Orphan Sunday

It almost seems fitting that we are leaving to go meet our daughter on Orphan Sunday.  She is not going to be an orphan much longer if I have anything to do with it!  Since I don't know if I will be able to blog tomorrow, I am writing this post today.

There are estimates that there are anywhere from 147-163 million orphans in the world.  Some are orphaned because their parents are deceased, some are orphans because of social issues.  For example, China has a 1 child policy, if you chose to have more than one child you pay a very hefty fine, or you don't have the finances to take care of another child.  Other children are orphans because they are deemed to be defected.  Whether they are missing a limb, have crossed eyes, or was born with Downs Syndrome.  In some countries, it is not okay to have special needs, so the children are given to the orphanages.  I am glad that we live in a country where ALL our needs are able to be met to the best of our abilities. 

We are commanded by God to take care of the widows and orphans.

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.

Psalms 68:5-6

This does not mean that you have to go out and adopt a child.  It is not in the cards for every person, but there are things that you can do to help orphans.  You can sponsor an orphan, ask your church, if they don't have a program, contact our church, Westside Family Church in Lenexa, KS.  They sponsor children in India, Thailand, and South Africa. 

You can foster children, children caught up in the Foster care system can get lost.  They need strong people to help them and support them.

You can give to an organization that helps parents adopt children.  For example, we got a grant through Hand in Hand Adoption.  It is a matching grant organization.  They match whatever we are able to raise from family and friends.  They rely solely on donations!  Without this organization, we wouldn't of had the money to complete our adoption.  We are so grateful for them.  There are a lot of grant organizations out there.  ShowHope, Helpusadopt.org, Adoption Resources Foundation, and many more.

Or if you hear of a family adopting, you can pray for them!  You can be a rock for them to lean upon.  You can be a blessing in their lives.   

As we leave tomorrow, I can't wait to meet my future daughter, I know she is going to be perfect for us.  Since we will be on the run so much while we are gone, I really don't know if I will be able to blog while we are gone, but I will take great notes and will post as soon as we get back in the states!  Thanks for your prayers.