O U T R E A C HO U T R E A C HO U T R E A C HHarmony

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HarmonyHarmonyHarmonyHarmonyHarmonyHarmonyHarmonyHarmonyBRINGING HOPE AND HELP TO CHINA, CAMBODIA, ETHIOPIA & VIETNAM

APR-MAY 2017

As much as I would like to, I can’t blame anyone else—I brought this one on myself. To explain, we have had a long stretch of time at Harmony where our support was sufficient to meet all of our ministry obligations. My flesh likes those times. It’s like driving down Interstate 10 in West Texas in a Buick Roadmaster with the cruise set on 75—smooooth sailing! And then, I had to go and intentionally goof things up....

To explain, it has long been my goal to be the steward described in Mathew 25 who had an abundance of fruit to present to the Lord as a result of his life’s work. And so, I have been regularly praying, “Oh Lord, enlarge our boundaries at Harmony Outreach.”

When you pray according to God’s will, He says “Yes!” That’s the good news. But the other side of that coin is,

VIETNAM

if God calls you to do anything for Him, it usually requires faith, “…the assurance of what is hoped for and the certainty of what is not yet seen.” (Heb 11:1) Because “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Heb 11:6).

And so it was that, after my prayers, “the convergence” occurred once again. The first part of the convergence occurred when Linda and Tina came into my office to let me know that Harmony’s support was down and insufficient to cover our March monthly ministry expenses.

Cont. pg 2

forasking

by John Bentley

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by John Bentley

3-4 University students come to faith every month as a result of Khai’s (center) work.

A gathering of eagles—and at least one turkey—in Hanoi!

Former heroin addict Pastor Trung, saved in prison,

now leads 40 underground house churches in Hanoi.

Cont. from pg 1

The second part of the convergence occurred two weeks later in Vietnam while traveling with my friends Scott and Kim Lambert from Let’s Start Talking. [LST is a mission organization that exposes people to the Gospel by offering free, English- language classes using the Gospel of Luke in workbook format as their study materials.] Pastor Song told me he wanted me to meet Khai, a church member leading outreach to students at Vietnam’s largest university.

We taxied out to Hanoi’s 44,000-student University of

Now, I got a “C” in math, but with the aid of a calculator I was able to determine that with 3 - 4 students coming to faith every month ÷ a ministry cost of $250/month = the cost of one soul entering the kingdom is just under $75.00. Can you imagine a better investment and one providing eternal returns? This sure looks like a Matthew 6 scenario to me.

Agriculture, met Khai, and saw her work first-hand. Khai’s ministry is leading 3 – 4 students to faith every month by offering free English language classes, using the Bible as their text, but they are winging it without any developed study materials. Khai had been praying for help because their funding ($250/month) is in place only through May and because they need developed study materials. And then…who shows up on her doorstep but Harmony Outreach? And who do I have with me? The directors of LST—one of the most successful mission organizations —using study materials matching Khai’s exact need! And if Khai was praising God, the Lamberts and I had her beat by about 15%—being so blessed to see the faith and fruit of these Vietnamese believers. The Lamberts expressed their desire to help by providing Khai the curriculum she had been praying for.

Upon my return to the U.S., we called a meeting of Harmony’s board and leadership team to discuss the convergence, pray together, and arrive at the inevitable result—to move forward with Harmony supporting Khai, despite the fact that our funds are low. To non-believers this may seem foolhardy, but we choose to believe Jesus who said,

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be ADDED to you. (Mat 6:31-33)

This was a test of our faith to see if we would look at our circumstances and pull back or have faith and move forward.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, in just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and are saved. (Heb 10:35-39)

Are you “the one who is coming?” Would you like to know that EVERY MONTH Vietnamese students come to Jesus because of your giving? If so, complete the enclosed response card indicating your level of support and return it to our offices.

$ 75 = 1 soul$ 250 = 3-4 souls (support for one month)$3,000 = 42 souls (an entire year’s support)

We love you, Khai. We love you, Vietnam. We love you, Jesus!

by John Bentley

CAMBODIA

As a university student, I had it all figured out. Graduating from UCLA, I would become a Young Urban Professional (Yuppie) and drive my rag-top Wrangler to work and host Bible studies at my beach pad on Thursday evenings. But then God did an intervention which upended my world. The summer before my senior year He sent me on my first mission trip to Hildesheim, Germany, as part of a Let’s Start Talking (LST) mission outreach.

In those days LST was a fledgling mission organization operating only in Germany (now in 40 countries). I well remember being in our apartment in Hildesheim and praying, “God, I really love mission work and feel my heart changing. What are you saying to me?” At that precise moment, something fell off the counter and into my lap. When I looked down I saw it was a tract by the late Christian singer Keith Green entitled, “Why You Should Go to the Mission Field.”

Now, 30 years later, I am the leader of a mission organization operating in four countries—in three of which LST has no presence. And so it was that last year I felt led to contact LST about partnering with Harmony. I discovered their new directors, Scott and Kim Lambert, were scheduled to be in Temecula, California (what a coincidence) where

Harmony is headquartered. I also learned that one of Scott’s best friends is Pastor Doug Cole who is on Harmony’s board of directors—wow, another coincidence!

Our meeting resulted in a three-way partnership—among Harmony, LST, and Calvary Chapel Bible College—to send CCBC students to Harmony cities around the world, using LST’s evangelism method. The kickoff site would be Phnom Penh, Cambodia, at Harmony’s Learn2Work (university

student) outreach. Little did I expect that Scott and Kim would themselves go as the pioneer team for a sight

recon and to get all the logistics in place.

They loved their trip and told me that Harmony’s L2W is IDEAL for LST! One cool factoid: Scott told me that he has done 17 prior LST mission trips to 10 different countries. But it was in Phnom Penh that he heard, for the first time, a student tell him, “I have heard about

Christianity, but I have never heard of Jesus.” The students were very receptive and, in short order, two came to church with them—a first for these Buddhist students. Now, with all the logistics in place, Harmony will be sending a Calvary Chapel Bible College mission team to Phnom Penh this summer!

by John Bentley

Hosts First LST TeamHosts First LST TeamHosts First LST TeamL W

student) outreach. Little did I expect that Scott and Kim would themselves go as the pioneer team for a sight

summer!

I met Hannah (featured in our March “Breaking the Fangs of the Wicked” article) during a Harmony-sponsored trip to the Phnom Penh water park. This sweatheart’s joy is returning now that she is safely in the loving care of Esther’s House. Because

of the strong support raised for EH through our March newsletter, another seven girls have been rescued from exploitation! Great job, team!our March newsletter, another seven girls have been rescued from

I met Hannah (featured in our March “Breaking the Fangs of the Wicked” article)during a Harmony-sponsored trip to the Phnom Penh water park. This sweatheart’s joy is returning now that she is safely

Meeting Hannah in Phnom Penh

I call this pic, “Kool and the Kids.” Cutting up with the girls from EH!

To help us in our work, please send your tax-deductible gifts to Harmony Outreach.

Harmony Outreach • 42210 Roick Drive, Suite 1 • Temecula, CA 92590 • USAwww.HarmonyOutreach.org • 951-600-4474 • 1-877-CHINA70

by Linda Huckaba

CHINA

Adoptions evoke such an array of emotions: Happiness knowing the children are going to families where they will be loved, cherished and have a place to finally call “home.” Sadness that they will be leaving Harmony House where they may have lived for a year or more. Confusion on their part as they meet their new families and adjust to major changes in their lives. Yet overall, pure joy knowing they can grow up to fulfill God’s plans for their lives!

Dalin (now Grace) became the daughter of a sweet couple from Minnesota on February 20, 2017. Dalin joins four other siblings, and we predict she will fit right in as she was always happy and a great influence on the other children at Harmony House, especially when it came to dancing. Whenever she heard music from any source, she became the “dancing princess!”

On March 20, 2017, two Harmony babies were adopted. Little Barbara (now Lottie) became the fourth child of a wonderful family from Ft. Worth, TX. Although Barbara is quieter than Dalin—who was her best friend—she nevertheless gleefully joined in the dancing as soon as music was heard. Barbara is their second adoption from China.

The third adoption was Joyce (now KaiLee). Her little face in this picture tells volumes about her sweet and spunky personality. She came to us in August, 2015, not even speaking Mandarin. Talk about an overcomer! Unable to communicate, she was

clingy at at first. However, surrounded by a happy bunch of children, she soon became a cheerful, spunky leader. KaiLee has another distinction: She is the sixth child adopted from us by families from First Baptist of Kettering, Ohio (see story in March-Apr 2016 newsletter) and will grow up with many of her fellow Harmony House alumni!

We appreciate all the

the daughter of a sweet couple from Minnesota on February 20, 2017. Dalin joins four other siblings, and we predict she will fit right in as she was always happy and a great influence on the other children at Harmony House, especially when it came to dancing. Whenever she heard music from any source, she became the “dancing princess!”

On March 20, 2017,

by Linda Huckaba

Three Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little Girlsby Linda Huckaba

Three Little Girlsby Linda Huckaba

Three Little Girlsby Linda Huckaba

Three Little Girlsby Linda Huckaba

Three Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little GirlsThree Little Girls

by John Bentleyby John Bentley

SPECIAL NOTICE! Last newsletter there was a tremendous response to our call to rescue girls out of trafficking, and we raised funds for Esther’s House resulting in seven more girls being rescued! An unintended consequence was that so many “designated” donations were given that our own support dropped and we had a $6,000 budget shortfall. Owie! We just pass along to you, our team, that Harmony needs help to pay back the deficiency and return to financial health.

In March, seven of our peanuts left our care early as part of a temporary Guangdong Province regulation affecting all foreign and Chinese NGO’s. No date has yet been given when Guangdong will resume normal practices and release children back into the care of NGO’s. Thankfully, most of our Guangdong kids were already matched, so it is only a matter of time before their Forever Families bring them home. In the meantime, Lily is busy identifying a new batch of orphans who will experience their own life-transformational journies at Harmony House.

We love and miss you guys!

clingy at at first. However, surrounded by a happy bunch of children, she soon became a cheerful, spunky leader. KaiLee has another distinction: She is the sixth child adopted from us by families from First Baptist of Kettering, Ohio(see story in March-Apr 2016 newsletter)up with many of her fellow Harmony House alumni!

love, prayers and advocacy our partners contribute to our children’s adoptions.