Go on a Mission Trip to an Orphanage

Buckner Orphan Care

Opportunities: Deliver shoes, construction, VBS, share Christ with a child, humanitarian aid, and medical aid. Countries: China, Kenya, Guatemala, Latvia, Peru, Romania, and Russia. Trips last 8-10 days. A Baptist Ministry.

Global Aid Network Missions

Opportunities: Outreach to orphans and needy children. Give compassionate aid and share Christ. Trips last 10 days to 2 weeks. A Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ.

Vision Trust Mission Trips

Opportunities: Labor on orphanage or school, VBS, discipleship training, neighborhood evangelism, dental and medical care, sports clinics and camps. Countries: Brazil, Thailand, and Dominican Republic. Trips last about 1 ½ weeks.

Warm Blankets

Opportunities: Assist at an Orphan Baptism Retreat at the South China Sea, fellowship with the children. Country: Cambodia. Trips last about 1 ½ weeks.

Visiting Orphans

Opportunities: Childcare, camp counselors, building construction, and Bible school. Countries: China, El Salvador, Russia, and Ethiopia. Trips last: 8-15 days

Children's HopeChest

Your family can volunteer to help at a Christian summer camp for orphans. Opportunities: Lead devotions & prayer, tell your testimony, participating in U.S. culture night, performing in the talent show, sports and camp games, help organize events, arts and crafts. Country: Russia. Trip lasts: 2-8 weeks

Philip Hayden Foundation Children's Villages
Opportunities: Help at the children’s village (homes for orphans). Country: China (near Beijing) Trips last: 7-14 days. Additional: Visit the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. The Children’s Villages earn money to care for the orphans by hosting visitors.

Participate in Orphan/Adoption Sunday

Many churches choose a day to share about orphans and adoption with the congregation. Since November is National Adoption Awareness Month, many churches pick a day in November.

Here are some ideas from the Shaohannah’s Hope site:

1. Establish a date convenient for your fellowship. Preferably around other adoption related events/celebration. Historically, National Adoption Day is celebrated the Saturday before Thanksgiving during National Adoption Awareness month (November). Although any time is appropriate there are a few important dates to note that might help in encouraging your leadership to participate. Possible dates: Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, the Sunday after National Adoption Day, or a Sunday in November, National Adoption Awareness Month, or May, National Foster Care Month.
2. Advertise around the church on bulletin boards or where appropriate using “Adoption Sunday” posters.
3. Encourage your senior pastor to preach about God’s heart for orphans, using resources from Inspirational Materials or the Show Hope Store.
4. Play Build a Bridge of Hope video narrated by Steven Curtis Chapman , the Family Testimony video, the Hidden Treasure video, or the Facts video available on the Show Hope DVD.
5. Allow an adoptive family to give their testimony.
6. Dedicate a percentage of offering to your own adoption/orphan care ministry.
7. Bring ALL adoptive families on stage for closing worship/prayer.
8. Have a time of “Special Music” using one of the adoption songs mentioned in the Inspirational Materials, or show the “When Love Takes You In” music video.
9. Provide bulletin inserts using the H.O.P.E. guidelines with information on http://www.howtoadopt.org/ for those who may be interested in adopting.
10. Announce the first Adoption Ministry small group meeting. You may want to consider organizing an adoption workshop in your church as well.
11. Consider providing a departing gift or some materials for your church members.