This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Focus on the Family invites you to Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus on earth. As Christians, we are called to help others and lead them into the light of Christ by being His shining example to those around us. This season of faith and giving, we are offering you this free resource kit to help you to Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus to those in your community— and around the world.

We’ve gathered the best resources to help you and your family live your faith this Christmas—uplifting letters, practical ideas for serving, thought-provoking books and magazines, information from our friends at Operation Christmas Child® and more.

So dig in and get inspired! You and your family may be the only Jesus that a person in need will ever meet.

SERVING AS A FAMILYMake Giving a Part of Everyday Living ................... 4

Ideas for Serving as a Family ................................ 5

Family Devotional ................................................. 5

Free Magazine Subscription .................................. 5

Advent Calendar .................................................. 6

SERVING AS A COUPLEIdeas for Serving as a Couple ............................... 8

Serving Together as a Couple ................................ 8

Making an Impact in Your World ............................ 8

SERVING FOR KIDSChildren’s Magazines ......................................... 10

Kids Like You ..................................................... 10

Build a Box ........................................................ 11

SERVING THROUGH OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILDFollow Your Box Around the World ....................... 13

Host a Packing Party .......................................... 14

CARING FOR ORPHANSDaily Prayer Calendar ......................................... 16

Be a Blessing ..................................................... 18

Creative Ideas .................................................... 18

Oliver Twist ........................................................ 19

Excerpt from ReFocus: Living a Life that Reflects God’s Heart .................................... 20

2

SERVING AS A FAMILY

Make Giving a Part of Everyday Living ............4

Ideas for Serving as a Family .........................5

Family Devotional ..........................................5

Advent Calendar ...........................................6

3

Make Giving a Part of Everyday Living

by Dean Ridings

As our four children were growing up, we sought to make giving a part of everyday living. In

the process, we’ve discovered time and again the truth of Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give

than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

My wife, Kim, and I didn’t have to look far to find places to give. We started with our neighbors.

We would bake fresh goodies, pack them up and deliver them via red wagon to the families

on our street. Our kids were a bit confused at first as the cookies that they worked so hard to

prepare went into gift packages. But they learned to love the smiles on our neighbors’ faces

come delivery time.

We learned about an organization dedicated to sharing Christ’s love with international college

students by connecting them with “friendship partner” families for meals, events and the like.

Throughout the years, we have opened our home to students from many nations. Our family

especially enjoyed it when some of our new friends made us a special meal prepared in the

Japanese tradition.

We also discovered a host of opportunities through our local church. Our family donated

supplies for the church food pantry and always brought canned goods when the church took

up a special collection for local charities when their supplies ran low.

Finally, Christmas proved a natural time to give. Each year our kids would provide gifts to needy

children through Prison Fellowship’s Project Angel Tree® program or the Samaritan’s Purse

ministry, Operation Christmas Child®. These organizations helped us come together as a family

as we shopped, selected and wrapped gifts together. Our kids were particularly helpful when

it came to selecting gifts for children their own age. (They seemed to know exactly what they

would want.)

Our hearts were encouraged by the fact that the folks at Prison Fellowship and Operation

Christmas Child included a reflection of Christ’s love in the form of a comic book or pamphlet

with each gift to tell the young recipients about the greatest gift of all, God’s Son, Jesus.

In fact, when we hung our stockings on the fireplace mantle each year, our family included a

stocking for Jesus. In it we placed something to remember our gifts by—an angel, a brochure,

an advertisement. Because these gifts were His, we gave them to others in His name.

“All this helped us to understand the great needs there are nearby and around

the world,” says our daughter Becca, now a young adult. “It gave us the

opportunity to use what God had blessed us with to bless others. It’s part of

who we are and what we do today.”

Dean Ridings is on staff with Focus on the Family.

4

Ideas for Serving as a FamilyOne of the best ways that we can model God’s love is through our good works for others. Think of ways that you can all work together as a family to serve the people of your community. Invite your children to offer their own ideas—you may be surprised at what they come up with. Here are some suggestions:

• Organize a canned food drive at your church. • Volunteer as a family at your local food bank.• Bring an elderly neighbor a gift box packed with treats.• Have older children volunteer to do yard work for elderly neighbors.• Invite a single soldier to a holiday dinner. • Volunteer to care for a soldier’s pet while they are deployed. • Make cards for military members overseas. • Sponsor an orphan overseas.• Create care packages for teens in local group homes. Include toiletries,

candy, MP3 gift cards (can be as little as $5), hats, gloves, etc.

Family Devotion: You Can Work as a Family to Serve Others

VIsit ThrivingFamily.com for great content like this short and practical devotional.Click here or scan the QR code to read the devotional.

Free Magazine Subscription!Thriving Family® magazine is your go-to resource for all things marriage and family. From helpful tips on strengthening your relationship to fun and simple craft projects for you and your kids, Thriving Family is a great way to make every day count. And the best part? It’s absolutely free! In every issue, you’ll get:

• age-specific parenting advice • faith-based family activities• marriage tips• book reviews• support for single parents and blended families • and much more!

Click here, scan the QR code or call 800-A-FAMILY to start your FREE subscription today!

5

6

Knowing Him by Name

The Thriving Family 2012 Advent Activity Calendar

Since our sons, Trent and Troy, were little, we’ve gathered as a family for

a devotional time during the Christmas season. Some years, that’s been

daunting, but as the boys have grown older, it’s become easier for all of

us to keep focused. Then on Christmas morning, we rise with the sun,

open gifts and enjoy a breakfast feast of red and green pancakes. Traditions

are an integral part of our family, but we’re always eager to refresh our

perspective on Christmas.

Through all the ups and downs of this past year, I’m reminded of the true

reason behind the season—not the colorful presents and pancakes, but

the story of the newborn King. The birth of Jesus is the gift that gives

meaning to all gifts, and I want our boys to have a genuine understanding

of the mighty Savior who arrived as a baby and was laid in a manger.

I want them to truly know Jesus and His role in our lives.

As a father, I’m pleased to present The Thriving Family 2012 Advent

calendar, a practical, convenient way to journey through the season with

your children. This year’s theme teaches the names of Jesus, and we’ll

focus on how Scripture uses different names to describe the character and

role of the Savior. The pages of our calendar are filled with faith-based

activities that will help your children develop a deeper understanding of

the identity of Jesus. He is the Word, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the

Lamb of God!

As you and your children study the Scriptures and enjoy the activities,

I hope you will gain a new understanding of Jesus and of that silent night

in Bethlehem.

Jim Daly

Click Here or scan the QR code to download the Advent Calendar, which includes more service ideas for your family.

SERVING AS A COUPLE

Ideas for Serving as a Couple...........................8

Serving Together as a Couple .........................8

Making an Impact in Your World .....................8

7

Ideas for Serving as a Couple One of the best ways to make every day count with your spouse is the gift of time. And spending time together serving others can help you and your spouse grow closer than ever before—and it’s simpler than you might think.

• Work in a soup kitchen, food bank, rescue mission or homeless shelter. • Volunteer as Salvation Army bell ringers. It can take as little as an hour, but it

means a lot. • Adopt a military family, especially when a spouse is deployed. • Host a Christmas open house. A bag of pretzels, a can of peanuts, a plate of

cookies and something to drink are all you need. Caring enough to reach out to your neighbors is what really matters.

• As an extra way to touch the world during the holidays, participate in Operation Christmas Child.

• You can also buy a pig or goat for a needy family through SamaritansPurse.org.

Serving Together as a Couple In this insightful article series by Susan Mathis, co-author of Countdown for Couples: Preparing for the Adventure of Marriage, you’ll find excellent tips and advice for building a stronger marriage through acts of service.

Click here or scan the QR code to read the article now.

Making an Impact in Your World In this broadcast, Jim Daly and John Fuller share inspiring examples of everyday people in everyday situations who, by simply living out their faith, are making a big impact on the world around them. Use these examples for inspiration to serve in your own communities this season.

Click here or scan the QR code to listen to the broadcast now.

Susan Mathis and her book Countdown for Couples: Preparing for the Adventure of Marriage

Click here or scan the QR code to purchase this book.

8

SERVING FOR KIDS

Children’s Magazines ..................................10

Kids Like You ..............................................10

Build a Box .................................................11

9

kids like you

•

®

My name is Alina. Before I was

born, my mama started packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child with her mama (my grandma). The first time I helped pack a shoebox, I was just a toddler.

Now I am 7, and I still like to pack shoeboxes. In June, I had a lemonade stand so I could earn my own money for the Operation Christmas Child project. In four

hours, I made $42! We went to the dollar store, and I found all kinds of small gifts.

In the girl’s shoebox, I put bracelets and necklaces, barrettes, headbands, soft socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, teddy bear, ball, candy, pencil, kaleidoscope,

markers and pink boots!I filled four shoeboxes

for boys because Grandma said not as many people pack boy boxes. The boys got things like a small football, flashlight, stuffed dog, toothbrush, toothpaste, mini Frisbee, Play-Doh, a poncho and a coloring book!

I taped a letter and a picture of my family under each lid, and we prayed for the kids who would get our boxes.

I like doing Operation Christmas Child because we’re helping kids know about God’s love. It’s important for them to learn about God so they can go to heaven.

name: Alina G.

age: 7

home: Colorado

hobbies: coloring and

painting

Children’s Magazines Focus on the Family Clubhouse® and Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr.® magazinesKids can serve others, too. On this page and the next you’ll find sample content from Focus on the Family’s great children’s magazines. And now you can get a special deal on a one-year subscription to Clubhouse or Clubhouse Jr. for just $10—nearly 50% off the regular rate!

Click here, scan the QR code, or call 800-A-FAMILY to learn more now.

10

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Did you know . . .• Since it began, Operation Christmas Child has hand-delivered more than 100 million shoe-box gifts to hurting kids around the world.

• If one year’s shoe-box gifts were stacked on top of each other, they would stand 146 times taller than Mount Everest! (Mount Everest is the world’s tallest mountain at 29,035 feet.)

• Shoe-box gifts travel by truck, boat, plane, bicycle, helicopter, donkey, dogsled, elephant and even oxen!Search down, across and diagonally to find gifts

you can pack in an Operation Christmas Child shoe box:

Build a Box

PaPerPencilsPhotosoaPsocKstoothBrushtoothPaste

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11

SERVING THROUGH OPERATION

CHRISTMAS CHILD®

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Build a Box Online Bless a needy child by giving a shoe box gift online. You will select your age and gender, then choose from a selection of toys, hygiene items and school supplies to go in your box. You can even write a letter and upload a photo. Then, your box will be on its way to a child in need! You can also gift the Build A Box fun to friends and family!

Click here or scan the QR code to learn more now.

How to Pack a BoxWe have all the tips and tricks you need to give your Christmas Child an amazing box filled with gifts and inspiration.

Click here or scan the QR code to read the article now.

Shoe Box Scripture TreasureGive a child in need the best gift of all—the knowledge of God’s everlasting love— through a handmade Scripture keepsake that you and your kids can make together.

Click here or scan the QR code to learn more now.

Stationery KitYou can become a pen pal to your Christmas Child! Learn what it’s like to live in their country and tell them about life where you live. You can make it easy for your sponsored child to write back to you by creating a stationery kit to put in their box.

Supplies:• Paper • Pens and pencils• Self-addressed, stamped envelopes (and a few blank ones)

Be sure to send your child a letter with their package so that they know you want to be pen pals. Tell them about your family, friends and things you like to do in your spare time. And be sure to ask lots of questions about them!

14

CARING FOR ORPHANS

Daily Prayer Calendar ����������������������������������16

Be a Blessing ����������������������������������������������18

Creative Ideas ���������������������������������������������18

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Excerpt from ReFocus: Living a Life that Reflects God’s Heart �����������������������������20

15

DAILY PRAYER CALENDAR | GET INVOLVED | 16

Daily Prayer CalendarChildren come into the United States foster care system for various reasons, including neglect, abuse, abandonment and substance abuse by their primary caretakers. Historically, the church has cared for children such as these out of obedience to God’s repeated mandate to care for the marginalized. However, many Christians today are simply unsure of what they can do to make a difference.

The National Foster Care Prayer Vigil was created to call followers of Christ wherever they are to ask the God of the Universe to do great and mighty things on their behalf. He hears our prayers, and we know He will answer our plea for these precious children and for the people who love and care for them.

Perhaps the best place to start is on our knees, crying out to a Holy God on behalf of these children, their birth families, their foster families and their social workers.

The easy-to-use prayer calendar on the next page will help you and your family remember to pray for kids in need of forever families—as well as the churches, agencies and partners involved in the process.

Prayers within the calendar are from the “Foster Care Prayer Guide” by the Cry of the Orphan™ collaborative campaign.

Supplies:• Two hands for prayer• Caring heart for orphans• A place to hang the calendar

Instructions:Print one calendar per month (you can find the calendar on the next page), then fill in the month and days in the blank spaces provided. Hang the calendar on your refrigerator or mirror to remind you and your family to say a special prayer each day.

“Learn to do rig

ht! Seek justice,

encourage the

oppressed. Defen

d the cause of t

he fatherless;

plead the case o

f the widow.” Isa

iah 1:17 (NIV)

Mod

el u

sed

for i

llust

rativ

e pu

rpos

e on

ly.

16

:

DAILY PRAYER CALENDAR | GET INVOLVED | 17

Seek

the

LORD

and

His

st

reng

th; S

eek

His

face

co

ntin

ually

. Rem

embe

r Hi

s w

onde

rs w

hich

He

has

done

, His

mar

vels

and

the

judg

men

ts u

ttere

d by

His

m

outh

[...]

Ps

alm

105

:4-5

NAS

B

Pray

that

the

child

ren

in th

e fo

ster

car

e sy

stem

wou

ld

com

e to

kno

w J

esus

as

thei

r Lo

rd a

nd S

avio

r.

Pray

that

God

wou

ld

tran

sfor

m th

ese

child

ren’

s liv

es a

nd h

eart

s an

d th

at th

ey

wou

ld b

e ab

le to

forg

ive

thos

e w

ho h

ave

wro

nged

them

.

Pray

for t

he th

ousa

nds

of

youn

g ad

ults

who

hav

e “a

ged

out”

of t

he c

hild

wel

fare

sy

stem

, tha

t the

y m

ight

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l fin

d a

Chris

tian

fore

ver f

amily

, th

at th

ey m

ight

find

men

tors

, an

d th

at th

ey w

ould

com

e to

kn

ow J

esus

.

Pray

that

God

wou

ld

enco

urag

e ou

r sta

te’s

soc

ial

wor

kers

, tha

t the

y w

ould

ex

perie

nce

grea

t joy

in th

eir

wor

k an

d th

at th

ey w

ould

not

gr

ow w

eary

in d

oing

goo

d.

Pray

that

God

wou

ld p

rovi

de

wha

t is

nece

ssar

y fo

r our

st

ate’

s so

cial

wor

kers

to

do th

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at

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ld c

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ue to

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yste

m

to o

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te e

ffect

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d in

a

way

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est f

or th

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ildre

n.

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soul

, wai

ts in

sile

nce

for

God

only

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my

hope

is fr

om

Him

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only

is m

y ro

ck a

nd

my

salv

atio

n, m

y st

rong

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; I s

hall

not b

e sh

aken

. On

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salv

atio

n an

d m

y gl

ory

rest

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rock

of m

y st

reng

th,

my

refu

ge is

in G

od [.

..]

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t in

Him

at a

ll tim

es,

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ople

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r out

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rt

befo

re H

im; G

od is

a re

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fo

r us.

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alm

62:

5-8

NAS

B

Pray

that

God

wou

ld d

raw

th

ese

child

ren’

s bi

olog

ical

fa

mili

es to

Him

self

and

that

th

ey w

ould

exp

erie

nce

the

lif

e tr

ansf

orm

atio

n th

at w

ill

allo

w th

em to

par

ent t

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child

ren

wel

l.

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that

God

wou

ld in

terv

ene

in th

e liv

es o

f oth

er a

t-ris

k fa

mili

es, a

nd p

rovi

de th

em

with

men

tors

who

can

hel

p pr

even

t the

rem

oval

of t

heir

child

ren

in th

e fir

st p

lace

.

Pray

that

God

wou

ld ra

ise

up a

n ar

my

of g

odly

fost

er

pare

nts

who

are

equ

ally

co

mm

itted

to re

unifi

catio

n an

d ad

optio

n w

hen

nece

ssar

y, tr

ustin

g Go

d al

one

for t

he o

utco

me

He d

esire

s.

Pray

that

God

wou

ld ra

ise

up

peop

le in

man

y ch

urch

es to

la

unch

min

istr

ies

for o

rpha

ns

and

wai

ting

child

ren,

and

th

at m

any

of th

ese

min

istr

ies

wou

ld b

ecom

e en

gage

d w

ith

the

child

wel

fare

sys

tem

.

Pray

that

mor

e an

d m

ore

chur

ch le

ader

s w

ould

resp

ond

to th

e ne

eds

in fo

ster

car

e an

d w

ould

act

ivel

y en

gage

in

the

child

wel

fare

sys

tem

.

Pray

that

bel

ieve

rs a

ll ov

er

the

stat

e w

ould

be

cons

umed

w

ith c

ompa

ssio

n fo

r the

ch

ildre

n in

fost

er c

are,

and

w

ould

mak

e th

emse

lves

av

aila

ble

for h

ow G

od w

ants

to

use

them

.

Pray

that

bel

ieve

rs in

our

st

ate

wou

ld b

e un

ified

in

Chris

t and

that

our

uni

ty

arou

nd th

is is

sue

wou

ld d

raw

ot

hers

to H

im.

Ask

God

wha

t He

wou

ld h

ave

us d

o in

the

futu

re in

rela

tion

to th

e fo

ster

car

e sy

stem

and

th

e ch

ildre

n an

d fa

mili

es it

se

rves

.

Ask,

and

it w

ill b

e gi

ven

to

you;

see

k, a

nd y

ou w

ill fi

nd;

knoc

k, a

nd it

will

be

open

ed

to y

ou. F

or e

very

one

who

as

ks re

ceiv

es, a

nd h

e w

ho

seek

s fin

ds, a

nd to

him

who

kn

ocks

it w

ill b

e op

ened

. M

atth

ew 7

:7-8

NAS

B

Pray

for c

urre

nt fo

ster

pa

rent

s, th

at th

ey w

ould

no

t los

e he

art a

nd th

at th

ey

wou

ld b

e di

ligen

t in

seek

ing

just

ice

for t

he c

hild

ren

in th

eir

care

.

Pray

that

pot

entia

l ado

ptiv

e fa

mili

es w

ill s

tep

forw

ard

and

not g

row

dis

cour

aged

whi

le

wai

ting

to b

ecom

e qu

alifi

ed to

ad

opt c

hild

ren

in o

ur s

tate

.

[...]

they

hel

p ea

ch

othe

r and

say

to th

eir

com

pani

ons,

“Be

str

ong!

” Is

aiah

41:

6 N

IV

Pray

that

fam

ilies

who

hav

e al

read

y ad

opte

d ch

ildre

n fr

om fo

ster

car

e w

ould

hav

e w

isdo

m a

nd w

ould

exp

erie

nce

God’

s gr

ace

as th

ey p

aren

t th

eir c

hild

ren.

Pray

that

fost

er fa

mili

es

wou

ld h

ave

the

abili

ty to

see

th

ese

child

ren

as th

ey s

ee

thei

r bio

logi

cal c

hild

ren—

as

gifts

from

God

that

des

erve

to

be

care

d fo

r in

the

best

w

ay p

ossi

ble.

Spea

k up

for t

hose

who

ca

nnot

spe

ak fo

r the

mse

lves

[..

.]

Prov

erbs

31:

8a N

IV

Ask

God

to s

how

you

way

s yo

u ca

n sp

eak

up fo

r oth

ers

in

this

nex

t wee

k.

Pray

for t

he fa

mili

es o

f the

w

orke

rs, t

hat t

he o

verw

helm

ing

real

ities

they

exp

erie

nce

each

da

y w

ill n

ot p

reve

nt th

em fr

om

givi

ng 1

00 p

erce

nt a

t hom

e.

Pray

that

the

wor

kers

will

see

k ju

stic

e fo

r eve

ryon

e in

volv

ed.

Whe

n th

ey h

ad e

nter

ed th

e ci

ty, t

hey

wen

t up

to th

e up

per r

oom

whe

re th

ey w

ere

stay

ing;

[...]

The

se a

ll w

ith o

ne

min

d w

ere

cont

inua

lly

devo

ting

them

selv

es to

pra

yer

[...]

Acts

1:1

3-14

NAS

B

Pray

that

God

wou

ld ra

ise

up la

bore

rs to

fill

ever

y vo

id:

judg

es, a

ttorn

eys,

gua

rdia

ns

ad li

tem

, soc

ial w

orke

rs,

cour

t app

oint

ed s

peci

al

advo

cate

s (C

ASA)

, sup

port

st

aff,

ther

apis

ts a

nd o

ther

s.

Pray

that

God

wou

ld d

raw

th

ese

wor

kers

to H

imse

lf,

that

thei

r mot

ivat

ion

mig

ht b

e ro

oted

in th

e Go

spel

and

its

abili

ty to

do

the

impo

ssib

le

and

tran

sfor

m li

ves.

Relig

ion

that

God

our

Fa

ther

acc

epts

as

pure

and

fa

ultle

ss is

this

: to

look

afte

r or

phan

s an

d w

idow

s in

thei

r di

stre

ss [.

..]

Jam

es 1

:27

NIV

Pray

that

God

wou

ld m

ove

mor

e Ch

ristia

ns to

laun

ch

care

ers

in th

e ch

ild w

elfa

re

syst

em.

Pray

that

thes

e ch

ildre

n w

ould

ex

perie

nce

God’

s lo

ve th

roug

h th

e lo

ve a

nd c

are

give

n to

th

em b

y al

l inv

olve

d in

the

child

wel

fare

sys

tem

.

Pray

that

God

wou

ld o

pen

door

s to

kee

p si

blin

g gr

oups

in

tact

or i

n co

ntac

t with

one

an

othe

r as

they

gro

w u

p.

I am

the

Lord

, the

God

of a

ll m

anki

nd. I

s an

ythi

ng to

o ha

rd

for m

e?

Jere

mia

h 32

:27

NIV

Pray

that

God

wou

ld p

rovi

de

each

of t

hese

chi

ldre

n w

ith

a “f

orev

er fa

mily

,” a

nd th

at

God

wou

ld p

repa

re th

e

hear

ts o

f the

se c

hild

ren

to

be re

ady

for t

he fa

mili

es H

e w

ill

prov

ide

them

.

Pray

that

God

wou

ld h

eal t

he

deep

hur

ts th

ese

child

ren

have

exp

erie

nced

and

pro

tect

th

em fr

om fu

ture

har

m.

17

BE A BLESSING | GET INVOLVED | 18

Be a BlessingJust because you can’t bring a child in foster care into your home doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference in their lives! There are countless ways to be a blessing to kids in foster care. Volunteering, donating and encouraging others are only the beginning of your journey to bringing smiles to the faces of waiting kids in your community. Working with your local human services division or other licensed child placing agency is the best way to get connected. For more information on agencies and ministries in the your area, click here.

Creative ideas and activities for the whole family to get involved!

• Pray regularly for the kids in foster care, the social workers in your city and the judges and caseworkers that are making decisions on behalf of children and youth.

• Volunteer at your county’s child welfare office.

• Clean up the playground at the county child welfare office.

• Surprise county child welfare staff with baked goods or lunch once a month.

• Create and donate “care” bags with items such as toothbrushes, soaps, shampoo and something comforting—a hand-knitted blanket or small stuffed animal.

• Donate items such as cosmetics, hygiene products, pre-paid cards for music downloads, or new or gently used books to local group homes.

• Host a “drive” for in-need kids items like backpacks, books, toys, games or art supplies. (Ask your local contacts what they need!)

• Encourage teens to get certified to provide babysitting or respite care to kids in foster care. Work with your local child welfare office or licensed agency to do this. (This is easy for adults too, not just teens!)

• Volunteer to be a mentor to a child in foster care.

• Offer to take a group of kids to a local matinee. Ask about discounts and specials for non-profits/community members in need.

For more information, visit iCareAboutOrphans.org

“The Spirit you received brought about your

adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba,

Father.’” Rom. 8:15

Mod

el u

sed

for i

llust

rativ

e pu

rpos

e on

ly.

18

OLIVER TWIST | LISTEN | 19

Oliver TwistFocus on the Family Radio Theatre® presents the inspirational tale Oliver Twist. Escape to another place and time with this full-cast audio dramatization of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Oliver—a young orphan battling the streets of 19th-century London. This powerful story will draw you into a timeless adventure of danger, compassion and redemption as a single child changes the lives of everyone around him. Featuring cinema-quality sound, award-winning writers, an original music score and a stellar cast of England’s most renowned actors.

Click on the links below to watch the Oliver Twist promo and a preview for a documentary detailing the reality of modern-day orphans.

Scan the QR code or Click here to listen to a sample of Oliver Twist

Bonus DVD includes a compelling documentary featurette with “behind the scenes” footage, expert interviews and emotive stories of real, modern-day “Olivers.”

Watch the behind the scenes promo. Watch a preview for the documentary.

19

Excerpt from ReFocus: Living a Life that Reflects God’s HeartBy Jim Daly

“… I’m simply drawing us back to the basic tenet of orthopraxy: following God and living by faith takes practice. Loving God and obeying His Word is nothing if not practical. The Bible clearly emphasizes how God cares about the details of daily life for His children—in fact, for all of His creation, including the sparrows of the air and the lilies of the field.

So we shouldn’t be surprised that Jesus focused His ministry in practical, physical ways. He turned water into wine at a wedding celebration in Cana. He blessed a couple of fish and a handful of bread and turned it into a buffet for five thousand people. He healed lepers with His touch. He spit in the mud and made a healing paste for the blind. He washed the feet of His disciples. He made them breakfast on the beach. He established a ritual of remembrance and celebration through the bread and wine of the Last Supper.

In example after example, we see that God is a God of incarnation, of Word made flesh. The fact that He would send His one and only Son to be born into our world as a baby—a human baby who cried, nursed, napped and soiled His diapers—is the greatest living proof we could desire. No wonder, then, that Jesus repeatedly urged His followers to put their faith into practice by serving both the physical and the spiritual needs of others.”

From pages 160-161

Click here or scan the QR code to listen to a broadcast featuring Jim Daly talking about ReFocus

Click here or scan the QR code to order ReFocus by Jim Daly

20

1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459)FocusOnTheFamily.com