A U S T R A L I A :
NEW NETWORK AIMS TO HELP STRUGGLING THIRD WORLD ORPHANAGES

A DIFFERENT KIND of "adoption agency" has been set up by missionaries concerned for abandoned children in the developing world.

Youth With A Mission staff in Perth are starting a network to support some of the scores of under-funded orphanages in many countries around the globe.

Through their Orphanage Ministry in the Nations, Christians can be linked with needy children's homes and ministries, and offer child sponsorship, help furnish supplies, and even go on short-term outreaches to help out practically.

"We hope that by seeing the needs for themselves, they will want to come back and get others involved, too," said OMN founder Jacqueline Vis. "We're not trying to duplicate the work of any existing programs. There are so many little orphanages struggling along on their own.

"We want to help them enable the children to lead a productive life -spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and emotionally - and give them an opportunity to hear and understand the gospel."

OMN bases its goals on Psalm 82's reference of the need to "defend the cause of the fatherless, maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed", and aims to help provide basic necessities like food, water, clothing, shelter and health care.

Based at YWAM's Perth training center, the new group believes it can tap into a national vein of generosity and concern. "Australians are well-known for 'mateship', and helping each other out. God is longing to use the wealth of Australia and its people to bless other nations," said Vis.

Recently she took an eight-strong team from churches in Western Australia, Victoria and the United States on a three-week trip to Indonesia, where the volunteers taught English to children at a small orphanage, and helped with decorating and renovations.

Among those taking part was Susan Willis from Esperance Assembly of God Church, Western Australia, whose experiences "turned my perceived world upside down". She said: "Through the eyes of those gentle people God showed me another side to his character - the graciousness of humility and the generosity of his abundant love. I had the privilege of living with a people who had so little, yet had so much."

Orphanage Ministry in the Nations:
PO Box 8501, Perth Business Centre, Perth
West Australia 6849, Australia.

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