Amazima Ministries operates a sponsorship program for 400 orphaned children who are provided with education, school supplies, 3 meals a day and medical care, as well as spiritual encouragement and Bible study program. www.amazima.org Mailing address for donations: 1694 Autumn Place, Brentwood, TN 37027 Katie Davis is a remarkable young woman who works with Amazima in Uganda ministering to orphans. She is also raising 14 children whom she has adopted in Uganda. She writes a fascinating, and inspiring blog sharing her experiences and insights: www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com Today, orphanages are filled with special needs kids, many critically ill, with an estimated 98% of newly abandoned children in China having serious medical needs. Programs like Eagles Wings are the onlyhope for these children to become responsible and productive adults with a future beyond the social welfare institute. I know Donna personally from when we both adopted children seven years ago. Donna finally pursued a long time dream of going to China to minister to special needs orphans there. After several months, she returned to America to make final preparations to leave all she has known and move to China permanently with her family to direct Eagles Wings, a home for special needs children in China. She will also be personally fostering seven children herself. Donna’s blog and online information do not reflect the fact that she is a strong Christian, and will be taking every opportunity to minister to those she meets in China. Due to the nature of the laws in China, she cannot publicly post this information, and must present her work as strictly humanitarian in order to be allowed to operate. Her heart is to be the hands and feet of Christ, and minister to the least of these. Eagle's Wings - The Laurie Family Mailing address for donations: Global Development Group, 1314 Longwood Oaks Blvd. Lakeland, FL 33811, (specify “COAT / Eagles Wings, project # J587) www.lauriesgotochina.blogspot.com Sarah’s Covenant Homes is part of a nonprofit Christian organization called India Christian Ministries, founded by James and Sarah Rebbavarapu. Sarah began this branch of their ministry to minister to orphans and abandoned children with developmental disabilities and neurological special needs, providing them with love, a family environment, spiritual nurture, education, medical care, and therapies. The home currently houses approximately 83 children. The interesting thing about Sarah’s webpage, is that there are so many different ways to help. There are ways to donate financially, but there are also usually listed various needs that the Home has, from particular types of clothing, to medical supplies, to duffle bags. The things they need are always changing. You can also sponsora specific child, or a specific child’s surgery. sarahscovenanthomes.blogspot.com Mailing address for donations: India’s Hope, P.O. Box 368, Chinook, MT 59523 My connection to Sarah’s Covenant Homes is through a woman who was our agency contact during one of our adoptions. Erin Hunlock eventually moved on from that position and is currently living in India, working at Sarah’s Covenant Home. She also welcomes support for her work at the Home, as her position is strictly voluntary. www.allrpreciousinhissight.blogspot.com Kathy and Alice have spent the past 33 years running the EBAC orphanage in Cap-Hatien, Haiti. We personally know these ladies, and have made several trips to Haiti to visit the orphanage. The orphanage houses approximately 65 children of all ages. They also run a school for the children at the orphanage, and participate in ministering to the community in many ways. click here for more about Kathy and Alice Tax-deductible donations for the EBAC orphanage can be sent to: Summit Baptist Church, 2851 Route 328, Millerton, PA 16936 Tax-deductible donations for Kathy and Alice’s personal support can be sent to: Dunbar Baptist Church, 22 First St., Dunbar, PA 15431. Shaohannah’s Hope: www.showhope.org Begun by Stephen and Mary Beth Chapman. Here you can help fund an adoption, a surgery, or become a sponsor, or learn about mission trips and other ways you can help. Caroline’s Promise God’s Grace Adoption Ministry: Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministry: Tapestry Adoption Assistance – Lifesong for Orphans: AWAA (America World Adoption Agency) Holt International Bethany Christian Services Christian World Adoption All God’s Children CHI (Children’s Hope International) Adoption Advocates International CCAI (Chinese Children Adoption International) WACAP (World Association for Children and Parents) |
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The Bible speaks of the spiritual gifts God has given to each of us. In 1st Corinthians it
talks about gifts of wisdom, knowledge, miraculous powers, and prophecy. It also speaks
of the ways in which God has gifted each of us in other ways, such as musically,
artistically, or even financially. When we seek to discern the gifts we are given, often the
unfortunate conclusion many Christians make is that if God has not gifted us in a certain
area, then we are exempt from doing those things. However, there are many things in the
Bible that we are told to do, regardless of whether we are good at them or not, whether
we enjoy them or not, whether we want to or not such as hospitality, evangelism, giving,
singing praises and encouraging others. One of these commands is to care for orphans.
James 1:27 tells us that “Pure and faultless religion is this: to look after orphans and
widows in their distress.” This means you. This means me. This means everyone who
calls themselves Christian. Does this mean God has called everyone to adopt a child?
No. But it does mean that we all have a responsibility to be aware, to care and to do
something. It is not just for those with a “calling” or “passion” for the orphan anymore
than giving to the church is only for those with a calling or passion to give. God has
commanded all Christians to the plight of the orphan.
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The first step is to be aware of the problem. A
2008 U.S. government report estimated that 163
million children worldwide have lost a parent and
an estimated 18.3 million have lost both parents.
These are orphans of disease, poverty, war,
addiction, and abandonment. By 2010 the
number of children orphaned by AIDS is expected
to reach 20 million. Gone are the days when
Chinese orphanages were filled with healthy infant
girls abandoned due to the government’s one
child policy, and the social preference for boys.
Today, orphanages are filled with special needs
kids, many critically ill, with an estimated 98% of
newly abandoned children in China having serious
medical needs. Few orphanages are equipped or
able to provide the medical care, education, or
vocational services that these children need.
Most orphans over the age of four will never be
adopted. In the American foster care system,
49% of the children are over the age of 10 and
69% are over the age of 5. While some children
manage to survive being raised in an institution, it
is often with tragic results. Every 2.2 seconds an
orphan ages out of the system worldwide. In
Russia, 15% of those who age out commit suicide
by age 18, 60% of girls become prostitutes, and
70% of boys become criminals. And even in
America, a 2010 study reported in the NY Times
showed that of those who aged out of the foster
care system, by their mid-20’s less than half were
employed, 80% of males had been arrested.
These are the children who have been “fortunate”
enough to be taken into an institution. Although
it is impossible to acquire an accurate statistic, it is
estimated that as many as 150 million children
worldwide live and/or work on the streets.
Alarming percentages of these children use
psychoactive substances, are physically and
sexually abused, test positive for HIV and other
diseases, and are victims of violence and brutality.
An estimated 90% of orphans worldwide and 75%
of children in foster care in America are not legally
adoptable. The statistics are daunting. The
problem and the suffering is great.
2008 U.S. government report estimated that 163
million children worldwide have lost a parent and
an estimated 18.3 million have lost both parents.
These are orphans of disease, poverty, war,
addiction, and abandonment. By 2010 the
number of children orphaned by AIDS is expected
to reach 20 million. Gone are the days when
Chinese orphanages were filled with healthy infant
girls abandoned due to the government’s one
child policy, and the social preference for boys.
Today, orphanages are filled with special needs
kids, many critically ill, with an estimated 98% of
newly abandoned children in China having serious
medical needs. Few orphanages are equipped or
able to provide the medical care, education, or
vocational services that these children need.
Most orphans over the age of four will never be
adopted. In the American foster care system,
49% of the children are over the age of 10 and
69% are over the age of 5. While some children
manage to survive being raised in an institution, it
is often with tragic results. Every 2.2 seconds an
orphan ages out of the system worldwide. In
Russia, 15% of those who age out commit suicide
by age 18, 60% of girls become prostitutes, and
70% of boys become criminals. And even in
America, a 2010 study reported in the NY Times
showed that of those who aged out of the foster
care system, by their mid-20’s less than half were
employed, 80% of males had been arrested.
These are the children who have been “fortunate”
enough to be taken into an institution. Although
it is impossible to acquire an accurate statistic, it is
estimated that as many as 150 million children
worldwide live and/or work on the streets.
Alarming percentages of these children use
psychoactive substances, are physically and
sexually abused, test positive for HIV and other
diseases, and are victims of violence and brutality.
An estimated 90% of orphans worldwide and 75%
of children in foster care in America are not legally
adoptable. The statistics are daunting. The
problem and the suffering is great.
| How Can I Help ? |
| The second step is to be aware of our responsibility. Yes, the problem is great, but aren’t we each called to different causes and passions? In some cases, yes. But in other cases God has clearly called us all to be involved. We are all called to share Christ with others. Some of us may be more gifted at it than others, but none of us are exempt. We are all called to encourage each other and lift each other up. Some of us have the gift of encouragement, but none of us can say that we do not have to be encouraging because it is not our gift. God has asked us all to give. Obviously God has enabled some to be much more able to give than others. But none of us are so poor that God says we do not need to give. Likewise, God has clearly called us all to the plight of the orphan. “Pure and faultless religion is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..” James 1:27. The Good Samaritan was not one who had a “spiritual gift” for helping wounded men, nor did he have a special “calling” to help wounded men. He merely did unto his neighbor as he would have done unto himself, and as God has called us all to do. And if the Good Samaritan had come upon another wounded man the next day, he would not have said, “I have done my share. Someone else can help this one.” As long as he was able to help, he would keep helping, until he couldn’t do it anymore. This is what God expects of us. |
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The most important thing we can do is pray. Millions of orphans in the
world are neither institutionalized nor adoptable. These are children who
live on the streets or in situations where they are abused or neglected.
Pray for these precious children. This is their only hope.
There are those who have left everything to go and these orphans.
Their commitment is remarkable. God has not called us all to go live in a
foreign country to feed and love orphans. But He has called us to pray
for those who do. Their needs are great, emotionally, physically,
spiritually, and financially. Pray that God would richly supply all their
needs as they minister to “the least of these.”
Those who are adopting or fostering children need our prayers as well.
Satan hates adoption. There are countless stories of those who have
committed to adopting who have subsequently experienced the attacks
of satan – attacks on their relationships, finances, vehicles, home,
appliances, even their health. The need our prayers to lift them up as
they battle bureaucracy, discouragement, frustrations and doubts.
world are neither institutionalized nor adoptable. These are children who
live on the streets or in situations where they are abused or neglected.
Pray for these precious children. This is their only hope.
There are those who have left everything to go and these orphans.
Their commitment is remarkable. God has not called us all to go live in a
foreign country to feed and love orphans. But He has called us to pray
for those who do. Their needs are great, emotionally, physically,
spiritually, and financially. Pray that God would richly supply all their
needs as they minister to “the least of these.”
Those who are adopting or fostering children need our prayers as well.
Satan hates adoption. There are countless stories of those who have
committed to adopting who have subsequently experienced the attacks
of satan – attacks on their relationships, finances, vehicles, home,
appliances, even their health. The need our prayers to lift them up as
they battle bureaucracy, discouragement, frustrations and doubts.
 |
There are many ways to encourage those who are adopting. Many times
these parents have already gone through years of infertility and have even
experiencing the loss of children. Encourage them as they wait. Whether
adopting domestically or internationally, the process, paperwork and
timeline of adoptions are grueling. Many adopting parents face grave
discouragement, frustration and even doubts. There are often few, if any,
people whom they can talk to who will care or be understanding. They need
our support and encouragement. Adopting parents do want to talk about
their child, even if they don’t know who the child is yet.
Adopting families need encouragement when they bring their child home.
When a family brings home an adopted child, they are usually dealing with a
child who already has a background of their own, often of neglect, abuse,
malnourishment, and medical needs. They bring home a child who has
been plucked from all they have ever known and brought to a place where
every person they see looks different, the language is different, the sights,
the sounds, even the smells are all new and different and frightening. Then
others often expect these children, in their immaturity, to somehow adjust
and appreciate their new situation and conform and comply. The adoptive
family has not only to deal with the adjustment of a new member to their
family, but also all the relational dynamics, the reaction of siblings, the
emotions, bonding and attachment of the new child, as well as considering
their medical, physical and educational needs of a child who is awake,
mobile, confused, and speaking a different language. As the child exhibits
various behaviors, parents again may experience frustration, sadness,
discouragement or doubts. The first few months home with a child are the
most difficult. To add to this the disapproval or indifference of friends and
family is overwhelming.
How can you encourage a family who has brought home a new child?
Celebrate: When a newborn joins a family, they are celebrated, with
showers and gifts, visits and congratulations. Adopted children, especially
when they are older, are rarely greeted or acknowledged by such things,
even though the needs are often even greater than they are for a newborn.
A child joining a family still has many physical needs of clothing, furniture,
car seats or school supplies. The adoptive family faces these needs having
already taken on a huge financial burden in bringing this child home in the
first place. Adoptive parents need to know that the addition to their family is
as acknowledged and celebrated as a newborn would be.
Cut them some slack. Often people do not understand how depleting and
exhausting an adoption is, and they expect parents to immediately resume
life as normal.
If You Can’t Say Something Nice: Many people are judgmental of those who
adopt. Adoptive parents endure ignorant and hurtful comments from
everyone from strangers in the supermarket, to closest friends and family.
Many times these comments are made right in front of our adopted. I have
heard heartbreaking stories of grandparents who were not only judgmental
and unsupportive of their child adopting a child, but would also give gifts to
their biological grandchildren while shunning the adopted ones. If you have
a friend or relative who is obeying the Lord by adopting a child, say
something nice. Be encouraging and supportive. Do not refer to biological
children as “their own” children. Do not express disapproval or suggest that
they are in any way neglecting their other children. They are obeying God
and adopting a child into their family, just as God has adopted us into His.
Be patient: Frequently people are very judgmental of the behavior of newly
adopted children, who often have survived for years with less than optimum
supervision or training. As they adjust to their new family armed only with
their own immaturity, even the most compliant children can be expected to
not know the behavior expected of them, or to comply. Family, friends,
acquaintances, and strangers all have their opinions of how to deal with the
misbehavior of children. While this advice is often inappropriate even with
biological children, it is especially so with adopted children. Those who
have adopted have already had to go through various educational courses
and seminars about adopting, attachment, and the behavior of adopted
children. When you judge those who are dealing with these dynamics, in
the words of Job you “speak of things you do not understand.” Cut them
some slack, and say something encouraging.
these parents have already gone through years of infertility and have even
experiencing the loss of children. Encourage them as they wait. Whether
adopting domestically or internationally, the process, paperwork and
timeline of adoptions are grueling. Many adopting parents face grave
discouragement, frustration and even doubts. There are often few, if any,
people whom they can talk to who will care or be understanding. They need
our support and encouragement. Adopting parents do want to talk about
their child, even if they don’t know who the child is yet.
Adopting families need encouragement when they bring their child home.
When a family brings home an adopted child, they are usually dealing with a
child who already has a background of their own, often of neglect, abuse,
malnourishment, and medical needs. They bring home a child who has
been plucked from all they have ever known and brought to a place where
every person they see looks different, the language is different, the sights,
the sounds, even the smells are all new and different and frightening. Then
others often expect these children, in their immaturity, to somehow adjust
and appreciate their new situation and conform and comply. The adoptive
family has not only to deal with the adjustment of a new member to their
family, but also all the relational dynamics, the reaction of siblings, the
emotions, bonding and attachment of the new child, as well as considering
their medical, physical and educational needs of a child who is awake,
mobile, confused, and speaking a different language. As the child exhibits
various behaviors, parents again may experience frustration, sadness,
discouragement or doubts. The first few months home with a child are the
most difficult. To add to this the disapproval or indifference of friends and
family is overwhelming.
How can you encourage a family who has brought home a new child?
Celebrate: When a newborn joins a family, they are celebrated, with
showers and gifts, visits and congratulations. Adopted children, especially
when they are older, are rarely greeted or acknowledged by such things,
even though the needs are often even greater than they are for a newborn.
A child joining a family still has many physical needs of clothing, furniture,
car seats or school supplies. The adoptive family faces these needs having
already taken on a huge financial burden in bringing this child home in the
first place. Adoptive parents need to know that the addition to their family is
as acknowledged and celebrated as a newborn would be.
Cut them some slack. Often people do not understand how depleting and
exhausting an adoption is, and they expect parents to immediately resume
life as normal.
If You Can’t Say Something Nice: Many people are judgmental of those who
adopt. Adoptive parents endure ignorant and hurtful comments from
everyone from strangers in the supermarket, to closest friends and family.
Many times these comments are made right in front of our adopted. I have
heard heartbreaking stories of grandparents who were not only judgmental
and unsupportive of their child adopting a child, but would also give gifts to
their biological grandchildren while shunning the adopted ones. If you have
a friend or relative who is obeying the Lord by adopting a child, say
something nice. Be encouraging and supportive. Do not refer to biological
children as “their own” children. Do not express disapproval or suggest that
they are in any way neglecting their other children. They are obeying God
and adopting a child into their family, just as God has adopted us into His.
Be patient: Frequently people are very judgmental of the behavior of newly
adopted children, who often have survived for years with less than optimum
supervision or training. As they adjust to their new family armed only with
their own immaturity, even the most compliant children can be expected to
not know the behavior expected of them, or to comply. Family, friends,
acquaintances, and strangers all have their opinions of how to deal with the
misbehavior of children. While this advice is often inappropriate even with
biological children, it is especially so with adopted children. Those who
have adopted have already had to go through various educational courses
and seminars about adopting, attachment, and the behavior of adopted
children. When you judge those who are dealing with these dynamics, in
the words of Job you “speak of things you do not understand.” Cut them
some slack, and say something encouraging.
 |
Often when it comes to the topic of giving, people complain, “I
knew this was coming. You just want my money.” Contrarily,
others are relieved to think that they can simply throw money
at the cause and alleviate their responsibility. However, prayer
and encouragement are far more desperately and earnestly
desired than any financial support that anyone can give.
These are also the two things that we all are commanded to
do. God has not called everyone to give financially to help
orphans. But if you feel God is calling you to donate in some
way, there are many reputable organizations and a variety of
causes you can contribute to.
You can give to help the orphans of the world. There are
large, well-known organizations like World Vision and Feed
The Children who connect you with a specific child to support.
These organizations do help, but they also have a high
visibility, and some of them are high budget. When God
brings to my attention smaller organizations or individuals who
are giving sacrificially to help orphans of the world, I like to
support and advocate for them. There are four in particular
who we support and recommend that are effectively
ministering to orphans in the world today. Please see the links
to the right above.
You can give to help families adopt. If you do not feel God has
called you to adopt or foster a child, or to adopt again,
perhaps you are able to help others to adopt a child. There
are various agencies and organizations that raise money to
help families with the expenses of adopting. Please see the
links to the right above.
knew this was coming. You just want my money.” Contrarily,
others are relieved to think that they can simply throw money
at the cause and alleviate their responsibility. However, prayer
and encouragement are far more desperately and earnestly
desired than any financial support that anyone can give.
These are also the two things that we all are commanded to
do. God has not called everyone to give financially to help
orphans. But if you feel God is calling you to donate in some
way, there are many reputable organizations and a variety of
causes you can contribute to.
You can give to help the orphans of the world. There are
large, well-known organizations like World Vision and Feed
The Children who connect you with a specific child to support.
These organizations do help, but they also have a high
visibility, and some of them are high budget. When God
brings to my attention smaller organizations or individuals who
are giving sacrificially to help orphans of the world, I like to
support and advocate for them. There are four in particular
who we support and recommend that are effectively
ministering to orphans in the world today. Please see the links
to the right above.
You can give to help families adopt. If you do not feel God has
called you to adopt or foster a child, or to adopt again,
perhaps you are able to help others to adopt a child. There
are various agencies and organizations that raise money to
help families with the expenses of adopting. Please see the
links to the right above.
 |
Perhaps God is calling you to adopt or foster a child. Are
you willing to ask Him? Many people look at those who have
adopted, and are supportive and complimentary, but in no
way would consider the possibility of adopting a child
themselves, and they can give you a list of reasons why.
Adoption need not be "Plan B". Honestly ask God if He
wants you to welcome a child into your family, and carefully
examine your objections and reasons. As I have advocated
for adoption over the years, I have found that many people’s
objections are based on their fears. To which I tell them that
God has not given to us a spirit of fear, and that we should
never make decisions based on fear. I have also heard
people ask that God would give them a sign if He wants them
to adopt. While I believe that God sometimes does bless us
with signs to direct us, I also tell these people that God does
not give us signs to tell us to do something that we already
know we are supposed to do.
A common objection is that adding another child to the family
would take away from the children who are already there.
People commonly speak of putting so many children through
college. It seems unreasonable to reject the plight of an
orphan because you are concerned about a future we may
not even be here for, and an assumption of what God is
going to call your children to do. God cares for our children
far more than we ever could, and knows what they will
need. He said He would provide. Do we believe Him? It
has even be suggested that to adopt children, when you
already have several or are not sure how you will pay their
expenses, is irresponsible. An excellent response to this
accusation was written by Sarah Rebbavarapu or Sarah’s
Covenant homes. Click here to read her article. But to pull
one quote from the article: “I'll tell you what would have
been irresponsible of me: seeing the children suffer over
there and letting them remain that way when I know I could
do at least somewhat better.”
And finally, there are many organizations that you can visit
and would welcome your help. Consider a short term
mission trip. Explore the possibilities online, or contact a
mission group that you support to see if you could come visit
and help for a week or two. They would welcome your help
and encouragement, and you will never be the same.
you willing to ask Him? Many people look at those who have
adopted, and are supportive and complimentary, but in no
way would consider the possibility of adopting a child
themselves, and they can give you a list of reasons why.
Adoption need not be "Plan B". Honestly ask God if He
wants you to welcome a child into your family, and carefully
examine your objections and reasons. As I have advocated
for adoption over the years, I have found that many people’s
objections are based on their fears. To which I tell them that
God has not given to us a spirit of fear, and that we should
never make decisions based on fear. I have also heard
people ask that God would give them a sign if He wants them
to adopt. While I believe that God sometimes does bless us
with signs to direct us, I also tell these people that God does
not give us signs to tell us to do something that we already
know we are supposed to do.
A common objection is that adding another child to the family
would take away from the children who are already there.
People commonly speak of putting so many children through
college. It seems unreasonable to reject the plight of an
orphan because you are concerned about a future we may
not even be here for, and an assumption of what God is
going to call your children to do. God cares for our children
far more than we ever could, and knows what they will
need. He said He would provide. Do we believe Him? It
has even be suggested that to adopt children, when you
already have several or are not sure how you will pay their
expenses, is irresponsible. An excellent response to this
accusation was written by Sarah Rebbavarapu or Sarah’s
Covenant homes. Click here to read her article. But to pull
one quote from the article: “I'll tell you what would have
been irresponsible of me: seeing the children suffer over
there and letting them remain that way when I know I could
do at least somewhat better.”
And finally, there are many organizations that you can visit
and would welcome your help. Consider a short term
mission trip. Explore the possibilities online, or contact a
mission group that you support to see if you could come visit
and help for a week or two. They would welcome your help
and encouragement, and you will never be the same.
 |
 |
| "I don't want to bring another kid into this world. But how do you argue against the logic of loving one that's already here?" -- John Cusack, Martian Child |
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| Amazima Ministries International in UGANDA: |
| Donna Laurie, Director of COAT (Chinese Orphans Assistance Team) at Eagles' Wings, CHINA |
| Sarah's Covenant Homes, INDIA |
| Kathy Gouker and Alice Wise at the EBAC Orphanage in HAITI |
| The following are just a few of the Christian organizations that provide financial assistance, grants and loans for adopting families: |
| Trusted Christian International Adoption Agencies: |
| Reputable Adoption Agencies (not necessarily Christian): |
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