Greetings from Thailand!

Part of what Audrey and I loved about Faithful Heart Foundation when we first came, was the sense of family and home that the kids have.  As we have been trying to develop our new website (details coming soon!) we have tried to find ways to communicate how we approach orphan care.  

One way we do that is to say that successful orphan care is when children don't feel like orphans but sons and daughters.  I wish you could see the changes in these boys.  They were incredible little guys before, but to see how a home and a family grounds them and frees them to be brave is incredible. 

 We take that for granted I think, those of us who came from homes where we were always loved and welcomed.

We met a lady for coffee last week who has worked with orphans here for 17 years.  One of the things we talked about was how to address the sense of inferiority so many orphaned children have.  How do we help these kids know what is true?

1.  They are never orphans; they have a great Father who loves them.

2.  They are incredible, unique, gifted individuals who can do all sorts of amazing things.

This is what Faithful Heart has done so well: helping strangers become families.  A home and a family go a long way towards developing the confidence of these little ones (or any of us for that matter!).

Eva, our intern from Bethel University, has been such a blessing to have here at Faithful Heart Foundation.  She brings the energy and heart of young folks (I really am moving out of that category), and a willing spirit--what more could anyone ask?  We have tried to help her experience a variety of different ways she could serve the people of Thailand.  

Since we believe that every person is uniquely equipped and called by God to serve others, we are excited to help friends discover the many different ways they might do that, not just now, but for the rest of their lives.  

Eva studied Art in college and has come up with some fun projects for each of our homes.

It might be one of the most underappreciated verses in the Bible, but Jesus says if we love him and keep his words (love God, love your neighbor, etc.) he says he will come and make his home with us.  

I think that addresses one of the great longings of the human heart: to belong somewhere, to have a home. 

 Living in a different country and culture makes each trip back home more powerful.  The grass, the trees, the mountains, the food, but most of all the people make home, home.  Whether they are biological family, or friends who have become family, 

home is where we are experience and exchange love.  

The writer Henri Nouwen has a beautiful expression of what coming home means:

"We are not what we do. 

 We are not what we have.  

We are not what others think of us.  

Coming home is claiming the truth.  I am the beloved child of the Creator."  

That may become the goal of my life; to announce to a hurting lonely world: 

YOU HAVE A FATHER WHO LOVES YOU; YOU HAVE A HOME!

Until you find your good Father's home, you are welcome in mine.  That goes for the child in northern Thailand and the busy folks in America.  And the loudest way to proclaim that, is to demonstrate it.  Christians are the people who make God's love tangible.  

Here is a joyful challenge for this month:

Who can you welcome in your home?  

Who can you provide a home and family for?  Who needs a loving welcome today?  

I love what Faithful Heart does in providing homes and families for children in Thailand.  Some of those children need sponsors.  

Can you help?  

The foster care system in America is overflowing with kids and adopting within the foster system is FREE!  Are you lonely? 

 Have your kids all grown and gone?  Welcome some more!  

We are grateful for your love and encouragement!  Keep loving well!  

Matt, Audrey, & Ezra