“God doesn’t call you to help all 153,000,000 orphans worldwide. But you can help one. And for that one child, you can change the world.”
That’s the philosophy behind Lifesong for Orphans, a ministry that seeks to connect the Church with orphans in need.
Through providing matching grants for national and international adoptions, Lifesong has helped many families like Jeremy and Rachel Kral reach out to orphans in need.
The Krals had wanted to adopt internationally for some time, but they struggled to find a reliable agency and lost contact with potential children as the months went by. Finally, they were connected with two sisters from Liberia.
But the cost of an international adoption—approximately $42,000—was prohibitive for Jeremy and Rachel. Despite finding the children they knew God wanted them to adopt, they struggled to come up with the funds necessary.
That’s where the slogan of Lifesong came into play: “Some to adopt, some to care, some to give.”
The ministry firmly believes that “each member [of the Church] can provide a unique and special service” to orphans around the world.
Each believer is uniquely gifted to serve those in need, and Lifesong seeks to connect those gifts with the people who need them. The organization works to support children through Christian adoptive families, foster care initiatives, and worldwide orphan care ministries.
A large part of Lifesong’s work involves adoption grants that help families like the Krals cover adoption costs and bring their children home.
After holding multiple fundraisers, the Krals were ready to apply for a matching grant through Lifesong. This meant they only needed to raise half the money required for the adoption fees, and Lifesong would match the other half.
The funds the Krals received through Lifesong enabled them to say “yes” to God’s clear leading.
“Saying yes to things that aren’t natural isn’t easy,” the Krals confessed. “It’s the hardest yes ever. But God is waiting for us as Christians to follow Jesus’ lead.”
“We were so grateful to receive a matching grant through Lifesong,” the Krals continued. “Our partnership [with Lifesong for Orphans] made it possible for us to raise the funds needed to adopt two beautiful sisters from Liberia, Africa.”
The Krals’ new daughters, Gospel and Yassah, are living proof that God cares for orphans around the world and that Lifesong’s work is critical.
One child at a time, Lifesong is bringing God’s hope and love to the orphans of the world. In addition to providing matching grants for adoptive families in need, Lifesong connects local churches to foster care organizations in their communities.
“Some to adopt, some to care, and some to give,” the ministry reminds believers. Churches have a critical role in caring and giving towards those in foster care.
Lifesong strives to create partnerships that will ease the burden on foster parents and foster care caseworkers, who are often overworked and under-supported. Not everyone can become a foster parent or caseworker, the ministry admits, but everyone can do something to help.
“God doesn’t call you to help all 153,000,000 orphans worldwide. But you can help one. And for that one child, you can change the world,” writes the organization.
God’s people can help orphans by supporting caregivers, crowdfunding adoptions, and offering financial assistance to orphanages abroad.
Lifesong identifies those opportunities and encourages Christians to become involved in the work of orphan care in whatever way or ways they can.
The Krals are a powerful witness to God’s work through Lifesong.
“When God calls us to something, He never says it’ll be easy or make sense,” Jeremy and Rachel said. “He just says He’ll be with us.”
God has been with over 8,000 adoptive families through the work of Lifesong. That means more than 8,000 children from around the world have found a forever home!
If you’re interested in making a difference in the life of one orphan—or more!—visit the Lifesong for Orphans website. Lifesong’s “100% Pledge” means that all of your donations go toward caring for orphans worldwide.
Lifesong’s partners and supporting organizations cover administrative costs for the ministry, leaving all donated funds available for orphan care. Additionally, Lifesong offers the opportunity to crowdfund adoptions.
Families in need of funds to complete their adoptions can apply to crowdfund through Lifesong. A unique platform allows these families to share their stories and bring their children home.
Pray for the work of Lifesong for Orphans and consider making a difference for just one orphan.