted on wooden squares behind our coffee-shop kitchen table.
A peek into the master bedroom hints of European romance with a candle-lit fireplace and black-and-white Paris posters (with a “familiar” couple holding hands by the Eiffel Tower). If you played a board game in our family room, you wouldn’t miss our wall-sized world map. You might laugh at the crazy leopard carpet in our home-based mission office or get distracted by random souvenirs, a bulletin board covered with postcards, or an alpaca-skin wall-rug from Bolivia; desks are covered with newsletters in-the-works, and computers buzz with preparations for the next adventure.
But world missions is more than a decorating theme. By God’s grace, our family has collectively traveled and ministered in over 70 nations and on all seven continents. We have a heart for the world and a heart for our children. We have preached the gospel to genocide murderers in Rwandan prisons and to Ukrainian scientists in Antarctica. Sometimes crowds are huge; sometimes we share one-on-one.
We’re called to love God and to expand His kingdom. Jon and I have been happily married for over twenty-six years, and we have home-schooled seven children (with four high school and three college graduates). Our three youngest children still live at home, and several of our older children are now getting married and beginning families of their own!
Our family loves God, and we love each other. We have a heart for the world, a heart for the lost . . . and we simply obey. Although we have always lived in the United States, we have focused our lives on international Christian missions: winning souls, loving orphans, equipping national ministers, serving churches, and motivating mission-minded families.
We just do whatever God says, empowered by His love . . . and His grace.
Take 1 minute to learn about LOVING ORPHANS with Daring Daughters.
In 2014, our orphan projects include daily FOOD, SPIRITUAL CARE and EDUCATION for nearly 1000 children at Guma Na Yesu (Keep With Jesus) Children’s Center in East Africa (including construction of a much-needed new high school) and support for Aasha (Hope) Children’s Home in SE India. Watch a video and read on to learn more.
In Psalm 10:14, the Bible says, “You have been the helper of the orphan.” Is that true for you? (Or is that a desire of your heart?)
Can we send you — in the mail — a Daring Daughters prayer and information pack for LOVING ORPHANS? To request one, just click here!
New high school building for orphan youth!!! Just completed! Here’s a little KEY for you in learning to step out . . .
When God puts His compassion in your heart for a specific need, God knows you can’t do it on your own. You just need to realize that He is The One — He really is THE ONE — who can make something happen! God can provide whatever is needed (help, strength, grace, connections, and finances).
You simply need to pray with an open heart, be totally willing to do whatever God tells you to do and then, when the timing is right . . . JUST DO IT!
At Daring Daughters, we want to encourage you to DARE to dream, and to DARE to cry, and to DARE to obey whatever God is stirring in your hearts.
Sometimes, statistics are disheartening and needs seem impossible to meet . . . but just remember that even though you can’t do everything, you can do something!
Trusting God for His day-by-day provision — What an honor!
Since February of 2006, we have been seeking God daily for very specific orphan needs. Often, these needs have been way-bigger than our capabilities, but the Lord has been gracious to allow us to care for a growing number of children and youth (now over 1000 precious kids), primarily at Guma Na Yesu (Keep With Jesus) Children’s Center in Uganda, our FAMILY ZONE CENTERS, in E. AFRICA, and at Aasha Children’s Home in SE INDIA. Over and over, as we’ve prayed to God for help, He has been AMAZING — guiding us and providing for us to give food, clothing, education, buildings, blankets, mattresses, water, electricity, bunks-beds, and more . . . in His NAME!!!
Mission:Harvest Ministry (Loving Orphans)
–As an outreach of Harvest Ministry, Daring Daughters is committed to caring for many orphans in East Africa through our Guma Na Yesu “Keep With Jesus” Children’s Center.
With a LOVING ORPHANS gift (of any amount), you can help to provide for these precious kids.
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
Meet Jolly . . .
MBARARA, UGANDA, EAST AFRICA – In this video, you’ll meet one girl we’ve had the honor to help. Jolly Casandi shares a praise report about how God answered her specific prayer. You’ll also see a glimpse of the GUMA kids and youth fervently worshiping the Lord at Harvest Ministry’s GUMA NA YESU “Keep With Jesus” Children’s Center.
What a joy to love and help orphan children, in Jesus’ Name.
With my dear friend and our co-laborer in Loving Orphans, Alice Tumuhairwe
Ugandan Directors of Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center: Pastor Naboth & Alice
Mission: Gospel Projects International
–We can give to support orphan children in S.E. India, working with Gospel Projects International (and Josh & Anna Dunagan). With a missions gift of any amount, orphans can helped in Jesus’ Name!
One Christian family in our local community has been shining brightly for Jesus Christ, on October 31st, in a very public way.
Together with the help of many relatives and friends, the Bell family decorates a public park with lights, organizes fun activities for all ages, and shares homemade cookies and apple cider. They distribute Bibles, tracts, Christian CD’s and movies. They play upbeat Christian children’s music on loud-speakers and they preach the Good News of the Gospel. They serve together as a family, work hard, and WOW, do they glorify God!
In this post, I asked Deb Bell to share about her family’s outreach, now in its 20th year!
They’re a mission-minded example for us all!
In the words of Deborah Bell:
“What do we do with Halloween?” The answer to this question should be the same as it is to, “What do we do with September 5th or April 29th or January 2nd?” We do what Jesus wants us to do with every day of our lives. And we find out what that is by asking Him.
For our family, our “Halloween” journey began by asking, “What does Jesus want us to do?” In answering that question, we researched and learned about Halloween; we observed how friends and neighbors celebrate Halloween; we studied God’s word to look for applicable insight and wisdom that could be applied to Halloween. And through that, Festival of Light was birthed in White Salmon, Washington.
Festival of Light began in 1994 at our home. The first year consisted of handing out Bibles and tracts to all who came to our door. Every year on October 31, children and many of their parents walk through our neighborhoods and knock on doors asking for candy or gifts. Many Christians take this opportunity to pass out tracts and Bibles to neighborhood children. After the amazing response that first year, during which kids came to our house asking, “Are you the ones handing out Bibles? Can I have one?” we decided that we would continue to do that and more.
As a result, Mid-Columbia Ministries (MCM) organized Festival of Light in response to what we viewed as a great opportunity to share God’s love with our community.
Many churches have provided and still provide alternative entertainment for the church children in the form of harvest festivals. MCM decided it would be fun and effective to combine the harvest party concept with the evangelism associated with handing out tracts and Bibles, and we took the harvest festival concept to the street. In this way, we not only provide alternative entertainment for our own children, but also for those traditionally non-church children who comprise the majority of Halloween trick-or-treaters.
Deborarh Bell and her Family
In contrast to the meaning of Halloween and the many associated activities that are a celebration of Satan and the darkness that he perpetrates, the Festival of Light emphasizes the light of Jesus Christ and the good things which He brings to our lives.
The response from parents and children alike has been overwhelming. In 1996, we shared the light of Jesus with over 200 primarily non-church trick-or-treaters. By 1997, the number had jumped to over 400. In response to the increase in size and the lack of parking and room at our house, Festival of Light was moved from our front yard to an empty parking lot in downtown White Salmon.
“The focus of the evening is the light of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we make every attempt to bring light into the darkness of the night…” –Deb Bell
The event, as mentioned before, is basically a harvest festival moved to the streets. The focus of the evening is the light of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we make every attempt to bring light into the darkness of the night. We decorate with lots of lights; we play loud positive upbeat Christian children’s music; we hand out lots of candy, toys and prizes that promote Jesus by giving away movies, CDs, Bibles, and tracts. We serve freshly pressed hot cider and homemade cookies.
As with all things in life, we always try to take it back to Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
The traditional images and themes of Halloween do not meet these criteria. Volunteers are asked not to dress in traditional Halloween costumes, choosing positive, religious, or neutral themes instead. Donated materials and treats are free of traditional Halloween themes (e.g., Jack-O-Lanterns, witches, ghosts, bats, etc.). However, that does not stop us from engaging the culture.
All children, parents, and community members are allowed to participate, regardless of costume. And, they are welcomed with love and acceptance, and perhaps a bit of tongue in cheek humor. A little girl dressed as a witch might hear, “My, what do we have here – a fairy princess? You look absolutely beautiful tonight.”
When we first started 20 years ago, parents would bring their kids simply because they did not like the haunted house and were thankful for someplace fun that did not scare their kids. And they keep coming back every year, whether it be for the games, the cider press, to see other people from the community, or because they know they will find resources to help them with difficulties in their lives.
In this, our twentieth year, our goal is still to provide an event where parents and kids can participate with friends in a positive atmosphere and where godly themes are promoted. In addition, we use the opportunity to share the Gospel with everyone who comes through.
While it may confuse some – many within and outside of the church assume that we are “celebrating” Halloween – the truth is that we are celebrating Christ in a manner visible to the community whether they completely understand our motives or not.
The Extended Bell Family — It’s a Team Effort from Everyone!
So, we do not worry about what others “think” we are doing, we just do what Christ has called us to do. And an added bonus is that all of our kids have grown up assuming that they will spend Halloween serving the community and being a blessing to others – and not focusing on their own fun, entertainment, or candy. And, now grown, they thank us for the example that we set and the opportunity they have had to share their faith in a real way with the community every year.
“So, we do not worry about what others ‘think’ we are doing, we just do what Christ has called us to do…” –Deb Bell
Because, the real question is — as believers — are we fleeing darkness and pursuing light? Or are we embracing, or playing with, darkness and hiding, or ignoring, the light?
Reach for God-Sized Dreams . . . with Daring Daughters!
(Click the boxes for more information . . .)
Join the Discussion (with a comment below)
As your family has asked the Lord, “What would Jesus have us to do?” How has God led you, especially in regards to October 31st?
Looking for Christian, Cross, Mission-Minded, Faith, Gospel-oriented, or even just “pretty” pumpkin carving ideas to “shine” for Jesus on your front porch?
Here are some fun ones we’ve found . . .
Be sure to also see:
The Whole World Needs Jesus — our brand-new mission-minded kids book — with a fun read-aloud text and whimsical illustrations!
“The Pumpkin Gospel” by Angie Tolpin (FREE download PDF to teach kids about God’s salvation while pumpkin carving).
Mission-Minded Families Podcasts – with Ann Dunagan – 2 special episodes about “Harvest and Halloween” (listen below) and “SHINE Bright in October”
Click to listen (27 minutes) – Harvest and Halloween – with Ann Dunagan
Mission-Minded Families Podcast
[sc_embed_player_template1 fileurl=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/missionminded/MMF-Harvest-podcast.mp3″]– How will you “deal” with October 31st? – Click arrow to listen – or Download mp3
20 Ideas to Get You Started:
1. Carve 1 cross
2. Carve a Christian “fish” symbol
3. Carve a cross with a fish or a star
4. Carve 1 heart or several hearts
5. Carve words: Shine! God Love You!
6. Carve the name of Jesus
7. Carve a dove
8. Use a drill to make pretty dots
9. Carve pretty designs half-way through
10. Write a Bible verse with an engraver
11. Arrange un-carved pumpkins
12. Carve 2 or 3 crosses
13. Carve the CONTINENTS of the World
14. Carve a continent (Africa) and a heart
15. Drill dots to spell a word like “JESUS” “LOVE” “SHINE” (1 letter per pumpkin)
16. Paint the continents of the world
17. Carve pretty leaves.
18. Carve stripes and dots.
19. Decorate with an international theme
20. Teach “The Pumpkin Gospel”
In Psalm 118:24, the Bible says, “This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!”
Is that verse still true, even on October 31st?
On iTunes, this has been our most-popular Mission-Minded Families podcast. Ann Dunagan shares from her heart about God’s Harvest (with thoughts about how to “deal” with Halloween from a personal, historical, and biblical perspective). And soon, we’ll be loading a follow-up podcast, with a focus on having a PASSION to be a Witness (and a light for Jesus) with practical ideas for the month of October.
Your family will be encouraged to focus on what matters, as you remember the Lord and the lost. Let’s navigate through all the debate and division regarding October 31st, and focus instead on the love of Jesus, God’s spirit of unity, and His Great Commission to SHINE His light in a dark world.
Harvest & Halloween – PERSPECTIVES from Matthew 9:35-39
PASSION to be a Witness (during October) – II Corinthians 5:17-21 (coming soon)
Click to listen (27 minutes) – Harvest and Halloween – with Ann Dunagan
Mission-Minded Families Podcast
[sc_embed_player_template1 fileurl=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/missionminded/MMF-Harvest-podcast.mp3″]– How will you “deal” with October 31st?
Most of us have much more than we need, while others have so little. James Mollison, a photo journalist, shows this contrast with pictures of real-life kids from around the world. > > > about POVERTY & POSSESSIONS
C’mon girls! You don’t need permission to obey God and be a part of God’s Great Commission. Dare to make a difference!
–Ann Dunagan, Daring Daughters
A mom sent me a note asking how she and her teen daughter could host a Daring Daughter event in their area. I wrote my answer in a message, and wanted to share it here to spark creative juices for you as well.
First of all, realize if you want to do something to encourage others for the Gospel and to share about God’s Great Commission you can do it.
It doesn’t have to cost any money. It doesn’t need to involve airline travel. And you don’t need “official” permission from your pastor or from the women’s leader at church to get started. You don’t have to live in a big city, or go to a big church, or have a big budget.
It doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you’ve been a Christian. God has called all of us as believers to be His ambassadors (see II Corinthians 5:20). We’re all called to share the Gospel. He’s called every Christian to be a light for Him and to fulfill His Great Commission.
C’mon girls. We need to obey God. Dare to dream, and dare to make a difference for His kingdom!
If you’re a woman or a teenage girl who loves God, or perhaps a mom-and-daughter-combo, or a college girl with a heart for the next generation, or perhaps a mom with a pent-up-passion for local and global missions (or a particular world need) . . . just step out and DO SOMETHING about it.
Do you have a specific idea on your heart? Or would you and your teenage daughter like to plan a Daring Daughter event?
Here are a few ideas to get you started…
1. Plan a DD Girls Night
Simply open your home and share about Daring Daughters.
Have a get-together with your daughter and a few of your friends, perhaps other moms-and-daughters, or with ladies you know (from your church, school, homeschool group, or friends). Stir a heart for local and global missions, share something on your heart (we could give you some simple ideas — such as this powerful excerpt from Amy Carmichael.)
Invite friends, just like you would to a baby/bridal shower or birthday party. If you would like to officially connect with Daring Daughters, use EVENTBRITE and announce your event via facebook. FREE events don’t cost anything to promote or to make tickets. If you use the Daring Daughters name, just add a comment or link to keep us all in-the-loop!
WORSHIP Maybe worship together — with Hosanna’s “break my heart for what breaks Yours…” by Hillsong — and invite each woman to share a NEED in the world that grips her heart more than others — or sing a simple rendition of AMAZING GRACE and ask each lady to share ONE THING that God has called her to do, in which she definitely needs God’s amazing grace.
RECOMMEND A MISSION-BOOK Or share about a mission book you like — such as Kisses from Katie, Radical, The Mission-Minded Family, The Scarlet Cord — Window on the World, Operation World, or a mission bio (The Mission-Minded Child has several 2-minute “missionary monologues” to present in simple dramatic form, such as one about Amy Carmichael).
INVITE A DARING MISSIONARY You could invite someone who is involved in helping love and serve people in one way or another (perhaps someone serving at a local crisis pregnancy center, maybe someone who helps the poor, or who has adopted a child, or someone you know who has gone on a mission trip) and have them share their story and their passion for missions.
PRAY End with a prayer by missionary Betty Scott Stam (about surrendering everything to the Lord), and distribute stickers with this prayer for each girl/lady to sign and date and to put in their Bible or journal. Pray for each other. (Note: Betty Scott Stam was a missionary to China during the Great Depression. She and her husband John were martyred for their faith.)
Lord, I give up All my own plans and purposes, All my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life.
I give myself, my life, my all, utterly to Thee To be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt. Send me where Thou wilt. Work out Thy whole will in my life At any cost. Now and forever.
–Betty Scott Stam (1906-1934)
2. Plan a DD Tea Party
Host a DARING DAUGHTERS “Tea Party”
Include the same sort of mission-themed ideas (see above), with a Tea Party. It’s kind of a frilly idea for sharing a rugged mission-vision, but it’s something most women and churches understand and know how to do. It’s simply a party . . . and you’re going to add the theme, that living for Jesus is not just about being pampered princesses, but loving others, sharing the Gospel and daring to make a difference in the world.
You could have moms and daughters sign up to decorate a table with fancy china (each with a unique international theme, such as East African, Middle-Eastern, or Asian). Perhaps have ladies bring gifts (like at a shower or birthday party) to give to a local crisis pregnancy center or to the poor.
Share a missionary video or highlight a mission need. Or invite a local missionary woman, or someone involved in local or global Gospel outreach, to speak from her heart.
3. Organize a DD Dinner
Host a DARING DAUGHTERS Dinner with an global focus.
This could be in your home, or at a church, or with a youth group. Simply share about local or global needs with an international-theme meal.
Share a co-op meal or snacks (such as a taco-bar, with everyone bringing one ingredient, or simply a Mexican-style or Italian-style pot-luck). Or have everyone bring some sort of an international snack and provide labels for people to write the name of the nation where their dish is from.
4. Lead a DD Night of Prayer for the Nations
Host a DARING DAUGHTERS “Night of Prayer for the Nations”
Or forget the food and simply gather together for a NIGHT OF PRAYER FOR THE NATIONS. Refer to a missions book like Operation World or Window on the World and/or current world news from the internet or from a missionary newsletter and simply PRAY. Stir a passion for missions.
Invite a few friends or people with mission experience or connections who care about certain areas of the world to pray specifically for their area of passion. Add a song about loving the Lord and the nations.
Keep it simple. Pray hard.
5. Host a DD PASSION & Life-Planning Workshop
PLAN A DARING DAUGHTERS “SPECIAL” MEETING — Follow the Daring Daughter event ideas, but make it more “official” by hosting it at a CHURCH, SCHOOL, or some VENUE (community center, gym, conference/retreat center, or meeting room). Share our PASSION & Life-Planning outline.
6. Host a DD Movie Night
DARING DAUGHTER MOVIE NIGHT — Or have a Daring Daughter movie night (in your home, or at a youth gathering, or at a church) and show a movie such as Inn of the Sixth Happiness (about missionary to China, Gladys Aylward), End of the Spear (about five missionaries martyred in Ecuador), or October Baby (pro-life theme).
7. Invite a DD Speaker
CHECK OUT OUR SPEAKING INFO . . . Or if you’re interested, maybe think about planning an official event such as a Daring Daughters Clarity Day or a Mission-Minded Women conference where Ann or one of our Daring Daughter Leadership Team could come and lead the vision on your heart (such as a retreat, tea, luncheon, or one-day conference).
Brainstorm with your daughter or mom or with a friend . . . and let me know if there is any way that I could serve you to help stir up a passion for God’s Great Commission, locally and globally, in your area.
Just PRAY, and ask God if there is something He would want for you to do.
And like Nike says . . .
Just do it. — Dare to Make a Difference — #idaretomakeadifference
Let us know if you’re planning something and we’ll try to help you to promote it. Or write a blog post highlighting your upcoming event and link up through a comment to this post. During your event, take a few photos or make a simple youtube video (perhaps with some personal testimonies) and share what God is stirring in the hearts of daring daughters in your area. Let’s build some momentum.
“Hey, that’s not fair! You already got one-and-a-half more pieces than me!” Our daughter gave our son a selfish glare, as he proceeded to “stake his claim” by grabbing for the butter and syrup.
As I was working on yet another batch of French toast, I realized our kids definitely needed more than food on their plates. Our family needed a fresh lesson in thankfulness and gratitude. The petty bickering was really bothering me, especially in light of several stories I had read only a few hours earlier. So, while the kids sat on their stools at our kitchen counter, waiting (not so patiently) for our next round of French toast, I proceeded to give a lesson:
We need to be Thankful . . .
“You know, kids, we need to be thankful for what we have, and realize that we have been given so much! Instead of complaining, God wants us to continually live with an attitude of thankfulness and joy.”
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” –I Thessalonians 5:18
We don’t have to be thankful for everything (as some temptations and attacks are clearly from the enemy). However, in everything and every situation, we can be thankful and full of praise. God is still on the throne. He is God and He is still worthy of our worship (even at this moment). We can always find something to be thankful for, even for grace to withstand the challenge.
When situations are tough, we can choose to WORSHIP, no matter what. And here’s a specific phrase I often think about when I am feeling distressed or discouraged (and tempted to worry or fear): “God is worthy of my brain-space!”
Let’s Remember the Persecuted Church
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” –Romans 12:15
Just that morning, I had been reading a magazine from The Voice of the Martrys, about how a minister named Richard Wurmbrand had endured persecution while being imprisoned for his faith. He had spent over 14 years in Romanian prisons, including long periods in complete solitude – with no Bible, no books, no scrap paper or pencils, and (obviously) no one to talk to. Even during this horrible time, this man still found ways to be grateful.
The article shared how Rev. Wurmbrand meditated on Scripture he had memorized, and how he (along with other Christian prisoners) kept his mind active by praying fervently throughout the night for various needs from around the world. Yet the example that most-deeply touched my heart was reading about how this man of God learned to rejoice.
For a moment, I put down my spatula and reached for the magazine lying on the counter. “Just listen to this guy’s attitude,” I told my kids. “This man found reasons to be grateful, even in prison, and even when there was absolutely nothing to be thankful for:
“The Bible tells us about one of the great joys we can have,” Rev. Wurmbrand explains, “even in a prison cell: ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice’ (Romans 12:15). I rejoiced that there were families somewhere who gathered with their children, read the Bible together, told jokes, and were happy with each other. Somewhere there was a boy who loved a young girl and dated her; I could be happy about them. There they had a prayer meeting; and there was someone who studied; and there is somebody who enjoyed good food, etc. We could rejoice with those who rejoiced.” –Quote by Richard Wurmbrand, Founder of The Voice of the Martyrs – (from The Triumphant Church, pp.32-33).
Let’s Be Thankful (even when times are tough)
We need to have hearts of gratitude, which means being thankful for even little things that we usually take for granted.
I asked my kids, “When was the last time you were grateful for your toothbrush or toothpaste . . . or for your teeth? Or when was the last time you were thankful for hot running water, or a good toilet?”
That morning, I was also inspired by an example I had read in a little booklet about gratitude, and my kids heard about these as well:
David Brainerd, a devoted missionary to the Native American people, was characterized by a thankful spirit. Even when he had a high fever and great pain, he was thankful that this challenge had come when he was among friends; when he ill and alone in his little hut, he thanked God saying, “Blessed be the Lord, I am not exposed in the open air . . . ”; and in another instance, facing weeks of outdoor solitude, forging through swamps, and enduring dark nights, he thanked God that his loneliness “drove him to experience intimate fellowship with the Lord . . . ” (Example adapted from The Attitude of Gratitude, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss).
By the time the kids had a fresh plate of French toast, they also had a quick lesson in gratitude, and I was feeling better as a mom.
Proverbs 22:6 tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go”; and in Deuteronomy 6:7, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
Later, our son came up to me and asked for forgiveness for his attitude; and I could tell he was truly sorry. And our daughter, who just moments ago listened to me read this article, asked me to please tell those of you reading this that she already said she was sorry, and that she’s thankful . . . but actually, her brother was the one who started it.
“Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace.”
Take 1 minute to learn about LOVING ORPHANS with Daring Daughters.
Here’s a little KEY for you in learning to step out . . . 
A testimony from one girl . . . 
