Orphan Care

Although we may not all be called to adopt, we are all called to care for the orphaned. I believe this includes those who may have living parents, but are spiritually or emotionally orphaned. I also believe this includes orphan prevention. So, with that said, here is a list of ways to care for the orphaned outside of adopting.

  • Sponsor a child. There are many child sponsorship programs, but I personally love and advocate for Compassion International. I admire their transparency and model. I encourage you to thoroughly research any organization before becoming invested. Do you homework. With that said, child sponsorship is such a big step in orphan prevention. Contrary to popular belief, many "orphans" have living parents or relatives who desperately want to care for them but due to poverty, oppression, illness or other evils of this world, cannot care for their child, therefore relinquishing their parental rights. Many parents have given their children to orphanages simply to keep them alive. Child sponsorship programs give loving parents the resources and support they need in order to keep their children. As people who care for children, we should be striving and cheering for family preservation if at all possible. 
  • Support a foster or adoptive family. This can look like writing a check to pay for adoption costs, dropping off a home cooked meal, respite care for parents running on empty, committing to pray, listening over a cup of coffee, folding laundry, mowing a lawn...... show up. It is that simple. 
  • Mentor an at risk child in your community. There are far too many kids who are functionally fatherless in our neighborhoods. Find a mentor program. We have volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and can speak to their positive program. Ask God to open your eyes to a child/children who would benefit from a safe, stable and loving home to have dinner in a few nights a week. It doesn't have to be fancy. Just be present. 
  • Pray. Ask God to open your eyes and open doors. Ask Him to show you ways that you are uniquely equipped to care for the orphaned and vulnerable. 

Two books I recommend on this topic:
  • Ordinary by Tony Merida
  • Everyone Can Do Something by Jason Johnson 

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