Orphan Sunday was recognized on Sunday November 2, 2014
Over 400 churches around the world have set aside the first Sunday in November as a day for Christians to stand for the orphan. We are a people called to defend the fatherless…to care for the child that has no family…to visit orphans in their distress. Isaiah 1;17 says, “Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” We are here today to encourage you as believers with God’s call for the orphan, and what we can do in response. We are seeing that God’s great love for the orphan is being echoed in our church family.
Over the past 6 months we have been able to collect items to fill totes to donate to CAS. These totes are prepared to give to youth that are leaving the foster care system. These totes have been presented already to youth leaving care and they have been graciously accepted. For these youth, it is a time of transition and the unknown. It is scary and can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety. These totes have been a blessing to these youth. They know that they have been prepared by our church family and subsequently know that they are being prayed for. Thank you so much for your involvement with the donations to these totes. We will continue to prepare these totes as long as the need is present.
In May, we presented 10 children that were currently available in the Sarnia area. We are happy to share with you that 9 of these children have been placed in forever families. Their dream of love and belonging has been given to them. Thanks so much for all your prayers for these children. Presently, there is one young lady available for adoption, she is 16 years old. She is an intelligent and mature young lady. She is working a part time job and this has helped with her self-confidence. She is very empathetic and kind to people who may be struggling. She intervenes in situations where she sees people being bullied or needing support. She also enjoys music and fashion. She is creative and artistic.
If you or someone you know, have any questions regarding this young women or any other children in foster care, you can find contact info for CAS and Nairn Family Homes here. As always, Shana Vanderslagt, Christine daCosta and myself are always available to answer questions about adoption, fostering or any other service for kids in care.
Thank you so much for your prayers and participation in providing these totes. You are a great encouragement to us and we are grateful for your support as we support the orphan.