Sunday

I Want to Make a Difference

**UPDATED** $3,200 was given to orphans in 24 hours! Thank you so much.

How much does it take to make a difference?

One dollar.

One hug.

One act by each of us?

Lately, I've been so moved by this blog. And by moved, I mean to my knees.

I want to be like Katie.

I want to think less of myself and more about children like these:


This isn't just any (of the 143,000,000) bedraggled, dirty orphans in our world today. This is my daughter's best friend, my niece. Our skin is like night and day, but our hearts our intertwined forever.

This is what she looks like after 4 months with parents:


This is what love will do. 

Unbelievable, isn't it?

It looks like two completely different girls. Come to think of it...my sister looks different too.

So do I.

Someone said to me (after hearing me go on and on about the plight of orphans in the world) "Oh...you're going to adopt too, aren't you?"

I answered, "I don't think so. I think all Christians should feel this way."

Adopting orphans makes a huge difference, but I know that we all aren't called to do that. 

[I stumbled onto this site, sponsored by Focus on the Family, I Care About Orphans. It has an enormous amount of info on adoption, including pictures of waiting children in every state. It tore my heart looking at the photos of children without a Mommy and Daddy...so go check it out, but prepare yourself. God may just speak to you. There are 4 African American siblings in my town, waiting. I'm praying for their future parents].

We are all called to do something.

James 1:27 makes it perfectly clear:

"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."

It's my job. Something I've neglected, until today.

Katie (if you aren't familiar with this hero, modern day Mother Theresa, girl-turned mother of 14 orphans, living among the natives of Uganda, please get to know her blog) needs our help.

Did you know that for $10, you can buy a chicken that will provide eggs/chicks? For $10 you can buy a blanket to cover the cold body of an orphan child?

During the next 24 hours, for every person reading this blog, who donates $10 to feed/clothe a child, to be the hands of Jesus, to follow His instructions, my family will match every donation.

We aren't rich. We live in a modest home, support Russians and our local church. But we've been abundantly blessed and we can help these children in Uganda.

After praying, our family feels compelled to match whatever money comes in during the next 24 hours from our savings account. 

It's Christmas. We want to be a part of Christmas Change. Our tree is up, soon to be surrounded by gifts. We have so much. Here is a small opportunity to help orphans.

Can you give $10?

If you participate and donate, please leave a comment, signifying that you have made a contribution here-----

If you can't contribute right now, would you please pray for orphans today?

DO NOT leave a comment if you can't help right now...but if you want to talk about adoption or have a story to share, please do so in my community...I would love to read it!!



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75 comments:

Love said...

done!

we love katie and are so thankful for her. we pray for her every single day. what a beautiful picture of God's love she is.

of course we're thankful for all the work she's doing, but we'll always be grateful that God used her to lead us to Uganda when we knew that we had a child waiting for us somewhere in Africa.

it is unbelievable that he is in our arms now. so thankful.

Pixie said...

Kristen,

We're a homeschooling family of 8, & my husband has been laid off for 7 weeks (the industry's 3rd layoff in a year).

It's stressful not knowing how we're going to pay the bills & hard to not be able to buy any Christmas gifts this year. Reading Katie's blog, though, reminded me that our life is nowhere--NOWHERE--near what these people endure.

So we've donated $10 to remind ourselves that God will take care of us, & that He uses little gifts such as ours to take care of others at the same time. Thanks for matching our gift!

Christy said...

Kristen,
how very generous of you. I donated $10. May God Bless your family for its love and generosity.

Marie said...

I didn't even read your entire post before going to Katie's site and making a donation. However, I only donated $5 not knowing you were matching $10 donations! But I still wanted to let you know.

phasejumper said...

I donated five dollars also.

Julie Thompson said...

What a great post! There's nothing that brings greater joy at Christmas than giving the money away into God's kingdom. God Bless your family. I donated $10 and hope to get more women to do the same. Merry Christmas!
Julie Thompson, Dayton, OH

amyb said...

$10 from my kids (4 and 7). They have some of their "own" money this year and we set aside $5 each for charity at the holidays. We filled stockings for local kids that don't have anything for the holidays--this will be even more important to them. Thank you for your sweet matching gifts and precious heart.

Stephanie said...

Just donated $10. Praying for orphans around the world. Thank you for your generosity.

Jennifer said...

Thanks so much for the reminder that every little bit helps and we can all do something, even if we're not called to adopt. I just donated $10.

May God bless your family for this sweet, sacrificial gift: not just the money you will send personally, but all the money they will raise because you brought it to our attention.

Janelle said...

Our family donated $10 to purchase a blanket or a chicken (because the thought of giving someone a chicken for Christmas just made me really happy). Thank you for reminding me that it is really not difficult to help those who have so little. I forget, often.

Janelle

nicole said...

10 dollars for a blaket has been donated. Thanks for giving us all a chance to help in a way that is quick and easy. If I can get a large unsweet iced tea from Sonic every day, I can sure spare ten dollars to keep someone warm. Peace.

Anonymous said...

I have no words.

I donated $10.

Kristen said...

Another anonymous gift of $50 was emailed to me!

Keep them coming, God is smiling because we are caring for orphans.

He is the Father to the fatherless.

Audrey said...

I donated $10. I wasn't going to, because money is tight for us right now. But the comment from jczellar reminded me that even though I don't always think we have enough, there are people out there that have less then I do. And they need the $10 a lot more then I do. Thank you for everything you do. God bless you and your family!

LynnieB said...

What a wonderful gift your family is giving. We love Katie at our house and how she is truly the hands and feet of Jesus.

We have donated $50 for them to use however it is needed.

God bless you all as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry said...

This is incredible, I love this so much especially after one of my best friends (Love - the first commenter) just brought home her beautiful boy from Uganda.

donated $25.

BLESSINGS TO YOU AND THOSE THAT SURROUND YOU.

bridget {bake at 350} said...

Kristen...

I am trying really hard not to cry (because I just applied my mascara). This is a really beautiful thing your family is doing. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. We will be praying along with you for the orphans.

For the price of 3 Starbucks, I just bought a chicken. That makes me very happy. ♥

bridget {bake at 350} said...

Just a follow-up...the no crying thing is not working.

aggiemomof2 said...

My children are always warm, well fed and most of all---loved. We are so blessed! My family had donated $10. Thank you for your generosity and the encouraging words you share here with us.
sylviarj at yahoo dot com

Myra @ My Blessed Life said...

Thank you so much for this opportunity! I just donated $10. My husband and I are both interested in adoption...specifically international.

It's such a picture of Christ and his adoption of us.

I'm so thrilled to read about Katie. What a wonderful work that she is doing.

It's so rebuking to think about all the things that we have and so often, it's not "enough." We have so much to be thankful for. It is so fulfilling to give.

thediaperdiaries said...

Got an email this morning that $30 had been placed in my Paypal account for a survey I took. Don't remember taking the survey, wasn't planning on that money. Seems like God's perfect timing doesn't it.

God has called our family to adopt and we are just waiting for him to show us when, where and who so this is a post so dear to my heart. Excited that 3 children might be warmer because of some money I never even knew I was getting so it won't be missed.

Anonymous said...

Donated $35 for chickens, blankets, and seeds. . . oh my! :)

Kristen said...

Y'all someone just emailed me about another $200!!!

I'm going to need a calculator.

Lisa Holman of XSBaggage and Co. said...

What a wonderful idea. I love how you've rallied the Tweeps for this great cause.
I've donated a chicken this morning, and have a new appreciation for my warm little home and the groceries in my cupboards.

Thank you.

emily freeman said...

Just donated $10. That sure was easy and painless. I hope my little helps a lot. Thank you for posting this, Kristen.

Tina said...

Done, my friend. I just donated 10 dollars.

God bless you. I'm proud to "know" you!

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

Done.

Thank you Kristen for listening to God!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this post. I donated $10.

Karen said...

Thanks for your generosity. I've also contributed $10. I couldn't help but cry and remember to love a little harder. Thanks for the reminder.

bridget {bake at 350} said...

Jack just donated the $5 in his giving envelope.

Chigger Hill Cottage said...

I love this time of year! This is what it's all about! I helped, and was only too happy about it! I'm so glad I clicked on the "tweet" that lead me to this site! May God Bless!

Anonymous said...

I just added a donation. My wife & son beat me to it ;-) It's a great cause and thanks for sharing it.

Sara said...

We donated $10 because we're making other commitments too this Christmas season. What a thoughtful idea for your blog.

Vicky said...

I have spent the last 2 weeks reading Katie's blog from start to finish and it has definitely changed my perspective on...everything!

I am doing a "pantry challenge" this month with the "proceeds" benefiting Amazima. However, the fact that I also love your blog and you posted this today it just seems that God has spoken and I will be donating $10 now! Thanks for the kick : ) We will see what I come up with at the end of the month.

Ann Voskamp @Holy Experience said...

I love your heart....

We've made a donation ($25) and thank Jesus for you....

All, all my love,
Ann

Robin said...

I just donated $50. And I added her blog to my reader - so I never forget.

Love you and what you do.

Kristen said...

We're at $720 X TWO y'all. My heart may burst today.

Amy Lynn said...

I was only able to donate $10, but am praying for those kids.

jennibell said...

$10 blanket donation. Thank you for the opportunity to give in this way.

Anonymous said...

Kristen - you and your family are such an inspiration for me. I just donated $10 to such a great cause. Thank you so much for this opportunity!

Monica aka detroitmommy said...

Times are difficult for us right now but I am always aware there are people that need so much more than we do.

Katie's site brought me to tears. She is such an inspiration.

I donated $10 for any purpose they deemed necessary. I hope that when things get a bit better here I can help again, even if it's just something little. I would love to sponsor a child one day and I've printed the form as a reminder to myself to work towards that goal.

Thank you for sharing the site with us.

Unknown said...

So, I have been praying for chickens. Honest. I just didn't realize those chickens would be for someone else, not our family. I love that I serve a sovereign God!

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama said...

Orphans have always been a passion of mine, please add our family's donation of $10 to your total...God bless you for doing this!

Kendra said...

We donated $20.
As a mom of 3, I often get overwhelmed. But, I have been reading Katie's blog for a while now and think of her often when I do feel overwhelmed. I can't imagine how she cares for all the children that she does. Thank you for the reminder to support her financially and thank you for matching donations.

Pretty Organizer said...

Hey girl, Great work you're doing. My parents are in Uganda right now as missionaries. They've been there for 2 years and will return home in July. My sister in law was talking about the same thing, raising her family and moving to Uganda to help raise the boys that are literally parentless and living on the streets.

Truly, we are blessed. Every time I get into my stripped down trashy looking 15passenger van and want to complain because the window doesn't work, the tires are bald and and it doesn't have anything in the interior except for the seats and the belts... I think, "This would be a nice home in another part of the world. I HAVE a car AND today it runs... I am blessed." Finding joy in life truly is linked with having gratitude for the things we have.

Blessings,
Pretty Organizer

Tina said...

Thank you Kristen. I've never given a Chicken for Christmas but I am so happy to do so!

Tiffany @ Eat at Home said...

What a wonderful thing your family is doing together. How fun to watch God double your gift as you share this opportunity with others. I donated $10. Thanks for giving me the chance to partner with you in reaching out to orphans.

punkinmama said...

May God bless you and your family abundantly for your giving spirit! I've donated my $10 for a chicken and hope God will also bless it and the family who receives it!

Anonymous said...

May God bless Katy and her ministry, and you as well. Thank you so much for answering God's call to do this.

I donated $20.

Kristen said...

Another anonymous gift of $350!!!

We're at $1210 x TWO

Erin said...

What a wonderful and generous gift your family will be giving. We donated $20.00.

Veronica said...

$30 from our family. Thank you~

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for doing this! This is so special and I am so glad to be a part of it!
We donated $10 today.

Jennifer
web.mac.com/thehornsbys

Annie said...

I donated $30. Thank you so much for showing me Katie and the wonderful work she does, wow what a great woman she is...truly living the love of Christ.

I have such a passion for adoption, even though as a single parent I know it isn't someting that I can do right now...my heart is still open to where God will lead me!!

Musings of a Housewife said...

I just donated $10 for a chicken to help an Amazima family become more self-sufficient. I love how you can specify what you want to purchase. It makes it feel so much more personal.

Unknown said...

I have donated $10 to purchase a chicken--I don't feel like it is enough but that is all I have right now.

Megan said...

God wrote this post through you to speak directly to me (and many others). I have been reading Katie's blog for a couple months, with much conviction and inspiration. She is very much a modern day Mother Theresa. I received my beaded necklace handmade by a Karamajong mother on Saturday, and now you write this post on Sunday. I've donated $50 today.

To those reading- you can purchase Christmas gifts that will support Amazima at http://147millionorphans.com.

Kristen said...

Update: as of 3:45 CST $1390 x TWO

My kids were so inspired by all of you--they pooled their pennies, allowance and are buying their own chicken to donate!

Jenny said...

I donated my $10. Thank you for being generous enough to match it.

I've read Katie's blog for several months now and it often brings me to tears.

Stephanie said...

I just donated $10.00 for a blanket! Praise God! Thanks for letting us join you in this!

Anonymous said...

Donated $10 for a chicken. My 4 yo insisted the chicken was "cooler" than a blanket.

Christibear said...

I donated $10 for a chicken! My family has been in the position of not having $10 for groceries and received an unasked for basket of onions, potatoes, eggs and cereal. It's time to pay it forward!

Anonymous said...

No words.....just $10 donated to help....May we all count our blessings!

lauralavon said...

Oh, those eyes! It broke my heart, but also made me so happy for this little soul! I donated $10.00. Bless you and yours!

Catherine B said...

Thank you for sharing this and for being so selfless. I made a donation today. Happy Holidays

Nancy said...

My husband is unemployed so we're cutting way back on donations this year, but I love what you & your family are doing. Just donated $10.00...wish it could have been more. Thank you for blessing us!!

Anonymous said...

Wow I've never seen a before and after pic of an adopted child before. What a difference. What an impact it makes. Thanks for sharing it and it has moved me to do something.

Carissa said...

Just made a $20 donation. Thank you for doing this!!! What a great blessing.

Rebecca said...

I've been following Katie's story for a couple of months. Her faith and courage is a light and I am inspired.

I was inspired by your family's heart to donate. So I did. $20.

Merry Christmas!

Amy said...

I just donated $10. Thank you Kristen!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing way to spread the love of Christmas. Thrilled and humbled to participate!

Dawn M. said...

I've donated $10, too. Thank you for matching! :0)

Stonefox said...

Oh girl, I'm sorry I missed this! God bless you for your heart, and I just have an idea that He is getting ready to enlarge your world, my friend!! In a very good way!! :)

Stacey said...

God works in amazing ways! We found Katie's blog just a day or so before you posted about it. We are so moved and inspired by her. So a day or so ago, we bought a chicken, a blanket, and a seed packet...$25... don't know if this counts, but we love Katie and her children and are praying for them daily. Thank you for highlighting her ministry!

Cherie said...

Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus and allowing us to do the same with such a simple request. With a few clicks of my computer keys, lives can be changed. God Bless!