Heartwork

Several months ago, when I had just started learning more about Orphan Care, I was told about a webinar with Christian Alliance for Orphans. The webinar was called: Engaging Students in the Father's Heart for the Fatherless and it featured an organization called Heartwork. Their slogan is "destiny rescuing destiny". The is means that we are able to be part of rescuing the destiny of orphans. As we help fund food for them, or water, or education, or we take a trip and love them, we are rescuing their destiny. We are changing their future. But in that process, our destiny changes. Our heart becomes more like the Father's and we now have a heart to be active in caring for orphans. This is what God called us to do- defend the cause of the fatherless. Care for orphans in their distress.

I find that after going on my trip, and even before I went, my destiny has changed. I want to shout from the rooftops about these children. Each one I met, and even the ones I didn't meet but just say as we drove past, is SO LOVED by the Father. He has plans for them, to give them a hope and a future. But if I really believe that I am Christ's ambassador, that I am his hands and feet here on earth until he returns, then I must do something!

And in coming back, I've realized the huge impact we can make from America on orphans, from right here at home. So much of their needs are physical/material. And we have the money to help. They need money to be able to attend school. Funds to purchase nutritious food.

One story is from Canaan Children's home in Uganda. This place is so close to my heart. We stayed here the entire time we were in Uganda so we had 4-5 days to get to know these children. From the moment we arrived we were so loved by these children. I can tell you more stories about my special ones here soon. On the property there is a hospital and the Canaan school is closeby. The schools in not just for these 100 children, but 700 more from the community who can't afford tuition at most schools, but Canaan is set up to be more affordable for this community. When i returned home, I learned even more about the food for these children. Each morning they'd have porridge (with not much value), and for lunch and dinner they would  have beans and posho (posho is a filler food made with corn flour and water). On Sundays they would get rice instead of posho for dinner. As you can see, the food was more to fill that to give nutrition. And many of the children would struggle in school to have the energy for the day. Many had distended stomachs.

But this all began to change with a little help. Program 21 was started through a girl named Becca at  Voices 4 the Voiceless (http://voices4thevoiceless.org/) and here's what she started:

Program 21 Goals:To increase the health and overall quality of life for the children at Canaan Children’s Home by providing them with increased nutrition through a more balanced and nutritious diet.

Program 21 Details:
Each child receives 1 boiled egg every morning before going to school.

Each child receives sugar in their breakfast porridge.
• Each child receives meat for lunch on Sundays after church. A select amount of children eat chicken due to stomach and allergy issues, but the majority of the children eat beef.
• Each child receives fruit 2 times a week. The fruit is often 1 banana for each child on one day, and pineapple the other day. When mangos are in season and the price becomes lower, those will be substituted in as well.
• Each child receives vegetables 2 times a week. The vegetables are usually some sort of greens on one day, and then a large raw carrot for each child on the other day. Other vegetables are also rotating in and out according to the season and ever-changing prices.

This photo is of a little girl taken 10 months apart. She looks drastically different and is so much healther. Becca's dream changed this little girl's life.  And many more are partnering in Project 21 to sustain this effort at Canaan's. 

God is calling us all to different things. But HE IS CALLING US. What will you do? Who is the ONE you will help?

Christmas is coming

I know it has been so long since I've posted. I arrived home and the business of fall kick-off took over. And to be honest, I didn't feel like I was able to really process the trip. I'm saying now, I want to share more of the stories, more of the faces with you.

Since coming home, I've felt a particular leading to keep supporting the baby home I visited in Uganda. There was a little girl, Sarah, that I held all day. She is a beautiful little girl and from the minute we arrived, my heart was held by her. She was sitting on a mat with all the other children and Damalie, the woman who runs the home and loves these babies so much, told us we were welcome. She said to feel free to pick up and hold and hug and love these babies all day. Sarah was there, smiling so so big. I went over, held out my arms, and we were together all day.

When I came home, Sarah stayed on my heart. I found out that through Hope Grafted In (www.hopegraftedin.org) I was able to sponsor Sarah and help support Damalie and her ministry.

Christmas is coming and there is a team going there. We are able to send gifts to our kids there and so I've been looking for a baby doll and board book. While looking, I was disheartened. There are barely any dolls that are not Caucasian. Why is this? And books were even more difficult to find. Most talk about "mommy love you" or are very American with pictures of houses and wealth. In sending a book to Sarah, I want to send something that she will relate to. Even at the Christian store, the Bible stories are filled with white people. I'm not totally sure what this means or why I'm sharing it, but I was saddened by this. It made me want to be a children's book author. Needless to say, I found a cute one of baby animals, but just wanted to encourage us all to be thinking outside ourselves. Look outside your situation and think about what this season is like for others in our community, in our county, in our world.

As Christmas comes, I'm so blessed to have the opportunity to give to my orphan girl who I love. I can make a difference for ONE child this Christmas. I want to encourage you to do something. Do something for ONE; someone here in America, in Minnesota, or around the globe. God's called us to a beautiful family- HIS family. And together, He's calling us to be a part of HIS STORY. To join the adventure and make a difference in the Kingdom.