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Caring for orphaned and vulnerable children through family-based living environments, discipleship and education, empowering future leaders to build healthy communities.
Malisha’s story is a common one in rural South Asia. She had two parents who married at a young age and were expected to have children as soon as possible. Malisha’s family was doing okay for awhile and then tragedy struck – her father died of a heart attack when Malisha was only three years old. Malisha’s mother did her best to make it work, but life as a solo parent and only breadwinner in rural South Asia (or anywhere) is overwhelming. This is a perfect example of a family in need that our pastors identify in villages where a Restoring Hope church is established. A situation that may have been disastrous for Malisha and her family became a story of God’s provision and love. After many years of living in the church home, Malisha is now reunified with a biological family caregiver, her grandmother, and has been attending the very best college preparatory school all her schooling years. Without the Restoring Hope pastor offering care and support through the local church in a time of need, Malisha’s education would have been minimal and her future would have been in jeopardy, either relying on day-to-day subsistence work or to marry too young and hope for the best. Malisha, now 15, was baptized in Jesus Christ during the pandemic and hopes to be a police officer in the future. There are hundreds of children and youth like Malisha that are overcoming tragedy, learning about God’s love and looking at a bright future because of your commitment to Restoring Hope’s help of orphaned and vulnerable children through the local village church. Malisha’s life is forever changed because of your support and belief in this vital work. We, and Malisha, are so grateful for you, Sean & Paige Whiting Co-Directors, Restoring Hope
By Mary Exactly nine years ago, I met Restoring Hope children for the first time. I had the pure joy of serving onsite with Restoring Hope, and all these years later, I can still see the smile of these children and remember the sounds of their laughter so clearly. My team helped facilitate several summer camps for Restoring Hope children over the course of a month. These summer camps (now called “Summer Celebrations”) were much anticipated for all Restoring Hope children, often what they looked forward to all year long. From the youngest child to the oldest adult, camp was enjoyed to the fullest and filled with purpose. The theme for our camps in 2014 was The Kingdom of God, and our games, development activities and devotionals were centered around Matthew 19:14 — Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these. It is still so sweet to reflect on my time nine years later, and in doing so, wanted to share part of the journal I wrote during this trip in May 2014:
Mahini is 24 and just at the cusp of her vocational career as she applies to work for a local private company as a software engineer! Her words from the recent report received showed her progress and future dreams for herself: A student of engineering with a servant heart to give back to others, meet Mahini*. Mahini’s father passed away when she was very young. In South Asian rural villages this is nearly impossible to overcome, but the local Restoring Hope church pastor stepped in to offer help for Mahini. As Mahini grew up learning about God’s love and becoming well educated to learn her way out of poverty, she embraced the message of servant leadership that all Restoring Hope children are taught. Mahini now 24 and just at the cusp of her career as she applies to work for a local private company as a software engineer! Her words from the recent report received shared her progress and future dreams for herself:
Challenges On The Ground in Orphan and Vulnerable Children Care:
DISCIPLESHIP, FAMILY, FAMILY REUNIFICATION, FAMILY STRENGTHENING, VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
ALUMNI, FAMILY, FAMILY REUNIFICATION, FAMILY STRENGTHENING, STORIES, VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
DISCIPLESHIP, FAMILY REUNIFICATION, STORIES, SUMMER CELEBRATIONS
DISCIPLESHIP, EDUCATION, FAMILY, FAMILY REUNIFICATION, IN THE FIELD, STORIES
DISCIPLESHIP, EDUCATION, FAMILY, FAMILY REUNIFICATION, IN THE FIELD
DISCIPLESHIP, EDUCATION, FAMILY, FAMILY REUNIFICATION, IN THE FIELD, STORIES
