Could it be you?

There are between 143-210 million orphans in our world today. Can you comprehend that? I can't. 143+million little people that have no one to call family. There is no one that claims them, and no one that loves them. It's hard for me to swallow that there could be just ONE little person going through this, but 143 million? I think really wrapping my brain around this and truly understanding this would be way too painful. That's why I chose to state that I do not comprehend this.

I remember the first time I stepped foot in an orphanage in eastern europe. It was exactly what I had imagined it would be like. I stepped out of the old van that brought us there. In front of me was a wrought iron gate. As I stepped through the gate, off in the distance, past the yard was a tall run down building, a structure with nice architectural aspects, but the walls were crumbling, and it looked dull, dark, and hollow. I felt I was right where I was supposed to be. I was in a place I had only dreamed of going but never thought would come true...the fields of the fatherless. In my heart of hearts I knew the Lord had brought me to this place, and for the first time...I had a glimpse outside of my cushy life in the good 'ol USA. Caring for orphans was something the Lord had placed on my heart at a young age...and I have to say having an opportunity to carry out something God had given me the desire to do...was an amazing moment.

We were invited inside. We would have a tour, and then be fed lunch. All around us were children, orphans, with wide, curious eyes. We smiled at them, played ball, and tried to show them we cared. At one point I looked down...and a very young little girl, no more than 3 had taken my hand in hers. I hadn't seen any other children this young there before this. She smiled a very cautious little grin, and was glued to my side for the remainder of our time there. Heartbreaking. She was searching for a mommy, and to know that she felt safe enough to hold my hand, a total stranger to her, is both sad, and sweet.

We were served borscht and bread for lunch. I felt almost guilty eating this food, yet I knew it gave them so much joy to feed us. We ate, and visited for as long as we could. When we left, the children all clung to the fence and watched us drive off...the sadness in their faces I will never forget.

I spent time in two more orphanages there. It was humbling, and eye opening to say the least. The pain, aloneness, and the vastness of the plight of the orphan became very real to me. To know that these children, and hundreds of thousands more in their own country would never know the safe arms of a mommy or daddy was heartwrenching. And I will never forget them.

As christians we are called many times over to care for orphans. As christians we are called to step out and be the hands and feet of Jesus.

I would be a missionary all over the world if I could, I would adopt hundreds of orphans from all over the world if I were allowed. But I am only one. Will you join me in this cause, the cause of the orphan? They need us.