I just finished reading “Orphanology” — a book that is solely focused on the Christian and the church’s obligation to care for the world’s orphans. In James 1:27, God tells us to care for the orphans and the fatherless.
So, why aren’t very many of us doing it? I had little knowledge of orphans or orphancare before signing up for my trip to Congo. As I delve deeper into this extremely important ministry, I’m overwhelmingly convicted to make it a part of my life.
The authors of the book believe that Christians have fallen short of God’s command that we care for orphans and it’s time for that to change.
One of the reasons I was originally drawn to adoption is directly related to my strong pro-life beliefs. I hope and pray that every woman that doesn’t feel prepared to care for a child will choose adoption instead of abortion. What better action for me to take than adopt one or two of those children? I want to be someone’s mother and there are a lot of someone’s who need mothers. It’s a win-win situation.
I understand how scary it can be to even consider adopting a child — I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately but the idea is less scary now that I’ve met some people who have actually gone through the process. Plus, the writers of “Orphanology” both have several adopted children.
Not everyone has to adopt to help. There are so many ministries connected with the orphancare field that every person has something to give — whether it’s money, prayer, foster care, transitional help, temporary assistance, babysitting, training, awareness, travel, etc.
After meeting our kids in Congo, they are not just faces on a website that need sponsors. They are warm, joyful, needy, beautiful human beings. It reminds of a piece I read the other day by Shane Claiborne, “What if Jesus really meant all that stuff?” The aritcle wasn’t about orphans but the title seriously made an impact on me.
What if Jesus really meant it when he said to care for widows and the orphans? To love the fatherless and take care of their needs? Well, he did mean it and I intend to do it. It’s not because I’m trying to be a “good” Christian — it’s partly selfish after all, I want to be a mommy! — but because God gave me something priceless…the heart to do this.
This hope and love and passion bubbles over. And I wonder, does it translate to words? I want everyone to go out and buy a copy of “Orphanology” and read it. I want everyone to start uplifting orphancare and adoption in their churches, in the government, in their personal lives. There’s nothing better you can do besides start helping children get the love they need and the tools they need to become the positive future in this world.
So that was just me pouring it out cause it’s how I feel. Thanks for listening to me go on and on. If you want to help the kids in Congo that I met, you can check this page out. If you are interested in learning more about adoption and/or orphancare, I hope you will grab a copy of “Orphanology.”
