My blog post today is about the Singleton family and the difference they are making. Beyond their adoption of 3 kids (and more on the way) and generosity, the motivation of their hearts to make a difference for the cause of orphans in their small, rural farm community in Indiana, astounds me. With the permission of the Singletons, I'm sharing the latest chapter in their story...let it inspire you to action.
To set this story up, you must know that the Singletons have been an incredible source of encouragement to Becca and I as we launched One Child Campaign. Many times, their words and actions have moved us to humble tears - they have inspired us. Now, as Ben Singleton tackled their church's first Orphan Sunday - he took up the vision of One Child, as well as their personal vision and shared their adoption story, sought to find sponsorship for destitute children in Ethiopia and ways to help other adoptive families. Now, I will let Ben share...
I just got home from the Orphan Sunday event. Sadly, only 33 people showed up (and about half of them were kids). I was hoping for a lot more. The great thing is that I think every heart present was touched. I think 14 children were sponsored, and they gave $380 to support your needs. I think this was a tremendous response from the small number who attended. I'm praying that doors will be opened for me to share the message again, and I think they will. I'm worn out now and hungry (I was too nervous to eat supper). The best part of the whole evening was afterwards with Owen and I wanted to share it with you...
As I mentioned to you before, Leigha's little sister (Larcy) and her husband (Dan) just moved back home (only about 4 miles from us). At their new house is a pecan tree, and one of Dan's grandfathers loves pecans. Larcy had the good idea to give him some pecans for Christmas. She told Owen that she would pay him to pick up pecans so that she didn't have to fool with it. Anyway, Owen is an amazingly enterprising young man and gathered $3.37 worth of pecans before Dan figured out that Owen had negotiated an exorbitant price for the pecans with his Aunt Larcy and refused to buy any more. Anyway, after the presentation was over tonight, Owen came up and told me I had done a good job. We walked together back to the front of the sanctuary and past the basket I put out to accept donations for you guys. Owen told me that he put all his pecan money in your basket. I've never been prouder in my life!!! Hopefully I'll have more to share about tonight once I have time to reflect.
Continued…
Owen was disappointed too--he told me there weren't nearly as many people as he had been imagining. It was, however, encouraging to see so many close friends and family there. I know that they are behind what we're trying to do & that really does mean a lot to me. Oh yeah, the story about Owen I told you last night continued after I sent the last email...
Leigha put the boys to bed last night, and I went upstairs as she was finishing up to tell them goodnight. I told Owen how proud I was of him for giving everything he had--just like the old woman in the bible who, even though she only gave 2 pennies, gave the most. Leigha went back in his room after I had left, and Owen said, "Dad said I gave the most!" and his eyes started to tear up a little. Seeing how blessed he had been by giving, Leigha asked him if he knew who else was proud of him and Owen replied, "Yes, God is proud of me" and then he really started to get choked up. I know I'm a little biased here, but I wonder how many adults have never known (and sadly never will know) the profound blessing that comes from truly selfless, joyful giving. Sometimes I wonder why God gave us Owen biologically when adoption has really become the center of our lives. I suppose that God knew that at that point in my life, I wouldn't have been ready for adoption without experiencing the joy of birth first. I am certain that God knew our adopted kids would need a big brother to love them, defend them, and keep them in line. Owen has embraced adoption wholeheartedly from the very beginning. Somehow he understood that was gaining so much more with every new sibling than he could possibly be giving up. Sometimes when people ask why we started adopting, I tell them that it's because God made Owen for us and then he broke the mold!
- Ben Singleton
If this story has affected you and you feel to take action, please email us at info@onechildcampaign.com and we will give you some tools and resources to make a difference in your community for the cause of orphans. Each of us CAN do something, each of us MUST do something. You can also join us on an Orphan Awareness trip and see the difference that you can and will make - first hand. Nothing can substitute you seeing, touching, serving and holding these kids face to face. Adoption will change you even more than you could ever imagine.
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