Adopt a New Outlook on Helping Orphans

What picture comes to mind when you hear the word "orphan"?

Do you picture the lonely child with dirty tattered clothing living on the cold, dark streets? While this picture is true among major metropolitan areas here and around the country, there is another image that encapsulates the orphan of today.

It is the boy or girl who has lost one or both parents to disease or prison. It is the child who was so severely abused, he or she was removed from the home simply for survival. It is the child who has only known the foster care system — never having any family or kin of their own.

It is estimated that there are 147 million orphans worldwide. Staggering, isn't it? And of those 147 million, only 1 percent are adopted into a family.

I learned these facts and more while attending the at on Saturday. The program featured a panel of experts of foster care and adoption. Litha Mueller and her family have provided foster care to 101 foster children in their Port Washington home. Litha and Gary have three birth children and one adopted son.

Jerry Huber of Sheboygan shared how he and his wife have adopted 19 children over a 20 year span. Traci Weldie of Watertown shared how she and her husband felt a calling from the Lord to add to the four children already in their midst. They have adopted a young boy from Ethiopia and a young girl from Ghana.

Jill Larson of Grafton is the director of social services for the Seattle-based World Association for Children and Parents. She works with families seeking international adoption and infant domestic adoption.

The love and dedication of these people is almost too hard to put into words. From the decision to pursue their dreams of adoption to the final paperwork and court dates, one thing is certain — it is a hard road. It is quite evident that the rewards are life-changing and joyful.

Perhaps adopting a child into your home isn't feasible financially, emotionally or physically. But, you can help the local agencies who care for these children and young adults.

The internet is jam-packed with websites pertaining to the support and care for those children here at home and around the world who are so desperate for our help.  Not only do your dollars go to the aid and care of these young lives but you can help show these children that they are only "orphans" in the sense of the word. 

Another great way to help is to become involved in a great fundraiser, such as the Friedens Evangelical Church's Forever Families 5K Run/Walk event. Friedens Evangelical Church offers grants to parents interested in adopting and will hold its second annual Forever Families 5k Run/Walk and Silent Auction on Sept. 10.