One year ago today we got on the wait list for our adoption!!!!!!
Today we are praying for the best anniversary present - court dates! Our agency only hears about court dates on Wednesdays, so it's today or at least another week. It's been 3+ weeks since the courts re-opened. I'm getting antsy. I'm just sayin'...
Last Sunday night in our orphan care support group (including parents who are fostering, adopting domestically or internationally, or mentoring children in the social welfare system), I was challenged and inspired with a couple truths...
"Orphan care is not a cause or a fad, it's a calling and a biblical mandate." -Rick Warren. I was reminded of how biblically entrenched caring for orphans is. It really isn't an add-on bonus if you are a Christian. It's a core principle. Look for yourself. Examine Scripture [Deuteronomy, Psalm, Isaiah, James, & 1 John to get you started]. Study biblical characters [Moses and Esther will get your started]. Seriously, if you're anything like me, once you start exploring Scripture with these eyes you'll wonder how you've missed it all along!
The church is God's Plan A for eliminating orphans globally. And there isn't a Plan B. God didn't come to start non-profit organizations. Those exists, thankfully, because the church hasn't been doing what she's called to do - caring for the least of these [Matthew 25]. It's a dream of mine that orphans would cease to exist in my children's generation. If the church rose to the call and invited orphans into their families, children without families would cease to exist!
God saw me and he chose to use me. When our leader, Joan, called this out I burst into tears. Who am I that God would choose to use us? I'm grateful that we agreed with him and said "yes" to his call. God sees you, too. What's he choosing to use you for in caring for orphans?
If God has really called ALL of his people to care for orphans, that means he's calling you to do something. It's not optional. How will you respond?
I'm proud of our church for a lot of reasons a lot of the time. But I'm never more proud of our church then when we care for the least of these in the next generation. On Sunday, November 7th, I have a feeling that I will burst with pride and emotion as we take an entire day to honor, challenge, advocate for, encourage, and inspire our community to care for orphans globally through foster care and adoption.
Orphan Sunday is a national day of awareness. This is the first year that Newsong is participating, and I'm gitty with excitment! "On Orphan Sunday, Christians stand for the orphan. We are a people called to defend the fatherless…to care for the child that has no family…to visit orphans in their distress.' [from their website]
If you are a part of the Newsong community, check out our new WEB PAGE for more info and resources. I know at Newsong that we are praying for MIRACLES to happen on this day. We are praying for hundreds of people to respond to the need through foster care, adoption, intentional prayer for how God would like them to respond, mentoring a child in the system, supporting those who are presenting adopting/fostering...
If you'd like more info for your community, visit Orphan Sunday's official WEB SITE.
Here's a sneak peak that will hopefully expand your heart:
Why Love Orphans? from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.
GENERAL DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on this site are April's alone and do not represent the views of any ministries or organizations in which she is affiliated. (I'm told this is important to say.)
Coaching and training leader to their fullest potential. Author of a youth worker book. Available for speaking to teenagers, youth workers, women, and churches.
