Voice of the Orphan

Nov 08 Special Alert
A special message from FamilyLife, Focus on the Family, and Shaohannah's HopeAn Orphan's Voice...What is it like to be 9 years old with no parents, nothing to call your own, and no hope for a better future? Katya knows. After her parents died from alcohol abuse, she entered a state-run orphanage in Russia in 1998. Suffering from cerebral palsy and needing surgery on both of her legs and back, there was little chance anyone would adopt her. She faced a lifetime of loneliness, pain, and sorrow.But Katya was blessed. Someone cared. In 2000, Jan in Arkansas discovered Katya's picture on a "waiting child" Internet site, and amazingly all she could think was, "Sign me up!" Nine months later, Katya landed in the warm embrace of her new family and was determined to live her life for other children like her, who faced a life without hope.Today, Katya is in the 11th grade, has raised over $5000 for the US Waiting Child Fund, and in 2005 was named Youth Humanitarian for the State of Arkansas. "I'm grateful that I was adopted," Katya says. "Now I have a chance to be happy, and to make my life whatever I want it to be. I hope that at the end of my life I will be remembered for doing my best with the second chance that I was given." The Orphan CrisisThe United Nations counts 143 million kids worldwide as orphans — 143 million children like Katya.
143 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents … … from AIDS, war, ethnic cleansing, natural disasters … … and now many are condemned to lives of crime, prostitution, and killing in order to survive.
Why This MattersThe world's orphans are — waiting for love, waiting for family, waiting for someone to care.Many wait in vain. And the world pays a terrible price.Orphaned girls are often recruited into brothels … orphaned boys, as young as 5, are recruited into gangs, armies, and terrorist groups.
In the U.S., the consequences of neglecting our waiting children are horrifying.
30% of all the homeless adults in the United States spent time in foster care.
One in three youth who turn 18 and leave foster care resort to stealing, prostitution, or selling drugs. One in four spend time in jail or prison.
The children wait. Does anyone care?What We're DoingThe Bible is clear. God cares deeply. And because of God's special concern for these vulnerable children, we care, as well. That's why FamilyLife, Focus on the Family and Shaohannah's Hope have joined together to launch a long-term, nationwide campaign called Voice of the Orphan. This campaign seeks to raise awareness of the orphan crisis and spur fellow Christians to action.What You Can DoTogether, we are helping to educate concerned Christians worldwide regarding this important crisis, and we offer practical and effective ideas on how every Christian can get involved in caring for the world’s orphans. We invite you to join us — and learn more about God's heart and what you can do for these special children.
Here's How You Can Help
Learn about the issue — Tune into the broadcastsFind a station Get a reminder
Find ways to help orphansat www.voiceoftheorphan.org
Inform your family and friends by forwarding this message
Family Life and Focus on the Family Broadcasts
November 13th - 17thFeatured guests:
Dr. Dobson & Jim Daly
Dennis & Barbara Rainey
Steven Curtis Chapman
Stephanie Fast
Family Life Broadcast Schedule
Focus on the Family Broadcast Schedule
… You are the defender of orphans … LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer terrify them.— Psalm 10:14, 17-18

www.voiceoftheorphan.org