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"God sets the lonely in families" - Psalm 68:6



Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Reflections on The Orphan Summit

This month I was thrilled to attend the eighth annual Summit,  hosted by Christian Alliance for Orphans.  The Summit is held in a different city each year and this year it took place right in our own backyard (at Saddleback Church).  Last year I flew to KY to attend The Summit, and next year I hope to travel to Nashville for The Summit IX.  For more information on Christian Alliance for Orphans or The Summit, visit:

Christian Alliance For Orphans


One of the highlights for me personally this year was being able to attend The Summit with so many friends and family members as well as members of our So Cal Orphan Care Network.  We shared lots of tears, laughter, and joy as we experienced The Summit together!  We were moved and challenged by speakers like Pastor Rick Warren, Francis Chan, Steven Curtis Chapman, the Honourable Susan Jacobs from the US State Department and The Honourable Inymba Aloisa, Minister of Family Promotions, Rwanda.  Rwanda's goal is to be the first country to place every orphan into a permanent home and they are close to achieving their goal.  The story of God's healing in Rwanda after a horrific genocide, which left one half million children orphaned, is unparalled. We were absolutely amazed to hear unforgettable stories throughout The Summit of the miracle of adoption and the father heart of God. 





It's nearly impossible to summarize what I learned, felt and was inspired by in one blog post.  But I'll try to express a few thoughts.  The overall sense that we all walked away with is the fact that adoption is the heart of the gospel.  As Christians, our calling to adoption is gospel led and gospel centered.  Our heavenly father reached down from Heaven and adopted us as His sons and His daughters.  He adopted us in our sin, rebellion and brokenness.  We therefore love orphans through foster care, orphan care and adoption out of His marvelous love for us.  We were reminded again and again of God's love for His children and the redemptive miracle of caring for the fatherless.  The Church has been given the incredible privilege and responsibility to display God's love to the world through caring for His precious children.  We are not the "rescuers" of children.  God is.  And we are privileged to be His hands and His feet as we care for His children. 



I was extremely honored to attend an all day, pre-Summit training on attachment led by world-renowned attachment specialist, Karyn Purvis and marriage/family therapists Milan and Kay Yerkovich.  I loved learning about the hope of healing in the midst of trauma through brain development and trust-based relational intervention.  One of my favorite quotes from Karyn was that "Science catches up with God."  It was incredible to grasp how certain foods, sensory activities, appropriate touch and connection can actually heal the brain of a traumatized child. 

Rick Warren challenged us with the fact that if one person in one out of every four churches in the US adopted out of foster care,  foster care would no longer exist in the United States.  Wow!  We learned that 80% of the men in prison in the US lived in foster care as children.  He also challenged us with the fact that the Church is the only answer to the orphan crisis.  Why?  He listed the following reasons:

(1)  We have the largest participation (2.4 billion Christians)
(2)  We have the widest distribution
(3)  We have the longest track record
(4)  The church has the fastest expansion (60,000 people come to Christ every day)
(5)  We have the highest motivation - LOVE!
(6)  We have the strongest authorization - THE GREAT COMMISSION!
(7)  We have the simplest administration
(8)  We have the greatest conclusion

There are many stories, thoughts and experiences that I continue to process after attending The Summit.  One thing is for sure, I can't wait to get on a plane to El Salvador this Saturday and love on the precious children who we sadly call "orphans."  They have been forgotten, abandoned and abused.  But our team will bring hope, joy, laughter, loving touch, gifts and the reminder that their Heavenly Father loves them.  He has not forgotten them.  He is right there in their midst.  And that's what it's all about!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Home, Sweet Home - We've Moved!


That's right!  We moved again!  It seems like we have become "professional home movers," fixing up and decorating home after home!  What a journey!  This was not "part of our plan," but it was God's plan!  When our landlord announced his intent to increase rent two months ago, we realized it was time to downsize.  We'd just been praying about how to save money as a family, and God made it crystal clear.  We found a smaller home that allows us to save significantly. The doors opened quickly through our property management application and the rest is history!  We've signed a one year lease and continue to trust God's hand over our family.  We are incredibly grateful for our new home.  It has clean water, gas and electricity, a pantry and fridg filled with food and plenty of room to host events and make memories as a family.  We know that by these standards, we are richer than 97 % of the world and we are truly blessed beyond  measure. 

Two years ago I was introduced to the book, "Radical," by David Platt.  I have been so deeply impacted by this book that it's become required reading for all of our orphan outreach team members.  In his book, Platt chronicles the lives of radical Christians who are living sacrificially in order to serve the poor, the destitute, the forgotten and the lost.  On page 136, he says:

"It is a constant battle to resist the temptation to have more luxuries, to acquire more stuff, and to live more comfortably.  It requires strong and steady resolve to live out the gospel in the middle of an American dream that identifies success as moving up the ladder, getting the bigger house, purchasing the nicer car, buying better clothes, eating the finer good and acquiring more things. 

What would happen if together we stopped giving our scraps to the poor and started giving surpluses?  Give.  Give generously, abundantly and sacrificially.  Give not because your stuff is bad.  Give because Christ is in you.  Give because your heart has been captured by a Savior who has produced in you overflowing joy, welling up in rich generosity (page 131)." 

It is our desire as a family to give more, serve more and offer our lives daily to bless others.  We are grateful that this new home allows us the freedom to do that.  Years ago, our church missions board sent home-made plaques to all of our missionary partners serving throughout the world.  The plaques said, "Home is Where the Lord Sends Me."  Our plaque is hanging above my office door and reminds us that we are on a mission, He is our Commander and we have the indescribable privilege of knowing, following and serving Him.  We are so grateful for our new home, sweet home, and the amazing journey He has called us to!



Our first missions dessert in our new home
(hosting the Scorziells, who serve in Zimbabwe)


my new office

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Jordan heads back to El Salvador!!!

Jordan will be serving with the July El Salvador team! Please take a few minutes to read his letter!

Dear family and friends,

Two years ago I went to El Salvador with my mom and I loved it. I made a lot of new friends even though we spoke different languages.





I am hoping to go again with my mom and a team from our church from July 7-14, 2012. There are nineteen volunteers on our team and half of our team members are kids or teenagers. I think that’s cool! One of my best friends from church, Joshua, is coming on the team with his family and I’m excited to travel with such a big group of friends this time! On my last trip to El Salvador I saw that the orphans were really content and grateful, even though they didn’t have much. I have never forgotten that. I want to go again because I want to bless more orphans and visit the new orphanages where my mom works. My brother, Aidan and my dad got to visit these orphanages last year and I’m excited to go as well. We’ll be helping in a government orphanage and also at a Christian orphanage.

Our team will be throwing a big party for the teenage girls at the government orphanage. These girls have already turned 15 but never had a quinceanera (a traditional Latin celebration for girls). Our team is collecting prom dresses, shoes and jewelry for the girls. We’ll also be making meals and feeding the homeless from the back of a truck one night. I’m looking forward to doing that. My mom told me that a lot of the kids from the government orphanages live on the streets after leaving their orphanages, and that makes me feel sad. I’m glad that we can make them a meal and visit them while we’re there.

Everybody on my team has to remember a Bible verse about orphans. My verse is:

“I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.” - John 14:18

Thank you for your support and for helping me to go visit orphans!

Love,
Jordan Ramsey

The Vision

God spoke this vision regarding our adoption journey to Barbara Lange on March 26, 2010...

"Jenni,


I have made the decision to speak our boldly when God speaks to me. Last night as I was washing the dishes I received this "vision" of you. I hesitate to use the word "vision," but what I saw was a slide of your life. As I watched the show in my mind I began to cry because I was so touched by what I saw. You and I have shared many tears these last couple of years, both sorrow and joy. The attachment is what I saw.

FRAME 1

Jenni sitting at the South Coast Community Church reception desk with the photo album of her courtship and engagement to Mike.

FRAME 2

Jenni performing the gospel message in mime at New Harvest Community Church, showing her heart for the lost and oppressed. Jenni performing the gospel in mime on missions trips everywhere she is able to go. Her Father rejoicing at her obedience and passion.

FRAME 3

The anguished look of a woman desperately wanting to have children. Unsuccessful fertility treatements.

FRAME 4

God watching over His daughter, His heart breaking as tears flow down her cheeks. He whispers in her ear, "My child, I know how broken you feel, but I have a great plan and purpose for your life. This anguish, this heartbreak, this pain will subside. Joy is on its' way. I needed you to suffer in this way because of My plan is for you. You are going to be an advocate for international adoptions. You are going to spread my gospel this way.

FRAME 5

The births of Jordan and Aidan! At last a MOM!

FRAME 6

Having experienced the heartbreak of infertility, Jenni's passion for adoption grows.


FRAME 7

Jenni's passion for missions and adoption begin to fuse.


FRAME 8

The Ramseys start the adoption process for a daughter.

FRAME 9

Jenni goes to Washington DC and connects with adoption leaders. Relationships follow, teamwork begins. Jenni begins a new chapter in her life in the intl. adoption network.

FRAME 10

The slow adoption process is agonizing to the Ramseys.

FRAME 11

Jenni leads a missions team to El Salvador and learns sad news about El Salvador adoptions and specifically their own plans. Heartbroken again, but resolved to press on.

FRAME 12

More networking with intl. adoptions, hope for their daughter and another trip to El Salvador. Jordan goes to El Salvador. The orphans are overwhelmed and ecstatic that Jenni returns. Jenni and Jordan build "forever friendships and family" in El Salvador. Jenni's passion increases.

FRAME 13

Jenni prepares for third trip to El Salvador in one year. Amazing things happen.

FRAME 14 - THE FINAL FRAME...

Mike and Jenni, standing now, older, graying hair, surrounded by their sons and their wives, their daughters and their husbands and their grandchildren. Below them are thousands of children joyously celebrating Jenni's life. Her passion to follow her Father's call and purpose on her life is fulfilled. These thousands of children represent all of the orphans, adoptions and ripple affect of her life's work.

A work that could not be accomplished without the pain, suffering and brokeness she endured trying to become a mom.


Well done, my good and faithful servant."

A Heartwarming Adoption Story.... the Howerton's Miraculous Haitian Adoption Journey

God's Heart for Orphans...

An Incredible Video...

"Cry of The Orphan" - Thoughts on orphan care from some of my greatest heroes!