"in you, the orphan finds mercy" Hosea 14:3

The Numbers

Every 15 SECONDS, another child becomes an AIDS orphan in Africa

Every DAY 5,760 more children become orphans

Every YEAR 2,102,400 more children become orphans (in Africa alone)

143,000,000 Orphans in the world today spend an average of 10 years in an orphanage or foster home

Approximately 250,000 children are adopted annually, but...

Every YEAR 14,050,000 children still grow up as orphans and AGE OUT of the system

Every DAY 38,493 children AGE OUT

Every 2.2 SECONDS, another orphan child AGES OUT with no family to belong to and no place to call home

Many of these children accept job offers that ultimately result in their being sold as slaves. Millions of girls are sex slaves today, simply because they were unfortunate enough to grow up as orphans.

To AGE OUT means to grow to the age where a child is forced to leave the orphanage or foster home with no place to call home.

http://thirdworldorphans.org/gpage39.html

What Others Are Saying

"or things to make you go hhhmmmm!"

Wayne Grudem in his book Systematic Theology defined adoption as "an act of God whereby He makes us members of His family." (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, page 736)

"If you are a Christian and you are not convinced of God's love for you then I would recommend you confine yourself to this topic. Confine yourself to your study to this passage and other passages that reference adoption. Confine yourself for a season of time to the study of the doctrine of adoption."

(from sermon by C.J. Mahaney)

"At its very core and essence, adoption is a reflection of the Father heart of God. . . . Adoption is a window into the heart of God. A true biblical understanding of adoption reveals the richness of the concept. The deeper individuals have insight and revelation into the Doctrine of Adoption, the more they are overwhelmed with its magnitude, scope, inclusion, and therefore its true cost and responsibility. Adoption, by its very nature, references a relationship that is not natural therefore requiring effort, energy, kindness, mercy, compassion and desire to initiate and process the adoption. Adoption is the highest privilege than can be bestowed on a person, as they are lovingly included and invited into God's family. Through the Doctrine of Adoption, we see an extraordinary manifestation of God's mercy and love to His people."

(A Master's Thesis by Gary M Senna, The Doctrine of Adoption, Reformed Theological Seminary)

Read more: What Others Are Saying

God's Word on Adoption

Exodus 22:22-23 (NIV)

Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.

Deuteronomy 10:17-18 (NIV)

 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 (NIV)

At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

Deuteronomy 24:17-22 (NIV)

Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.  Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this. When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.

Read more: God's Word on Adoption