Raising Orphans to Life

The Orphan's Christmas List

“What do my little darlings want for Christmas? Have they made a list? Let me know so I can get them something special!” I can’t adequately describe the genuine love and enthusiasm with which my mother, my children’s grandmother, asks this question of me each year. 

Grandma’s “little darlings” Haley & Mandy, Christmas 2004

There’s a lot of discussion within our family about Christmas gift giving. We negotiate ceilings on spending and limits on the number of gifts each child should receive. Brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews and family friends – all are involved as we determine what and how much to give to one another at Christmas. Note: Grandmothers are the worst offenders when it comes to violating negotiated limits!

But it seems that every year the joy of giving overrides our negotiated limits and while the children appear to receive more than they need, the gift givers are the one’s who enjoy Christmas gift giving the most.  From deep reservoirs of love, smiles overflow as the giver quietly but overwhelmingly receives the greatest gift, the joy of giving a loved one a gift desired and received.

There’s something that rings true within us when we remember what Dr. Luke recorded in the book of Acts, chapter 20, verse 35, the Apostle Paul’s encouraging words to the Ephesian church “…remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “

Recently, a family of six in Northern Virginia demonstrated this Christ like attitude of giving. Here’s what they wrote to me, “Our family met and prayed together tonight, and each of us has decided to give a part of our Christmas present money to the My Father’s House children…so that they can have some gifts to open this year. We want them to know the message of 1 John 3:1 – “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (NIV) We’re all so excited to take part in blessing these children and sharing the abundance of Christ with them. Many thanks for the opportunity to join with you in giving to them.” A check for $630.00 followed.

Dixon & Clement Opening Christmas Shoeboxes, Zambia 2007

In Zambia, there are thousands of grandmother’s looking after tens of thousands of their “little darlings” this Christmas, orphans who’ve lost their parents to HIV/AIDS and related diseases.

Few are the family members who feel the need to negotiate Christmas spending and gift giving limits for their orphaned relatives. Instead, a grandmother tells me in desperation that she has sent her 11 grandchildren “out to the streets to look for food”. Another honestly expresses the reality of her situation, “I can’t take another mouth to feed.”

The orphans Christmas list is short, but not simple:

Food.

Shelter.

Safety.

Good health.

Education.

Family.

Hope.

Love.

This Christmas, will you pray with your family and consider what you can give to help Every Orphan’s Hope deliver the gift of hope to an orphan? Maybe you’re the one who will help one of these “little darlings” receive something special.

Orphaned Girls in Kabwe, Zambia

Their Christmas list is simple. They need hope. They need Jesus. They need you.

You can give your best financial gift this Christmas on-line at Every Orphan’s Hope or mail your check to: Every Orphan’s Hope, 3245 W. Main Street, Suite 235/332, Frisco, TX 75034.

Merry Christmas!

To Do Good and To Share With Others

As my family prepares to gather for our traditional Thanksgiving Day meal, I’m reminded of all that I’m thankful for in Christ Jesus. I’m thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I’m thankful for my family, for our nation and for God’s abundant provision, I’m also thankful for the generosity of God’s people!

As a missionary family, we depend on God for our daily provision and He provides for us through His people, the Christ followers. We have not been disappointed!

Your prayers humble us. Your thoughtfulness encourages us and your financial support causes us to raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving to God our Provider.

As we approach our Thanksgiving Day celebrations with family and friends, I want you to know there are thousands of orphans in Zambia who are filled with thanksgiving to God for Christ followers like you!

They may not know your name, but they know God has blessed you and they recognize that God has blessed their lives through you. This Thanksgiving Day, as you bless God with prayers and praises of thanksgiving, let me encourage you to also pray and thank God for Eunice.

Eunice Chibangu, Age 10, Zambia

Eunice is an orphan in Zambia. She recently shared her thoughts about the help she receives through Every Orphan’s Hope:

“I have come to see that God cares very much for me and for people who don’t have much. This has helped me to have a closer relationship with God. May God bless you for what you have done for me!”

I thank God for the generosity and sacrifice that Christ followers have made to share with Eunice through the ministry of Every Orphan's Hope. Together, we are proclaiming and demonstrating Christ’s love.

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  (Hebrews 13:15-16 NIV).

Thank you for remembering that every orphan’s hope is Jesus Christ…through me and through you! May God be pleased, for He is certainly glorified through your generosity.   

God Sets the Lonely in Families

I met Offrey in June. He’s the orphan boy I wrote about in my post Raising Orphan’s to Life. I visited him in Kafue, Zambia last month.

As I bumped along the dusty road in the four-wheel drive vehicle, I wondered if Offrey’s health was improving. I wondered if God had miraculously healed him. I hoped and prayed he was in a safe place.

A local pastor was with me. He was leading me to the home where Offrey was staying. The pastor updated me about Offrey’s health. “He’s doing better and is on a regular treatment of ARV’s” he said. This is good news. (In the world of HIV/AIDS treatment, the abbreviation for the combination of anti-retroviral drugs taken by those suffering with HIV is commonly referred to as ARV’s)

Access to ARV’s and receiving the life prolonging drugs is only half the battle for Offrey. The pastor explained it this way, “Offrey struggles because of the illness. It is hard for him. He has little strength. He’s not able to attend school. But the hardest thing for Offrey is not the physical pain of his illness, what’s hardest for him is the loneliness.”

Offrey met me at the door and shook my hand. He smiled and we exchanged an awkward hug. We sat in the home of his aunt. It was good to see him out of bed and walking. We sat with the pastor and visited. Small talk mostly.

The pastor provided me a bit more background on Offrey’s extended family. Several Christian women in the area visit Offrey a couple times per week. They’re part of a home-based care group that visits those suffering with AIDS. 

“Offrey, what do like to do?” I asked. “Do you enjoy playing football (soccer)?” He looked toward the pastor as if he was searching for permission or assurance before answering me. “No, I don’t really like football anymore” he said.  The pastor gently reminded me that Offrey has been sick for some time.  

In my mind I thought about what a stupid question that was, especially my presumption that football must be something he enjoys. I had hoped my question would generate a positive response from Offrey. I was wrong. My question made him uncomfortable. He didn’t want to offend his guest, but he also didn’t want to say yes just to please me.

The silence that followed seemed to last for forever. Thoughts streamed through my mind…no mother…no father…currently lives with his aunt…lived with his uncle just three months ago…gets passed around like the unwanted gift at a white elephant exchange…friends don’t ask him to play football anymore…no schoolmates…can I even relate to this kind of loneliness?

“How old are you?” I asked. “Sixteen” he replied. Malnutrition stunted his growth. HIV made him very thin. Again, thoughts raced through my mind…my best guess was that he was 10-12 years old…16…really?…I hope my surprise is not evident on my face…what do I know?…how arrogant to presume I know anything about Offrey…God, why am I here?

I took a deep breath. “Offrey, can we be friends?” I had hoped for a quick response but he took a moment to think about my request. Then he smiled. “Yes, we can be friends.” Offrey and I continued to share with one another. His great desire is to be well enough to return to school in January 09.

So often I feel helpless when meeting children like Offrey, but never hopeless. There’s too much evidence of God’s mercy, grace and compassion in the life of Offrey to feel hopeless.

When I met Offrey in June, he was confined to a bed, to weak to sit up. But the Lord helped him attend Camp Hope, despite what seemed impossible with his illness. A pastor who met Offrey at Camp Hope has taken interest in his care. The pastor now regularly visits Offrey.  An aunt has graciously offered to care for Offrey. He’s receiving ARV treatment. Two faithful Christian women visit him weekly to help with his treatments and prepare meals for him.

I’m not sure I can do much on my own to relieve the burden of Offrey’s loneliness. I’ll do the best I can. I’ll write him. I’ll visit him. I’ll pray for him. But thankfully, I’m not carrying this burden alone.

The very day I visited Offrey, I received notice that someone from the U.S. had pledged to sponsor Offrey. God is good. He truly is a father to the fatherless. He sets the lonely in families. (Ref. Psalm 68:5a, 6a). Offrey, through his faith in Jesus Christ is an adopted son, forever in the family of God, both in this life and life eternal.

Take a moment today and thank God for your family. Thank Him for your health. Thank Him that He cares enough…to set the lonely in families. Pray for Offrey.

Watch the Video

Maybe you received the link to the new video from Every Orphan's Hope through my Facebook update last week. If so, it's okay to watch it again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5rTwl43O18

Just don't let it sit there. Please share the video with a friend, family member, your church or small group. I'm excited about what the Lord is doing for a generation of orphans in Zambia! If you're excited too, then help me share the story - pass it on!!

Have a blessed Sunday. Go and give God your best worship today!

Bread from Heaven

Malnourished and hungry, six year old Davies Mwewa stood in line with hundreds of orphans, waiting and wondering what the invitation to attend Camp Hope would bring.

Davies Mwewa at Camp Hope - 2006 

The first meal was simple enough, bread rolls and tea. Over the next four days, Davies would begin a physical transformation. Three meals a day consisting of fresh vegetables, chicken, beans, rice, beef and bread. The food brought strength to his body, clarity to his mind and comfort to his soul.

When Camp Hope ended, Davies had much more than food in his stomach. He had hope! Davies had tasted God’s bread from heaven and it was good. It satisfied his soul. Davies had received the Bread of God, Jesus Christ, who came down from heaven and who gives life to the world. (Ref. Gospel of John chapter six verse 32-35).

Pastor Mwansa and his wife took Davies into their humble home in Musonda Falls, Zambia.  The Bread of life was now tangible, loving, caring and real. His face was visible, his arms strong and his hands gentle in the fatherly care and the motherly love Davies found in Pastor Mwansa and his wife. They fed him. They nursed him to good health. They searched for his extended family. All the while, trusting God to provide what they needed…what Davies needed.

Months later a Pastor in Puerto Rico learned about the opportunity to sponsor Davies through Every Orphan's Hope. The compassion of Christ compelled him. He shared the Bread of life as best he could. He gave from what the Lord had given him. He sponsored Davies.

Davies Sponsorship Update Photo 2007 

Today, Davies is nine years old. He’s living with his grandmother, extended family and siblings. Earlier this month, we visited Davies and his extended family. He wrote the following testimony:

“After my parents died I had no people to take care of me. My health was bad and I had no people to take me to the hospital and feed me. But now I am very healthy and okay than before, am able to eat well and go to school. Even people now who were not willing to keep me are keeping me and loves me. I have even seen the love of God. Thank you for your sponsorship.”

Davies Sponsorship Update Photo 2008 

Davies Picture of His Church and Home

The Bread from heaven, Jesus Christ, satisfies completely. We praise God for Davies life. The transformation, physical and spiritual, reminds me of what Jesus declared to his disciples and the crowd that was following him, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who comes to me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)

Davies hope, and every orphan's hope, is Jesus Christ. God’s bread from heaven.

Butterfly Kisses from God

Ten orphans in Zambia recently experienced God’s faithfulness and Fatherly love through “butterfly kisses” and the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s a powerful story. A story of how God used a humble Pastor and a little white butterfly to rescue eight orphans out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Light.

You’ll be encouraged if you take a few minutes to read it. I trust God will be glorified as you do. 

As a father of three girls, there’s one thing I know for sure, my three girls were sent from heaven and they’re Daddy’s little girls!

Bob Carlisle’s #1 album on the pop music charts in the summer of 1997 and his hit single “Butterfly Kisses” moved millions of fathers to tears all over the world. Eleven years later, I still choke up when I contemplate the lyrics and think of my heaven sent girls.

But as surely as I know the joy in life that comes from my heaven sent girls, my heart breaks for heaven’s daughters who’ve been orphaned by AIDS. My only comfort comes from my Father in heaven. He assures me through his Word that he is, “A Father to the fatherless…”(Psalm 68:5), who hears the cry of the oppressed, the lonely, the orphan, and answers them…and loves them.

Pastor Stacey Brohard traveled to Zambia with Every Orphan's Hope in August. He joined with other North Americans as a member of a short-term mission team. Their goal was to share the love of Jesus Christ with orphans through our Camp Hope ministry.

One memory Pastor Brohard shared with me profoundly demonstrates the love of God. It speaks of God’s love for the world. It displays his providence and sovereignty and His intimate longing to enjoy, as I do, butterfly kisses from his heaven sent children.

The story begins with a Pastor and father, longing and laboring to communicate the love of Christ to a group of orphans in Zambia. The story ends with a gentle yet powerful demonstration of God’s Fatherly love, manifest in the seemingly random flight of a white butterfly…

Pastor Stacey Brohard at Camp Hope - Zambia 2008

“A small white butterfly fluttered about and landed on the head of one of the orphans in our group. All the children took quick notice of what was happening. It seemed they couldn’t believe their eyes!” Pastor Stacey Brohard was excited. He marveled at the sight. Butterfly kisses from God. A magnificent display of God’s unconditional Fatherly love for children, orphaned and alone, who’ve lost one or both parents to AIDS.

It was the third day of Bible lessons, crafts, games and worship at Camp Hope. Pastor Stacey and his daughter had traveled from their home in Illinois to Zambia. Members of a short-term mission team, they came to serve and encourage the Zambian Church and to share the love and gospel of Christ with hundreds of orphans gathered at camp.

After two days of sharing with the 10 orphans in his small group, Pastor Stacey was concerned. He didn’t feel he was connecting. There seemed to be a communication barrier. At the end of the morning session on the third day, not one child had accepted Christ as Savior. Pastor Stacey wondered to himself, “What am I doing wrong?”

The afternoon session began with a craft, making butterflies from clothespins and colored tissue paper. The craft was meant to illustrate God’s transforming power. A reminder of how he takes us, through Christ, from our sinful self into a beautiful new creation. The caterpillar, a lowly milkweed-eating larva is transformed into a beautiful butterfly, set free to fly and dance across the sky. Makes sense as a simple illustration, right?

It makes sense, unless caterpillars are part of your food chain. It makes sense if you’ve been to school and learned of the egg-larva-chrysalis-butterfly process in your elementary or primary school science class.

But to the orphans in Pastor Stacey’s group, it didn’t make sense. They didn’t understand the illustration. They never learned of the egg-larva-chrysalis-butterfly connection. Most of them had never been to school. If they had, it’s likely they left school to care for their dying parents or to work to support their surviving siblings. They rarely if ever see a butterfly. They eat caterpillars!

Pastor Stacey shared with 15 year old Douglas, his short-term mission team member and helper, “I don’t know where to go next with this lesson. I don’t have anything. I give up.” And he sat down in his chair and watched as they completed their butterfly craft.

As Pastor Stacey surrendered, God’s transforming power moved in – butterfly kisses from God – for the orphans He loves so much, the very ones for which he gave his only begotten Son.

Pastor Stacey continued sharing the story, “The butterfly flew from one child to another finally coming to rest in the hand of one of the boys. The children watched with wonder and fascination as the butterfly opened and closed its wings.” Pastor Stacey turned to Douglas and said, “Douglas, the Holy Spirit is here, look at what’s happening!”

Justina, another Zambian teacher/interpreter working with Pastor Stacey, became very excited and was speaking to the children in their local language. The children’s eyes widened and she became more and more animated with her story. The children were sharing something with Justina, but Pastor Stacey had no idea what was being said.

After a few minutes, Justina turned to Pastor Stacey and said, “Pastor, many of the children would like to pray and accept Jesus into their heart!” For the next hour, Pastor Stacey, Pastor Movingo, Douglas and Justina counseled the children one by one. Eight of the children prayed to receive salvation from their sins and eternal life in heaven through faith in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Stacey continued, “I was so hoping, so praying that these children would understand what I was saying…but God wanted to deliver the message personally to them. There should not have been any butterflies in camp that day. I mean, if you’ve eaten all the caterpillars, there shouldn’t be any butterflies, right?”

But there before their eyes, just as Justina had explained, was a caterpillar transformed into a beautiful butterfly. The children heard. The children saw. The children understood. “Against all odds God saved this butterfly for just this moment – that He might receive all the glory” then Pastor Stacey added, “and then I understood.”

God glorified his Son. He gave his Son the reward for his obedience, suffering and sacrifice – eight orphans in Zambia, adopted into God’s family.

One minute an orphan – alone, afraid and without hope. The next minute, adopted and heirs with Christ.  Butterfly kisses from God.

Precious butterflies, you’ve been transformed and set free. Spread your wings and fly. To God be the glory! 

Raising Orphans to Life

Raised from the dead! Is there any greater display of God's power or demonstration of His love, than when He raises the dead to life?

What name or names first come to mind when you think of the Biblical accounts of the dead being raised to life? Lazarus? Jesus?

Lazarus, according to Jesus, was raised from the dead for God's glory, so that God's Son would be glorified through it. Jesus encouraged Lazarus' sister Martha, as they were standing before the dead man's tomb, that if she believed Jesus to raise her brother from the dead she would see the glory of God. (Ref. John 11:1-44)

Interestingly, the first person raised from the dead in the Old Testament is not mentioned by name. We know he was the son of a Sidonese widow from Zarephath (Ref. 1 Kings 17:7-24). What was his name, his age? His miraculous resurrection from the dead was not a public event. It happened in an upper room of a poor widows home.

I try to imagine the conversations of the other children and parents in the community after they heard the story of Elijah's prayer and the dead boy being raised to life. Surely the widow spoke about the God of Elijah. Surely God was glorified, he raised an orphan to life!

The first person raised from the dead in the New Testament is also not mentioned by name. All we know from the Luke 7:11-17 account is that he was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow...he was an orphan, an orphan who Jesus raised to life!

Today, God is raising orphans to life in Zambia, Africa. In late June/early July, I witnessed hundreds of orphans being raised from death to life. Not physical death to physical life, but spiritual death to spiritual life! How? Through the gospel of Jesus Christ shared with approximately 300 orphans at Camp Hope.

There is such a powerful move of God among a generation of children left behind, orphaned, in the wake of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. God is still in the business of raising orphans to life, for His glory and the glory of His son Jesus Christ.

Ophrey is a boy about the same age as my own son. He's infected with HIV. He desperately wanted to participate at our Camp Hope event in Kafue. So he prayed. I prayed. And 300 orphans at Camp Hope prayed that Ophrey would join them before the last day of camp. Praying with Ophrey and believing God would give him strength to attend Camp Hope

Ophrey was invited to attend Camp Hope three months earlier by one of the 9 churches hosting the outreach event with Every Orphan's Hope. But now, sick and weakened by HIV, he had not left the home of his uncle, or the bed he was now confined to for almost three weeks.

When we visited Ophrey we were encouraged to learn that he was saved. He had trusted Christ for his salvation. But Ophrey desperately wanted to join his friends at Camp Hope.

As we prayed for Ophrey, I was encouraged that the Lord would give him the strength to attend Camp Hope by Friday (we visited him on a Wednesday). So I told Ophrey, "God will give you strength, we'll see you at Camp on Friday!"

When I returned to camp, we gathered the 300 orphans together for a time of worship and prayer. I shared Ophrey's story with the children and asked them to pray for him. Immediately the children took each others hands, bowed their heads and began to pray for Ophrey.

Friday came and Ophrey was at Camp Hope. When the children saw him, they gathered together to worship and praise the Lord! It was a wonderful testimony of the grace and power of God. The children at Camp had seen a tangible answer to their prayer. Ophrey knew the goodness and power of God. He'd been raised in the strength of God to the glory of God.

Raising orphans to life? Ophrey and 300 orphans who attended Camp Hope in Kafue would say God is still in the business of raising orphans to life, for His glory and the glory of his Son, Jesus Christ.