New adoption statistics from Alliance member Bethany Christian Service brought cheers from orphan advocates this week. As reported by Bethany and covered in the Christian Post, January to June 2010 was Bethany's “highest-ever increase in adoption placements for a half-year period.”
Bethany Christian Services reported that the combined international and domestic adoption placement increased 26 percent [...]
It can be breathtaking to see all God is stirring for “the cause of the fatherless” on a broad scale, nationwide and beyond. But most compelling of all are simply the individual stories of lives touched deeply through choices to open heart and home to orphans. The truth is, adoption and other ways of loving [...]
Two write-ups on orphans in China came across my radar today. Both carry special significance for people with a heart for China's orphans.
They also underscore a broader reality orphan advocates sometimes miss: that the situation facing orphans in any given country can change markedly over time. Drivers of change can range from more obvious factors [...]
Today marks the six month anniversary of Haiti's catastrophic earthquake. Aside from the small uptick of coverage surrounding the 6-month milestone, the eyes of the world havelargely turned elsewhere: to oil leaks, soccer matches and November elections. Of course, this was all but inevitable. The 24-hour news cycle is fueled by “new,” and a tale [...]
The last post highlighted the need for men, specifically, to catch up with our stalwart sisters in taking up the cause of the fatherless. My own father-who embodies for me the blend of gentleness and strength that marks a man fully committed to Christ-shared with me a song last week that resounds with this theme [...]
A Time for Men
It sometimes seems Christian men are ten steps behind the women in responding to God's call to care for orphans, whether via adoption, foster care or global orphan care. There'd be a lot to say about reasons why. But whatever the cause, one thing is clear: men need to know that when [...]
This week the Alliance hosted the first in its monthly webinar series for church orphan ministries. The series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.
You can watch the webinar “How to Help without Hurting” here. Alongside other practical advice, presenters Elizabeth [...]
It's a beautiful thing. For Christians who yearn to see the Church grow impassioned for the Gospel and the orphan, the newly-arrived July edition of Christianity Today is little short of thrilling. The cover declares, Abba Changes Everything: Why every Christian is called to rescue orphans. Inside, an excellent introduction framing the magazine is headlined, [...]
When Rachel and I traveled to pick up our adopted daughter, Eden, in Ethiopia, we had the chance to spend time at several orphanages. One that particularly stuck with me is the Kolfe Orphanage in Addis Ababa, a home for older boys: its battered building sit in dry, hardpan clay; thin rays of hope came [...]
Cardus online carries the article, Crossing the Sahara. It explores a question that haunts many who care deeply about orphans, foster youth and other pressing needs: Given the struggle and sorrow that mark so many attempts at bringing justice and mercy, is there really any motivation that can keep us in this work for [...]
