Christmas Orphan

It was Christmas and I wanted more than anything to adopt this little boy I met at an orphanage in South Korea. 

When I first met him, it was as if I knew immediately there was something special about him. He stole my heart because he was so precious and God stirred something in me to recognize something in his spirit- He is one of God's children, present or future, it doesn't matter, He is God's. And he needs to be loved! We only got to spend a short time with the children, passing out gifts and taking pictures, as we were visiting multiple orphanages that day. But there was just something about this little boy, 8 years old, that really made me ache for him to have a family to be there for him in the ways he needed. 

The next day, I went back with my friends to give him gloves and a hat that I had bought for him to keep him warm in the winter. He may have thanked me; it didn't really matter at the time, but I could tell he was so excited to get the gift, it made him light up!

 In the gift, he may have seen acceptance or love or someone who believed in him. It may have just been cool to get an extra Christmas gift to show off to his friends! But I held onto the memory of his sweet spirit and I still pray for him when I think of him. His mom is still in the picture, from what I had heard when I had visited the next day after our Christmas visit. But she is unable to take care of him. I would have loved to adopt him if I were able. But I know that through my prayers, I can make a difference in his life. Through God working in his life, he will see that people believe in him. That people care about him and love him. He will feel God's arms around him. He will stand strong and tall one day as a man of God. 

Please say a pray for him today as Christmas is nearing again, 3 years later. Pray that God strengthens him and warms his heart and provides for all his needs, that he recognizes God's love for him and comes to know him. That God raises up a family to be there for him and love him always. 

God promises us, "I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you." John 14:18

This promise can apply to you as well. If you ever felt abandoned, remember that God will never leave you, He will come to you and rescue you and comfort you! For all the ways people fail us or fall short or disappoint or hurt, there is a reason. People were not made to fully meet all our needs! We cannot always love each other perfectly. Only with God is there perfect love. Still, God calls us to love others even in the pain, even when they disappoint us. Even when we fail. 

God desires you and loves you just as if you were an orphan who needed someone to be there for them! His heart melts for orphans and praying for them can help us to draw nearer to God as we learn more about His heart for His people. And His heart for us. God loves you more than you could imagine. Stop. For a moment. And think about it. God promises He will never let you go. Even if you run away uninterested or deny Him. His heart breaks, but He loves you and our God is a God who pursues and fights for the ones He loves, which is really an amazing thing that I am super thankful for!

 When has God come through for you and rescued you in a powerful or surprising way? Please comment below. I would love to hear your stories about orphans or anything related! 

 (These pictures are of other precious children we visited. I did not get a copy of the picture with the little boy I so wanted to adopt! However, the little one not pictured could also be "your" little one that you spiritually adopt and commit to pray for- check out this awesome site that allows you the privilege of praying for an orphan- one who is on God's heart! Or pray for these cherished children waiting to be adopted today. It's as easy as asking God if He would have you pray for a certain child and printing out their picture to share with your family and friends to pray for!) 

Deut. 31:6 I thought all three of these versions spoke out strong truths! What parts of these verses- what words stand out to you or touch you the most?

New International Version
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
New Living Translation
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."
English Standard Version
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

I am going on The World Race! I will be joining a team through Adventures in Missions, going to 11 countries in 11 months to share God's love with the least of these: orphans, widows, the poor, and human trafficking victims.  Learn more on my World Race blog here.

Birthday Dreams and Tattered Clothes: One Child who needs Hope

Re-posted from  Stephanie Nunez

 I was looking through Compassion, and saw a sad face.  I typically do not have the reaction I experienced.  This picture literally made me cry.  Unfortunately, I can not sponsor a third child.  It's not financially possible, and my husband reconfirmed that for me.

This little boy, Demelash from Ethiopia, is most likely wearing pass-me-down clothes from an older sister.  A pink, torn up tracksuit.  His little face shows no hope, and his birthday is May 1st!  I'd love for prayers so we can find this child a sponsor.  Take one look at his face, and you can see how desperately in need he truly is.

Thank you for your prayers, and a million thanks to anyone who can help this precious boy, Demelash.

*Praise God for providing for Demelash! Please keep reading below to see other children who, like him, have been waiting for the support and love of someone like you! 



With Love and Prayers,
         Stephanie Nunez

~~~

When we sponsor a child, we shout out our love with volumes, but also with a loving embrace.This is an act of love that any child of any country and any language understands and is immensely changed by.

Their whole life is changed, because you decided to love them from wherever you are in the world.

One choice, one click, one prayer, can change a child's life forever. One child is waiting for your help today!

Please pray for these other children, like Demelash in Ethiopia, who have been waiting a long time for a sponsor as well! 

Or look at the children who have been waiting the longest, regardless of country! 

These children below, from Ethiopia and other countries too, have been patiently waiting and hoping for a sponsor and for some light to shine in their dark world. 

Please pray for Sostenes who is only 4 years old and you can just see how great his need is from this picture and from his eyes.

Do you see his extended belly? This is a sign of malnutrition and a low protein state in the body- (read more on that here.)

Clearly a sign that he needs help and prayer and all the love and support he can get now- please start praying for him and don't stop until he gets a sponsor!

Pray that he gets a loving sponsor who will encourage him and that he come to know Christ soon!

Sostenes  is from Tanzania and has been waiting almost 250 days for a sponsor! Please pray for this precious child in need!

Sostenes' birthday is August 30th. He enjoys ball games and hide and seek.

~~~

Shruit is an 8 year old girl from India who lives in an area with high risk of exploitation and abuse- it is possible to be sold into sexual slavery in this area, especially at her age.

Shruti enjoys art and reading and there are 4 children in her family. 

*Praise!

 God has come quickly to rescue Shruti!  

Pray for other girls like her waiting for a sponsor and in risk of being sold into sexual slavery. 

 

~~~

Pray for 6 year old Genesis




Please pray for this precious daughter of God who needs support and love now

Pray for 7 year old Kalkidan from Ethiopia 
Her birthday is August 6th, 2005

  




Pray for 6 year old Bayulign from Ethiopia




Pray for 8 year old Dibora from Ethiopia







Please pray for 6 year old Bilal from Ethiopia who has been waiting 217 days and lives in an AIDS affected area




Please share below in the comments- I would like to hear from you! Have you considered sponsoring a child or do you have a sponsored child that you chose for their birthday or special day? Or what other ways have you chosen the child you sponsor? Or are you still considering your decision?

Have you decided to sponsor a child? Please share with me- I would love to hear this great news and pray for you and your child! Send me an email at jsilverman286 at gmail dot com.

Please pray for 6 year old Mebrat from Ethiopia- her birthday was just on May 2nd and she needs your love and support now! Pray that God comes quickly to her and shows she is not forgotten- that she is His child!

   

 Please pray for 6 year old Honey from Colombia!