Thoughts and Reflections:National Adoption & Orphan Awareness Month

  Hey everybody! I hope those of you who received the newsletter will pleased with it (we've got a special Christmas issue brewing right now)! You can all expect new articles either this weekend or Monday (the whole deadline rule finally went into effect a couple of days ago). Now, let's get back on track with the post.
  I don't know how may of you we're aware, but November is national adoption and orphan awareness month. And Sunday November 8, all across the country churches will be celebrating Orphan Sunday. For those of you who either don't know much about orphans or burn with a passion to reach out and serve them, I'd like to encourage you to get involved. I've come across some great resources I'd like to share with you, but first lets take a look at some statistics...

It's estimated that there are 143,000,000 orphans worldwide.

500,000 Of those children are awaiting foster care.

Every 18 seconds a child looses their parents.

Every 15 second a child will loose a parent to Aids

There are 120,000 children in America awaiting adoption.

Orphans are more likely to be involved in violence, trafficking, exploitation, and various abuses.

-Statistics courtesy of Shaohannah's Hope

  Now, maybe you read these statistics, and although you feel bad, you can really comprehend these numbers. I certainly can't! Where do we even begin? What should be a Christian's response to this crisis?

"... Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless..." -Isaiah 1:17

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans..." -James 1:27

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." -John 14:18

  I love these verses! And I'd love to see the church get more involved in orphan ministry! We've neglected them to long. This month lets make it our mission, as Christians, to get the word out and inform others about the need (my fellow bloggers, could share it on their blogs as well as I am). We can make a difference.

  During this month we have a series entitled Pick Up Your Cross, and much of the content is going to revolve around subjects such as this, so I hope you'll continue to return, read the articles, and spread the word. Before you and I take our leave from the computer check out the great sites! They're chock full of ideas, inspiration, steps to take action, and more!

• Orphan Sunday
• Hope for Orphans
• Together for Adoption
• Family Life Today: Adoption