Orphan Sunday

I was reading our World magazine (highly recommend it too!) and it mentioned that today was orphan Sunday. I believe our anniversary, November 19th is National Adoption Day too. 

Here are some facts on orphans (found from a study in 2008 by the US Government)...

Total estimated number of orphans in the US: 2.1 million

Total estimated number of orphans worldwide: over 163 million

Estimated number without a father: 126 million

Estimated number without a mother: 55.3 million

Estimated number living in extreme poverty in 2005 (less then $1.25/day in developing countries): 428 million

Estimated number living as child laborers in 2004: 217.7 million

Estimated number of girls who have experienced sexual abuse in 2002: 150 million

It is estimated that every 18 seconds, another child becomes an orphan.

Guess how many people it takes to make a difference?     

1

Think about that.

Our women's Bible study is currently doing the NavPress study on James.

James 1:27

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

How are you doing in response to this verse? Are you advocating for orphans (and all the other helpless, needy people in this fallen world)? Could you be doing more?? Have you been praying how God could use you in this area?

Could you help in the little ways???

Perhaps your coffee stash is running low...

Perhaps your wardrobe has room for another tshirt...

(If you do go with this, I know our elder's daughter is raising money for their adoption fund,
so you may want to put their name down so they can get credit... :)

Perhaps you are in need of being inspired with new recipes...

(lifesong does sell shirts and music too...)

Perhaps you just want to give some money before the year ends, and you want to be involved in a redemptive project of some kind...

(If you feel led, please put the money
towards the funds my cousin is raising for the Cancer Redemption Project)

These are just a FEW of the ways you could help. There are many, many other ways, that include US adoption, foster care, etc... I'm just trying to list a few different ways you can get your feet wet :)

Maybe you just need to think about it a little longer. 

Why not listen to some music at the same time?

Or maybe you want a future date night movie?

Remember that we have all been adopted, and are children of the most High if we choose to accept Him.

So just think about it today
... and really, everyday...

how can YOU help?