orphan children

James 1:27 "This is pure and undefiled religion in teh sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Last night the staff of our church and the missions team met with a representative from Buckner Child & Family Services. All I can say is that I am left with a heavy heart. He shared 5 different areas of the world where Buckner is involved with orphanages. We are trying to determine where and how to lead our church to be involved....beyond a single mission trip, more than just giving financially....but investing in the lives of these orphans for a long-term, committed relationship.

I know that God has been preparing me these past few years to be ready for a trip like this. I've been thinking a lot about what life must be like for these children. What emotions they feel the freedom to express? What dreams do they have? Are they even able to be emotionally open to others to receive God's love? Will they see as "those American tourists"? Those questions open a whole other set of concerns for me. Will I be willing to get out of my comfort and do what is best for them? Will what we offer be pleasing to God? Will it seem like we are there simply for the sake of saying, "I've been there and done that." I don't want to go if we're only looking to check it off our list and feel good about what we do. If anything, my prayer is that those who go will come back and be worse for it. That it will mess us up in a serious way. That we will be passionate about what we can do and plead to our Father for intervention. That this will stir some HOLY DISCONTENT in us that is the motivator and driving force behind our lives.

What does it mean when James says "to look after widows and orphans" AND "not be polluted by the world"? Does one come before the other? Does one experience such a change when building relationships and serving widows and orphans that they don't want to be polluted by the world. Or, is it in our desire to not be messed up by the world that we are drawn to minister to orphans and widows?

Whatever our decision about where to go, what to do and when to go....I am there! I continue to pray for discipline with my finances so that money is not a hindrance. I continue to pray for my own emotional healing so that I am able to face whatever situation awaits us. I need self-control and wisdom in choices so that my physical health is not an issue. And I pray that God give me a big vision for what this means for the future. Until then, I wait on the Lord.