Each year, the Christian Alliance for Orphans holds
it's conference to accomplish the following:
help people start orphan care ministries in the local church
encourage adoptive families and cover adoption issues
encourage foster families, social workers, etc.. and cover the issues involved
education about global orphan care including projects to be involved in and adoption
open our eyes and hearts to the need right in our backyards and around the globe
confirm God's calling in our lives to defend the fatherless
Here's a partial view of the exhibitors that took part in the Summit.
Adoption agencies, overseas child sponsorship programs, organizations
that exist to stop human trafficking, Family Life, Focus on the Family, programs to empty foster care systems through adoption, and many, many more!! It was a fun and educational place to be in and browse thru. I came home with a bag full of free books, brochures, business cards, and information.
During many parts of the conference, my heart was very heavy. The first day was mentally tough for me. It was a long day (wonderful, though) and this area/ministry is all new to me... and I was hearing some things that tugged my heart and ripped it to pieces. The first time I walked through the exhibits and talked with folks, it was hard for me to hold back the tears and the lump in my throat was throbbing. The tears were held back, only by the grace of God, if you know me it's impossible for me to stop tears... I didn't want to explain to these people how overwhelmed I was about our world and it's children. But, I guess if anywhere is a safe place to just lose it, THIS WAS IT. They get it.
Here's our new buddy Natasha! She and a bunch of other wonderful women came from Wisconsin, were staying at our hotel, and adopted Carly and I into their group. Natasha drove us back and forth to the conference each day... after a little shuttle mix-up.. God provided new friends and a ride! It was a huge encouragement to meet with others in the same mindset toward all things adoption/foster care/ministry. Each had a completely different story to tell. And I was intrigued by each.
More of our "group."
Steven Curtis Chapman sharing and giving us an accoustic concert!
His music is so powerful.
Steven and Mary Beth Q & A!!!
I love these two. They have been so open in sharing the raw, honest truth
about their lives since the loss of their 5 year old daughter Maria 2 years ago.
We REALLY enjoyed our night when them.
Mary Beth was our keynote speaker the first night, and shared some fun
archived family photos too!! Wow, is all I have to say about this one!!!
Here we are on the trip home in our matchy-matchy orange shirts... we got a lot of looks, but more importantly a lot of questions!!!! educate, educate, educate... something I love to do... there are approx. 147 million orphans worldwide. And only about 30,000 are adopted into families each year... seems like a lot.. but is it??
Some of the things different speakers shared that have stuck with me and will continue to stick:
If we are only motivated by the need, we will run out of gas. (there will always be need!) God is the source, our motivation.
Love for orphans TRANSFORMS!
Open your eyes to what God did for you as an orphan... YOU were an orphan and He had compassion on you. "In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." Ephesians 1:5
Orphan care is not a new craze or fad for social ministry.
With your life and voice, defend the fatherless!
Adoption is not the only, nor always the best way to care for orphans.
Just because a child is adopted or removed from an orphanage, doesn't mean they will lose their orphaned spirit... only Jesus can redeem them.
We work/love on behalf of orphans because of God, not because of empathy and sympathy.
How can we shame pregnant women, then be surprised when they secretly abort?
Some choose international adoption so they won't have to deal with a birthfamily. No matter what, you will have to deal with a birthfamily and your walk may be harder because there will be no reunions.
Children don't just need food, clothing, and shelter... they need the love of a family.
John Piper shared the rest of these statements: You cannot be involved in adoption and orphan care without miracles happening in your life.
do hardships = mistake?? NO! There is no guarantee of success and comfort.
God is totally, always on our side as a believer... it has nothing to do with our virtue.
Having faith is not the ultimate factor whether you suffer or prosper in the cause of the fatherless or any situation.
God himself in Jesus is better than any happy ending in this adoption story.
Those who love God more than life and suffer willingly in the cause of the fatherless are God's great gift to the world. Heb. 11:37
and my final favorite (not from John P.) James 1:27 (to care for orphans and widows in their distress...) is not a commandment, caring for orphans is a definition of what a Christian does.
So I guess you can say, I have a LOT to chew on... and a lot to share with Jeremy. Carly and I are chompin' at the bit and ready to gather our team and launch our church's ministry later this year. As a hopeful adoptive family, this conference has given much confirmation of this being God's plan for us as a family... but I have to warn you... I'm not sure where it will stop!
We are so thankful for this opportunity God has provided through our church, for them seeing this as a part of our church's future, and for "getting it" right along with us.
That's all for now, my brain is filled to the brim. I'm sure some future blog posts will be highjacked by this very topic as more thoughts flow out of my mind and through my fingers on the keyboard.
Thank you for reading all the way through this!
