The New Face of the Orphan, Faith, Saving Children, What to Do, Inspiring Others to Serve, Helping Children, Meaning Of Love

Dictionary.com gives this definition: A child who has lost both parents through death, or, less commonly, one parent. Oxford dictionary says: A child whose parents are dead. What if I told you these definitions are wrong? Dead wrong, in fact. Let’s look a little further so we can ‘undo’ our frozen perceptions of orphans. We typically think of an orphan as a child whose parents – both parents - have either died or permanently abandoned them. While this is sometimes the case, this is not the most common situation for orphans. As we’ll see, most “orphans” actually have one living parent and are typically living with them. In any case, these children rarely see their parents and typically do not get to experience life as part of a family. You see, orphans have been around forever and, most likely, will never go away. Until the prophecy of Malachi 4:6 comes to fruition, we will always have orphans among us.

Fom God’s Perspective

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It’s good to have a biblical understanding of orphans. Most commonly, the word used in the bible for “orphan” is orphanos. Translated into English, it means, “orphan” and “fatherless.” They are used interchangeably. Also, the words “orphans” and “widows” are most often used together in the same sentence or phrase. This is because, in Biblical times, the father would usually be the first to die, leaving behind a wife (widow) and children (orphans). While this was typical in Biblical times, it is unfortunately still typical today. According to the Christian Alliance for Orphans, an estimated 101 million of the 153 million children classified as orphans – more than six in ten – have a surviving mother. These widows and their children are the most vulnerable demographic in our global society today and must be cared for (reference: Christian Alliance for Orphans).

It’s More Than Just “Do Something”

For example, a well-intentioned church in the United States decided to “adopt” a community in Uganda and provide for the children. After doing the proper due diligence on what the needs were, they promptly sent over a large shipment of donated t-shirts and shoes. Upon arrival, the children frantically grabbed their new (used) t-shirts and ran home … without the shoes. There are three major problems with this situation. First, by providing free clothes to the children, they hindered, and ultimately bankrupted, local businesses that were trying to sell clothes and run productive, for-profit, job-creating businesses. You see, our frozen perceptions tell us, “They NEED clothes! Therefore we should send them our used clothes!” However, the reality of the situation, and the question we should be asking, is this … do they really NEED new t-shirts?

Or do we just think they should wear the same clothes we wear? Second, the shoes. The boxes full of new shoes were never opened and the shoes never worn. Again, our frozen perception is that they need shoes. We wear shoes, so they should also, right? The answer is a resounding “no!” Not only do the children in this region not wear shoes, they never have. And, if they did, in fact, want shoes, we should help them support their local economy and assist them in a way that they can purchase the shoes locally. Third is our thinking – and again, frozen perception - about the word “need.” For the majority of Americans, we have never stepped foot outside our own borders. Because of this, we think we understand the “needs” of others around the world. However, the needs of many developing countries are far different than we think. A better question to ask – and a better way to think about everything we do in developing nations – is “What assets do they have?”

Community Focused

At HopeChest, they advocate their Community-to-Community, or C2C, partner relationship model. While many great organizations exist to provide individual sponsorship opportunities, they believe that holistic transformation in the world’s poorest communities occurs when one community partners with another. C2C partnerships allow churches, small groups, social networks, or businesses to come alongside a specific CarePoint overseas. The location they support becomes a virtual extension of their own community, and members of that community are able to directly sponsor individual children at their chosen CarePoint location. When their entire community embraces the vision to support an entire community in a developing country, the concept of relationship building moves to a whole new level, and real personal transformation can begin.

HopeChest’s proven model of community transformation. Transformation happens in the US-based church community as well as the adopted community overseas. CarePoint – a place where children from a local geographic area come to receive a meal, education, clothing, healthcare, etc.

A CarePoint is not an orphanage – children do not sleep and are not housed at a CarePoint.

Survive, Thrive, and Succeed The elements of Survive, Thrive, and Succeed are the foundation for HopeChest’s community-to-community approach to orphan care, child development, and community transformation.

Thrive - Equipping Children & Communities for Future Success

The Thrive phase focuses on equipping vulnerable children and communities for future success. There is no established timetable for communities moving from Survive to Thrive, as each community is unique. At this stage, emphasis is placed upon creating “learning opportunities” for orphans, children, and communities.

Sustained Development Programming – HopeChest calls this HIST – Holistic Integrated Sustainable Development. This typically begins after trust is earned. HopeChest starts with education, discipleship, and moves to transform their worldview from “I am in need” to “I am an asset.”

Individual Development in All Phases

At every phase of development, the HopeChest ministry model aims to communicate the Gospel through action, character development, and Biblical teaching. These activates are focused on improving the spiritual, social, and emotion development of children. The long-term relationships that develop through sponsorship from a church, business, small group, or individual and with the HopeChest staff, model Christ’s love in action. In reality, the face of the orphan has changed. Forever. And in many ways, this is a positive change. By seeing a child for who he is – made in God’s image – we will forever change the way we think, act, and ultimately help the most vulnerable on our planet – children.