aheartfororphans

Celebration

Today we celebrate Jozephine Lynn Vair.
While ours in our hearts for some time now, today she is legally, finally, officially, formally adopted, and forever ours - and we hers.

This adoption experience has been unique, even from Norah's. Entirely different actually. As Jozie was part of our extended family, the bond began in some way long ago...she was already family, albeit distant.

We responded to our belief that caring for her was our moral and biblical responsibility, and yet the bigger draw, the more obvious response, was one of love.

We each had an independent and yet beautifully united response to her need for a healthy home and family to care for her and love her, nurture her, teach her. A love, we believe, the Lord has given us...without boundaries.

We were asked long ago with Norah, "Is there room in your home and your heart for one of these abandoned girls?" Yes, yes there was. And, the same is true today. Yes, yes there is.

Thank you, God, for giving Jozie a new story. Hers has been one of confusion, neglect, unhealthy relationships, and destructive life patterns.

We are not perfect...we will not be perfect parents, but Lord willing...we offer something new. We offer love...imperfect as it is, but with the hope and promise of Christ. He has redeemed us, and we now have a home where He is Lord and central to who we are and all that we do. This is indeed a new story. Our only hope for restoration, however deep or shallow the scars, lies in Jesus himself.

And so today, I am most of all aware and thankful that He has called Jozie, by way of our family, into His family, and we pray that she embraces Him as Savior and Lord, that He might truly bring rest, restoration, joy, and life anew. And, indeed, He has already begun...

Jozie has given us a new story too. 
Thank you, Lord, for the way you make families. We could not have written or even imagined this ourselves. Only you, only your grace allows it.

Thank you for hope. Thank you for love...love bigger than ourselves.
May our hearts be forever united because of what You have done.

Thank you for family. Thank you for our family. We often joke of its makeup - yours, mine, ours, theirs...His.

It is perfect. May it be a lovely reflection of You.

  (At the courthouse - making it official!)

Today is a new day

Today is a new day.

Yesterday marked the two-year anniversary of the tragic earthquake that rocked Port au Prince, Haiti, changing the lives of many forever, including countless children left orphaned and homeless. Yesterday included remembrance of the many lost, gatherings and ceremonies honoring the past.

World Orphans work in Haiti continues – partnering with 11 churches that care for 220 orphans – in families. Equipping the church to care for and nurture children and families in need.

Since the earthquake, we have also opened a guesthouse to provide a safe place for visiting mission teams during their time of service. As teams visit Haiti to serve alongside the church, caring for children and their communities, our Guesthouse managers, Ted and Rebecca Barlow, provide support and encouragement, guidance and prayer.

Today is a new day. 

As Haitians in and around Port au Prince look to the future, World Orphans will be there, serving alongside, bringing loving care, helping hands, and Christ’s healing hope.

Ted posted this reflection of the two-year anniversary.

 

 

Vair Family News - November 2011

Thanksgiving is here and Christmas is just around the corner! This has been an amazing year, one in which were truly blessed by caring friends and family.

If you haven't heard, our family has grown by one this year. We are officially in the process of adopting again. Little Jozie (3 years old) has been with us for three months now, and we expect our adoption to be complete by March of next year. We continue to find our way with each other - nothing spices up the home front like a 3-year-old. It has been a wonderful and eventful journey already. We are again amazed by how God creates families, by His design, in His timing, for His purposes, and maybe most of all, to display His great love.

A week prior to Jozie moving in, Trevor moved out! He's at San Diego State University and participating in the Navy ROTC unit there. He is doing well and loving San Diego, especially the Navy. We'll be seeing him for Christmas, and look forward to that! We are so thankful and proud of the young man he has become.

The girls in the middle, Charlotte (9) and Norah (5), are doing very well. They are  learning about having a little sister, and love her dearly. They are both doing well in school, enjoying ballet (as is Jozie) and are as beautiful and precious as ever.

Our ministry with World Orphans continues to encourage and challenge us. It has been a great year there too, so much has been done - but so much remains. We've been very intentional this year about trying to tell our story to more people. We held our first annual benefit earlier this month where we got to share with 88 of our close friends the exciting ministry happening at churches around the world. We're so grateful that many of you were able to attend!

As this year ends, through our "Home for the Holidays" campaign, World Orphans is asking people to host an orphan awareness event between November 20th (International Day of the Child) and New Year's Day. The idea is simple: Every year, millions of children around the world share a single holiday wish. Instead of hoping for the latest toy or most popular game, these children long for something more meaningful - a home. Hosting a "Home for the Holidays" party is a fun and easy way share about helping orphans with friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. World Orphans provides all of the materials you need (invitations, talking points, recipe ideas, etc.) Your "Home for the Holidays" party can be a simple dessert or a themed night centering on a specific country. 

As our closest friends and family, will you consider hosting a "Home for the Holidays" party? Food, fellowship, and fun with your friends - while helping keep orphans in families. Debbie and I would love to attend and help with the details - especially the story telling. Please let us know if we can help you host a "Home for the Holidays" party.

Thank you for your continued encouragement and support.

Blessings to you and yours,

The Vair Family
Scott & Debbie
Trevor, Charlotte, Norah, & Jozie

Indulgence is in the air

Check out this awesome blog post from my friend Kathy Davis.

Kathy so eloquently says:

“Christmas decorations are in full swing...Thanksgiving Day is upon us, and indulgence is in the air.  How do I reconcile the suffering and need of this world with the indulgences of this holiday season?

World Orphans has provided an opportunity in the midst of this season for me and others to participate with the rescue of orphans through hosting a Home for the Holidays party.  Invitations, information, and even recipe ideas are provided.  All that is required is a date on your calendar, an open heart, and an open home.  The invitation is for others who would gather together over a hot cup of cider and hear more about the plight of those orphaned, destitute, and abandoned in this world. “

We at World Orphans are trying to get our friends – and their friends – and their friends – to think about the fatherless during this season.

Will you host a party with me?

Home for the Holidays

Every year, millions of children around the world share a single holiday wish. Instead of hoping for the latest toy or most popular game, these children long for something more meaningful, a home.

That's why World Orphans is asking you to join "Home for the Holidays" and host an orphan awareness event between November 20th (International Day of the Child) and New Year's Day. Home for the Holidays is a fun and easy way to host a party with friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors where you can share your passion for helping orphans.

We'll supply you with printed invitations, a Party Planning Guide, customizable posters, a video and talking points for your event. Your Home for the Holidays party can be a simple dessert night or themed night centering on a specific country.

World Orphans partners with churches to prevent, rescue and care for orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children in the developing world. Whether it's working to keep families together after the death of a parent, assisting extended families to take in orphans, offering residential foster care opportunities, or providing needed transition and self-sustainability programs, these churches give children security, safety, and hope. Spreading the word about World Orphans and encouraging others to get involved is a step toward giving these children a Home for the Holidays.

Jesus Storybook Bibles - Almost There

$1672 of the $1855 needed to purchase 500 Jesus Storybook Bibles in French for orphans in Haiti raised since yesterday!

Only $183 left…can you help?

Just click here to make a secure online donation.

Donate here

 

Unique way to partner with World Orphans work in Haiti - The Jesus Storybook Bible

I wanted to share with you a unique way a church or individual can partner with World Orphans work in Haiti.

Many people don't know that French - not Creole - is the primary written language taught in most schools in Haiti - including at our OVC (Orphan and Vulnerable Child) partner churches. As we continue to build into and provide resources to our partner churches and their schools, we've been looking for resources that can be used to teach French, engage children, and share the Gospel.

One book that we use in our home is the Jesus Storybook Bible written by Sally Llyod-Jones.  For those who are not familiar with the book - it does an outstanding job of communicating the Gospel to children (and adults) showing how bible stories (particularly old testament stories) whisper the name and coming of Jesus. That each individual story is part of a larger story that is the Gospel. You can read more about it here:

www.jesusstorybookbible.com

Here is a paragraph from that website:

Every Story Whispers His Name…

Written for children ages four and up, The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the one story underneath all the stories of the Bible and points to the birth of a child, the Rescuer, Jesus. Complete with 44 Bible stories, The Jesus Storybook Bible paints a beautiful portrait of Jesus and invites children to see that he is not only at the center of God’s great story of redemption—he is at the center of their story too. Children and adults alike will be captivated by the beautifully written narrative and the original and unique illustrations by accomplished artist Jago. Lloyd-Jones’ powerful gift of storytelling draws the reader into the greatest adventure of all time in an exciting page-turner that kids (and adults) find hard to put down.

I've been in contact with Sally Llyod-Jones and her publisher about the book - which has been translated into French. Due to their generosity in waving royalties, we are able to purchase 500 French copies of the book for only $1855 which is less than $4 a copy. We will then distribute them to our 11 church partners in Haiti for use in the churches, schools, and homes caring for orphans.

If you (or someone you know) are able to help with this unique opportunity, please contact me directly at: Scott@Worldorphans.org

And if you don't yet own a copy of this book for your home - get one - it's awesome.

World Orphans Benefit Dinner

World Orphans Benefit Dinner & Silent Auction

Thursday, November 3rd
6:00-9:00 p.m.
The Cielo at Castle Pines
Castle Rock, CO (Denver area)


Join us for our most important fundraiser of the year. Guests will enjoy an evening of entertainment, cocktails, "Taste of the World" buffet dinner, silent auction, and "The Orphan's Reality" interactive immersion experience.
 
Special guest speaker Tara Teng, Miss Canada 2011 will encourage and inspire you with her story. Tara is a modern day abolitionist - a voice for the marginalized, oppressed and exploited. She is focused on raising a call for social justice helping end modern day slavery in our world today.
 
Also featured is Pastor David Livingstone whose church in Uganda has an amazing and growing orphan care ministry. His story, his call to and passion for orphan care, is quite inspirational. 
 
Silent auction items include original artwork, guitars autographed by major recording artists and more.
 
For details and tickets, click here.
 
We hope to see you there!

World Orphans  -  P.O. Box 1840, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104  -  888-677-4267

Bethel Gospel Farm

I recently traveled to India to visit one of our church partners who has a great vision for church planting and orphan care. They are also committed to finding ways to help their ministries become self-sustainable through gardening and farming activities. 

 

Below is a "tour" of their largest self-sustainability project - Bethel Gospel Farm.

 

 

 

 

 

fun, easy and FREE way to raise money for World Orphans

Here's a fun and easy way to raise money for World Orphans - doesn't cost you anything!

Here is the skinny on how it works.

1.       Volunteers to take a test drive at the The Health & Fitness Expo.

2.       Select World Orphans as your charity of choice.

3.       Fill out a simple form with basic contact information and sign the liability waivers.

4.       Take a short test drive (approximately 10-15 minutes).

5.       That’s it and Dodge will send World Orphans a check for all the people that take test drives.