Ok, I must admit, this was a very difficult assignment for me to write. I can usually whip through a writing assignment with ease and confidence. Like with any other assignment I prayed for the right words to say, that they would be worthy enough for God to hear, and eloquently said so others could be inspired. BUT, the right words never came. I actually wrote 4 different times about 4 totally different views and each time I was told “It really just doesn’t answer the question.” You must ask yourself “What need can an orphan fulfill that nothing or no one else can?” I thought to myself “Great, not only am I one of the newbie’s in a Orphan driven organization now I can’t write about an orphan!?” I spent long moments in prayer and meditation asking for the words to come. Then as He always does the Lord spoke to me. I’ve learned its best to listen, so I listened and I believe I am in the process of finding out why I need the orphan. I know they are my passion and I wait in anticipation to see what the Lord is going to do with me and how I will be able to help them. But how do I need them? I know that because the Lord has commanded it and in desiring to be like Jesus we must take up the cross follow in His footsteps and heed His commands. One of those commands is to “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 82:3-4-NIV) In all of God’s commands there are blessings when obeyed. So many times we, in our one track selfish thinking, come to the conclusion that God’s commands are a burden when in reality they are meant to protect, direct, and bless us.
This Poem is my small and humble expression on why I feel, within my journey so far, “We need the orphan as much as the orphan needs us”.
Only then will you see the greatest gift I have given thee- to love and love those who need Me.
Respond to my calling to aid the ones I love and as you do they will love you too. Reach beyond what you know and the wisdom you shall find as you seek to serve with Me in mind.
Play, pray, be patient with them and you shall find, healing within and a heart divine.
How I will complete you as you help complete them. How you will find you need them. How you will learn you are a part of my plan.
Always know they need you as you need them- for you to show them that I am God, The Father, Protector, and Strength. For you, to see my great wonders, to seek, and to learn to be like Me.
Never lose sight. I have given you this gift because where they are weak, I have made you strong. When they scream out in silence I made you to be an exalting, shouting, voice. I made you for them…and in serving them you will have more of me.
-Jenna M. Howard
7 comments:
Jenna I think you are right on target with the blessings for us that are contained within the command. Very cool how God blesses our obedience.
Wish I could read the poem, but whatever you posted was scrambled.
Alan
I love your approach to answering this question. Great style :)
I am currently serving with Africa Revolution in Mamelodi, South Africa. On Saturday we went with a local church to pray with the poor and bring them food. We fed a house of orphans, many of whom come to the church. This Sunday after service, one of them pulled me aside quietly and said, "Chicken". I didn't understand at first what he was talking about, then he motioned to his stomach and said, "Hungry." Then he rubbed it and smiled and said, "All better now. Thank you for chicken." My heart melted... I have so much to learn from this boy about thankfulness. It is truly a privilege to serve orphans and widows.
Images from Mamelodi Stories
Hello Jenna. I am so thankful our paths crossed and that you left a comment at my blog introducing me to World Orphans. My husband and I reviewed the website and were really impressed with what we saw there. I am interested to hear what plans World Orphans has in Ethiopia since it has been our prayer since the Lord led us to adopt from there that God would pave the way for us to deepen relationships in Ethiopia and give us ongoing opportunities to serve there.
Jenna,
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog today. I just finished writing another post about orphans and I included a link to World Orphans so that more people can learn about your organization. Thanks for the information!
Hi Jenna;
Thanks for popping in and sharing your blog and ministry. What a wonderful ministry and one that my heart has been crying out for here in the states. I've been praying for the past year for God to move the hearts of His Church here in the U.S., to walk up and begin taking James 1:27 seriously.
My heart is that we'd see the church take over the foster care system. It seems such a big impossible thing to pray, but I truly believe that the state shouldn't be parenting our orphans.
Look forward to reading more, enjoyed looking through the ministry's website. I tried to leave a note (comment) on the presidents blog...but for some reason I get blocked from some typepad sites. (wish I could figure out why! I go to type in the anti-robot code and it tells me website can't be found...urrghhh).
I did get such encouragement from the programs you have set up ....how about the Unitied States...any vision for here?
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted
I really love this poem! It puts into words some of the things the Lord has been laying on my heart lately. Thanks for finding my blog and giving me your links. I appreciate what you do.
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