How Unconditional Love Led Me to Orphan Care

Every summer in high school, I traveled to War, WV with a group based out of Burlington called Christian Adventurers. The Lord used these trips and this team of people to teach me about his profound goodness and love for us. It was in this dusty coal-miners’ town that I learned to love the gospel with all my heart. After I saw so clearly how Christ had redeemed my life from destruction and grief, I was overcome with the need to share that love any way I could.

I am a firm believer in displaying the gospel in my life’s actions, not just words. I get weepy every time I think of the day when we will be reunited with Christ forevermore and every memory of pain will be erased. I hope for that day with great anticipation, but until it comes, I want to work wholeheartedly at providing every child with a loving family, one in which they will be cared for and loved the way that Christ has loved us. One of my favorite lines in any song comes from Hillsong’s “What a Beautiful Name.” It says:

you didn’t want heaven without us, so Jesus, you brought heaven down

That truth brings me to my knees and inspires me to live my life in a way that will build Christ’s kingdom here on earth. I found out about Ignite Hope one Sunday afternoon right after I’d been praying that The Lord would provide me with an internship oppo

rtunity that would allow me to fulfill the passion He placed in my heart for orphan care. Ignite Hope was such a clear answer to prayer that there was no way I could turn it down. I am so excited to be joining this wonderful team of people for a cause that will reap the most beautiful eternal rewards. I love that we all work zealously towards the goal of “on earth as it is in heaven,” one day at a time.