This is probably the most common comment I hear...why don't you just do something in your hometown or in the US. You are absolutely right..people should do more in their hometown, some are not able to go outside of their own area. I believe we, as Christians, have a command to GO whether it be to our family, friends, neighbors or around the world. So the question...why Zambia. My answer, I don't know. Haven't figured that one out yet and truly only God knows why.
When I was spoken into motion last year, I've said it before, I really didn't want to go, but now I wouldn't change it at all. What a blessing when I came home and Alyson, who was 4 then, was looking through the pictures of the children I met and she said "Mommy, if you need to go help the orphans again, it's ok if you leave, I know you'll come back." Both our girls are learning daily about what orphans are and the need in Zambia. They are growing because of it. They're not perfect, I still can't help but smile when I buy something for the orphans and then later I buy something for the house and they make sure I'm not taking it to Africa with me. The look of pleasure or relief is priceless, but they understand the need is there to give. Peter and I have begun to see what we do in this world is more important than what we have. It doesn't matter the items that we leave behind, its the legacy of who we are that our girls will remember.
So why Zambia....still I don't know; but here is what I do know.
There is a need in Zambia. In 2009 there were 690,000 AIDS Orphans in Zambia which made up half of all the orphans in the country; which means if it weren't for the AIDS epidemic these children would not be orphans.
Children whose parents are living with HIV often experience many negative changes in their lives and can start to suffer neglect, including emotional neglect, long before they are orphaned. Eventually, they suffer the death of their parent(s) and the emotional trauma that results. The loss of a parent to AIDS can have serious consequences for a child's access to basic necessities such as shelter, food, clothing, health and education. Orphans are more likely than non-orphans to live in a large, female-headed households where more people are dependent on fewer income earners. This lack of income puts extra pressure on the AIDS orphans to contribute financially to the household, in some cases driving them to the streets to work, beg or seek food.
The majority of children who have lost a parent continue to live in the care of a surviving parent or family member, but often have to take on the responsibility of doing the housework, looking after siblings and caring for ill or dying parents. Children who have lost one parent to AIDS are often at risk of losing the other parent as well, since HIV may have been transmitted.
So, with the numbers so overwhelming, what can one person do. It almost seems like it's impossible. But I have learned through God all things are possible. God has promised...to be a Father to the fatherless, their strong defender and provider. It is through Every Orphan's Hope that a difference is being made. They work with the local churches to defend, visit, comfort, encourage, care for and pray for orphans. www.everyorphan.org
God brought me to the need and I have responded. What will you do? It doesn't have to be Africa, but look around? Are you doing all you can to further God's kingdom by sharing the hope that only Christ can give? This isn't to put you on the spot; but we can all do something.
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