It Just Takes One

It's overwhelming, isn't it? The number. 147,000,000+ orphans. 147,000,000+ lives... precious lives. 147,000,000 lonely kiddos across the world. It breaks my heart, and if I'm totally honest, sometimes I feel overwhelmed. In all seriousness, where in the world (pardon the pun) do we begin?

The best answer I have seen to this difficult question is in a quote from Mother Teresa. She so wisely said that "if you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one."

Just one. Just start with one. Buy one shirt, or one necklace and support a child. Sponsor one child. Feed one child. Travel on one mission trip. Pick one thing to do, and start there.

Project 147 is here to break down into little steps, little chunks, the things that must be done to lower the number of children who go to sleep every night without a mommy or a daddy to tuck them in or tell them they are loved. We want to encourage you to just start out small, and see what God has planned. There are a few things in particular we want to encourage you to do.

1. Pray. It might sound cliche, but please, please pray. Pray for us, the Project 147 team.... we want this to be not at all about us but entirely about God. Pray for those you know who are in the process of adopting. Pray for the hearts of your friends and family to be broken for the millions of kiddos worldwide who need a family. Pray for those in the foster care system. Pray for the orphanage workers and others advocating for them. Prayer moves mountains and breaks hearts and calls to action. Please don't take it lightly.
2. Support. There are dozens of incredible ministries fully dedicated to the orphan. Support them! Buy their cute T-shirts, gorgoeus magazine bead jewlery, bags, and hoodies. I honestly think that half of the shirts hanging in my closet say "orphan" or "Africa" on them. ;) Support these ministries! Also, support the families you know who are adopting. Guys, adoption is not exactly cheap. Fortunately, our God has the cattle on a thousand hills anyway. Help them fund-raise and help them out when their newest addition arrives in their forever home. 
3. Share. Tell people how many orphans there are! You would be surprised how many people have no idea about the seriousness of the orphan crisis today. When someone asks about that number printed on your bag or your shirt, tell them. Plant the seed, and God will be faithful to water it.
4. Join. Join us. Tell your friends + family about us, too! Spread the word and look around our website and blog to find more ways to join with us in this. 

Start today... why not? We cannot wait to see all that God has planned for this project, for our lives, and for your lives. Tell us how it's going, too-- tweet to us at @project_147. We would love to hear from you.

Happy Monday, friends.

 - caitlin