Amber Steffen has been advocating for orphans for a long time. She has shared her artistic abilities with LSM on a number of important projects, and we are delighted that she has agreed to work for LSM on a part-time basis. Below, Amber reveals why the cause of orphans stirs her heart:

Bob Pierce, a well‐known missions leader prayed, “Let my heart be broken by the things that break God’s heart.” That’s a huge plea, especially in understanding the pain these facts open your eyes to:

Most children under the age of fifteen are…

• Sleeping on concrete beds and rancid garbage piles every night
• Trafficked and sold into sexual bondage, some as young as five
• Victimized by HIV/AIDS-infected men who believe sleeping with young virgins can cure the disease
• Executed by local businessmen and officials who view them as a dirty pests interfering with trade
• Robbed of childhoods; Robbed of self esteem; Robbed of innocence; Robbed of hope

(stats from http://worldorphans.com/problem/index.htm)

If God calls us to give our lives for those who have less than we do, I think we’ve found them. They’re in the orphans who live those stats you just read. They’re in the widow who’s trying to raise 6 kids on less than $1 per day. Matthew 25 says, “When you’ve done it unto the least of these my brethren, you’ve done it to me.”

Loving Shepherd Ministries offers many opportunities to do just that. By God’s grace, LSM is bringing HOPE back into the world, one child at a time. —————————-

Amber is right. LSM does provide hope “one child at a time.” “One” might not seem like a lot, but to the “one” child who is given hope in the midst of hopelessness, the impact is life-changing. One child at a time, God is transforming the lives of orphans through the work of LSM. Thank you for making a difference!

Ed Schwartz
President, Loving Shepherd Ministries