The Village

Tonight I went to our church's support group for families that are adopting, fostering, or involved in caring for orphans. It's called "The Village". I love it. It reflects our value and philosophy that it will take a village to raise our 2 Ethiopian beauties. The purpose for the support group is clear and simple: "to unite, equip, and support those who are caring for children who are in foster care and orphans."

UNITE :: Though I say it's our church's support group, Newsong leaders purely host and arrange the group. Tonight there were probably 10 families and 5 churches represented. It wasn't through clever marketing that brought everyone together. It was the calling to care for orphans. AWESOME!

EQUIP :: We meet 1/month and are spending the next several months watching Dr. Karyn Purvis' video series on Empowering to Connect. Then, the plan is to read The Connected Child together and process as a group. Both resources by her rock!!!

SUPPORT :: Within 5 minutes of walking into this group of "strangers" it felt like home. Comfortable in all the right ways. Challenging to the point of discomfort. Safe. Purposeful. Emotionally intensive. Intellectually stimulating. It's the right environment for parents who are walking into the world of orphan care! It felt like a 12-step group without the steps, except maybe a shared addiction for loving kids who need a forever family.

I knew I'd found a new family when during the opening prayer I started sobbing and couldn't find a dry spot on my hands to wipe the tears. Something in my spirit opened up to these amazing men and women because of their heart for "the least of these". These are parents who are WALKING OUT THE GOSPEL in the truest form. I'm inspired by them!

If you are in Orange County and would like to join "The Village", let me know. "The Village" is an incredible environment!!!!!! If you are a Newsonger, please get ready for Orphan Sunday on November 7th. It's going to rock our worlds. My Only Prayer: that we'd be ready and say "YES!" to God's call.