This is an amazing verse. It's one often quoted on days like Father's Day, but how does that really work? How does God set the lonely in families? Does he ride down on a magic carpet and poof it happens? Of course we know this is ridiculous, but I ask because it seems we have forgotten. We are the hands and feet of God, those of us who claim to have been transformed by Him.
A few days ago I issued a challenge to find 43 people willing to help the fatherless. With one day left I have only had 19 people respond, with 5 of those being my own family or the Burke's family. I know, I know, there are so many good "causes". It's easy to scroll quickly past and think someone else will do it.
Although I framed this as a birthday wish for me, I hope we all know it really has nothing to do with me. Please don't do it for me. Do it for the down and out, those who really have no one coming to their aid. Going on a trip like this is life changing because statistics and news reports give way to people, living breathing people like Naomi.
This is Naomi a happy thriving girl with amazing potential. She is smart and funny. This is how Naomi came to be at Heritage House in the words of Lewis Burke:
"When Sokhom asked her (the grandmother) about the children, she said she had sold the oldest three the day before and had only two left. She seemed to treat the transaction no differently than one would have if selling a pig or chicken. She bragged how she had gotten $25 for each child and was asking how much we would give her for the two youngest. It took all of my self-restraint to stand there and not respond to this woman in anger. We told her that we were with Heritage House – Home for Children and that we could not buy children.
As we went up the steps and entered the house, what I saw lying there is forever engrained in my mind. Kanah, a five year old little boy, was lying on the floor not moving. Beside him was his younger sister, Naomi (her name was actually a curse word; we later changed it to Naomi). Both of them were naked, had high fevers, and were frozen in fear. Their dark eyes stared at me and I knew that I had to do something to get them help or they might not live. Kanah weighed twenty-two pounds and Naomi weighed fourteen. "
You can read the whole story here if you want to know more of the harrowing tale.
Naomi was saved on that day by a family who gave up everything to "set the lonely in families". She has a new name and a chance to not only live but to thrive. However, Naomi still lives in Cambodia a land where who you know is everything. The rich getter richer and the poor are lucky to make it. If your dad works for the government, well then you probably will have some opportunities in life, and if not, well too bad. But we know that's not how the upside kingdom works. We know someone of way more importance and value. One way we can give children like Naomi the life they deserve is by sending $10 measly dollars a month. It will mean a world of difference for her.; a chance to attend better schools, which will open up genuine opportunities for her future.
Let's quit pretending like these kids don't exist or someone else is going to help. Let's take one baby step toward living out a passage of scripture instead of just letting it go in one ear and out the other. Let's practice being a reflection of the SON.
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