Orphan Sunday 2011

Yesterday was Orphan Sunday....seems like every year, Orphan Sunday is just ground-breaking. We launched our orphan care ministry, Hearts of Compassion back in 2009...last Orphan Sunday, we were in China...holding our Alice for the very first time. As our church family was celebrating Orphan Sunday, we were holding our daughter who was an orphan no more!!! This year, was a time to look back at the 2 years since the ministry began and proclaim his faithfulness...to see and tell all of the wonderful things God has done in us and in the lives of those around us. To our knowledge, there had been no new adoptions or any active orphan care since 2003. Since Hearts of Compassion's start in Nov 2009, we have had 4 children come home through international and domestic adoption. We have 2 families in process (one international, one domestic). One family is now fostering, and one family is almost done with their training to do Respite Care through DHR. God has moved and He is continuing to stir hearts...we hear about it from different people all of the time. We also had the pleasure of having Dave Wood, from Lifeline Children's Services in Birmingham, AL, come and bring the Word on Sunday...he did a wonderful job challenging our congregation to pray about how God would have them 'care for the orphan'. Lastly, we recognized the first 2 families to receive funds from our ministry....what a special day!!!! Cannot wait to see what next Orphan Sunday holds!!!

Meia, Me, Dave, Stephanie & Jenny

147MILLIONORPHANS rocked the house!!

Yesterday was nothing short of a miracle...nothing short of God's hand. Since the launch of Hearts of Compassion Orphan Care Ministry in November 2009, 6 families have taken the plunge into adoption/foster care! Praise the Lord!!! He is stirring up compassion in the hearts of our church family and it has been amazing to witness. Yesterday afternoon was a big day for our ministry and God showed out! Families, not just from our church, but from many surrounding cities came together and the Lord was there...I believe hearts were touched and a difference was made for some orphans out there. Lifeline Adoption Agency also had a booth and gave out lots of good information....I can't wait to begin hearing stories of change and action!! I pray that God will continue to bless the lives of Suzanne, Gwen, their families and their ministry as they continue to be obedient. God doesn't just call people that have it all together...He calls the people that sometimes seem the least likely. Then, as they rely on Him alone to provide (whether it be finances, change of heart, or whatever), He gives them exactly what they need to do what He has called them to. It just takes stepping out IN FAITH. If it seems logical and you can figure it all out, then what glory does God get in that, if there is no risk, no sacrifice?? We step out IN FAITH when it seems IMPOSSIBLE to US!!! God steps in, does the IMPOSSIBLE and gets the glory HE ALONE deserves. So, I challenge you today to STEP OUT--if it doesn't make sense to the world and those around us, SO WHAT?? Life is a vapor...make a difference for Him and make a difference in an orphan's life today--whatever that looks like for your family.

Here are some pictures of yesterday's event...Suzanne....

Gwen....

Suzanne and Gwen...

A full house...


Gwen, Meia, Jenny, me, Stephanie and Suzanne at the end of a long and wonderful day....

Hearts of Compassion Yard Sale

May 22nd, our orphan care ministry, Hearts of Compassion, held a huge yard sale to raise money for families adopting in our church and community..here are the pictures to prove that we survived!!!

First and formost, we had to have a cookie cake supporting the cause to get the party started off right...we worked late the night before and this helped us make it through....

Here is what it looked like when we started bringing stuff in (hi Jenny:)...

Matthew working to bring stuff in to the big, bare room...

Laurie, Jenny and Ginger, figuring it all out....

In the thick of it, late Friday night...

Then, delirium sets in and out comes Laurie, all dressed up in her Shrek medieval wear!!!

Me and Meia...

The stuff brought in begins to multiply

Stephanie working in the book department...

Jen and Shana working hard (conveniently right next to the cookie cake)...

Holly and Meia in the children's department...

Then, here it is, the day of the sale, in action, customers and all....

God is good!!! We ended up making about $1700!!!! Praise the Lord!!! Can't wait to see who the first applicant will be that receives these funds that God has so graciously provided---I truly believe the saying "He funds what He favors" and He definitely favors adoption:)

The ol' devil does not want orphans to have loving, Bible-believing homes full of hope and acceptance---he wants destruction and lies. The devil wants families believing adoption isn't feasible for any number of reasons--finances being at or very near the top of the list. (which is why Hearts of Compassion is working to raise money for families adopting!) He wants adoption off of the radar, ESPECIALLY for Christians...but, 'God knows the plans HE has, plans to prosper and not to harm, plans for hope and a future' (Jeremiah 29:11) for YOU and for ORPHANS:)

I have felt this so strongly on my heart lately...Is God tugging at your heart and calling you and your family to something?? If so, I beg you to be open to it....let Him use and work through you-whatever it may be....