Fellowship Memphis

I remember the moment I stepped off the bus at the orphanage for the first time. I knew the kids would be excited to see us, but nothing prepared me for the swarm of children that nearly toppled us over! Immediately a group of kids latched onto each of us, holding fingers, arms, waists - whatever they could get their hands on!

These kids were clearly so eager and so hungry for love. I was thankful to discover that at each of the 5 ministries we visited, their basic needs were met – at least, to some extent. However, what these kids wanted more than any new shoes or a new dress was love. Attention. Hugs & kisses. Someone to sit and talk with them, sing to them, pray for them, and listen to their story. Someone with a lap they could fall asleep in and who would tuck them into bed. After all, isn’t love the most ‘basic’ need of all?

Each of my team-members and I found ourselves being designated as surrogate “Mom” to many. Having no parents, whether through death or through abandonment, these kids were just so ready to latch on to someone who could mirror that love of a parent, even if just for a day. They were jumping at the chance for love – both to give and receive!

Orphan care is not only loving them like a parent would (whether temporarily, or permanently – through the beauty of adoption), but it’s chiefly pointing them towards their heavenly Parent. Their Abba Father. It’s the hope all Christians cling to: being adopted into His family as sons & daughters. But oh the joy of being able to whisper that in a little girl’s ear that she is loved by Jesus, that God is her Daddy, that she is secure in Him.

That’s why orphan care is such a natural fit for us at Fellowship. Out of the overflow of our heavenly Father’s love for us: we love others, we bring in the orphan, we care for “the least of these.” And in turn, this draws us deeper into the heart of God.

I am so excited to see where our Engage 1.17 initiative takes us. So excited to see how we as a Body tangibly reach out to be the hands of Jesus to the orphan, both in our city and around the world.