Orphans supported, advocates honored

USA (MNN) — The results are in! More than $110,000 was raised through Orphan Outreach’s second annual Children’s Hope Dinner.

“That translates to real work with these orphans: leading them to Christ, letting them know about the Gospel,” says Orphan Outreach Director of Marketing and Development, Tiffany Taylor.

Supporting orphans

Each ticket purchased for this event provides six vulnerable children a month’s worth of vital resources. Orphan Outreach is improving the lives of orphans and at-risk kids in seven countries: India, Latvia, Kenya, Guatemala, Russia, Honduras, and the United States.

By sponsoring mission trips, programs, funding, and partnerships, Orphan Outreach prevents at-risk children from becoming another of the many victims throughout the world. Through their child sponsorship program, Orphan Outreach provides for needs like tuition, food, clothing, and most importantly, Christian discipleship.

“Caring for orphans is so close to God’s heart. He says it again and again in the Old Testament, and the New Testament,” says Taylor.

Supporting orphans isn’t the only goal of the Children’s Hope Dinner.

Honoring advocates

Taylor explains, “At the Children’s Hope Dinner, we honor some people that have really made an impact to the world’s orphans.”

Last week’s record-breaking crowd applauded the selfless efforts of five doctors and a business woman as Orphan Outreach awarded them the 2015 Champion of Hope Award and 2015 Children’s Hope Award, respectively.

Dr. Carlos Barcelo, Dr. Jorge Corona, Dr. Shai Rozen, Dr. Timothy Trone, and Dr. William R. Trawnik provided life-changing facial reconstructive surgery for Gersi Ordonez, an orphan from Guatemala. Their story is currently being chronicled on Univision.

The recipient of the 2015 Children’s Hope Award, Cindy Brinker Simmons, also delivered a speech at the event.

“There are children from all corners of the world waiting for someone to give them hope,” said Brinker Simmons. She and her son sponsor more than 18 orphans and vulnerable children through Orphan Outreach, and consider them to be “part of their family.”

“Love is a powerful tool. For those children who feel unwanted and unvalued, sponsorship lets them know they are worthy to be loved. It transforms their lives and the lives of the sponsor.”

Also recognized at the Children’s Hope Dinner was country music star and children’s advocate Jimmy Wayne. He shared his personal testimony and also spoke about his recent visit to Guatemala with Orphan Outreach.

Watch the music video here.

“[It] was just an amazing testimony to hear: that you can make a difference for these children,” notes Taylor.

At 9 years old, Wayne’s family forced him to live in the streets. He grew up in the U.S. foster care system until he was eventually taken in by an elderly couple who introduced him to Christ. Wayne’s experiences have made him a passionate advocate and valuable partner of Orphan Outreach.

“The pain I felt growing up homeless pales in comparison to what I saw in Guatemala,” Wayne said at the Children’s Hope Dinner.

“Growing up as I did, I am very careful with where I donate my money. I feel confident that your donations to Orphan Outreach are going to make a huge difference in the lives of these children.”

Learn more about the ways YOU can partner with Orphan Outreach here.

“We’ve had many of your listeners come along and join us on mission trips; that’s a huge blessing,” Taylor shares.