Hope Blankets: Following His Call to Care For Orphans

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

We are the Gosnell family, we have four biological sons, and we are adopting our daughter from China.  When we began the adoption process, we felt the great desire not only to change the life of our daughter, but to impact the lives of other orphans as well.

As we began  praying about fundraisers, God gave us the idea of Hope Blankets.  We purchased over 100 soft security blankets, and AWAA agreed to help us send them to one of their partnership orphanages in China. 

On September 18, after much prayer and great support from our church leadership, we celebrated Hope Blanket Kick-Off Day.  We asked families to sponsor a blanket for $25, to cover the cost of the blanket and shipping, and to help us with adoption expenses.  The sponsor families then took their blanket home, praying over it and for the child who would receive it.  Then, a few weeks later, on Hope Blanket Collection Day (AKA: Orphan Sunday), we asked all the families to bring their blankets to Sunday morning worship where we prayed for them as a congregation.