Orphan Sunday and the Mestas Family

So...it has been a while since I blogged.  Okay, it's been a long while.  But I think about it often and I'm determined to get back to it.

So I decided this evening that the best place to start is today.

Orphan Sunday.

I had not heard of this "first Sunday in November" until three or four years ago.  I'm not sure if I just wasn't paying attention or if it just had not been mentioned in front of me.  Either way, it was a new "day" to me.

Orphans.  The estimates vary but it's in the millions.  Like 147 million or 153 million or maybe even 161 million orphans in the world.  Yes, millions of children who don't have a mom and/or dad.  Or any family for that matter.

So what can one person or family do to help that many orphans.  Nothing.  I can't change the world for that many.  But I can do something for one.  And I do.  We do.  As a family we sponsor a boy in Ethiopia.  We pray for him.  We send him care packages so he will know he is in our minds and hearts.  We pray for him.  We correspond with him online when possible.  We pray for him some more.

If every person who has the ability would do something for one orphan, guess what!?  Those millions of orphans wouldn't feel alone anymore.  Whether it's adoption or sponsorship or foster care or however else you find to care for the orphans, do it for ONE!

Today at our home church, we observed Orphan Sunday by having Eileen Mestas share their family's adoption journey story.  It was a treat for me because we have walked a small part of this journey with the Mestas'.  Even though I know how it ends (so far), I still enjoy hearing it.  It's a reminder every time to trust God no matter what.  To live by FAITH when it seems crazy.

To hear their whole story, get the book!  Make sure you have a box of tissues handy!

So as we go through November - which is also Orphan Awareness Month - and have Thanksgiving and move toward Christmas, I don't want to forget the kids all over the world who are waiting for someone to be the ONE to them.

This photo reminds me that heaven is going to be full of people from every tribe and nation.