A Conversation with an Orphan

The school year has ended in many orphanages around the world and for those children 16 years or older that are done with high school, their opportunity to be adopted is most likely over.

They have "graduated" from the system and now they move on.

A small number will survive.

Most will become criminals and prostitutes.

Many will be dead within a few years.

All it takes to break this cycle is for someone like you to step out in faith, go get a child and make that child your own.

A friend recently had this conversation with an orphan that may never have the opportunity to be adopted:

Where is your mother?

She died.

Do you remember your mother?

Yes, of course, I do.

Did you live with her?

Yes.

How long?

I don’t remember.

I’ll bet she was pretty.

(Smile) Of course she was.

What was her name?

(Long pause)  I don’t remember.

And what about your dad?

He’s in jail.

Has he been there for a long time?  Did you ever live with him?

Yes a long time, no I just lived with my mom.

(A little while later...)

What kind of family do you want one day?  A pretty wife?

No, I don’t want a wife,  but  I am going to adopt a child from an orphanage.

Why do you want to do that?

Because I know what it is like to live in an orphanage.  And my child will be thankful that I took him away from the orphanage, he will value what I will give him.

Like you would have valued if someone came for you?

Yes, but I live in the orphanage, I am not complaining.

Value.  This orphan understands at least a little bit about what is really important and what we should value.

What do you value?  Do you value these children enough to make life a little uncomfortable for a while to change the life of a child.  

You may come to find that a little discomfort now becomes the greatest blessing of your life.

And you will change the conversation with an orphan.