Why Orphan Care?

When people ask why I became invovled in the world of adoption and orphan care, I always start at the same place.  I don't start with the story of my parents' adopting my first little sister in '97.  I don't even start with my parents' decision to sponsor a child and to make it a project for the entire family, when I was still in grade school.  Both of these events played significant roles in my love for orphans and my decision to work in the capacity of assisting the fatherless in any way possible; however, these things are not the answer to why I do what I do. 

Deuteronomy 24:17 – 18 has become one of my favorite verses over the years because it is a constant reminder to myself.  The English Standard Version (ESV) translation states:

“You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s garment in pledge, but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this.”

Although I was never a physical orphan, I was once without a hope.  Although never fatherless, my sin and unrepentant heart kept me seperated from my heavenly Father.  Ultimately, the reason that I strive to care for orphans and advocate for adoption is twofold: 1) the Lord commands His people to orphan care; and 2) I want to demonstrate physically, what my Savior, Christ Jesus, has done for me spiritually.

The source of my desire and actions to care for orphans is an echo of God's unhindered action on my behalf and on behalf of all those who know Him as Lord and Savior.  Just as He made an aggressive pusuit of me, to rescue me, defend me and care for me, I want to make every effort to “defend the cause of the fatherless.” (Isaiah 1:17 NIV) 

God calls every man, woman and child who claims to follow Christ to pursue the care of orphans.  It is a reflection of Christ's love to those who desperately need help and hope.  Perhaps you are not called to work full-time in this capacity, but you are called, nonetheless, to participate in caring for the fatherless and the hopeless.  If you are not already, consider how you can start obeying His command to care for and help orphans. 

It is such a joy beyond comparison to serve those that God holds so dear to His heart, alongside those that share the common goal of building the Father's kingdom through orphan care.

In Him,

Jason West, Director of Development