Reflections from Summit VI

Well bloggy friends... we've been wanting to post a Summit follow up, but have been utterly speechless at what we experienced! In the midst of processing all the emotions the weekend entailed, we've come across some INCREDIBLE postings from others which sum up our thoughts quite well.

One of the special apsects of Summit is to see the Body of Christ (church, gov't, non-profits, individuals) working together in unity - it's all too rare.  It was thrilling to see the high quality "equipping" that was going on in the breakout sessions." - Andy Lehman, Lifesong for Orphans

What just a few years ago was essentially a small, disconnected and often isolated hodgepodge of orphan and adoption advocates…has grown into an increasingly intertwined, unified, mutually-nourishing movement that grows daily.  Clearly, there’s something more at work here than human hands." - Jedd Medefind, Christian Alliance for Orphans

Summit VI stirred so many emotions in my soul and helped reaffirm the knowledge of God’s loving, persistent and personal invitation to join Him in His mighty fight for His children.  I pray that each of us that were blessed to be there would take the words and images that we heard and saw and let them sink deep into our mind and hearts and ultimately produce fruit with our hands and feet as we together seek to bring glory to our Heavenly Father." - Leah Gerber, Lifesong for Orphans

What blew me away was thinking about just how many children each of those hands will come to represent in the months and years ahead as they go out and “vindicate the weak and fatherless . . . ” (Psalm 82:3). - Jason Weber, Hope for Orphans

A countless number of churches, that up until this conference did not have an orphans ministry, were represented by lay people impassioned to get involved. That means, churches from coast to coast, who did not have orphans ministries, will now have the ability to be mobilized. I am truly excited to see how many of these local champions will have success stories to tell at next year’s Summit VII!!" - Shane McBride, Hope for Orphans

YES... you HAVE to go next year!

Lifesong Ukraine update

Please enjoy these updates from Denis, director for Lifesong Ukraine orphan care -

Recently we had a special church gathering where 3 of our kids were baptized!  It has taken many years of labor, prayer and encouragement for them to be where they are right now. We are thankful for His mercy in their lives. Please be prayerful as they go through the school and mature in Christ.”

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“Tanya and I were able to take the new 9 passenger van to Volodya and Lilya, who are raising 10 kids (5 biological and 5 adopted, 1 with HIV).  Before they drove a compact size car.  I know it is hard to imagine how they all fit into that vehicle but every Sunday they would pack in and go to church together as well as make daily trips to school! 

Needless to say how happy they all were to see us coming in two vehicles and leaving in one. It is a longterm prayer need which God has answered through our joint efforts.”

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“It has been great to see the Zap team grow and we now have a group of 15 older kids consistently visiting church!  However we still need 1)more staff on sports, one-on-one, and job skills 2)more families for adoption and foster care, and 3)a new transition home!

Among those who have been changed, Vova, 17, recently repented! He wanted to be a professional boxer but now desires to be a preacher. It’s hard to believe but it’s a true story. Vova came from bad company, was beaten many times, and took part in major street fights. But God changes lives. Now he wants to be in our transitional program for graduates!”

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Testimonials from our special needs program:

Lena, teacher & speech therapist: I have worked with these kids for almost 2 years. I want to be a tool in God’s hands so He can touch those kids through everything we do while at the orphanage. I see change in their lives little by little.  Also, the hearts of non-Christian staff members are changing because of our CCP efforts!

Vitalik, photography teacher: The boys we work with have a big heart and a huge desire to learn new things. It is a great joy to work on photography with them.

Pasha, 24, future orphanage graduate: I believe that God is my Saviour and that He is now living in my heart. I am looking forward to the time when I can leave the orphanage and function well in the society and church. Thanks to the LS team for the great support they provided and that they led me to God.

A Heritage of Caring for Orphans...

Jedd Medefind, formerly the head of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, is now the President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, for a coalition of more than fifty adoption, foster-care and orphan-care ministries. The author of two books and numerous articles as well as an accomplished speaker, he lives in California with three children, including a daughter adopted from Ethiopia.

How do you understand the biblical imperative to care for the fatherless? 

What might a church do to help people through the process of reflection preceding an adoption?

What are other ways people can respond to the needs of orphans?

To read the entire interview, click here.

Lifesong Interview on Catalyst

"Put your faith in action...answer God's call to care for the fatherless"

Check out Andy Lehman’s interview with Brad Lomenick from the Catalyst team as he shares how Lifesong can partner with you, your church, your family to make a difference in the life of an orphan.

Catalyst Interview

To listen to the entire podcast, click here and go to episode 94 with Jimmy Wales.

God WILL Make a Way!

At last our amazing children are with us! When we pulled through the gate at their orphanage, a nanny came running out and hugged me as soon as I got out of the van. She was saying, “You came, you came, you did come!” Our children came running followed by all the other kids at the orphanage. We hugged and kissed each other. They called us ‘Mama’ and ‘Daddy’. It is so very clear that God has been preparing their little hearts to be our children!”

It was 13 months ago that James and Tracy Mihnovich accepted the referral for these 4 precious children knowing that God called them and that He would provide the way! When they adopted their son Levi 2 ½ years ago, they knew that with all the orphans in the world there was no way that they could not adopt again...