April 30th, 2010
Touching Their Hearts & Changing Their World
Though a ton caught my attention during my recent visit to Haiti, it was the children that captured my heart. In the wake of so much suffering and in the midst of squalor, they were still kids…innocent, sweet, and unbelievably happy. They found ways to enjoy their context with just as much or even more exuberance than kids in America as they walk through the doors of Toys R Us.
These kids really did blow me away as I took their pictures. In fact, I found myself having to intentionally focus on the reality that many of these kids, though smiling and playing, were hungry, displaced, grieving, vulnerable, and facing a very uncertain future…one without education or opportunity. Though smiling and hopeful now, they could become consumed with anger, disillusionment, and despair unless something unexpected happens to touch their hearts and change their world.
I believe that’s the role that God has given us, His people, in this world.
Luke 18:16 – But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
James 1:27 – Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
John 13:34-35 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Matthew 5:14 – “You are the light of the world.”
Because of this, we have decided to begin partnering with World Orphans, (worldorphans.org). They are an organization committed to empowering churches to fulfill their God-given mandate to care about and help rescue orphans around the world. They have just begun a special “Orphan and Vulnerable Child” program in Haiti. It’s purpose is to connect churches like NorthRidge to churches in Haiti for the purpose of saving orphans. As our church provides resources to a handpicked partner church in Haiti, they will provide food, medical care, education, grief counseling and love to twenty orphans.
I’m excited that NorthRidge gets to be part of the genesis of this very important program in a place that is so desperate for a glimpse of God’s love. Please pray that God uses us to provide that unexpected touch that provides hope and changes these precious children’s present and future lives and world.
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cherilans
Brad, I am so excited about your decision to partner with World Orphans and their “Orphan and Vulnerable Child” program for the children in Haiti! How will we be able to participate/help in this endeavor? As always, I will continue to pray for God to use us to the fullest in reaching out to His precious Haitian children.
MarkSpizer
great post as usual!
bob burnside
WHAT ABOUT AMERICA…far from Toys R Us…I have never seen such a BROKEN Nation.We have the Sandra Bullock’s of the world etc …globe trotting for ,I WONDER.The children in our own backyard need US!
Brad Powell
Thanks for your thoughts, Bob. I agree that children in our own country need us. This is why the NorthRidge Church family is significantly investing in growing our orphan ministry here in our world. As I often say, it would be a crime for us to invest in Haiti and other regions of the world if we weren’t first investing in our own region of the world. With that being said, the reality is that God has not given us liberty to ignore the rest of the world because we have needs in our own community. It’s not an either/or deal. It’s a both/and deal. As Acts 1:8 makes clear, we are to care about and invest in our own community all the way to the uttermost. This is what we’re seeking to do. I also think it’s important to remember that, in America, there is help for the poor that genuinely doesn’t exist in other parts of the world, such as Haiti. While not an excuse for looking past those hurting in our community, it is a reality worth keeping in mind as we seek to reflect our loving God who is not willing that any should perish, 2 Peter 3:9.
Bev Baruk
this is the answer to what I have been praying for to be a part of, a way for me to do my part, thank you…!
Deborah
God Bless you Brad in Jesus Name. Our Bible said’s you will know them by their fruit, what a blessing you are to the body of Christ Thanks!
nathan
God will reward all your labour all.your labour of loveof love.
Kim
So excited to read about your trip to Haiti. God has been working on my heart and orphans do it to me everytime. My recent trip to Swazi was filled with joy and heartache all at the same time. My thought was I had loved on these children as much as I could for the time I was there and now I’m gone. What’s going to happen now? God is moving our church and I am so excited to see where He’s taking us….