Have you ever wondered what pure religion looks like?

I've read this verse many times over the years, but really came face to face with it yesterday.

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

In the past when I've read that verse I've made a mental list of the widows I knew and looked to see if they had any needs. Then I thought, I don't know any orphans. And I was done.

But yesterday, I caught a glimpse of pure religion as I loved on and got to know a roomful of orphans.

What did it look like?

Yesterday it looked like this . . . throwing a football back and forth, working a puzzle, giving out presents . . . and just being silly.

My sweet mama made these scarves and the girls really liked them!

Pure religion also involved . . . cookies and milk (you know me!) Robert and Kristina brought milk for the kids. Thanks to Margaret Mahelmann and the girls at Spencer-McCain home at French Camp Academy for making Karina cookies. They were a huge hit!

Thank you also to everyone who gave candy for our team to hand out. Those 16 bags of candy are bringing smiles to some faces! We'll be visiting at least two other orphanages and it is great to have candy to take to the kids.

Seeing the kids faces light up today was amazing. When Robert played football with Yuri, Yuri's face absolutely beamed each time he caught and threw it back. Jenya LOVED the remote control car sent from the Moen family from French Camp. That car really helped to break the ice. The boys have already worn out one set of batteries!

Deuteronomy 10:17-19 describes God's power, His compassion, and His desire for us to follow His example in reaching out to the fatherless. Sure, the needs of thousands of children are overwhelming, but God is not asking any of us to solve the problem. He is asking us to join with him in what He is doing.

For the needy shall not always be forgotten; The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. Psalm 9:18

This is a promise in God's Word. In this picture I am standing in front of the orphanage with Karina and Kristina, two former orphans who have seen Psalm 9:18 happen. God kept His promise by working through two families who were willing to join Him in His plans for these precious girls by bringing them into their families. God keeps His promises.

This is a picture of Karina, Kristina, and Masha, another classmate who has been adopted.

A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.

God sets the solitary in families . . . Psalm 68:5-6a

After we visited the orphanage, we ate pizza with Alonya.

Back in March, Anderson wanted to write a letter to Alonya. He wrote:

Dear Alonya,

When your mama and daddy come to adopt you,

we can go to Karina's house and have a cookout.

I love you.

Love,

Anderson

"But Anderson," I gently said. "There is no mama and daddy for Alonya."

In exasperation, he said, "Mom, I said WHEN!"

And now, WHEN is in process. A family is in the process of adopting Alonya.

Please pray for the paperwork and finances they need for their adoption process.

Anderson won't be surprised when it happens, he'll just say "So, when are we having the cookout?"

He will bring justice to the poor of the people;

He will save the children of the needy. Psalm 72:4

God has a special concern and love for orphans. It is an honor to be a way the kids saw God's love today. And the hug and kiss on the cheek from Vladik was a bonus!

Ways you can pray for us:

PRAISE for all the answered prayers for our traveling and safety.

Pray for our traveling and safety as we leave in a few days for another city.

Pray for our time in the orphanages.

Pray for Alonya's adoption process.

Pray for Yuri. He is in the orphanage we are visiting now.