1001 Orphans is a new opportunity for us to  

     reach out with Christ’s love to orphans and  

    disadvantaged children in Kenya.  The goal: 

    reach 1,000 children, “plus one lost

    sheep” -  a reminder that there is always one

    more child who needs care, that the church’s

    work is never done. 

            1001 Orphans is coordinated by LCMS World Relief and Human Care, supported by Concordia Lutheran Ministries of Cabot, Pennsylvania (they provided the start up funds), and carried out by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya.  It is hoped that this program can eventually expand into other countries as well.  We partner our support with these organizations with the aim of guiding at-risk children into homes of loving families and under the wings of the ELC in Kenya congregations, helping youngsters become educated, responsible Christian adults.    On the Audo/Video link of www.lcms.org/1001, you can listen to a 7/1/2009 interview on KFUO radio and learn the background of the 1001 Orphan project.  Rev. Dr. Al Collver is executive pastoral assistant to LCMS WR-HC Executive Director Rev. Matthew Harrison.

            Our world mission support will be gathered in various ways.  A primary opportunity for support comes to you through sponsorship of an orphan for just $400/year or just a bit more than $33/month.  This support provides a child with a year’s worth of home-based care, food, education support (uniform, tuition, books, etc.), and spiritual care.  Each sponsor receives a picture and information about “their” child and the opportunity to correspond.  As a congregation, we will gather our support in various ways to support a child, but also invite member families to sponsor individually on their own.  To become a 1001 Orphans sponsor, you may pick up a commitment form at our World Mission display in the narthex.  Or click on this link:  1001 Orphan Sponsorship Commitment Form.

The forms are mailed to:  LCMS World Relief and Human Care P.O. Box 66861  St. Louis, MO 63166-6861  (When writing a check, make it out to LCMS World Relief and Human Care and designate “1001 Orphans” in the memo line).  You may also visit www.lcms.org/1001 for forms, information, and to donate with the “Give Now” button at the bottom of the web page.  You can also call LCMS World Relief and Human Care at 1-800-248-1930, ext. 1380.  

            About 1.4 million children in Kenya are orphaned by AIDS, and an estimated 8 percent of Kenyan adults are living with the HIV virus.  Poverty (65% live on less than $1/day), drought (three years), and negative attitudes among communities exacerbate the orphans’ situations.  Most drop out of school because they cannot pay the country’s mandatory tuition and are forced into child labor or sexual exploitation. 

            Your support to a Kenyan orphan or disadvantaged child provides family and spiritual-care support by placing each child with a Christian family with ties to a local Lutheran congregation, economic support by providing money or food to supplement the already stretched-thin resources of families caring for an orphan, and education support by providing funds so each orphan can attend school.

            Please support them with your prayers and as the Lord blesses you, consider supporting them also in sponsorship or other donation.  May the Lord bless our efforts to bring the message and ministry of God’s love and grace to the world – especially orphans and families in Kenya.