Friday, July 24, 2009

"I'm not self-sufficent; I'm totally dependent"

Psalm 131:2 (AMP)- Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me [ceased from fretting].

These words rang in my heart yesterday- I'm not self-sufficient; I am totally dependent. "Dependence" is taboo in our culture. It's kindof like the word "dirty." It's something that is highly discouraged, frowned upon, laughed about, and even despised. To be dependent is to be weak. It is to be vulnerable. We fight with all our might to be independent, to not need anybody (or at least let them think that we need them). You've heard the songs: "I'm every woman, it's all in me," or "All the woman who are independent, throw your hands up at me." We pride ourselves in not needing anybody. We live like orphans. God has called us to something more liberating.

Matt 18:3-4 (MSG)"I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom."

Dependence=Kingdom living. God's ways are higher than ours. He never called you to be independent (self-governing). I cannot make it on my own. I need God and I need people. I am not the complete package, and neither are you. Isn't that relieving? So, take a breath today, cease your fretting, and remember: You are not self-sufficient; You are totally dependent. Why don't you let go and let God have His way.

You are in my prayers (Eph 1:17-19). Please do the same for me.
-Lauren

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

"A Life of Prayer, Studying, Going and Serving Others"


Bienvenido a todos! Welcome everyone!

First let me thank everyone for your generous contributions in helping me to return to the International House of Prayer as a missionary and student in their ministry school.

After concluding the "Fire in the Night Internship," I headed home to Washington, DC for three whole months. However, now it's back to missions field work in Kansas City, Mo.!!

IHOP sign

(2) VERY IMPORTANT DATES:

Friday, July 17, 2009

Goal date to have obtained all quarterly financial living needs donations and contributions.


Monday, August 10, 2009

Due date for FSM Tuition and Books.


***Please keep me in prayer regarding receiving these funds timely by the above due dates in order to stay in school, pay my rent, and eat....
Missionary dinner
Again, thank you so much to everyone for all of your prayers, encouragment, and financial contributions!
Words fall short to express just how much of an impact each of you have made on my life. None of this would be possible without you; Thank you for partnering with me to touch lives!



Special thanks to my Uncle Al for driving me from the East Coast to the Midwest; to my parents & family for all of their support; to Maya for helping me make all that spaghetti for my fundraiser; Gail & Christine Rase; Frenika Mudd; Jessica Larsen; my Rhema family: Senator Harrington & Bro Ken, Bro Bill & Sis Tanya, Sis Deloris, Min Greg & Sis Chanda, Min. James Brown & Sis. Dorothy, Bro Nat & Sis V, Sis Blanche, Sis Margie & Bro Jeff; and others who have helped me to this point.


For you I am praying..........






What is the International House of Prayer (IHOP)?

The International House of Prayer is a non-profit missions organization located in Kansas City, MO. On September 19, 1999, a prayer meeting began which continues to this day, and has not stopped, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The prayer room is the heartbeat—the essence and the origin—of all that goes on at the IHOP–KC Missions Base.

What will I be studying in IHOP’s ministry school?

I will be doing a four-year diploma program called the "Justice Program," which was created to equip the prayer movement with an apostolic paradigm to serve the poor and oppressed. With this program I will be studying both at IHOP and abroad toward the goal of forming a theology of Justice with a Christocentric lens.

Why IHOP and the Justice Program?

I have a heart for reaching the invisible
—the poor, the oppressed, often including women, children, and minority groups. While at IHOP I will have my mission and vision sharpened, so that I can be most effective in ministry. I want to be best equipped through giving my life in prayer, studying, going, and serving others.

What we are partnering together to do:

· While at IHOP I will be working in inner-city Kansas City, partnering with different churches to reach those in need and on the streets.
· I will also be working with Cristianos en Trabajo, which ministers to the Latino community, particularly children.
· I will be working with Exodus Cry which seeks to end sex slavery through fasting and prayer, raising widespread awareness, and outreach.
· Kansas City has high refugee population, which I hope to work with in some capacity (ie-teaching English, building relationships, etc).

What I will do following the program?
After the Justice Program I may stay with IHOP as a missionary on their base, or work domestically or abroad with a house of prayer or justice/ministry organization. I am interested in helping people, and giving myself to a lifestyle of prayer like the Prophetess Anna (Luke 2).

How can you be a part of this work?

The most practical way is through prayer and giving. Financial support can be given monthly, quarterly, annually, when lead, or as a one time special gift.

Checks can be made payable to me. Or, if you are interested in giving a tax deductible donation, make check/money order payable to "IHOP." For tax deduction purposes, the IRS stipulates my name not be written on the check. Please email me if you have any questions.


*Thank you so much for your prayers and may you be blessed.


**Donations can also be made via http://www.paypal.com/ For: "Lauren Mason Missionary"


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IMPORTANT MINISTRY LINKS BELOW:


International House of Prayer:
http://www.ihop.org/

The Prayer Room Streaming:
http://www.theprayerroom.tv/

Exodus Cry (prayer movement to end sex slavery)
http://www.exoduscry.com/

Nefarious Documentary (uncovering human trafficking trailer)
http://www.nefariousdocumentary.com/

Teen Mania Ministries:
http://www.teenmania.com/

Kansas City Inner City Prayer Meeting:
http://www.kcprayerdome.com/

The Call (International Fasting and Prayer Vigils)
http://thecall.com/




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