God's Call to Care for Orphans

I started this blog for a couple of different reasons.....first, to keep our family and friends updated on our adoption. But, I also want to address God's call to care for the orphans of this world. God does give a clear call for Christians to care for "the least of these".....it's not something that's "nice" to do and it's not something that is a choice. We are all to have some part in it. So, today's post will focus on giving you opportunities to be a part of this great call.

There are several things we call all do to care for orphans:
- Pray. Pray for provision and for how God would use you to care for them.

- Be the one God uses to provide for their needs.....this might mean to send money, to send supplies or fill another need. There are lots of organizations you can do this through. I will post some links at the end of the post.

- Support those who are taking part in orphan care.....this could be a missionary, a foster care family or someone who recently adopted. They'd love to have your help and prayers.

- Provide a safe place. Become a foster family.
- GO - Go to where they are and show them God's love. You can take mission trips through your church or other organizations, such as Children's Hopechest and Compassion International.

- Sponsor a child. This includes monthly financial support as well as your letters and encouragement.

- Become a big brother or sister with a local agency and spend time with someone who needs a good role model.

- Become their forever family.....discover the blessing of adoption. Don't let your fears and reservations rob you and a child of the blessing of being a family.

- Mobilize others - gather those around you and brainstorm how you can work together on behalf of the orphan.

Ready to get started? How you start isn't important.....that you do somethinig is.
Here are some reputable agencies that all have wonderful opportunities for you to serve:

Red Letters Campaign
Children's Hopechest
Vision Trust
World Orphans
Warm Blankets
Shoes for Orphan Souls
Compassion International

Our adoption agency:
America World

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
James 2:15, 16

Darling Baby.....

The Joner family has passed Ethiopian court and has posted a video of their beautiful baby on their blog - you must check it out. She's adorable....
This family has already been through so much. They received a referral last summer for a precious little girl named Julia who passed away before they could go get her. Since then, they received a referral for this little cutie, Jalene. We are so happy for them!
Here's their blog:

http://www.babyjalene.blogspot.com

Praying for Abby

Hi Friends,

I have been following the journey of a little girl named Abby..... the video below tells her story. Please join us in praying for Abby and for her complete healing. I pray that God will choose to glorify Himself in the healing of this little girl and provide she and her family the strength and peace I'm sure they are needing.

Three Months!

Today marks our three month mark of waiting!
For those of you who are keeping track - our curent wait time is 8-10 mos for a referral.
So, 5-7 months before we will see a picture of our little one! (Those of you who follow international adoption knows that this can change at any time and referral tends to happen on the longer end of things!)
Three months down.......???? to go!

Food for Thought

This video is not intended to make any of us feel guilty for the good lives we enjoy. It IS intended to make us think of how we can make a difference and about being good stewards of what we have been given. If each one of us made small sacrifices, the impact could be great.