God used a devastating event in my life to plant a seed. The death of my infant son in 1993 began my quest to help other children in difficult circumstances in faraway countries. After a few mission trips, God started to reveal the plight of orphans to me. Finally, after a mission trip to Kenya, I saw the light of His calling on my life and knew I needed to care for orphans. James 1:27, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you (NLT).” I understood what I needed to do. After much prayer and paperwork, Orphan Relief Effort was born as a registered 501c3 charity. God gave me a new purpose in life.
We built our first orphanage in Kenya in 2005 to provide for the growing number of AIDS orphans. God taught me many things during ten years of service to the orphans in Western Kenya. Nonetheless, after a time, He closed that door and called us to work in other areas. The time in Africa taught me the right way to do things and the wrong ways. I still thank God for the friendships and adventures during those early years. The charity now operates orphanages in two countries, Nepal and Myanmar. Our charity provides each child with shelter, education, medical attention, food, clothing, and love. We want the children to have a childhood.
What People Say
Anyone who does anything to help a child is a hero to me.
Fred Rogers
Every child you encounter is a divine appointment.
Wess Stafford
If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
Mother Teresa