tell each other those wonderful words "You are a gift from God. I love you." . . . .
act silly . . . .
and have a tea party.
For thousands of children, our Valentine's celebration is something they can't imagine ever having. For an orphan, there is no one who prepares surprizes for them, who hugs them and says "You are a treasure. I love you."
I am well aware that there are things in my children's every-day lives that the children I met in Ukraine have never had. And my children know it too. In the past year of praying for orphans in Ukraine, the Lord has given Anderson, Maggie and Ellen tender hearts toward orphans.
Children understand the importance of having a mommy and daddy.
Children who don't have a family yearn for one - even though they don't know exactly what that would be like.
Our family lives at French Camp Academy, a Christian home and boarding school. A few of the students here are true orphans, meaning that both of their parents are no longer living. Many of the students here are being raised by their grandparents because their parents did not take care of them. Most of our students are here because of difficult home situations.
When a parent chooses addiction, or a new family, over their own child, that child's heart is wounded. There are many children at FCA that are hurting and yearning for a solid, loving family.
And just maybe that is why the children here at FCA have responded so enthusiastically to opportunities to reach out to orphans.
For Valentines' Day, around 90 of our students made Valentine's Day cards to send to orphans in Ukraine. They took the time to send beautiful and creative cards to complete strangers.
Why would they do that? I think it is 2 Corinthians 1 in action. Verses 3-4 speak of the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Many of the students here know what it is like to be hurt, rejected, and basically forgotten by their family. And they are reaching out to children their own age, across the ocean, who have had a similar experience - but worse.
Students at FCA are surrounded by staff who are here because they've felt called by God to come here. Staff who love the students and who seek to communicate the Gospel in word and action. Over 90% of our graduates go on to college or go into the military. They have a hopefulness as they look toward their future.
The students here recognize that no matter how bad it seems for them, they have it better than the children in orphanages. And so they did what they could to bring a smile, to make a day better, across the ocean.
Some might think, so what difference does a piece of decorated construction paper make in the large scheme of things?
To someone who is convinced that no one cares if they live or die . . . who wonders if God even knows they exist . . . it might give something very powerful.
Hope.
At the same time, these children do need more than a smile. They shiver through the cold Ukrainian winter nights because they need thicker socks or pajamas or winter coats. Money was also given with the Valentine's cards to meet practical needs.
The students at FCA gave their time, gifts and abilities. And other people gave money. It was a team effort to visit orphans in their trouble.
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