It doesn’t happen often, but now and then, people have an odd reaction when they hear that I work at an orphanage in Mexico. They say, “I’d rather help kids in America.” This statement brings up so many uncomfortable and unhealthy issues. The snarky side of me really wants to say, “Great, what are you doing for kids in America?” I can almost guarantee they aren’t doing anything for anybody. Continue reading
Christian walk
Avoid The Turkeys In Your Life
Several years ago there was a popular bumper sticker that said: “It’s hard to soar with eagles when you’re surrounded by turkeys.” Although it was meant as a joke, there is actually a great deal of truth in those few words. Who you surround yourself with has a significant impact on everything you do. Choose carefully who you spend your time with, and who is on your team. In missions, in orphan care, and in life, quality people make the difference. Continue reading
Life Is Never Normal
A while back, I was sitting with a young couple who were planning on opening a new orphanage. Along with all of the important topics we covered, I asked them one key question. “Are you ready to never have a “normal” week again?” When running an orphanage there is always some disaster around the corner. Children get sick, cars breakdown, government officials can be crazy, funding is always an issue. Every week brings some new challenge that needs to be overcome. Looking back at that question in light of what’s going on in the world, maybe that’s a question we should all be asking. Are we ready to never have a “normal” week again? Continue reading
“Authority Sucks”
Our relationship with any authority is complicated. From an early age, we have a strong desire to rebel against authority; anyone who’s cared for a toddler will attest to this. That rebellious spirit ebbs and flows, peaking again in our teen years as we establish our identity. Contempt for, and rebelling against, authority has been going on for a very long time. Although, as a culture, we tend to admire standing up to authority, it’s rebelling against authority that originally got Adam and Eve in trouble. We have been living with the consequences of their rebellious spirit ever since. Continue reading
DJ from the orphanage 