jIt's November 1st. November is National Adoption Awareness Month. Most of you know that adoption is very important to me. I write about it quite often, read about it whenever I get the chance and will talk about it with you if you are willing to listen. So to most it comes as no surprise when I say I plan on adopting. In fact the majority of you have heard me talk about it at some point. While I believe it should be championed daily, because it's nationally recognized in November as awareness month I usually write a post specifically for it in the beginning of each November. This post won't be much different than the years previous really. The words will be different of course but the message will be the same. There are children in our communities and around the world that need families and we need to do something about it.
"Defend the Orphan…." Isaiah 1:17
We've been told to do it. It is as simple as that. Be it advocation, adoption or monetary giving to aid a family or organization, we are called to care for orphans. I realize that not everyone is going to be called to adopt but you've got a voice that you can use to speak up for those who have none. There are many organizations that you can get behind and back with your voice. The Christian Alliance for Orphans (Christianalliancefororphans.org) is a great resource to find a number of God-centered organizations that are working for the fatherless. It is an all actuality a single organization comprised of many with the same goal.
In fact the CAFO puts on Orphan Sunday, the first Sunday of every november. This year it's November 3rd. Two days from today, churches and followers of Christ world-wide will unite to lift up the fatherless to the Father of the Fatherless in their communities and around the world. It is a day that is often used to plant seeds into future adopters and advocates who God burdens with the need. Though all Christians are called to do something, some are called to this cause specifically.
I write this every year in the hopes that it is used to bring awareness. But I also write knowing that every year I get closer to being able to adopt myself. I'm an advocate and a future adopter. That being said here are some great resources you can look into on the subject of Orphan advocation.
Christianalliancefororphans.org (CAFO)
ShowHope.org (Show Hope)
OrphanSunday.org (Orphan Sunday)
If you happen to like to read here are two really great books on the matter.
Orphan Justice :Johnny Carr
Orphanology :Tony Merida & Rick Morton
There are plenty of numbers you can find on the subject of orphans. Most of those numbers are in the millions when they count the total number of children. The problem with those numbers is that people see them and tend to associate them solely with a number. They don't see a need or a face they just see 1 million or 500,000. That is a problem. Because they aren't numbers they are children with needs. Maybe numbers help us gauge how much of an item we need to send somewhere to meet a specific need like a vaccine but beyond that numbers can do more harm than good. Numbers are impersonal and being impersonal is the last thing these children need. They need love and support and families. We've go to see real people with real stories and real needs.
David Platt hit the nail on the head when he said "They are easier to forget until you know their names. They are easier to forget until you see their faces."
And lastly this November is a little more special. About an hour ago I sent in the first donations to Show Hope and the Tennessee Baptist Children's home raised from royalties from my book The Forgotten. A book written with the purpose of raising awareness of the need for families for waiting children around the world. By God's grace it will be the first of many such donations given to change lives.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Forgotten-Jared-Henegar-ebook/dp/B00EQH3IRA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383335936&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Forgotten+Jared+Henegar
"Defend the Orphan…." Isaiah 1:17
We've been told to do it. It is as simple as that. Be it advocation, adoption or monetary giving to aid a family or organization, we are called to care for orphans. I realize that not everyone is going to be called to adopt but you've got a voice that you can use to speak up for those who have none. There are many organizations that you can get behind and back with your voice. The Christian Alliance for Orphans (Christianalliancefororphans.org) is a great resource to find a number of God-centered organizations that are working for the fatherless. It is an all actuality a single organization comprised of many with the same goal.
In fact the CAFO puts on Orphan Sunday, the first Sunday of every november. This year it's November 3rd. Two days from today, churches and followers of Christ world-wide will unite to lift up the fatherless to the Father of the Fatherless in their communities and around the world. It is a day that is often used to plant seeds into future adopters and advocates who God burdens with the need. Though all Christians are called to do something, some are called to this cause specifically.
I write this every year in the hopes that it is used to bring awareness. But I also write knowing that every year I get closer to being able to adopt myself. I'm an advocate and a future adopter. That being said here are some great resources you can look into on the subject of Orphan advocation.
Christianalliancefororphans.org (CAFO)
ShowHope.org (Show Hope)
OrphanSunday.org (Orphan Sunday)
If you happen to like to read here are two really great books on the matter.
Orphan Justice :Johnny Carr
Orphanology :Tony Merida & Rick Morton
There are plenty of numbers you can find on the subject of orphans. Most of those numbers are in the millions when they count the total number of children. The problem with those numbers is that people see them and tend to associate them solely with a number. They don't see a need or a face they just see 1 million or 500,000. That is a problem. Because they aren't numbers they are children with needs. Maybe numbers help us gauge how much of an item we need to send somewhere to meet a specific need like a vaccine but beyond that numbers can do more harm than good. Numbers are impersonal and being impersonal is the last thing these children need. They need love and support and families. We've go to see real people with real stories and real needs.
David Platt hit the nail on the head when he said "They are easier to forget until you know their names. They are easier to forget until you see their faces."
And lastly this November is a little more special. About an hour ago I sent in the first donations to Show Hope and the Tennessee Baptist Children's home raised from royalties from my book The Forgotten. A book written with the purpose of raising awareness of the need for families for waiting children around the world. By God's grace it will be the first of many such donations given to change lives.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Forgotten-Jared-Henegar-ebook/dp/B00EQH3IRA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383335936&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Forgotten+Jared+Henegar
