Let's do this!

I was recently reading one of our "lifesong family's" blog and came across this great post which talks about how we are all called to care for the fatherless... ALL of us.  That's some scary terminology right there... "ALL".  It doesn't leave much space for translation, does it.  But here's the reality.  God tells us specifically that...

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we MUST care for orphans and widows in their troubles...

side note: this is NLT... i chose it cause it sounds the most urgent :) ...and rightly so!

Wow.  Now, I know we use this verse a lot in the orphan care scene, but stop. and really think about what that means?  Obviously we can't all adopt, but we can ALL come up with creative ways to advocate for orphans.  Brothers and sisters, it is what we as Christians are CALLED to do!  It is the purest form of our faith.  If we as Christian's don't rise up and change the way the world cares for its orphans... who will?  Boy, that's a scary thought, isn't it?

But how do we go about finding ways to advocate for orphans?  We do it through collaboration... through working as the body of Christ was designed to work.  We do it together.

In fact, (wink, wink) I even have something you can do now!  It doesn't involve thousands of dollars or a lifelong commitment to parent a child.  It doesn't even involve any planning or a lot of time!

Here's what you do... share with us your ideas.  Leave a comment... maybe about a ministry your church is involved in... or a family you helped support financially to adopt.  Maybe you have this aMAZing idea that has been just waiting to get out and be put in action.  Here's your chance!  Let's inspire each other to rise up on behalf of orphans!

Back to School Giveaway!

Share with us your favorite orphan care or adoption resource between now and Monday at noon, to be entered into a drawing for this set of books: Thriving as an Adoptive Family (Focus on the Family), The Connected Child, and Empowered to Connect Workbook.

Leave a comment on this blog posting or on the Lifesong Facebook fan page to be entered!

Amazed by these huge hearts...

As Gary and I drove up to Jude and Harper Thompson’s beautiful home, we were immediately impressed by the number of international children attending this fund raising event.  It was a heavenly sight to see adopted children from China, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Korea (and others) running hand in hand with their American siblings and friends. 

This fund raiser, put on by the CEO of Papa John’s, was planned with children in mind. They offered pony rides, donkey-pulled cart rides, an inflatable obstacle course, a petting zoo, cow milking,  face painting, cotton candy, snow cones, candy, and all the Papa John’s Pizza you could eat.  

We enjoyed meeting several families who had raised funds through Lifesong’s adoption grant and loan program.   We loved hearing their stories and were amazed by the huge hearts of these adoptive parents.  When they found out we were with Lifesong for Orphans, they thanked us over and over for the work we do.  Many said that they could not have adopted if it were not for the fund raising opportunity they had through Lifesong.  But, of course, they are the real heroes and Gary and I are privileged to be part of their adoption journeys." --Marla Ringger, Orphan Advocate

Thank you, Jude and Harper, for hosting this fabulous fundraising event! We are so grateful for your advocacy, your friendship, and the passion God has given you to care for the fatherless! May He continue to bless the work of your hands!

Mark your calendars!

Make your plans for...

ORPHAN SUNDAY 

November 7, 2010

From Christianity Today to Catalyst, God’s call to “defend the cause of the fatherless” is echoing in ways not seen in generations.   Orphan Sunday is your opportunity to spread this passion as part of a nationwide movement.

Each Orphan Sunday event is led by local Christians committed to the Gospel and the orphan: from Sunday School classes and sermons to student-led fundraisers and foster family recruiting.  Here is just one testimony of the thousands of lives that were touched last year by Orphan Sunday...

“Orphan Sunday at Morningside Baptist in Sioux City, IA not only became a catalyst for us to launch an orphan ministry—including a new adoption and orphan care fund—but also spurred many church members to consider adoption, including a church elder whose family will be adopting in 2010 as a result.” --Jim Reynolds, Church Elder

 Hear the personal story of a family changed forever through Orphan Sunday 2009! 

Get Started Now...

www.orphansunday.org

What is Orphan Sunday? 

Alongside local events, a national concert featuring The Desperation Band will be simulcast live from Colorado Springs to high school and college groups nationwide on the Friday of Orphan Sunday weekend. 

The 2010 campaign aims for more than 2,000 events across America the weekend of November 7^th.  The ultimate goal:  to call Christians to make the Gospel visible in adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry.  Start planning your Orphan Sunday event today! 

Don't forget to put your Orphan Sunday event on the map!

Equip Yourself to Take a Stand - Pt. 3

As a follow up to this post introducting Red Card Kids, we'll be highlighting the third and fourth lessons in the Red Card workbook!

 Lesson 3: Orphans

-What different aspects of parents' interaction with their children help build a strong foundation for children to understand how God relates to us?  Think of a specific example in your family (such as provision, protection, forgiveness, trustworthiness, mercy, unconditional love). 

Lesson 4: Street Kids

-"Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street."  Lamentations 2:19b

-Construct a shelter and spend some time inside.  What if this were your real home? What would it be like to live in the shelter during the winter or in a storm?

 How will YOU respond?  CHECK BACK SOON... we'll be sharing about each lesson over the next few weeks!