Miraculous Outcomes

They were orphans. Either by definition or for the simple fact that they have no mother or earthly father. They were alone. Some on the streets. Others in homes where there was no one to care for them. They were starving and sick. Some were babies left in dumpsters. Some were toddlers left alone to fend for themselves. Some were teenagers, wandering the streets, begging, stealing, afraid and without hope. 

They received no education. They didn’t know how to read or write. They didn’t know anything about God. They existed, but just barely, and half of them would have perished with the other half turning to crime to survive.

That was then.

More than 20 years have passed. They have spent those years, or a portion of those years, in children’s homes of Orphan’s Lifeline International. They have spent those years being cared for and loved by Christians in the home and Christians thousands of miles away. They have been given shelter. They have been given good nutrition. They have been given primary education, secondary education and college or vocational school educations. They have been given their own Bibles and on average, across nine countries, they spend 3 hours per day in prayer, worship and Bible Study. They have been given a hope that transcends their sad past and shown the kind of compassion and love that Jesus had for those who suffered. All in His Name. All in His name.

So, what are they now?

They are still orphans, but they have a loving family. They are Nurses, IT Techs, Communications Techs, Electrical Engineers, Civil Engineers, Mechanics, Professional Drivers, Preachers and Teachers and the list goes on. Some are social workers and some have chosen to work for the children’s home they came from, helping orphan children in that home deal with the same mental and emotional issues they dealt with as a child. 

But WHO are they? That is the more important question that embodies what they were as well as what they have become. Who they are is a much deeper question and, at the same time, the most important question.

 I could tell you that they are well-educated professionals and that would be true. I could tell you that some are mothers and fathers with children of their own that they love and provide for; and that would also be true. I could tell you that they have grown to become young adults with an almost unheard of deep appreciation of the blessings in their lives, and that would also be true. I could tell you that they are filled with compassion; filled with empathy and that they love God and are faithful and obedient followers of Jesus. That would also be very true.

But that is just me telling you that. As they say, the proof is in the pudding. 

So here then is the pudding in the form of just a few excerpts from a few letters out of many hundreds of such letters. This is their words. This is the reason we do what we do. This is the reason that you do what you do.

“To expand my knowledge about the Goodness of God, I read the Bible you gave me every day. I participate in leading fellowships we have at home every day. I have verses which I memorize and my favorite is Psalms 27:10. ‘my father and mother may abandon me, but the Lord will take care of me.’ Thank you for loving and taking care of me. God bless you.” – Shifra

“Obedience is the act of doing what you are told or expected to do. Since I was young, I have been brough up with the element of obedience. It has helped me to live a peaceful life with my friends at home. I have gained much from being obedient. Everyone is willing to help me when I am in need of anything.

According to the Bible in the book of Isaiah, 1:19, ‘If you will only obey me, you will eat the good things the land produces.’ From this I learn to always obey God, for If I do so, He will always provide for me.” – Frank

“God has provided us with food, school fees, clothing. All in all, I call it favor. Indeed, God has blessed with favor among people and He has provided us with His love, care and mercy. I have grown spiritually ever since I came to this home. Through the fellowship here, I have managed to build my confidence and I love to lead my friends in worship and praise of God.” -  Judith

“… It’s a great opportunity to write to you about the beauty of God’s creation. The beauty on earth, all created for man. In Gods image, God created man. All the creatures, in mans hands he placed. He deserves the worship, the lives we have, the air we breathe, the creatures that exist, the plants that grow, the children that are born. Glory and honor be to God. Worship Him for it pleases Him. It is a command from Him. It is our response to His love. He destroys the enemy. It prepares us for the life to come. Worship Him in thanksgiving. Worship Him in sincerity.” – Grace

“I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Am so glad to write you once again.

Bible quiz was introduced at our home whereby we read a text from the Bible and answer the questions from it. 

Bible quiz has enabled me to learn many things which includes audibility while speaking, confidence among my fellows when giving answers, explaining the points correctly and has also improved my vocabulary in English, because I use a dictionary to understand technical words.

In addition, Bible quiz has enabled me to get deep-rooted in the Word of God. It is through the Bible quiz that I get encouraged to do Good, trust God and fully depend on Him.

I have been able to get memory verses like, ‘My mother and father may abandon me, but the Lord will take care of me (Psalms 27:10).’ This is what I got from one of my sharings.

From this verse I am assured that the Lord will take care of my needs when everybody abandons me. I always feel happy to know that the Lord always takes care of me as His child.

Thank you for sending me this lovely Bible, for I have gained so much from it. May God bless you. – Berna

“Time is precious in my daily life. For I am able to do all things, teaching and encouraging others, which continuously builds my social behavior, and enables me to become wiser each day.

Time is precious for I plan for my day accordingly. Doing things that take me to a brighter future, drawing my heart closer to God through reading my Bible, the living Word of God.

Time is precious, for I am able to learn new things in a day. Baking, sewing, tailoring, among others. Keeping in mind that time waits for no man. So, time is always ripe for me to do something great.” – Gloria

“…But my lovely sponsors, please I just request you for your prayers because I am going into form four and school fees have increased and no student will be allowed to enter school without payment. Even me, I am putting you in my daily prayers. I know God is ever able because I read Philippians 4:13. We can see miracles and wonders.             - Alishar

And now one last excerpt that says it all:

“Our dear parents, praise God. I am sorry to call you like that, but to me you are more than just a sponsor. You are my real parents. Surely. Because from the day God placed me in your hands of support, I forgot all the past and focused only forward and am seeing my future now.

I cannot write my heart with this pen on this paper, but how I wish you could hear my heart. I am so troubled in my mind and asking questions to God, day and night wondering what kind of love have these people who sacrifice and share with others??? Dear parents, the school fees, foods, clothing and every good thing that you send us has not only reached us, but has also reached God, your Creator. Therefore, the heavens together with your lovely daughter Esther from Butiki Children’s home. We say thank you, thank you, thank you a thousand times and to the whole family of God. – Esther.

Miraculous outcomes…