New things

So yet again, it has been a long time since I've posted but I wanted to share some exciting new things God has been doing.

Continually orphans have been on my heart... since last April and since my trip in August. It is a very common occurrence that I even dream about orphans and African babies. I have been so blessed to get connected with Hope Grafted In (www.hopegraftedin.org) and stay in contact as well with Damalie from Sangaalo Babies in Uganda.

Earlier this month, I got an amazing opportunity. I am now the Orphan Awareness Advocate for Kingdom Justice at Hosanna! I met with Jen, the Justice Champion, and she's been such an encouragement to me in learning more about orphan care. Within Kingdom Justice, there's people leading ministry in sex-trafficking and slavery, adoption, safe families, prayer, and the Ethiopia and India programs. But there hasn't been anyone to head up orphan awareness. Earlier this year, I was not yet ready to undertake this, but at this point, I've been looking for more to get involved in and it was the right timing and fit.

I have to say, I am SO EXCITED about this! Since accepting, I have been dreaming and praying about what orphan ministry can be here. It's the ground floor and so there's freedom to dream and wonder at what could be. Thinking about others rising up alongside me for this cause so close to my heart gets me so excited! Hopefully, we'll be having a few trips in the next year or so to visit orphans. I would have the chance to lead a group of people from the church to visit orphanages and witness them catch the vision. To see children, to hug them and hold your hand, it changes you. You are never the same and your heart is captured. You see God's heart in a whole new way. You catch the fire. And then to come back here with that fire... AMAZING!!

Also, we just became members of Christian Alliance for Orphans. This is an awesome network of organizations, churches, individuals- all with the goal to "inspire, equip and connect Christians to reflect God’s heart in caring for orphans in adoption, foster care and global orphan care initiatives." It's such a neat resource. They put on a Summit conference each year, and I have the opportunity to go in May! I'm hoping others from here can go with me and we will learn more about starting an orphan ministry and the world of orphan care.

Please be praying for me as I walk forward in this new role. My greatest desire is that this would continue to be God's thing. It's not my plans or dreams, but God's plans and dreams. I want only to be used to convey it. I want to be open to God's leading, the people he brings alongside me, and to continually have growing passion for God's heart for the fatherless.