Defend the Cause of the Orphan

I just finished a radio interview with my friend and and Executive Director of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, Jedd Medefind. We were asked to appear on a radio program to discuss the release of the movie Orphan,which I blogged about on Friday (See: The True "Horror.").

I just received another call from a Moody station for another interview.

While in the middle of this interview, it became apparent to me that this is exactly the opportunity to defend the cause of the orphan. But instead of cursing the darkness, let's put the truth on display.

I want to challenge my readers and friends to write 500 positive blog posts about how an orphan has impacted and changed your life. Post this on your own blog so that when people search for the movie, they are flooded with positive messages about adoption and orphan care.

Just finish this sentence: "Warner Bros. new horror movie Orphan proclaims that it must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own. Let me tell you about how an orphan changed my life..."

This is the heart of defending orphans. Help push back the darkness and deceit here by holding up as an example the powerful love that adoption and orphan care can unleash.

Here's how you can defend the orphan:

1. Write a "positive protest post" on your blog that references the movie, Orphan.
2. Focus on your orphan care or adoption story that is positive, redeeming, and full of love.
3. Link your post here via a trackback or comment.
4. Send out an e-mail, Facebook message, or tweet to get others to do the same on their blogs.

If you don't have a blog, post your store on the Christian Alliance for Orphans Site.

Make sure you link back or comment here so we can keep track of the 500 posts.

The True "Horror"

Today marks the release of Orphan, or as the Washington Post referred to it, a:

"depraved, worthless piece of filth...a high-gloss horror show about a well-meaning couple who bring home a 9-year-old girl to join their family, only to discover, way too late, that she's a homicidal psychopath."

The widespread criticism of Orphan is showing up in both the mainstream media (New York Times, New York Times 2) and also in Christian news sources as well. (See Orphans Deserve Better)

The true horror, as pointed out by the Orphans Deserve Better site, is not the Hollywood over-hyped stereotype of an adoption gone homicidially off the rails. There's ample evidence on both sides of the older orphan adoption discussion, and I think all would agree that this movie doesn't help the 150 million children without families.

That's the real horror.

If you want a good horror story about orphans, I've got plenty that will turn your stomach and wrench your heart. Imagine, for a moment, the impact that the film's producers could have had by investing the film's budget in cleaning up some of the real horrors facing orphaned kids today.

Now that's a film I'd pay to see.

Orphan's Ticket Home: August 8 in Nashville

On Saturday, August 8th I have the privilege of speaking at the "Orphan's Ticket Home Gala" in Nashville, TN. This event is hosted by the America World Adoption Association and will also feature Sparrow Recording Artist, Britt Nicole and a great silent auction packed with wonderful items.

This is a great opportunity for those in the Nashville area to come together and support the cause of the orphan. If you are in the area, please see the Orphan's Ticket Home website for more information. Come on out and join us for a night of worship, fellowship, and giving.

Since 2004, I have personally known Brian Luwis and the great people at America World Adoption Association (AWAA). They were among some of the leading partners for our ONE ORPHAN campaign that helped expand our transitional living services in Russia.

More recently, we've partnered with them in Ethiopia. Back in December 2007, AWAA was our first stop on the 12 Days of Christmas.  And in May 2009, we completed a successful fformula fundraising drive for malnourished infants in the AWAA transitional home. One of those babies is about to be adopted by the Monbergs, hopefully later this month.

NOOMA - The Whirlwind

I posted this on my Twitter and Facebook last night. There were so many comments from people who loved it, I wanted my blog readers to have the chance to see it too. It's Nooma's new production called The Whirlwind about Job, by Rob Bell. It will likely only be up for free today. Click here to watch it. Enjoy!

There's Still Room on the Uganda Vision Trip - Sept. 2009

There's still room for you on HopeChest's September 2009 Uganda Vision Trip...any takers?

HopeChest will be leading a trip to Uganda September 8-17 of this year. We are looking for organization leaders, Bloggers with large followings, pastors, and church decision makers to join us on this exciting look at Uganda.

The HopeChest model is an amazing way for your church, organization, or online community to partner with a community in Uganda to provide one-to-one sustainable, holistic, redemptive, transformational relationship.

The trip will provide you with the opportunity to see first-hand what is happening in-country and allow you to prayerfully consider how your group can make a lasting difference in the lives of severely impoverished orphans.

For more information on this trip, please contact Vince Giordano at 719-330-4084.

HopeChest + Mr. Biggs + Pro Football Players = the BEST deal of the year.

For you local Colorado readers, Children's HopeChest is teaming up with Mr. Biggs and the Pro Football Camp to offer you the best deal of the year. On July 15, Mr. Biggs is hosting a fundraiser for Children's HopeChest called "Play with the Pros." That night, professional NFL athletes will be on site at Mr. Biggs to play with you and your kids on all the great Mr. Biggs attractions and rides.

Tickets are $10 at the door, and get you an all access pass to the rides, attractions, and bowling at Mr. Biggs. Plus: if you pre-buy your tickets from CHC, 100% of your purchase goes directly to CHC!

The pass is good from 3pm-10pm on July 15. The retail value of this pass is well over $30. On July 15, 2009 from 3pm-10pm, you can get this pass for just $10 at the door...it gives you:

• Free play on the Mr. Biggs attractions from 3pm - 7pm including bowling & shoe rental, go-karts, Little Bigg Town, laser tag, mini golf, Battletech, and the inflatables (excludes food and arcade).
• Free raffle ticket to win signed NFL memorabilia like jerseys and helmets.
• Free admission to "Praise with the Pros" in the Mr. Biggs Event Center from 5-6pm including praise and worship along with testimonies from the Christian NFL players.
• Free autographs, pictures, and play on the rides with all the NFL players from 6-8pm

Even if you don't like sports, this is the best deal of the year. If you pre-buy your tickets from Children's HopeChest, you can have them for just $10/each. And 100% of your purchase goes directly to Children's HopeChest on all pre-sale ticket purchases. (If you buy the night of the event, Children's HopeChest receives $5 from every ticket sold).

Even if you don't live in Colorado Springs, if you want to buy tickets, we will give them to local youth groups and agencies working with at-risk youth. The kids get a great night of play and CHC receives needed funding for our programs.

To order tickets e-mail Hannah at [email protected] or GIVE online right now. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased by credit card on our Web site. (Just put "Play with the Pros" in the notes field.) Hannah will confirm your ticket purchase. On the day of the event, your tickets will be waiting for you on location at Will Call under the name of the purchaser. Play with the Pros tickets purchases are not tax-deductible.