Orphan Care

I have been writing this post in my head for weeks now, and I am still really not sure where I am going with it, but I just need to write about it.

Orphan care has been a passion of mine since I was a young child. My heart has always felt for hurting children. I know part of this stems from the fact that I basically grew up at a children's home because that was my father's career. I have always know hurting children. My heart has not always had a passion only for orphans in the United States, but also internationally. I specifically remember a dream that I had when I was in 2nd grade. I dreamed about children in Africa. That dream was so memorable at that time that I even wrote about it in a journal. It stuck with me.

So where does that lead me? Here I am today, with a husband and two beautiful children of my own, working with kids and also serving homeless women and children in the community. That is all wonderful, but my heart longs for more.

I desperately want to become a foster parent and adopt children, but now is not the time. God has called us to ministry at the Friendship House and serving the women and children there. I am so incredibly thankful that God has called us to ministry here and do not want to hurriedly jump to the next "stage" of my family's lives just because I am ready to. God's timing is perfect.

So, how can my family help orphans in the United States and internationally? First, we can pray for them. Pray is powerful...God is powerful. I pray that others will feel the need to support orphans, I pray for those that are caring for orphans currently, I pray for the health of the orphans, I pray that they will be provided with food, a safe place to sleep, and someone to love them. Also, my family can support orphans financially. We have sponsored a child with World Vision for many years now and I feel that we need to continue to do that. The money we send monthly helps others be the hands and feet of Christ and provide food, shelter, and education to our sweet little boy. We also have some dear families in our church who are entered the process to adopt and or foster a child. My family will support them in whatever needs they may have--financial, prayer, or any other way we can help.

God may not call each of us to adopt or foster, but there are other ways you can help. Take some time and think of ways that you and your family can help those in need.

"Religion that our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." Psalm 68:5-6

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpful, and see that they get justice." Proverbs 31:8-9