"Adopting" An Orphanage

“Adopting” an Orphanage

There are both non-Christian and Christian orphanages around the world that long for additional help to better care for their children. We know that in some place those resources can be mismanaged and not used to care for the orphans, so it is best to have a personal knowledge and understanding of the country in which the orphanage is located and the directors of the orphanage itself. Because of this important criteria, I can only speak about and recommend people with whom I have personally worked.

Adopting an orphanage can taken on many forms including, but not limited to:

• support the orphanage in prayer
• correspond with children in the orphanage
• provide financial support
• provide for specific needs through donations
• donate time

Bulembu and ABC Ministries

Abandoned Babies for Christ (ABC Ministries) was grown out of God’s intersection of a South African couple working in Swaziland and abandoned children. Since it’s inception, ABC has taken in dozens of babies in need. Gerry and Robyn Richter are amazing people who have followed God in faith each step of the way. The children in the home are cared for lovingly and competently. ABC’s story and vision can be found at www.abcministry.org.za

During ABC’s journey, they have now joined with Bulembu Ministries in Swaziland. This village was an old mining village purchased by an organization for the purpose of meeting the needs of orphans in the country. A school, clinic, agricultural endeavors, and foster homes are some of the other facets of life in Bulembu. Several opportunities for partnership exist in Bulembu. More information can be found at www.bulembu.org

Child Sponsorship

*this is post 2 on a series of entries related to Orphan Care, the first post can be read here*

Child Sponsorship

The concept of child sponsorship is not a new one. Usually such endeavors cost around $30/month with various organizations. It is important to note in child sponsorship that some organizations focus on OVC’s while others sponsor various children in need. Both are worthy causes, but in the endeavor to help orphaned children, this should be considered. The child sponsorship programs below are specifically for orphaned children.

Orphan Care International

Dillon International partners with Orphan Care International to do just that. More information can be found at www.dillonadopt.org

Young Heroes

In addition, local organizations in specific countries may have child sponsorship opportunities as well since the burden of orphans on society has become great. The Young Heroes program in Swaziland is one such program. More information can be found at http://youngheroes.org.sz/

Adoption Team Meeting

I would like to invite you to a meeting on Thursday, July 26th at 11:30 am in S1 to discuss the Adoption Ministry. Lunch & childcare provided, email awhalen@tcabc.com if you plan to attend and if you have any childcare needs.

This will be a good time to get together and see how God has launched this ministry and what all He is going to do through it.

Also, we have the opportunity to take part in two of Dillon International's Heritage Camps in July. Over 400 kids and their families spend a weekend learning about the Korean (July 28th) culture that the adopted children come from and celebrating the process of adoption and the unique heritage of their families. If you would like more information on these camps, visit http://www.dillonadopt.com/postadopt.htm We will have a booth at each of these camps selling our ADOPT(ED) shirts and with information on the ADOPT(ED) ministry. The purpose of this booth is to raise awareness about adoption and our adoption ministry and to raise funds for the ministry. If you would like to help man the booth, please let me know.

International Orphan Care

With thousands of children being orphaned every day, the need is great. Several tactics must be considered in order to meet the needs of every one of the 150 million orphaned children in the world. In the United States, the severity of the problem may seem distant and the solution to the problem unattainable. but whether through adoption or other means, every child can be cared for.

Although adoption is the ideal model to consider in caring for orphaned children, other solutions must be addressed because some countries do not allow international adoptions. In these countries adoption should be promoted within local churches. However, our responsibility and commitment should not end here. There is more that we can do as a church body in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to reach these children as well.

Several models currently exist in the international community and in Christian aid organizations to help orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC’s). Each of these models would allow involved individuals to be involved personally through prayer, resources, and time in supporting orphaned children.

1. Child sponsorship
2. “Adopting” an orphanage
3. Community Orphan Trusts
4. Enslaved Children

Check back over the next week as we highlight these 4 areas and ways you can directly be involved.

Blogathon

July 9th & 10th

Blogathon

Go to the Through Their Eyes Africa blog at:

www.throughtheireyesafrica.typepad.com

Be a part of history! Today participating in the first ever “blogathon” to raise funds for the Through Their Eyes Africa Project. Please go to their blog and give generously today. You can make a difference to some of the neediest people on earth in a very unique way, and we need your help.

This project will be sending a group of well known photographers into a remote part of Africa that has not received any help yet. The photographers will be mentoring young adults on how to take pictures so that we can get a look at their society “through their eyes”. Eventually a book will be published with the photographs created by those young adults. The funds raised from this project will go right back to the needs of these people. So, please go now and give at www.throughtheireyesafrica.typepad.com . They need your donations to make this happen. Remember, what you give will make a difference in the lives of some of the neediest people on earth.

Be a part of history. Be part of the solution.

Thank you for your generosity.

Rescued baby girl

HYDERABAD, India — A newborn baby girl was buried alive by her family in southern India on Thursday but was rescued when a farmer saw the baby's hand sticking out of the ground, officials said. *CLICK HERE* to read the full story.

As we praise God that this precious baby girl was rescued, we remember all those waiting to be rescued...waiting for someone to notice their lifted hands, waiting for a family.

Sermon Series

Click here to listen to Pastor Alex's 4 recent sermons regarding the fatherless. (The first sermon was on Easter Sunday).