If we are going to talk about making an impact on this blog, I want to let you in on two places that have captured my heart.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about my first mission trip to the Czech Republic back in 2004. Earlier this week I booked my tickets to return. I’ll be traveling with a couple of American friends in February. We’ll visit with our Czech friends in an effort to encourage them. Christians are rare in Czech Republic and it easy for our brothers and sisters there to feel isolated when it comes to living for Jesus. When we go to the city of Brno, it can be a powerful encouragement to our Czech Christian friends.
I will share more as the trip approaches in a few months, including some long-term dreams I have for mission work there.
Another way God has convicted me is through orphan care. As a single man, for me that is primarily through sponsorships of orphans around the world with organizations like World Vision, Christian Relief Fund and the 100X Foundation. I’m excited to announce, “It’s a boy.” This week I joined the mission of 100 X in supporting a young man named Patrick who is in the equivalent of twelfth grade in Malawi.
I’m blessed to be surrounded by many at my church as well as several close friends that have chosen to adopt and end the hopelessness in the lives of the children they now call sons and daughters. It’s an awesome privilege to see God transforming so many hearts toward adoption, fostering, and so many other ways to care for orphans.
Caring for orphans and widows was not a good idea presented in Scripture. It’s a command. James 1:27 Granted, that may look differently for everyone, but it should be a part of who we are as followers of Jesus.
Today I want to be a resource for you. Here are a few organizations doing great things for orphans in the world. If you have others, please list them. Let’s share ideas today and reach into places God can use us to make a greater impact.
World Vision
Compassion International
100 X Development Foundation - My friend Dana Blanchard leads the Malawi mission.
Youthreach International – My friend Rob Browne helps lead this mission.
Christian Relief Fund
I’ll be listing more resources to connect with amazing missions in the future, so stay tuned.
Questions for you…
- Do you suggest an organization to partner with to make an impact?
- How have you done things on your own to make an impact?
- What are some opportunities for us to care for orphans?
Hey, I’d like to give a “shout out” for the kids that are right here in our city, some right down the street from us, that the State takes out of their homes, for no fault of their own but because they are abused, neglected, etc., or are orphaned and have no other relative that can take them, and places them at Brantwood Childrens Home. As a Board member there, I see really broken kids that come in and for nearly all of them, Brantwood is the best “home” situation they’ve ever lived in. The staff there tries to share the love of Jesus with them and give them hope for a better way of living. If anyone is interested in knowing more about this great work, please have them contact me. I would love to give information about needs and ways to help these kids that are right here in our own “back door”. Thanks!
Ellen
Thanks for sharing that Ellen. You’re right. Great opportunity right here in our back yard.
Over the past ten years, I’ve had the opportunity to go down to the Baja peninsula of Mexico on several mission trips to the city of Ensenada. There is a great Christian orphanage down there that we support called City of Children and they are giving Mexican orphans an education and a life that they never would have experienced were it not for the kindness of good people who support them.
It’s exciting to see people working together through organizations like City of Children, 100X Missions, World Vision and others that give these children what they need in this life and the next.
Eric, I love that you’re committed to City of Children. It’s one thing to go on “a” mission trip, or throw some money at a cause. But when you commit to something over and over, there’s a greater benefit for everyone involved. Keep it up.
I love that you have this passion. And as a single guy you are doing something about it. Right now all we can do is sponsor kids too. Guess what our little guys name through World Vision is….Wilmer. Is that not the cutest. Makes me smile just thinking about him. Wilmer.
Wilmer? Great name. We need to put a master list together of how you can help orphans for whatever situation you’re in currently. May help people see opportunities they don’t know about.