A Blog Post by Yvonne

Orphanages are no longer common in the U.S.A. I think most people would consider an orphanage as a horrible place. Some individuals might believe they are completely unnecessary in today’s world. I felt that way many years ago. God changed my mind when I met my first orphan in an underdeveloped country. Suddenly, James 1:27 took on a new meaning for me and lead me into a ministry to orphans. Twenty years later, the work continues. Let me share how God is changing lives through the ministry of Orphan Relief Effort, Inc.

In the country of Nepal, vulnerable boys and girls live on the streets. Children as young as five are left to fend for themselves. Filthy faces, distended bellies, and hopelessness make them stand out among the tourist. They appear lost in a sea of humanity. Most have no education, and many have never experienced a loving hug. One boy we found had never been potty trained and was forced to live in soiled clothes. I wanted to make a difference in his life by providing a home for him.

Soon, I discovered about the “other” places where orphans existed in Nepal. Some children get sold into a life of slavery either in factories, arranged marriages or worse. Girls as young as ten become wives to forty-year-old men for a price. One girl was brought to our orphanage before her family sold her to a circus in India. Her siblings were not as lucky as her.

In Myanmar (formally known as Burma), years of extreme poverty and on-going conflicts ravaged the country for years and left many children as orphans. Even though these kids might not live on the streets, their situation was no better than those we found in Nepal. Many never attended school. The few who went to school did not succeed in classrooms because of the hunger pains in their bellies. Those in our orphanage thrived in their new environment.

God’s heart breaks for the orphans of the world. He calls all of us to make a difference for them. I said yes to this calling, and now many lost children live a very different life. God provided them with love, food, medical care and education through the organization we formed. We witness lives transformed by the hand of God every day.

The work continues and grows. We provide for seventeen children in our orphanage in Myanmar and twenty-two children in Nepal. We need donors to help us with this calling. I hope you will consider partnering with us. If you are not able to donate, please consider joining us as a prayer partner. We also want to make sure these children are covered in prayer daily. Please connect with us:
Webpage: http://www.orphanreliefeffort.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OREInc
Twitter: @OrphanREffort

Blessing,
Yvonne with Orphan Relief Effort

Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Prayers for Orphans – A blog by Yvonne

More than a billion people on our planet live in poverty, on less than $1.25 per day. Only half of them have electricity in their homes. About one-third of these impoverished people are children, age 12 or younger.

Heavenly Father, Lord of all, have mercy on all of us. Provide the orphans with everything they need for a happy life. Strengthen them, and give them love-filled families, safe and comfortable shelter, adequate health care, and excellent nutrition.

Dear Lord, please keep these children safe from dangers of all kinds. Let them live in a place where they are treated respectfully and loved unconditionally.

Help them learn to love because they are surrounded by love every day. Raise their self-esteem and let them know they are capable of succeeding in life in wonderful ways.

May the impoverished, struggling parents of this world be comforted and strengthened by your Holy Spirit’s guidance in their lives. Inspire them to find creative, innovative, effective ways to house, feed and educate their children.

Let the children and teenagers who live in poverty get the education they need to be able to survive in this world. Help them make a meaningful contribution to the betterment of this world.

I thank you, Lord, for making me aware of the needs of impoverished children. Please make me able to do whatever You wish for these children. Guide me in my efforts to help Your children.

This I ask, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

Blessing,
Yvonne with Orphan Relief Effort

Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Is That You God? – Blog by Yvonne

Have you ever wondered if an idea which just crossed your mind is from God? I know I have struggled with this situation myself over the years? God was that you or just me thinking up some hair-brain idea? I feel frustrated at times as I try to discern these type of thoughts.

Several years back, I kept getting a nudge to write a book. God, is this your idea or me thinking how exciting it would be to write a book? The thought continued to plague me for almost a month. Finally, in desperation, I pleaded with God. I asked God if this is from you, then, please let me husband ask me about writing a book. The thought disappeared from my head, and life returned to normal. Well, until a month or so later. My husband and I were sitting in the living room watching TV, and he looked over at me and asked me how my book was coming along. My mouth dropped open as I stared at him in amazement. I quickly asked my husband why he thought I was writing a book but he could not answer my question. He just had the thought pop into his head that I was writing a book.

I wish all God’s messages would come through as loud and clear as this one. But if they did, would that require as much faith? The Bible tells us that God’s voice is often a still, small voice as seen in 1 Kings 19:11 So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle whisper. We must listen intently to hear what God is saying to us.

Noises from the world threaten to drowned out the small still voice. We must be diligent in our pursuit of quiet time with the Lord if we want to hear Him. The rewards from listening to His voice and following His instructions are enormous, but we first must hear. Shut off the electronics and separate yourself from the world even if only a few minutes a day. What is God trying to tell you?

Oh, and my reward for listening and following the small still voice is my book which will soon be published. Miracles still do happen.

Blessing,
Yvonne with Orphan Relief Effort

Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”