There are
millions of children in this world without a family, without the knowledge of Christ.
Below are just a few of the statistics from countries around the world (2006).
In the U.S
there are approximately 130 Orphanages/Children’s Homes.
In Ethiopia
there are approximately 4,000,000 Orphans out of a population of 70,000,000. This
means that almost 6 1/2% of the population that are orphans.
In Russia
there are approximately 880,000 Orphans.
In China
there are approximately 500,000 Orphans, though some humanitarian agencies estimate this at much higher.
God's word is very clear. How we help may not include adoption, but if we search God's word we realize we
must do something.
“Religion
that God our Father Accepts as pure and Faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep
oneself from being polluted by the world” James 1:27 (NIV)
You may think “How in the world is adopting one child going to make a difference?”. Below is a story that we think will answer your question.
The Story of the Starfish
Two friends were walking along the beach shortly after the tide had receded. The beach was littered with thousands of starfish that were drying in the afternoon sun. As the two strolled along, one of them bent down and picked up a starfish and carefully tossed it back
into the ocean. He did this continuously as the two conversed.
The stretch of beach was long. They could
hardly walk without the man bending down, every other step, and rescuing a poor starfish.
As they continued, the one observing this finally asked “Why are you throwing these
starfish back into the water? You can’t really hope to save them all?” The
other friend smiled and bent down to gather another starfish into his hand. He
looked at his close friend and held up the little starfish and replied (as he tossed it back into the ocean)………..“It
matters to this one.”