transformation Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Loving Shepherd Ministries

19Feb2016

Three Things You Can Do on the World Day of Social Justice

February 19, 2016

advocacy, bethany christian services, change a future, donate, Family, february 20, God's Heart, moriya ethiopian accessories, orphans, prayer partner, social justice, transformation, Updates and News Caring for Orphans, Combating Exploitation, LSM, Uncategorized

“Seeking justice begins with seeking our God who created justice.” —Bethany Hoang, Author of The Justice Calling, Advisor for International Justice Mission

Saturday, February 20 is the World Day of Social Justice—a time to promote freedom, equality and hope, and to take action to help eradicate poverty and support the dignity of all humans, especially the forgotten children on the fringes of society.

As you reflect on this today, spend some time with God considering how He might use you to bring justice to the world’s most vulnerable.

5Feb2016

Help Children in a Way you Never Dreamed Possible

February 5, 2016

jen

Change, Community, faith, Family, God's Heart, moriya ethiopian accessories, Prayer, purpose, Sustainability, take action, transformation, Updates and News Caring for Orphans, Combating Exploitation, Ethiopia, Family, Haiti, News, Uncategorized

A reporter once told Mother Teresa that he couldn’t do what she did if he was paid a million dollars. She answered, “Yes, for a million dollars, I wouldn’t do it either.”

There is a pearl—a prize—in your life worth risking everything for. Bur it’s not something you can earn, because it’s something you’ve already been given.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” —Matthew 25:40

4Feb2016

4 Special Ways to Say “I Love You” this Valentine’s Day

February 4, 2016

jen

amazon smile, Community, cookbook, donation, faith, holiday, orphans, purses, transformation, Valentine's Day Caring for Orphans, Combating Exploitation, Family, LSM, Uncategorized

Love lasts forever. Flowers and candy, though touching gestures, do not. This year, consider giving a gift that will provide a vulnerable child with what Valentine’s Day is really all about: the assurance that they are loved.

26Jan2016

What Does it Mean to Empower a Child?

January 26, 2016

jen

child development, education, Homes of Hope, LSM Staff, Missionaries, support, Sustainability, transformation, Updates and News Caring for Orphans, Family, Haiti, LSM, Uncategorized

Within each child lies a set of unique talents and passions that God longs to use. But millions of these children never have the chance to reach their full potential because of their circumstances. When you live in desperate poverty, big dreams must give way to day-to-day survival. That’s not the way it has to be.

So what does it mean to empower a child?

The answer might surprise you.

It can’t be taught. It can’t be learned. It must be given.

The fruit of empowered giving is ripening right now for 216 children in Haiti.

12Jan2016

Annie

January 12, 2016

jen

Family, God's Heart, Haiti earthquake, Homes of Hope, love, orphans, Story, transformation, vulnerable Caring for Orphans, Family, Haiti, LSM, Uncategorized

Three-year-old Annie* barely escaped the building that crumbled around her during the catastrophic January 12, 2010, Haiti earthquake. Her mother was not so lucky. She did not survive. Tremors continued for days. Buildings continued to fall and the death toll continued to rise. But even after the shaking stopped, Annie’s life remained on unstable ground. In a country in ruins, she was alone.

There were so many little girls like Annie who lost their parents in the enormous earthquake that she was simply herded with countless other children into the slums. She was given food when she begged hard enough. But she mostly went unnoticed.

5Jan2016

Five Things You Can Do This Year

January 5, 2016

jen

Adoption process, advocacy, God's Heart, new year, poverty, Prayer, support, Sustainability, transformation Adoption, Caring for Orphans, LSM, Uncategorized

There is so much to look forward to at the start of a New Year. Fresh starts, new opportunities, trips to plan, goals to reach and the potential of so many amazing things as you look at the days ahead. Have you also considered what you could do to change a vulnerable child’s life this year?

9Dec2015

What Hope Means for Timmy

December 9, 2015

jen

advocacy, Community, education, Ethiopia, give a gift, God's Heart, Hope, LSM Staff, Moriya, poverty, school supplies, school tuition, starvation, support, Sustainability, transformation Combating Exploitation, Ethiopia, Family, LSM, Uncategorized

Timmy* is five years old and started kindergarten this year. The first day, he was so excited. He got his little uniform on, lovingly took his new notebook and pencils out of his backpack, just to gaze at them for a moment before tucking them securely back inside and hoisting the bag onto his back. He fairly jumped out of his skin he was so excited that morning!

All day, he and his new friends in class would learn and listen and soak in the lessons. And every day after school, his mom was there to pick him up and listen to the new fidel (Ethiopian Amharic script) he had learned. Timmy sometimes wondered why his mom almost seemed to be crying behind those big smiles of hers… why would she be sad that he was learning so many wonderful new things!

13Nov2015

A Brief Snapshot

November 13, 2015

jen

advocacy, God's Heart, Healing, journey, love, LSM Staff, orphan, Prayer, snapshot, support, transformation, Wisdom Caring for Orphans, LSM, Uncategorized

by Jen Schwartz, Adoption Resource & Child Development Program Coordinator

We see brief snapshots into an orphan’s life. Images of starving children, those who are too young defending themselves in the streets around the world float across our screens. We see hands that reach out to steal food in hopes of surviving another day and children whose pain is so strong because they are hopeless against hands that abuse. We see hearts that do not know laughter, safety or God’s love.

Helping the orphans of the world certainly requires much faith, patience, and stamina. It starts with only one. And for your impact in the life of that one child, it can be a beautiful, redemptive journey!

6Nov2015

First-Hand Accounts that Inspire

November 6, 2015

jen

advocacy, Community, events, LSM Staff, orphan sunday, orphans, Prayer, Stephanie Fast, support, transformation, Updates and News Adoption, Caring for Orphans, Family, LSM, News, Uncategorized

This week, Stephanie Fast shared her amazing story at Grace Church in Mahomet, IL. As an adult adoptee, global orphan advocate and inspiring storyteller, Stephanie speaks on behalf of millions of children who are still abandoned and vulnerable today. (Read more about her journey here.)

14Oct2015

This Friday…

October 14, 2015

jen

advocacy, auction, Community, events, Home of Hope, items, orphans, Story, support, transformation Caring for Orphans, Family, Haiti, LSM, Uncategorized

The LSM Auction is this Friday in Washington, IL! Items have been flooding in, and we are excited for this great night together. Will you join us Friday to help change the lives of vulnerable children?

This event is impacting the ongoing change in the lives of boys like Gary*. He lost his parents in the 2010 earthquake and was sent far away from everything familiar to live with a distant relative. When he arrived, his aunt promptly put him to work carrying water for hours on end, barely receiving enough food and never going to school. Gary never dreamed of life changing. He never believed anything could be different.