When you think of caring for orphans, what comes to mind? What does it mean to provide Justice to the orphan? Is it simply to provide food and clothing? What about just visiting them to say hello and tell them God loves them? What is care?

I firmly believe the answer is found in Psalm 68:5-6, "A Father to the fatherless…is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families." To care for the orphan means to provide as much of a sense of family as possible.

Think of caring for orphans in these terms: How can we provide as much of the same kind of care to them as we would our own children? Well, you would provide a sense of family. And this is a long=-term goal, not a short-term one. It’s not quick and fast, it’s for a lifetime. Of course a part of this care would be food, clothing, and shelter. But you would also add education, safety, and hope for a better future. They would also need counseling, medical care, and most important, discipleship. That’s why Children’s HopeChest believes in holistic care for orphans in 5 areas: Educational, Spiritual, Physical, Medical/Dental, and Emotional.

Family is a reality for these kids through our Family Centers. Hope is provided through all that Ministry Centers offer. For a safe place to live, that comes from the Independent Living Programs. The end-goal is to see orphans who had no hope become leaders in their communities. They will be the doctors, lawyers, judges, politicians, and entrepreneurs of their day!

Our challenge as a community of people who care about the needs of orphans is to design and get behind programs that provide a sense of family for kids who have never had one. It takes work and our programs need to be well planned. But these kids are worth it and we need to do everything in our power to give them justice. God has plans for them, to give them "a hope and a future." So should we!