Loaves and Fishes...

I have been thinking alot about what orphan care looks like lately.

There are obvious ways...like adoption...but there are so many other ways as well.

It's not just about caring for the child after he/she becomes the orphan...the goal I think is to stop the reason's there are orphans in the first place. Yes I totally realize that on this side of heaven we will not be able to stop that from happening completely, but we can sure work on making a dent in the issue.

There have been times... and I still have moments where I think the issue is just too large. But then I think of the story of the boy and the star fish.

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

by Loren Eiseley

I look at the eyes of baby Helen's mother and think...it's too large. I think of baby M still waiting for her mommy and daddy and think...it's too big (and God why can't I have her?!). I read stories of children living in a dump scrounging for food to survive and think...how can I possibly make a difference. I look at the face of my stunningly beautiful Bizu whom we sponsor and think...is it enough? I hear stories of babies in orphanages that are left on cribs day after day and think...how can we make a difference?

We do it one at a time.

Have you read about Jesus feeding the 5000? If not check it out here John 6:1-14.

Jesus wasn't surprised that that many people showed up. Can you imagine the thoughts of the disciples though? It's too large, there are too many people, we can't possibly feed all of these people...they even said as much to Jesus. He calmly asked them to find some food, and he would provide. One small boy offered his lunch and became part of a miracle.

That's what He says to us. Find a loaf...look for a fish... I will take care of the rest. Be my hands and feet and I will show you my provision.

The mantra that goes through my head constantly when I think there isn't possibly going to be enough is "Loaves and Fishes...Loaves and Fishes" He will take what each of us does and multiply it, but we must take that first step.

Here's an awesome post about a couple of ways you can help right now: Acts of Kindness

Be a part of Orphan Sunday.

Attend the Mid-Atlantic Orphan Summit.

Pray about how you can offer your meal and see how Jesus will multiply it...so that it's bigger than you can imagine.