142 Million Orphans

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.-- James 1:27

Many of you probably know that this week has been orphan awareness week on Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, and with a few other Christian organizations. You may also know that adoption has been a growing burden for Mark and I. It's staggering when you really let the numbers sink in... 142 million children in the world today are living without parents... that's more than half the population of the United States.

I'm excited to see the church rising up to care for those that no one else will care for, and I wonder... what would happen if we all asked God what part he would have us play?

I heard a radio broadcast on family life today this week by Rick Warren that has been one of the most riveting sermons I've heard in years. PLEASE listen to it! I believe Rick caught the heartbeat of God here. You can find it online at http://www.familylife.com/fltoday/broadcast_schedule.asp?past=1. The program is from Nov. 15, titled "A Biblical Mandate."

As I look at the wonder of life God has given us in the treasure of our little Abe, I wonder in sadness that so many children grow up without the love and care they so need and deserve.

Now our Babe update: Abraham did wonderfully on his travels this weekend, and we had a wonderful time with the Paynes & Michaels in Ohio (oh the joys of trees that turn colors!). We weighed Abe this week, and he's a hefty 10 lb 10 oz. We're relieved to know he's growing well, and are happy to see his chubby legs. Keep us in your prayers this week, as we feverishly pack our Stateside belongings and drive to New Mexico on Tuesday.