Orphan Sunday

Orphan Sunday.

" Learn to do good. Seek Justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows."

Isaiah 1:16-17

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Speak up for the rights of those who are unfortunate."

Proverbs 31:8

If you are like many individuals, you might not be familiar with this day or even know what it is about, so let me take a moment to let you in on what God is doing in the hearts of people and churches around the world each year. Actually, don't take my word on it, but rather read what Others are saying (pastors, ministry leaders, etc.) about this annual event.

 This coming Sunday, November 4th, is a very special day set aside by hundreds of churches worldwide as believers around the world gather in their churches to focus on a day of prayer for orphans as well as educating and challenging the local church to be the "hands and feet" of Christ in this Biblical mandate. (which- let's be honest, is very easy to look beyond and ignore throughout Scripture) Though there is so much one could say on this topic, I believe this very short video says it better than I or any other person could say it, so I'll let this video speak for itself. 

(I promise if you click below, it is a very professional video, even though the way it saves to our blog right now doesn't look very professional. I'm not sure why it formats it this way - sorry about that)

{WARNING: you might want to grab yourself a tissue & be prepared for adorable faces}

On Orphan Sunday In the U.S., churches take time to highlight the needs in their local communities for foster parents, adoption, orphan advocacy projects, and give tangible ways that everyone can be involved to meet these great needs as well as reflect on Scripture's picture of how we were all orphans, but as believers have now been adopted by our heavenly Father. This Sunday is not just for adults either, as there are some great resources that have been put together by Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) to aid churches in educating children of all ages as well as youth groups about the global issue of orphans around the world and giving practical ways to teach them what it would be like to be an orphan somewhere in the world. 

So where & why did Orphan Sunday Start?

(excerpt below from CAFO)

The seeds of this united Orphan Sunday come as a gift from the Church in Africa. While attending a church service in Zambia, an American visitor was struck by the local pastor’s passionate call to care for orphans in the local community, which had been ravaged by AIDS and poverty. Members of this church faced deep needs themselves. However, as the service ended, one after another stepped forward with money, food and other goods-some even taking off their own shoes and placing them in the offering for orphans. The visitor, Gary Schneider, was so impacted that he began to help Zambian leaders coordinate Orphan Sunday efforts across Zambia.

These efforts spread to the U.S. in 2003 with help from Every Orphan’s Hope and other organizations. The Christian Alliance for Orphans honors the church in Zambia for the gift of Orphan Sunday and it is their prayer that the church all over the world may be as faithful as our Zambian bothers and sisters in Christ to reflect God’s heart for the orphan, both near and far.

For me personally, I find it fascinating to see the wide variety of events happening this weekend in churches globally who have chosen to set aside this Sunday to focus on the fatherless. If you check out the link above you will find a listing of numerous churches around the world (though of course not all events are listed there) who are joining their hearts together in praying for the orphan and doing something to make a difference.  Here is a Prayer Guide that has been created to help families and churches focus on specific thoughts related to orphans (both locally and globally), the church, and other related topics; however, you could certainly use this guide at any time of the year.

I know a number of you reading this are involved in churches in different parts of the world. What is great about Orphan Sunday is that you and your church can create this any Sunday of the year. (there just happen to be more churches that join together on this one set aside day and a global simulcast is also aired at 6pm as a focused time to educate and join in global corporate prayer for children both in foster care in the U.S. and orphans around the world) There are so many creative ways that you as an individual can educate your church, your community, or your family on this topic, so feel free to review the links provided today to see how you can get involved.

God is doing some amazing things around the world in the area of orphan care, foster care, and adoption- but the bigger question is:

How will you personally choose to get in on what He is doing around the world? 

It's Adoption Month!

There's certainly no disguising by today's blog post title what this month is--so if you aren't aware, November has been designated in the U.S. as National Adoption Month. It's fun for us to reflect back to a year ago, as this was the month in 2011 when we applied to our agency to adopt and began letting everyone in on this little secret.

However, this month is about much more than adoption. Some of you may read this and immediately dismiss this post thinking "this has nothing to do with me", but I challenge you to continue reading. It has everything to do with you because this month is more than just adoption focus; it is a month that people throughout our nation- numerous ministries, adoption and foster care agencies, and churches around the world, have set aside time to educate others and follow the Biblical mandate (more details on this topic later) to focus on the needs of orphans globally and those in our foster care system here in the U.S. 

Now you might be reading this and think an orphan means a child somewhere in another part of the world who no longer has parents. While this can be partly true, even though there are millions of orphans around our globe that do not have a family, there are an estimated 400,000-500,000 children in our own U.S. foster care system who are also in need of a loving forever family. Though our family has personally chosen to adopt internationally, we still understand there is a great need all around the world, including the U.S., and recognize that God directs each family differently in this area. We encourage you to click below to learn more about:

Foster & Orphan Statistics

During the month of November, we want to highlight some very practical and helpful information and provide you with some incredible resources that will not only educate you, but will challenge your faith in a greater way. (which just might frighten a few of you out there- so get ready-- we just might make you wiggle a little bit and feel a little God-given tension, which last I checked was actually a good thing) We plan to highlight some of the following areas this month:

• Ministries and organizations doing some great things for orphans & foster care
• Books that everyone should read to both educate and challege you in living out your faith
• Practical resources for families, as well as churches, to educate children and youth on their level to understand what it is like to be an orphan
• Financial Resources for helping fund your adoption 
• Prayer resources, so that you can be praying specifically in these areas
• Radio broadcasts and podcasts this month focusing on adoption, orphans, foster care, and adoption stories
• Fun and inspiring videos that we think you will enjoy. (we will start today off with one of them)

We will also have some guests who have previously adopted, be our "guests" this month in posting their stories on our blog, so we think you'll enjoy what they have to say. (and don't worry, I'll mix in some fun reads as well of course- as we certainly can't be serious the entire time) I believe that you will find this next month of posts will be of interest to you if you fall into one or more of the following categories below:

    You love children and youth & believe that God loves them more than you do

    You want to do something to live out your faith practically

    You are a family who is in the process of adopting

    You are a family who has previously adopted 

    You are considering adopting (maybe this year or  who knows-5 years from now)

    You know someone adopting

    You are interested in foster care 

    You are interested in learning more about orphans both in the U.S. and globally

    You are breathing (ok, so basically this includes everyone reading this, right?)

So, to kick of this first day of National Adoption Month (and it counts as it's still November 1 in parts of the U.S. still)  here is a video we thought we'd share. I have to admit, I almost didn't use it because the author of it didn't spell a word right in the beginning of the video; however, I decided to look beyond that minor detail and focus on what was really important- the message.  Click below and enjoy this video compliments of resources provided by Christian Alliance for Orphans. 

Happy National Adoption Month!