By Phyllis M. LaBranche | MSW Ethiopia Country Director
Who cares for orphans?
If not the church, than who? The government? The UN? Surely these great organizations have resources and a stake in the welfare of children. But who feeds and clothes and loves the orphans that live among us? The hospitals? The schools? No. It is the church. The church is the representation of GOD on earth and must, I say, MUST do the work of caring for orphans in our communities.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)
In developed countries, governmental social services provide the framework to care for, provide, and protect all children in need. Many people who work in these agencies are Christians driven by a passion is to serve orphans and others who need support. And it is of no wonder that these agencies are filled with Christians; every modern governmental program can find their roots in the church. Before the department of health and human services existed, it was the church that cared for and protected children. It was the church that fed the poor, the outcast, and the downtrodden. Today, laws to protect the unprotected and public social services to meet and fund those needs of the needy.
However, in the developing world, no such agencies exist or if they do, they have yet to develop effective programs. Therefore, the Church must rise up and fill the need to care for, provide, and protect the children. Church-based orphan care provides community-based social services. Thus, by empowering the local church to do the work of caring for orphans and doing it well for the individual child, we are aiding in the development of that whole country.
WORLD ORPHANS does just that. We empower local churches to rescue and care for orphans in their communities by connecting western churches in the developed world to local churches in the developing world. If the church can bring change to their country, surely together we can change the world. Together we will make a difference.
Rescue an orphan, change the world.