“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27
Orphans
Orphanages are no longer common in the U.S.A. And, most people would consider an orphanage a horrible place. Some individuals might even believe they are entirely unnecessary in today’s world. And, I confess that I felt that way many years ago. However, God changed my mind when I met my first orphan in an underdeveloped country. Suddenly, James 1:27 took on a new meaning for me and led me into a ministry to orphans. Almost thirty years later, the work continues. But, let me share how God is changing lives through the ministry of Orphan Relief Effort, Inc.
Orphans in Nepal
In Nepal, vulnerable boys and girls live on the streets. Children as young as five are left to fend for themselves. Filthy faces, distended bellies, and hopelessness make them stand out among the tourist. Yet, they become lost in a sea of humanity. Most have no education, and many have never experienced a loving hug. One four-year-old boy we found had never been potty trained and was forced to live in soiled clothes. I wanted to make a difference in his life by providing a home for him.
Soon, I discovered the “other” places where orphans existed in Nepal. Some children are sold into lives of slavery in factories, arranged marriages, or worse. Also, girls as young as ten become wives to forty-year-old men for a price. One girl was brought to our orphanage before her family sold her to a circus in India. Unfortunately, her siblings were not as lucky as her.
Orphans in Myanmar
In Myanmar (formally known as Burma), years of extreme poverty and ongoing conflicts ravaged the country and left many children as orphans. And, even though these kids might not live on the streets, their situation was no better than those we found in Nepal. Many never attended school. But, the few who went to school did not succeed in classrooms because of the hunger pains in their bellies. But, those in our orphanage thrived in their new environment.
God’s heart breaks for the orphans of the world. And, He calls all of us to make a difference for them. I said yes to this calling, and now many lost children live very different lives. God provided them with love, food, medical care, and education through the organization we formed. And, we witness lives transformed by the hand of God every day.
More Help is Needed
The work continues and grows. We provide for fifty children in our orphanage in Myanmar and twenty-five children in Nepal. We need donors to help us with this calling. Please consider partnering with us. Please consider joining us as a prayer partner if you cannot donate. We want to make sure these children are covered in prayer daily. Please connect with us:
Webpage: http://www.orphanreliefeffort.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OREInc
Twitter: @OrphanREffort
Prayer
Dear Lord, Your Word calls us to hunger and thirst for righteousness — a righteousness that leads to compassion for the poor and a renewing of minds. Lead us to this kind of faith that works to make a better world for all children. And it is right to be angry about people who exploit children. So let that righteous anger fuel action, Lord. Don’t let it fade into complacency. Lead us to those you want us to help. In Jesus’ Most Holy Name. Amen.
Wherever we see this in the world, God compels us to show love in whatever way we can. Loved this heart-breaking post Ms. Yvonne.
Thanks so much JD. We all need to spread more of God’s love around. It would change the world. Blessings
Thanks for shining light on this need and on efforts to meet this need. Children are our most vulnerable group. Prayers!
Thanks so much Candyce. They are our future and God calls us to have faith like a child. Blessings
What beautiful faces in your picture. What you are doing in their lives is amazing.
Thanks Jennifer. God does most of the work, I just get to along for the amazing journey. Blessings
Praying for all children. Thank you for the work you do to help.
Thanks Melissa. I love all that God has allowed me to do. Blessings
Yvonne, thank you for sharing this need and for your generous heart to these orphans. I would love to help. Do donations go thru your website? Your post definitely brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks Barbara. Yes, you can donate through the website https://orphan-relief-effort.org/campaigns/change-the-world-for-an-orphan/. Or through PayPal at PayPal.Me/oreinc. Blessings
This is so beautiful. God bless you and so many others for the love and compassion you are showing in the name of Jesus. Orphans and other problems of the world are ALL OF OUR problems. We together are the body of Christ. We are all called to help however we can!!
Thanks so much Jessica. God calls each of us to do our part as His hands and feet. Blessings
I love your focus on orphans. You are reaching and helping many! We’ve been affiliated with a similar outreach in India for 25 years. Orphan care is attached to our Indian-founded seminary and to the smaller colleges in each state. Pastors are trained in orphan care along with all of the academic and spiritual resources they will need. We’ve made orphan care a part of our education plan, because, as you know, orphans are everywhere in India and all are desperately in need. The need is enormous, but the givers are few. I hope and pray that your outreach toward orphans will grow and enlarge all over the world, sister.
I love your comment “the need is enormous but the givers are few.” So very true. Thanks for all you do too. May many more join the work. Blessings sister
God bless the babies and children here and there and you for your efforts!
Thanks Nancy. So many need our help. Blessings
It’s easy to think the problem is so large that we can’t make a difference. But as the story of the boy on the beach tossing starfish back into the ocean reminds us, we make a difference one child at a time.
Amen Ava. We can all make a difference. Blessings
Thank you for sharing these stories. We need to hear and respond.
Thanks Annie. We are all called to help others. Blessings
Yvonne, these posts always move my heart. And learning more about specific children and their story, as you describe here, makes it more heartfelt. How said what children around the world go through at such a young and innocent age and time in their life. Thank you for living out James 1:27 and inspiring others to do the same.
Thanks so much Karen. I appreciate it. Blessings
Yvonne, your story is filled with heartbreaking facts, yet encouragement as we read how God makes a difference through willing believers. Thank you for ministering with His love to precious children and for sharing with us. I’m adding your ministry to my prayer notebook. I’ll be in touch.
Thanks Jeannie. God can do amazing things through each of us. I’m blessed by the work too. Blessings