Orphan Sunday

Happy Orphan Sunday! I can't decide if that is an appropriate statement or just a complete oxymoron. Happy-Orphan? Doesn't sound right, does it?

 Today I got spend my Orphan Sunday in the most perfect way imaginable, okay maybe second best to actually being in Africa, but still in a pretty perfect way. Today I got to love on a baby that was once labeled unloved, rejected, and orphaned. Today I got to hold a miracle in my arms. Today I saw the face of God in an eight month old baby boy. Today I got to see the hands and feet of Jesus Christ through the family who brought him home.Today I celebrated that number of orphans in the world is one less.

When I woke up this morning I couldn't decide what mood to be in. I was excited that today people all over the world would be in prayer for the millions of orphaned children of the world. But at the same time I was heartbroken because there are millions of orphaned children in the world. It is this strange bitter-sweet feeling that I cant put into words. All day my heart has been aching and I have been filled with sense of longing. I couldn't quite put my finger on what for exactly, but the feeling was still there.It was when I was holding that sweet Ethiopian baby in my arms that I realized what my heart was longing for. No not to adopt a baby, at least not yet ha ha, but a longing for hope. 

I can't tell you the number of times that I have been faced with negativity or criticism for my love of orphans. Just recently I was hit with a truck load of hostility for my love and passion. I have been asked numerous times why bother, it's not like you can make a difference. One thing that I just cant get people to understand is that THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Everyday God is calling us to "speak up for those who can not speak for themselves" and to "look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." God has given us the power to make a difference. God has given us the power of prayer.  So friends I ask you to please PRAY PRAY PRAY. Pray for the Orphans of the world, pray for the families that God is calling to adopt, pray for the missionaries all around the world who are caring for these orphans.

Today I longed for hope and God gave it to me. Today I saw that although there are millions of orphans in the world, every day babies are being brought home to their forever homes. Some may say that one less orphan does not make a big difference, but oh let me tell you, it makes the biggest difference. 

My heart is still filled with longing, and I still don't know what exactly for. I miss Africa. I miss my many friends I met there. I don't know what God's plan is for me, but I am praying that what ever it may be, it will be glorifying to HIM. I left my heart in Africa that day I boarded the plane and came home, and who knows --  maybe someday soon I'll go back and get it. But until then I am here, praying for the orphans of the world, and loving on the ones who have been brought home. 

Happy Orphan Sunday everyone.

XOXO,
Katie