VISTA, CA (ANS) -- Every year, Orphans First provides Christmas gifts for orphans and underprivileged children who would otherwise have none. This year is no exception.

Tiny Siberian girl receives Christmas gift from Orphans First

While many children in America unwrap iPods, x-boxes, Barbies and electric guitars, orphans in the suburbs of Tyumen, Siberia dream of receiving some shower gel because the soap in the orphanage is, well, unpleasant. They don’t dare hope for a bonnet and gloves to keep them warm in their barely heated establishment. Or for candy, the traditional Russian Orthodox Christmas gift. Or, better still, for some food that might actually taste good and make them feel full. That would be too much to hope for.

But nothing is impossible to God. And when His people band together to do the right thing, children’s dreams can come true and their lives changed.

This year, Orphans First plans to provide more than shower gel, more than bonnets and gloves and candy for hundreds of these children. They plan to provide all the above-mentioned items, and also a Bible book (for everyone except the sixteen blind children we Tyumen, because the books don’t exist in Braille).

As well as providing Christmas gifts for the children in both state orphanages and private orphanages in Russia, Orphans First also provides gifts for the children in their own children’s homes, such as the eighty-one children in Grace Home, Guntur, India.

Children in Grace Home, India, sit patiently waiting to receive their Christmas gifts provided by Orphans First

Many of the children in Grace Home come from Hindu backgrounds—a significant fact in light of the largest animal sacrifice, which recently took place in Nepal to appease one of the 300 million gods of Hinduism. On November 25th, 250, 000 bulls, lambs and suchlike were brutally killed to conciliate the goddess Gadhimai who “needs blood.”

Hindus live in hopeless oppression, but not so for the children in Grace Home. They enjoy the freedom of knowing that Jesus paid for their sins with His own blood, and there is no more need for sacrifice. These children’s lives are significantly changed, and they have a hope and a future—thanks to Orphans First sponsors.

This year, Orphans First hopes to provide new clothes for the children of Grace Home, and to provide gifts for about 200 impoverished neighboring, village children. These neighbors will be invited to a Christmas Party where they will hear the Gospel while receiving a small gift and snack. What better way to celebrate Christmas?

India is just one of several countries where Orphans First has a presence. Orphans First helps children in India, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Thailand, Siberia, Romania, Haiti, Mexico Asia, even America.

Agapé kids await their gifts at the Agapé Home, Romania (founded by Richard Wurmbrandt), which is funded by Orphans First

Many people don’t know where to start to help orphans and underprivileged children. Orphans First provides a way. And so do many local churches. You don’t need to look overseas to find children in need. Or to find children who receive little or nothing for Christmas. America has 500, 000 children caught in the foster system – many who never connect to a family, and thousands for whom Christmas is just another day. Those interested in buying gifts for foster children can contact their local adoption agencies or child-placement centers – or contact Orphans First.

Orphans First is a non-profit child-sponsorship program with orphanages and children’s programs in several countries. The children under the care of Orphans First receive food, clothing, shelter, education, oodles of love—and they also learn about Jesus. Some children grow up to become strong, Christ-followers, sharing the Gospel in their country.

To learn more about Orphans First, visit www.orphansfirst.org . If you’d like to learn more about teaching and raising children in a biblical manner, or to know how to involve children in reaching out to underprivileged children, check out Heaven Help Me Raise These Children!—Biblical Direction for Practical Parenting Issues. (Link on the home page of www.orphansfirst.org or under “books” on www.JaneyDeMeo.com.)

Local Event to Benefit Orphans

Here’s a fun way to help the orphans and take care of your Christmas shopping while enjoying a free cuppa of Starbucks coffee. On Friday December 4th a One-Stop-Shop Christmas Boutique will be held from 6pm – 10pm at 28082 Las Brisas Del Mar, San Juan Capistrano; 92675 with top-notch vendors, and lots of gifts to buy for Christmas, prizes to win etc. including jewelry, surf-equipment, artwork, electronics, toys, books -– all to benefit Orphans First. For further details call Karrie: 949-488-0380, or contact: Janey@orphansfirst.org.

Janey L. DeMeo M.A.
Copyright © December 2009

Janey DeMeo is founder and director of Orphans First. She is also an author and speaker. Her husband, Louis, is a church-planter; they were formerly missionaries for 22 years in France and are now based stateside in Southern California. Further details from: www.orphansfirst.org www.JaneyDeMeo.com www.LouisDeMeo.com                                  www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo