Africa (MNN) ― HIV/AIDS rages throughout Africa, infecting 22.5 million. It has left an orphan population of roughly 11 million children. But a Christ-transformed heart can make a life or death difference.
Every Orphan's Hope's Brian Smith says that's the purpose of their Africa Trek. "What we try to do is get people over, and get in the dirt with the orphans, build relationships with them, catch God's heart for what He's doing there."
According to Every Orphan's Hope, throughout Scripture, God reveals His heart of compassion, justice and provision for the orphan. His promises on their behalf are powerful.
It's from this point that the ministry seeks to help an orphan experience the love, protection and care that God intends and will provide through His extended family - the local Christian church.
Aside from their sponsorship programs and My Father's House orphan home ministry, they needed people to take on this mission personally, hence the Africa Trek.
They're taking evangelism and construction teams to Zambia and South Africa in July. Two teams will be going for the Camp Hope outreach: a Bible camp for the orphans. One team will build for My Father's House. Each orphan home provides just such an environment for eight orphans and a widowed house mother.
Smith says, "We partner with the churches who are there. Our job is to be somewhat of a catalyst. The real growth, in the long-term, happens after the camp is over. So we make sure that we go out with the evangelistic component tied to the church. The church then carries the baton from there."
Every Orphan's Hope is committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ with orphaned children in Africa. Smith says "action" is the key word for their outreach. "It is God's heart to reach out and defend the orphan. A lot of times we get all concerned about what our part is in His plan. But really, our job is to jump into what God is doing."
Click here if you'd like more information on getting involved.
