You Can Make a Difference!

147 million.

Do you know what that number represents? No, it’s not the combined salary of an NFL team (although it’s close coming in at $118 million). It’s the number of orphans around the globe.  It is estimated that 5,760 more children become orphans every. single. day.  In Africa alone, every 2.2 seconds another child becomes an orphan because of the aids virus.  We’re talking real life, innocent children here.  If that doesn’t move your heart, I don’t know what will. 

I hope you don’t let those statistics depress you.  Instead, let God speak to you, move you, and call you to action! There is hope!!

Did you know that if ONE family from each religious congregation would adopt an orphan, there would no longer be any orphans in the world?  That is mind boggling to me, especially since orphans are near and dear to Jesus’ heart.  He talks about caring for the orphan many times in the Bible.  And he calls for us to care for orphans too.  James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans…” 

Yet, so few are doing anything about it. 

A few years ago, our church started an Orphan Ministry to bring hope for the hopeless.  We desire to be advocates for the “least of these” and promote adoption/foster care.   Last summer we had the opportunity to host an International Children’s Choir made up of Orphans from Ethiopia and Honduras.  We were privileged to host two boys from Ethiopia in our home for two nights.  It was such a blessing and made an impact on our family in a big way.  One family from our church is in the process of adopting the little boy whom they hosted in their house while the choir was here.  When they expressed interest in adopting him, they were made aware that other families were also inquiring about this little boy and these other families were much further in the web of paperwork that has to be completed.  They were told that the chances of becoming this little boy’s parents weren’t great.  However, the Bennett’s felt strongly that they were called to proceed and they have been given a referral for this little boy!  And get this, their paperwork isn’t even finished yet!!  God is working and obviously wants this little boy to come home to be with his forever family, the Bennett’s.  What a blessing! 

With that blessing comes a huge financial responsibility.  It is estimated to cost between $30,000-40,000 to adopt this grade school boy from Ethiopia.  This is where you come in.  This Saturday, October 27^th, we are having Dan’s Fish Fry fundraiser from 4-7 at First Church of God on CR 7 to help with the adoption costs. Adults are $10, children 6-12 are $7, and children 5 and under are free.  You may not be called to adopt one of the 147 million orphans, but you can make a difference by supporting those who are.  If you would like tickets, please comment, email, or call me.  I will gladly deliver them to you.  If you are unable to attend, but would still like to help this family, donations can be made and all fund will go directly towards the adoption expenses. 

Let’s be the church.  Let’s help bring home this little boy!!