Orphan Sunday and the launch of Hearts of Compassion!!

WOW! What an awesome day!!! This day has been a long time coming...God placed the desire to start an Orphan Care Ministry in several hearts, brought us together and orchestrated the perfect day for it to all become reality---what better day than on National Orphan Sunday!!! Although I was sick most of the weekend, I did not want to miss a thing and the Lord helped me get through it all:) After a wonderful morning, we came back together to the Fuzion Theater (thank you, Chris) for the "Cry of the Orphan" Webcast with Dennis Rainey, Stephen Curtis Chapman and several others...had a couple of technology kinks (big shocker!) so we did a few other things...watched some of SCC's story, heard from Mac Powell (from Third Day) at Catalyst, the Bachuss's shared their adoption story and then we got to see a good bit of the webcast. I really believe this is how it was all supposed to go this afternoon and God was glorified in it!! God is calling all Christians to do something to care for the orphan! Not everyone is called to adopt and that is just one facet of orphan care...here are a few other ways we as Christians can make a dent in the world's orphan crisis:
1. PRAY for them!! (The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16; Get on your knees and intercede for these children...pray that God will break your heart for the orphan and that He would help you remember to pray EVERYDAY!)
2. SPEAK UP for them (Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves Proverbs 31:8; advocate for orphans and those in foster care)
3. PROVIDE for their needs (give financially to those who want to adopt, but can't; participate in a drive to collect supplies for children in your community or an orphanage)
4. SUPPORT those who support them (Mow, babysit, or organize meals for foster or adoptive parents. Tell them you will pray for them and you appreciate what they do; encourage an adopting or fostering family...they need support!!)
5. PROTECT them from harm (Become a foster parent or emergency foster parent; be part of respite care for fostering families; partner with an indigenous church that is currently caring for orphans but needs resources--WorldOrphans.org is a great website for info on that)
6. VISIT them where they are. (Go on a mission trip and love on them---you will get more from them than they get from you, I guarantee that!! Take dinner to a foster-group home)
7. GIVE sacrificially to them (Support a reputable orphan care organization on a regular basis; contribute generously to an adoptive family to help offset costs)
8. ENCOURAGE them to press on. (Sponsor a child, support them financially and encourage them through your letters; become a mentor or tutor a child in foster care)
9. ADOPT them into your family (give a child a home through domestic or international adoption or foster care adoption; adopt an older child that is getting close to aging out of the system)
10. MOBILIZE your church to help them. (Educate your congregation about the orphan crisis...most people have no idea; Be a catalyst in your church for starting a sustained orphans ministry--LIKE HEARTS OF COMPASSION!!!!)

It felt SO awesome to pull into church this morning and see this on the sign!!!

Here is what was on the screen at church..not so great of a picture, but you get the idea!! We are currently working on a logo to call our own!!

At the webcast...we had a pretty good crowd...can't really tell much in this pic!

Stephanie

God brought us together to work toward the common goal...Stephanie, Meia, Jenny & Me...with puffy faces after the webcast! Note to self: take picture next time BEFORE the crying starts!!

Have I mentioned lately that God is GOOD!! He is so faithful!!