Orphans are more vulnerable and at risk of becoming victims of violence, exploitation, trafficking, discrimination, or other abuses. (1)
In Psalm chapter 82, it says to "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed."
Conflict has orphaned or separated 1 million children from their families in the 1990s. (2)
More than 500,000 children are in United States foster care. (1)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Love Your neighbor as yourself.~Jesus Matthew 22:37-39 (abbreviated)
Sub-Saharan Africa, with 48.3 million orphans, has the highest proportion of children who are orphans at 12%
Asia has the largest total number of orphans with 73.7 million orphans, which represents 6% of all children
Latin America and the
Caribbean has 10.7 million orphans, also representing 6% of all children. (1)
The number of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS is expected to jump to more than 25 million.
In 12 African countries, projections show that orphans will comprise at least 15 per cent of all children under 15 years of age by 2010. (2)
Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord; "The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, and release those condemned to death." Psalm 102:18-20
U.N. estimate of the number of orphans in the world today: 145 million (3)
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families. Psalm 86:5-6
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Why should we care? Because we can. Because we have hope. Because we have a heavenly Father who is so magnificent and loved us so deeply. While we were still covered in the filth of our own sin, orphans, destitute, left to die and yet wanted nothing to do with Him; even then, He sent His very own son to take away our filth and place it upon himself so that we might be clean and have a relationship with the God of the universe. He remains an ever faithful, loving father even when our earthly fathers have failed us.
We can make a difference in the lives of those who are hurting and so desperately wanting to be loved no matter how old we are. These kids are growing up without anyone to care about them or for them. They are young, just like us, some even the same age as us. We can come along side them, encourage them, love them and most importantly, share Christ's love with them. 1Timothy 4:12 says, "Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." We have a chance to speak up for those who can not speak for themselves. Take the stand for justice. Let your light shine for those who need to see Jesus so that they may see Him more clearly through you. Set an example in speech, life, love, faith, and purity. Let LOVE shine.
