Orphan Sunday

Yesterday was "Orphan Sunday". The first Sunday of November every year is set aside by churches that choose to participate to be a day to remember God's call and command for us as His followers to care for the orphans throughout the world today. Yesterday, I saw a church full of people hearing about the orphan crisis. I saw other adoptive families celebrating this day-- remembering orphans in a special way on this day. But what would the world be like if we remembered orphans like this everyday? If you have had the chance to meet an orphan personally, you will easily understand the truth behind this statement: "Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes." This is a quote from David Platt, pastor of the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, from his book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream. The moment I walked into a small orphanage in China on a cold December morning in 2006, my world changed. My world was changed for the orphans throughout the world. I cannot ignore them or pretend they don't exist because I know the truth: they do.

 Take a few minutes to watch this video... it focuses on orphans in China, but the need is also true throughout the rest of the world.

 

CHINA - Orphan Sunday from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

Adoption has impacted my life in so many ways. I am so incredibly blessed to have been able to experience the miracle of adoption! There are 143 million orphans throughout the world, in need of a family, in need of love, and in need of hope.  Consider asking God in what ways He might want you to reach the orphan.