Ethiopian Orphans - Who Will Help?

As many of you know, Phil had the privilege of traveling to Ethiopia in mid-January. He went to assist in filming and photographing the images of the country and to illuminate the incredible need for loving homes for the orphans of Ethiopia. "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..."James 1:27a This verse came to life as Phil saw the "distress" of so many in Ethiopia.


Christian World Adoption Ethiopia is an arm of Christian World Adoption and Christian World Foundation based in Hendersonville, NC. Not only are they committed to finding loving homes for the orphaned children of Ethiopia, they are also committed to providing humanitarian aid, love and nurture to the children and families still in Ethiopia.

Due to famine, diseases such as malaria and TB, and the HIV epidemic, countless children are left without a family to love and protect them.

Poverty is real and is beyond what we can fathom here in the U.S....

Many widows try to make ends meet as they work and try to care for their children. Without the love of Christ and the hope that He brings, hopelessness is inevitable.

Christian World Adoption and Christian World Foundation are the hands and feet of Christ in Ethiopia. They go in and rescue children who are homeless or who no longer can be cared for by their primary caregiver. They are brought to the orphanages in Awassa or Soddo where they are bathed, clothed and fed. Once their physical needs are met, the caregivers continue to show them the love of Christ. Legal paperwork is processed, and the children are ready for adoption.

Once a child's referral has been accepted by a U.S. family, the child is moved to CWA's orphanage in Addis Ababa (the capitol of Ethiopia) where he/she begins to learn English and waits to be united with his/her forever family. CWA hires the best nannies and offers them extensive training to ensure that each child has the love and nurture that is vital for their development.

Bob and Tomilee Harding, founders of CWA and CWF, and Stephne Bowers, one of CWA's point persons in Ethiopia, have sacrificed, both physically and financially, for the children of Ethiopia. But they can't do it alone! The Ethiopian government has offered land to be used to build an orphanage in Addis Ababa that would house over 200 orphans. This would allow children to be moved from the rural areas of Awasse and Soddo, more quickly, and would also facilitate more orphans being placed for adoption. This project would literally save lives!!

I've had several people ask, "What can we do to help? The need is so great, and we can't help them all." I, too, have felt the overwhelming burden to help the children; however, my desire to help has been coupled with discouragement over my perceived lack of ability and/or resources to make a "significant difference". Then the Holy Spirit reminds me,"We can't help them all, but we can help the one that God has placed before us at this time." That's all He requires. The Lord owns "the cattle on a thousand hills" Psalm 50:10. He doesn't need my resources, but He does want my obedience to "help" in His work.

Pray about how God would have you be involved in the care of orphans...is His call, to you, to adopt, to give financially and/or to pray faithfully? If you're interested in investing in this specific orphan care ministry, you'll find the link to Acacia Village on our blog. And if you have any questions about adoption and orphan care, in general, please feel free to contact us!!

May God find each one of us faithful as we answer His call to care for widows and orphans in their distress!