Pure Religion | Relief, Rehabilitation, & Development
Pure Religion: The Why & How of Caring for Orphan Children
by Scott Nordstrom
Relief, Rehabilitation, & Development
I am not going to dive in deep here, but generally speaking, we do not provide what those in the human development field refer to as relief. Relief is typically regarded as temporary assistance to people who will eventually recover in the short term. If aid is provided beyond recovery, then it is moving into something that is not considered relief.
The need for aid may ebb and flow based on economic conditions, growing seasons, climatic events, and other socio-economic variables. However, if an orphan child has no extended family and no mom or dad, there may be a need for sustained relief for this child. While our commitment level is not permanent, it could last for several decades or until such time as the child is grown. The need for assistance may not change for a child until such time that they can provide for themselves.
This is not a desirable or comfortable situation for aid agencies or churches that involve themselves in relief work. We partner in the field with a myriad of organization types and church denominations. Some of these organizations require a time limit on assistance for a project which often is neither appropriate nor advisable. One of the buzzwords is “self-sustainable.” “Is this project self-sustainable in the next five years?” is a question that we are sometimes asked. How can a child be self-sustainable?
I contend that depending on certain socio-economic conditions you might have an entire generation of people in need of relief for a sustained period. The long view that is required for this type of work with orphaned children is challenging as you need to be persistent with your effort over a long period of time.
…We have worked with communities to improve their schools and other local facilities, but this type of aid is less targeted to meeting the daily needs of orphaned children. Therefore, as we serve children there may be limitations to offering an entire community relief, or development opportunities that are not specifically targeted to orphaned children, or at the very least we may enlist additional partners to play a role that will better allow all of the children in need to be served even those not considered orphans.
Whatever is the case in the community that you are considering serving, do not become paralyzed in trying to decide the best way forward. Always err on the side of compassion!
I was in a meeting with a megachurch mission’s pastor several years ago, and I explained the dire situation for children in South Sudan and outlined our solution. His response was several statements about his time in South Sudan some years earlier and that he was fully aware of the situation there. He closed with the question, “How does this become self-sustainable in three to five years’ time?”
I was perplexed as I conjured up an answer, “It does not.” That was my last meeting with that church.
You see, our journey to serve others is sometimes a long road. Our western mindset has become so focused on the here-and-now with great emphasis on instant gratification where results can be achieved quickly. Sure, there are stakeholders, partners, and parishioners to consider, but anything worth doing is worth doing right.
Opportunities to serve orphaned children with near-term results and one-time aid do exist, but in most cases, meaningful assistance will be needed over a long period of time. This work is not for the faint of heart, but for those who can have the long view of the Kingdom of God.
God is inviting us into this story as He comes to the rescue for many of these children with no mom or dad. He is asking you to consider being his hands and feet! You can join us at Global Orphan Relief, and we can journey together if you choose as you pray, volunteer, serve in the field, and or financially support the least of these—the orphaned child.
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Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005. We have accomplished this work to date through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care.
Scott Nordstrom leads GO! today and was a co-founder when we launched in 2005. Scott has served with GO! for 16-years and has been responsible in deploying 163 volunteers on 26 teams to the mission field. He has personally served in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, South Sudan, and Zambia since 2005. Scott is the author of Pure Religion, and has also spoke in the United States, as well as, internationally regarding child welfare and matters of faith, hope, and love.
You may send financial support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Cir, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at Support the Global Orphan Relief Children or you can give on this website at the upper righthand corner under ‘Donate’.
Movement of FAITH | Voice of HOPE | Act of LOVE
Global Orphan Relief is a Christian relief agency serving Orphans in need and a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.