163 Million

Be the difference for ONE.

On certain days, the weight of seeing what some of the children, adults, and families have gone through, hearing their personal stories, and learning about the difficulties and odds that surround them weighs heavier than other days.

It's been one of those weeks.

After hearing statistics and research that show the effects of what living in an institution has upon children and not only their physical development but also their emotional, social, spiritual, and educational development, it's easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you can't make a dent in the situation.

And to be honest, that's not far off from the truth. You and I can't transform the child's life. That's the miracle of Jesus and His beautiful story of redemption, pursuit, and restoration. It's humbling to know that I can't fix a situation by simply snapping my fingers (not to mention, I can't even snap--true story). But it's so comforting to know that we have been adopted into His family and that He allows us to be part of His kingdom story (wherever in the world we are).

It's the story that He's been weaving together since before we ever realized.

That truth is what picks me back up and gives me the motivation to keep going. No amount of legal bureaucracy, government officials, politics, corrupt systems, spiritual darkness, or human opposition can stand up against the power of the Holy Spirit.

After reading Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow," one can see promises for those who carry that out. With today being "Orphan Sunday," it's a great opportunity for the church to step up and be a voice for the voiceless.

Ways you can help:

--Pray: For the estimated 163,000,000 orphans around the world; for those who have lost one or both parents, as well as for those who are a "social orphan," who might have biological parents still but for one reason or another are not in a family setting.
--Become foster parents: Help show the love of Jesus by taking children into your home and inviting them to be part of your family.
--Support a foster family: Make them a meal, take the kids out to a park.
--Depending on where you live, find out if there's a children's home that you can help at.
--Adopt: Easier said than done, but I guarantee if you ask anyone who has done this, they wouldn't regret it for one second.
--Support an adoptive family: Bring them in as part of your extended family. Help them in any way you can. Do they need diapers? A babysitter? School fees?
--Pray more: Pray for governments to make wise decisions that protect children; for orphans of any kind to experience healing, restoration, and fulfillment in walking out the purpose Jesus has for them; and then pray for anything else you can think of. :)

No matter how overwhelming the responsibility we have may seem, it's worth it. And remember, we have Jesus as the source of our strength.

--Nathan