And that approximately 5,700 children become orphans every day?
Those numbers are staggering to me. And the fact that the total estimated number has a spread of 65 million, should indicate that the problem is much bigger than we can even track. Or count. Or maybe we are just afraid to admit.
About 250,000 orphans are adopted annually.
That sounds pretty good until you realize that about 14 Million per year grow up and 'age out' of the system. Aging out means that although they may still be "child-like" and would not even be able to drive a car here in the U.S., they hit an age when the government will not allow them to be adopted. They are forever left with the status of "orphan." Those children have seen their friends leave one by one. They may have been waiting to be adopted for years, sometimes since they were toddlers. And at some point in the near future, they will be asked to leave the orphanage. Young. Untrained. Unskilled. Unwanted by their home society.
Over the past year, the needs of these children have become a burden on my heart. A constant prayer. An inconceivable mountain.
Today, though, I bring you great joy.
And am pleased to announce......that there is one less.
One less orphan.
One less homeless.
One less child that will not know the loving arms of a forever family.
Announcing the pending arrival of.....
[insert drum roll here]
our little Mei Mei
Estimated arrival time: December 2011
Birthday: November 2008
Likes: music, books, and hopefully us!
Please pray for a quick and easy transition to her new life, and for a healthy girl.
And pray for the other millions of orphans, younger and older, still waiting for their forever families.
If you are interested in adoption, or in supporting some of the wonderful foster homes that bring joy, hope and medical treatment to these needy children let me know, I can give you some information.
"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."
James 1:27 NLT
