James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. ~ James 1:27

For the past year, this verse has come up in my life every time I turn around. It clearly tells us to care for orphans and widows and to not be polluted by the world. In my life, the latter point has often been emphasized - "be in the world, not of the world" - but, although I've read James 1:27 many times, I somehow never truly cared for orphans or widows myself. I know very few widows or widowers that need care, but the world is surrounded by orphans, begging for love, attention and care. The US does not have orphanages because kids go straight into the foster system, so it is difficult to care for orphans when you are not quite ready to be parents (foster or adoptive). I was having trouble figuring out how was I supposed to care for orphans without adopting a child or taking in a foster child? I loved kids and the idea of kids being without parents broke my heart, but how was I supposed to help now? I knew I could help financially, but that just didn't seem like enough (plus we are both paying for and going to school and only Jonathan is working - ie. we aren't loaded).

From this initial knock, God continued to knock on my heart. Jonathan and I had always said we would adopt someday - that desire was increased, but I still didn't feel like it was enough. As God continued to knock on my heart, he made his direction more and more clear: I could help orphans by practicing adoption law and helping couples open their arms to orphans as a forever family. Hopefully, one day I can do this completely pro bono - helping families adopt who could not afford all of the adoption fees!

Jonathan and I had already been planning to take a missions trip as a couple and spring break seemed like the perfect opportunity. We just didn't know where we would go. As we prayed about where to go (knowing we wanted to have an orphanage involved), I met a wonderful graduate from Pepperdine Law (and a Tri-Delta) who was heading up a Haiti trip (at the time we were sure we were going to Haiti). Chandra learned about my interest in adoption law and my desire to help orphans. She suggested I become a "fan" of Grace Children's Home on facebook- an orphanage her Mom (also a Tri-Delta) helped at. As I visited GCH's facebook page and website, I was hooked. Not only was this orphanage providing a home to children, they were teaching the children about Christ and teaching them to walk with Him. In addition, they send most of their kids to private school, so they can learn English and excel academically. The public schools in Mexico are inadequate and cancel school at a moments notice. When we were there, they canceled school because it was too windy. So, in an attempt to help the children from Grace excel and do mighty things for the kingdom, they have worked to get private donations to help the children attend the best schools.

I realized that we could do something to help orphans now. Although the US doesn't have orphanages that need help, there are orphanages just over the border, only three and a half hours from beautiful Malibu.

When Haiti didn't work out, we knew we were supposed to go to GCH. As I told my Mom about our trip, she was so excited that I told her she should join us. To my surprise, she booked a plane ticket! Then I invited other Pep Law students to join me and laughed when another Jonathon said he was on board.

You've got to pause for a second and look at the little details in the story above - God's tapestry of my life is so incredibly unique and intertwined. I initially met Chandra because of Haiti - she told me about Grace. Without being interested in helping Haiti, I would have never learned about Grace. In addition, she and her Mom were both Tri-Delta's, which was my college sorority (as was the director of Grace). Though the Tri-Delta detail didn't lead to any of it happening, I couldn't help but recognize it as God's confirmation and finger-print on the journey - something to at least smile at. I would say it was a funny coincidence, but I don't believe in coincidence - I believe it was God showing me that he pays attention to all the little details!

Crossing the border into Tijuana was a shock - I could not believe that people lived like that just minutes from San Diego. I suddenly realized how blessed I was to be born in America and understood why people would risk their lives to hop the border.

However, visiting the orphanage was such a joy and blessing to us. (I only hope we actually helped the orphans, too). Our first day there was spent playing with the kids and getting to know the place. to meet the kids, click here.

Alma and I, not long after we met

Jonathan and Alan, not long after they met.

In the evening, Jonathan and Jonathon told the boys Bible stories in English. The kids who were relatively proficient in English translated the story into Spanish for the house Mom, who only spoke Spanish, and for the younger boys. The guys chose the stories that were behind the boys' names (for example, Isaac and Jacob). It was so neat to see them sharing the Bible with piles of boys on their laps, listening and participating attentively! At the end of the night, our guys decided to close out in prayer - so many of the kids volunteered to pray. Their prayers, though simple, were precious. "Thank you God for Jonathon 1 and Jonathan 2 and that they came down here. Please bless them. Amen."

The next day, my Mom's cold got worse, so she laid down, while the Jonathan's helped tear out a sink that had leaked and molded. I played with the kids. In the afternoon, we go to join them for a 45 minute walk to Yugo Ranch. It was such a beautiful walk and the kids were so precious. One girl really opened up to me and talked about a time she ran away. I wish I had been thinking more so I could tell her about the Prodigal Son - maybe next time. At the ranch, we painted faces, did crafts, and ran around!

On the way to the Ranch.
Jonathan was so good with the boys! He'll be a great father one day!

Over the next couple days, Mom and I helped put together scrapbooks for each of the kids there and cleaned out a storage shed (I couldn't believe how dusty it was - I think I breathed dust for days afterward), while the guys worked on the sink. They did an amazing job - everything looked great and worked perfectly, even though it was a bigger project than anticipated! We continued to live life with the kids and ended our time there praising Jesus (Jonathan led on the guitar) and hearing about his provision.

I was so glad Mom decided to join us - the trip would not have been the same without her and she was so good with the girls, who really were trouble at times!

As we were getting ready to leave, one little girl who captured my heart, didn't want us to go. More than anything, though, she didn't want Jonathan to go. She looked at me and said in broken English, "he not go - he stay with me." She proceeded to run up to him and hug him, saying "mine, mine." When I said, "mine" back, Jonathan said, "both of yours." She disagreed and continued to say "mine, mine." It was so hard to leave her. If we could have adopted her, I think we would have taken her home in a heartbeat, but I know she is exactly where God wants her (plus she has 3 sisters and I don't think our 1 bedroom apartment could handle 4 girls ages 3-11).

While we were there, we also met some amazing couples who gave continually to the orphans. One couple directs the orphanage and has lived there, with their 3 boys for 5 years. Another lives there and is helping construct the Baby Home, which will house orphaned babies. To meet these staff, click here.

The two couples that I got to know best, however, were the "grandparents." One set moved from Calgary to live in a 5th Wheel the majority of the year. They help with organization, fix-it projects, homework, and loving on the kids. They have a few kids over to their fifth wheel every week for dinner. What a sacrifice and an incredible blessing for those kids. The other couple felt that God was calling them to retire in Mexico (talk about trust!). Not knowing a soul, they bought a house and settled in. Within a month, they met the first set of grandparents and quickly became regular volunteers at Grace - helping at least 2 days a week and having kids over to their house on a weekly basis. Seeing these couples live out the Gospel and sacrifice so much was inspiring and encouraging - there are still good, God-fearing people in this world, who care more about others than themselves.

I really don't know how to conclude, except to say that I can't wait to go back and love on those kids again. According to the people there full time - just having people return to love on the kids is so good and heck that's easy! I also hope we can help fix up the place more and maybe help finish the baby home!

If you are inspired to help orphans, there are many resources available - you can go on a trip to Grace with me or support Grace financially!. Click here for more info. Or, you can find another orphanage to visit or support. There are also many adoptive and foster families in the US that could use support and encouragement - I encourage you to find them in your community and love on them!!!

See more pictures of our trip!