Take Care of Them

This month is Adoption Awareness Month. Don't leave! I'm not suggesting you have to adopt. I'm suggesting that Christians are called to care for orphans. Actually, I'm not suggesting it, I'm reminding us all that God himself told us to do this in James, chapter one. I also happen to think it's a good idea for non-Christians, you just aren't commanded.

I mentioned already that there are different ways of doing this, here in this post.

Today, I'd like to zone in on ways we can look after/visit/care for orphans (as the Greek word in James 1:25 means). Please know that I would never condone jumping into these activities without you first praying about it. I also would not condone you doing these things while your family suffers your attention, causing you to neglect your first calling. Seek the Lord's guidance on what you should do at this time and continue to seek His will. He may lead you to do different things at different seasons of your life. That's great. I know that's been the case for us.

1) Volunteer at your local boys/girls homes. Most residential treatment centers are always looking for loving volunteers, for all aspects of their program. Think about mentoring an orphan in one of these programs. Visiting once a month to show you care blesses the socks off these kids (trust me, I've seen it). Even if you can't visit very often, letters are treasured to these children. Someone who cares about them individually is worth their weight in gold. This could even be a family project to love and invest in an orphan. Letters and pictures for the child. Be creative on what you can/want to do to really bless a child in one of these kinds of homes.

2) Support an orphan financially. You can do this a few different ways. You can partner up with a local residential treatment center and 'choose' a child to help (giving funds in addition to what the state pays for their care... it's a joke, though not a funny one, what the state considers enough money for daily care). You can help a foster family (contact local child placing agencies for suggestions). There are several reputable organizations that help care for children internationally. Most of these children meet at least of the definitions of orphan. Currently, our family sponsors a Compassion International child. My Sweetie and I write letters and our kids send drawings. There are also plenty of international orphanages that could really, really use your help. These are a few of the orphanages and RTCs stateside and international that I trust (because I have been there or people I trust have been there or can vouch for them) for example: Mama Tara's, La Providencia, Restoration Gateway, Boys Town, St. Mary's Home, Texas Baptist Children's Home, Roy Maas' Youth Alternative, Medina Children's Home, Three Angels, and Eagle's Nest Children's Home.

3) Foster an orphan. Consider becoming a foster parent. This is a very, very special calling. I do NOT recommend it to everyone. Seriously. BUT I wonder if there are many people out there who would be wonderful foster parents, who are in the right season (and this involves a lot of different aspects) for it, but don't take the idea to God because they aren't willing to hear what He might say. While residential treatment centers are meeting a basic need, fostering does so much more than that.

4) Adopt an orphan. I'll talk more about this in a couple of weeks, but really, we can't deny this is the best way to care for an orphan.

Please, please share any other suggestions/ideas you have in regards to how we can care/look after/visit orphans. You all have a wealth of ideas, I'm sure.