Red Letters

This is Children’s HopeChest’s very first viral marketing strategy. Please click on this Interactive video about how you can be involved in what we are doing to save the lives of orphans in different parts of the world.

I would also love it if you could forward this to as many of your friends as possible. Please email me with your thoughts.

Thanks for your commitment and for joining me on this journey.

We had an incredible encounter on the streets of Colorado Springs tonight. Seth Barnes, Gary Black, Andrew Shearman (an incredible, wonderful Englishman) and yours truly, were walking downtown for dinner.

A homeless man named, "Jersey Joe" asked us for a few bucks. Seth stopped and talked with him and said, "Man do you need some prayer?" He said, "Do I ever!" We started to pray for him and he cried out, "Lay hands on me, lay hands on me!" So we did, and prayed down heaven on this child of God. It was raw, it was real, it was ministry.

Turns out, he used to be a deacon in his church. In tears he asked for God’s help and thanked us again and again for his prayers. We were having church on the streets of Colorado and it was great! Who knows what will happen to Jersey Joe, but we brought the Kingdom into his life. The rest is up to God.

It was a reminder to me that Jesus is hidden in the lives of the poor. Matthew 25 is a strong reminder to us what is most important in life. Jesus said, "As you’ve done it unto the least of these, you’ve done it unto me."

Words cannot express the burden I feel for Africa. Specifically, the young people, the infants, and the innocent who will die from a disease that is preventable and treatable. One day, I am convinced that when I stand before God I will be asked the question, "What did you do to help the children of Africa?"

Today another report was release on what is happening in the country of South Africa. These reports typically state what can be ‘proven’ but aren’t typically reality. In other words, the situation is much worse than they admit. Why? Well, you can’t test everyone for HIV, you can only get a ‘sample’ of the population. Children are rarely tested – even the ones who are in Christian-based programs. Having been to an HIV clinic myself, I know there are many days when people come in to be tested and 100% of them are infected. The people will even tell you it is much worse than what’s being reported.

This report states that 15 year olds have a 56% chance of dying before 60. In the region of Kwa-Zulu Natal, where our group was, the life expectancy was down to 43. This is an area where millions of people live, so there’s plenty of healthy people to off-set the statistic.

The cure for HIV? The health minister said, and I quote, "praised garlic, lemons and the African potato as remedies for HIV while disparaging the benefits of antiretroviral medicines." Are you kidding me? You can read the article by clicking HERE.

The good news, the great news, is that we received our first round of profiles for the children in Swaziland today – over 350! It’s just the beginning. For those 350 kids, God willing, their life will never be the same because God’s people are busy doing something to make a difference in their life. By the way the dates for the next trip are set: March 2-12. Do you want to come?

Tonight, the low is supposed to be -4. I’m sitting in front of a bright orange, raging fire. I’m looking at our beautiful Christmas tree peppered with hundreds of white, twinkling lights and dozens of ornaments we’ve gathered throughout the years. It’s funny how many of those ornaments have incredible memories of our first Christmas together, the arrival of each new child, and holiday laughter. Great memories, indeed.

But my mind is also on what the orphans of the world are dealing with on this night. Many of them have few memories of laughter and good times, many of them are hungry, scared and alone. Where is home for them? All of them deserve a home that is safe and to be surrounded by people who love them. That’s what they deserve, but not what they get.

I just received an email today with news from Swaziland, Africa. We have just began to partner with Pastor Walter who takes care of 8 orphan care points feeding over 500 children. A few days ago, he was walking on the road and hit by a car. He has a broken leg and a dislocated shoulder, but should be fine. We’ve also just found out that the children haven’t had any food since he’s been gone.  I wonder how they are surviving? What are they doing to get food? What does their home life look like tonight? God, help there to be more Pastor Walters and help orphans find a true home.