written on 10-20-15
Partnering with churches for orphan prevention is the succinct tag line of our ministry. I had the incredible privilege of spending a little bit of time with some of the leaders of one of our strongest church partners in Ethiopia, Nefas Silk Meseret Kristos Church.
This local church has a leadership team of men and women that do the work of the ministry to families, marriages, children, youth, evangelism and discipleship. They have a dedicated group of women who gather together to pray every week, and Adoption Ministry 1:27 is an integral part of their ministry package. One of the pastors read Acts 6:1-4:
But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
Evangelist Tamarit said that since Adoption Ministry 1:27 linked arms with their fellowship, the burden of caring for the poor was taken from their shoulders, freeing them up to teach, evangelize and disciple new converts. He thanked me and was so appreciative of the good work AM 1:27 has done among their widows. He went on to say they used to be inundated with complaints and needs and serious problems, but now the widows’ needs are being met through food distribution, our case manager prays with them and problem-solves, and mission teams serve them with practical helps. AM 1:27 helped 16 of their poorest children cover all their school needs this fall. He could not stop thanking me and Adoption Ministry 1:27 for lifting the burden of the poor and expressed immense gratitude for our partnership.
The practical work of helping the poor… is something you can do!
The next several hours were spent adding twelve families to our program. Three of the situations I classified as high priority and one was critical. She had no food. None. She had become so desperate she considered putting her baby in an orphanage so he could eat and maybe be adopted by a mother who could give him what she couldn’t. I assured her that would not be necessary and that we would get her food and gradually help her find her way to stability. Our case manager was given 700 birr ($35) to buy her food for a month and she replied with the words, “Beweta Yteka!” or, “Thank you! Let God replace what you spent on me.” I hope I can find someone to “adopt” her and by doing so reinforce the truth that God sees and uses His people to be His hands and feet.
Another situation is a 14-year-old boy who lost both his parents, recently his grandfather died, and is now living in the abusive home of his uncle. He needs to get out of that situation immediately. We will find a good home for him within his church family, but most are poor and we need a sponsor for him.
There is a single lady who is paralyzed on her right side. She was living with an elderly lady but the old lady moved to the Orthodox Church to die and this 23-year-old has nowhere to live, no way to earn money, no family support, and is scared to death of her future.
How about a mother of three who was forced to marry her husband when she was 13. He recently deserted her and the children and they are on the brink of collapse.
I am calling out to my circle of friends to help me find sponsors for these families! $50 a month will alleviate hunger for one family… imagine that! If you have already adopted a family, please advocate for these desperate people and galvanize your friends and family to step forward, go to our web site, and click on I WANT TO ADOPT A FAMILY and have the immense privilege of bringing relief to the Lord Jesus Himself (read Matthew 25:34-46 if you don’t believe me).
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