Quality Care

Two weeks ago I joined 74 back2back staff members at the Christian Alliance for the Orphan Summit. It was quite a trip that included 3 intense days (9am-9pm) of research based best practice, biblical reminders of God’s heart for the orphan, and community bonding. You had to be totally social with everyone around you and totally silent and attuned to God’s voice trying to speak to you.

I don’t really know what I expected, but I guess I expected to hear some sad stories and cry. I quickly realized that all of the 2500 people at the conference already had seen all the sad pictures, heard all the crazy stories and hugged all the lonely bodies.

What we were all there to find out was what to do with that? What do we do with broken lives when we can’t seem to gather up the pieces? What really is the best placement for the orphan child? What do we do when we are too tired to keep on defending the vulnerable?

I thought every person in orphan ministry was fighting to put every child in a family and that it was the only way for a child to succeed. I found there is definitely a controversy in the field. Many are fighting to put all children in families; others say some children do better in institutional settings. Nonetheless, every researcher agrees that the quality of care that the child receives from a stable caregiver is the key to the child’s well being. If they live in a house with a yard and two parents, or in an institutional setting of bunk beds, like my girls, the person providing care is key.

What matters more is what God has deposited in the people—vessels—who are caring for these kids. Thank God for the intricate way he made the human—a masterpiece. Just when we think we’ve got it all figured out, He surprises us.

This is hope for me and my girls.

When I think they don’t have enough,

when they are sharing their clothes and food,

when I can’t go to every program at their 6 schools,

when I get tired of washing dishes and doing laundry,

I remember Jesus’ perfect will is working still.

I remember that connecting with them is what matters.

Giving them everyday care is what matters.

Still, I make a wish for them to be in families, sigh, and carry down the laundry basket to hang their clothes on the line.