Count to two…

…in the time it took you to do this, one orphan has aged out of a government system, into the world with no home or family.  38,493 children age out of the system every day; for most, no one is available to guide them and still they’ve never heard those three words that tickle our ears and hearts–“I love you”.

Why such a tragedy?–Because they are not our own?  They were too old?  They had a special need? They carried a past?  There are too many? Adoption is expensive?  –If you would consider adoption, but these thoughts stand in your way, do some research.  A bit of digging and hard work can go along way.

I can’t fathom having no one.  Those that age out of the system become vulnerable to a world, that frankly, is cruel and evil.  Millions of aged out children are susceptible to the sex and drug trade–a pit of hopelessness, where they attempt to find success and value yet ultimately will lose both.

There is approximately 143,000,000 orphans in the world today.  Combine the populations of New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and 47 of the other largest cities in the USA, plus combine the populations of Greece, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, France, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and you have the estimated number of orphans worldwide today.  Each year 250,000 are adopted, yet at the same time, 14,050,000 age out.  Approximately, 5,760 children will become orphans today.  The numbers are staggering, and we are responsible for doing something.

“Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless; Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.  Deliver the weak and needy from the hand of the wicked.”  –Ps 82:3-4

Become an advocate for orphans.  Include waiting children in your blog.  Print off a picture of a child and place it in your car.  Every time you stop at a light glance down at that picture briefly and pray aloud to your Savior.  Ask God to bring that child home to a family that will teach them of His unfailing love (, obviously keep your eyes open :).  Consider adoption…really consider it.  Does your family have the resources? If you live in the U.S., you are likely among some of the wealthiest people in the world.  Granted you may not feel like it, but research other countries, we do pretty well.  You have more access to medical care, education, and other freedoms an orphan may never have access to elsewhere.  If adoption’s not for you, consider donating money to a non-profit organization or expend money to go visit orphans.  Research the organization well, what is their primary purpose?–Sharing Christ with an orphan can change their life and give them a Father like no other and a purpose and a guide.  Consider becoming a foster parent.  Mentor a child currently in the system.  118,000 children are currently available in the U.S. for adoption and are just waiting.  Whatever it is, decide to do something, because we, as Christians, are responsible to provide for them.  For He loved us, when we were far from Him.  He chose us, when we didn’t know Him, and He has called us to do the same.  Could you change the life of one?  You are their only hope.