Today’s guest blogger, Cheryl J., is the administrator for the Middle Tennessee Orphan Alliance and one of the leaders of the Brentwood Baptist Orphan Care Ministry.

It’s almost impossible to put into words how you feel after a big conference, isn’t it? Whatever words you choose, the Empowered to Connect conference in Nashville was a huge success! There were more than 900 people in attendance to learn more about the principles taught by Dr. Karyn Purvis and lived out daily by Michael and Amy Monroe. Almost everyone who walked into the conference had a different story, a different reason for attending, a different need or heartache. But the common thread as all left the conference was hope.

As we listened to Dr. Purvis break down the science into meaningful and helpful guidelines, we heard that cognitive behavior therapy is not enough; we have to heal through relationship on all levels: body, soul and spirit. Hope.

We heard that bad behavior is seldom a reflection on the parents or caregivers but rather a consequence of the child’s history. Hope.

We learned that if a child spent any time in an orphanage or abusive situation, they were met with hundreds if not thousands of “no’s” by their needs not being met, but we can overcome this by giving a “yes” as much as possible. Hope.

When our children ask for something, they are usually not being needy; they are seeking relationship and connection. Hope.

Parents and caregivers can teach through play and repetitive scripts but seldom get anywhere with force or sermons. Hope.

Just to hear Dr. Purvis say that a child’s preciousness is never up for grabs means that every child IS precious. Hope.

The biggest hope, I think, comes from knowing we are not alone on this journey. So, where do we go from here? If you live in the Nashville area, there are two classes being offered by the Middle Tennessee Orphan Alliance to help you connect with other families, dig deeper into the principles introduced at the conference and continue to find building blocks that will equip you to connect with your children and deepen relationships that will last a lifetime. Come join us for there IS hope! Like the Middle Tennessee Orphan Alliance on Facebook to keep updated when additional classes and events become available.

Journey to Hope
Sunday 10:45 – noon
Join this group as they dig deeper into Dr. Karyn Purvis’ book, The Connected Child.
Location: Christ Community Church (Franklin)
More Info: Terri Coley

Empowered to Connect – Insights & Gifts
Sunday 5:00 – 6:30pm (begins October 16)
A 6-week look into “7 Insights and 7 Gifts to Equip Those Who Are Adopting or Fostering Children.” This video series was developed in partnership with the Texas Christian University Institute of Child Development and features a discussion guide for each topic. Childcare will be available for children through fifth grade by reservation only.
Location: Brentwood Baptist, Room 2004A
More info: Orphan Care Ministry

-Cheryl J.

Question: What was your biggest takeaway from the conference? Have you experienced successes through implementing these connecting strategies in your family? Leave us a comment and let us know about your experience.

Join us in 2012 for the Empowered to Connect Conference in Dallas or Denver. Register Here >

Anticipating an amazing week at Maria’s Big House of Hope (MBHOH), the Christ Presbyterian Academy student team began their adventure with a bang. The staff and students teamed up for an unforgettable 4^th of July celebration as all of the babies and their nannies were gathered together according to their respected floors and paraded around the front of the building. The CPA students decorated their new friends with face-paint, streamers, bubbles, and balloons to help highlight the fun! Cake and popsicles were the delicious finishing touch for a truly patriotic party. Once bed-time arrived for the children, the Kemp Dental group joined the students for an evening barbecue on the rooftop of MBHOH. It was a quintessential 4^th of July cookout involving grilled cheeseburgers, watermelons, and a classic Chinese original – fireworks!

Bonding with the children has been a priority held by everyone on the CPA team. Immediately, connections were made between the students and their temporary “housemates.” The rooms of MBHOH have been constantly occupied by the CPA team as they lovingly held, hugged, and high-fived their new and precious friends. In an attempt to provide an extra treat for a few of the children, the students took the initiative to creatively set-up a movie night showing Disney’s “Finding Nemo.” Each student has capitalized on every moment to engage with and care for some of God’s most beloved treasures. As a result, it has been remarkable to see God utilize the obedience of a willing group of students from across the world to love on a special corner of His creation. Lives on both ends have been subsequently changed as the hearts and minds of the students are stirred by their unique experiences here at MBHOH.

“As we returned home to Australia after the first Show Hope sponsor team to Maria’s Big House of Hope last year, we were keen to continue raising awareness about orphan care. We proposed the idea of a return trip with an Australian team. How blessed we are that the idea has actually happened!

“Our team is made up of 12 Aussies who arrived a few days ago. We have conquered the ancient stair master- The Great Wall, eaten incredibly yummy cuisine, experienced some local culture and have met beautiful little children. As we returned to MBHOH, we have been excited to reconnect with children who stole our hearts a year ago and excited to see the progress they’ve made in their health, development, and personalities. It has also been a privilege to watch the other team members grow in their understanding of God’s heart for orphans and to see them open their hearts to change. We look forward to experiencing more as we continue to listen to God, and choose to be obedient to His call.”

-Felicity and Merryn

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“Earlier in the year, I didn’t expect to be on this trip. We couldn’t afford for both me and Merryn (my wife) to come, I didn’t feel both of us could leave our three children, I had just started in a new job… and, if I’m honest, I was full of fear about the thought of it all.

“But God steadily worked to overcome all of those issues. Through the gracious provision of others, God made the way clear for me to come. Not only that, but He eased my fears, so that even as we then struggled to get our visas, I had a peace that we would get here and that everything would be okay.

“Even after all of that,  I still came not really expecting God to do anything to my heart. After all, the trip was about God stirring other people’s hearts to the plight of orphans; my role (as I saw it) was to support Merryn as she led the trip with Felicity, to help care for the team and to hopefully offer encouragement to the staff here. While I didn’t expect God to move my heart, He did! The past few days have been intense as the world wide orphan crisis has taken on a face – many faces actually, as I’ve spent time in different rooms interacting with different children – and the statistics and the word ‘orphan’ now have real meaning and significance to me.

“It has not been an easy experience for me as helplessness, doubt, and questions fill my heart. But faith has also filled my heart, because I have been reminded of Genesis 18:25. Abraham asks, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Though it would be so easy to just see the injustice and ‘wrongness’ of so many children without parents to love them in this world, the eyes of my heart have also been lifted heavenward. Though I don’t know ‘why,’ I have a settled confidence that their heavenly Father, the Judge of all the earth, will do only what is right. And that gives me hope.”

-Matt

We are very excited that Maria’s Big House of Hope will be opening soon, and we wanted to give you a chance to see it for yourself. Here’s a sneak peak of the home pre-grand opening, check it out! This amazing home will help care for over 120 special needs children every month. It’s a huge project, but God has been so faithful to provide the funding to build it, and people are stepping up every day to become Show Hope sponsors to help care for orphans every month as well as sponsor adoption to put orphans in families. Enjoy this slideshow!

The Show Hope Blog is up and running!  Be sure to check back here regularly for pictures, videos, updates and much, much more!

Link to it, save it in your favorites, email all your friends about it, comment, trackback, twitter, blog, facebook or whatever else you do to get the word out!  Together, we can change the world for orphans!