Thinking From My Heart about Orphans . . .
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Wednesday, 07 May 08 - 12:48 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Missions |
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This picture is my computer desktop background. Her name is Carolina. She's lives in an orphanage in Tegucigalpa. She's my friend. I love Carolina. God loves her more!
How many orphans do you know? I mean personally. How many orphans do you know by name? I must admit that 2 years ago I don't know if I knew any orphans by name. Honestly, I didn't want to know any orphans! I know that sounds bad, but I didn't want to deal with the emotional pain that came from "personally" knowing an orphan.
That all changed between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. on July 27th, 2006. That's an important day for me (I'll write more about that this week). As I sit here and type these words if I raise my gaze from my computer screen I see a picture frame sitting on the end table in front of me. It contains pictures of kids. They are not my biological kids, but kids who live in an orphanage - a 18 year old, a 10 year old and a 3 year old. They live in an institutional environment. They live with 20 other kids. They live without a Mom and a Dad to tuck them into bed at night.
Are they loved? Yes! God loves them immensely. Many of the orphans I know realize that and take comfort in fact that God loves them and cares for them. Yet, millions of orphans all over the world don't know that anyone loves them - including the God of the universe. In the eyes of God, something is wrong with that picture. A child is not supposed to grow up in an institution! As I write these words my eyes are filled with tears just thinking about the kids all over the world (143 million) that share that kind of story.
What is the church going to do? What am I going to do? What are you going to do? What I'm going to do is - DREAM BIG, take one step at a time, and TRUST GOD for direction.
One of the baby steps I am taking is to step out and try to help start an orphan care ministry in our church. To be honest, I'm a little scared about that. I don't know what it's going to look like, but if we trust God then it's going to look like Him. If we trust ourselves it's going to look like us. My desire is that God be the hero and it look like him.
I'll close this post with a prayer that's on my heart. If you've read this far, would you make this simple prayer to God your own prayer?
God, I know you love children. I know you especially love orphans. I am realizing that it's Your church's responsibility to care for orphans. Help me do my part to make a difference in the world orphan crisis. God, help Mark and Amy do their part to make a difference in the world orphan crisis. Oh, God, help Your church to wake up from it's slumber to make a difference in the world orphan crisis because our response is a reflection on your reputation! I love you God. Thank you for adopting me, an orphan, into your family and giving me a purpose in this world and an eternal home in heaven. Amen.
Orphan Overload . . .
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Sunday, 04 May 08 - 11:25 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Missions |
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What an emotional weekend. It all began with this little orphan group singing How Great Is our God. I thought I was going to end up on the floor sobbing uncontrollably. The last time that happened to me was in the shower a couple months ago when I turned on the little shower radio only to hear "Stealing Cinderella". I don't know who sings it because I rarely listen to country music, but as I heard this guy singing about his daughter getting married and describing it as "stealing Cinderella" I lost it! Honestly, I can't believe I writing it here, but I lost it in the shower . . . sobbing uncontrollably as I thought of some guys stealing my Cinderella (s)!
That's how I felt as I listen to these orphans sing praises to our God on Thursday night. I thought someone was going to have to pick me up off the floor. It was the most awesome, profound, gut wrenching experiences I've had in a long time.
I'm sure I'll write more about it this week, but Amy and I were able to attend Summit IV of the Christian Alliance for Orphans this weekend at Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale. Like the orphan camp we did in Honduras a couple weeks ago, it's hard to put into words.
For now I'll close with a line I heard over an over at the conference - "There are 143 million orphans in the world today and what is the church going to do about this crisis?" What am I going to do about the global orphan crisis? What are YOU going to do about the global orphan crisis?
Daniel Won His First Game
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Tuesday, 29 April 08 - 11:58 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Family |
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Six weeks ago I never dreamed Daniel would be pitching in a baseball game. He hasn't played baseball in four years and never pitched a day in his life. A couple weeks ago he asked his coach if he could "try out" for pitching. I didn't have any confidence that he could do it, but surprisingly he did extremely well.
Tonight he started his first game (only his second game to pitch) and they won! It wasn't that simple. It was a long hard fought battle. I won't give you the play by play, but his team came back in the third inning to win - at 10:00 p.m. Yes, the game lasted until 10:00 p.m. on a school night!
Daniel pitched a great game and I was so proud of him! I know he was tired, but he kept going as long as the coach left him in. His whole team did great. His best friend on the team even hit the game winning double with 3 RBI's. Way to go Daniel and Isaac!
Isaac at bat . . . (FYI - the photos were taken at last Friday's game)
Orphan Camp . . . photo review
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Sunday, 27 April 08 - 11:52 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Missions |
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I don't know it if has something to do with the camp or just one of those times in life, but I've kind of got a writer's block. I haven't felt much like writing this past week and a I know several of you have been wanting more info on the camp so I decided I'd just post more photos. I promise I'll write more later for those who would rather read than look at pictures. For those who like photos . . . click on the images for a larger view.
The Bus Ride to the Camp . . .
Futbol
Explaining the rules of "American Footbal" - didn't go over too well!
First day fun!
Primos (cousins)
Maria the model
camp games . . .
camp worship
craft time
Orphanage Directors (Isaac & Olga) doing their crafts
climbing wall (trust exercises)
climbing wall
a much needed break for Directors Isaac & Olga
singing Pharoah, Pharoah around the bonfire
friends . . .
go carts . . . yes, go carts!
our last day with the kids!
David . . . says it like it is!
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Sunday, 27 April 08 - 10:39 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in General |
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"Dad, that guy is a wimp. He's got training
wheels on his motorcycle!"
Said by David (5 yrs. old) as we were leaving Lowes this past week as he saw a Trike (you know, a three wheeled motorcycle). He just could not get over how wimpy it was that someone would have training wheels on a motorcycle. It was even funnier when hearing it in his squeaky little voice. For those of you who know David, read the quote again and imagine that squeaky little voice at about 100 decibils. Funnier isn't it?
Mariah . . . learning to hear and walk!
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Thursday, 24 April 08 - 11:58 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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Below is a short video (2 min.) of little Mariah learning to hear and to walk . . . .
Daniel Gomez is Getting Married!
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Wednesday, 23 April 08 - 12:56 AM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Missions |
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I know many of you who read this blog know that Daniel Gomez is getting married, but I wanted to share some photos with you that I took last week while in Honduras. For those of you who don't know . . . YES! He's getting married to Jessica on July 26th.
Below are some "engagement photos" I took while we were at the orphan camp this past week. For those of you who would like to see them, I have pictures of Jessica in her wedding dress. I can't post them here because Daniel will look at them, but if you would like to see them send me an email or make a comment on this post and I'll email you a couple.
I'll try to post a few more to my flickr account this week. I've got plenty more . . . .
Orphan Camp . . .
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Sunday, 20 April 08 - 10:24 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Missions |
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I know at least one of you have been waiting for an update from the orphan camp. In a word it was maravilloso (in English - marvelous)! It's one of those experiences that is difficult to put into words. I'll write more tomorrow, but I just wanted to at least post one of the over 2,000 photos from camp - just to prove I was in Honduras last week. As always, you can click the photo for a larger view . . . .
Mariah's CI Update . . . Day 21
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Sunday, 06 April 08 - 02:08 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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For those following Mariah's story . . . she went back to Chapel Hill for an "adjustment" to her CI's. Her audiologists "cranked up" the volume and now she's actually responding a bit more to sounds. Still it hasn't affected her bubbly happy personality. It's a day by day process, but she's a blessing to our entire family!
For those who don't know already, Mariah's story made the newspaper. If you would like to read it you can click here for the online version. The print version had a little more detail about CI's and a huge picture of Amy and Mariah. Mr. Bernie Petit did a great job communicating her story. Thanks Bernie!
Going to camp . . .
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Friday, 04 April 08 - 07:06 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Missions |
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That's right I'm going to camp. I can't remember how long it's been since I've been this excited about going to camp. First of all, it's in Honduras. Second, it's with some kids I love almost as much as my own.
There's still time to help sponsor an orphan kid for the camp. Several of you have emailed an asked for details and some of you have already given, but we still need to sponsor about 12 more. You can sponsor a kid ($100) or help sponsor one. For more details click the photo above. If you would like to donate securely through paypal just click the button below.
We also need prayer partners for the week. As you remember us during the week of April 12 - 19 please pray that God would use us to 'hand deliver hope" to the lives of these precious kids.
Tomato Girl
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Wednesday, 02 April 08 - 10:08 AM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Family |
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Madison has discovered she likes tomatoes. A couple nights ago I had cut some slices of a Roma Tomato for a salad and I left it out on the counter. Later in the evening just before bedtime Madison found it and had to have it. Our other children don't like tomatoes. I can't remember liking tomato until I was an adult. As I see her eating this tomato I find myself looking forward to some good homegrown summer tomatoes! I know Madison is going to love tomato sandwiches this summer.
Foot Fetish?
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Sunday, 30 March 08 - 11:27 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Photography |
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No, I don't have a foot fetish. The last time I took a picture of feet was in Honduras last spring break (here). This past week Amy had painted Mariah's toenails and she wanted me to take a pictue of her feet (maybe Amy has the foot fetish). Anyway, I liked the picture after I looked at it on my computer tonight. So, Sunday night's blog post . . . feet!
Photos from Easter Sunday @ Bethlehem
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Saturday, 29 March 08 - 10:42 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Photography |
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I finally found time tonight to look at the pictures I took at church on Sunday. As the kids watched the kids choice awards on Nick I played around with the pictures. Here's a few I thought I would share . . . .
This one made me cry . . .
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Friday, 28 March 08 - 01:49 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in General |
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"Daddy, I love you more than anything!"
Madison 9 years old (my oldest daughter)
I know this is not a profound quote, but it's my blog and it's my quote of the week! This was uttered this past week after she crawled up in my lap. I hope she still says the same thing when she is 29!
The Power of Marketing
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Thursday, 27 March 08 - 09:39 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in General |
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Seth Godin has one of the most popular blogs on the internet (www.sethgodin.com). He is a marketing guru! He has his own action figure to prove it!
I read his blog, but that's not really what I'm thinking about today. I'm thinking about the power of marketing and how it affects me and my kids.
I remember as a young kid myself that commercials were powerful. I distinctly remember my younger sister (Julie) would be coloring or something on the coffee table (not really on the coffee table, but you know what I mean). I digress . . . why is a table in front of a couch called a coffee table? Ok, back on topic . . . she would be coloring and when a commercial came on she would immediately look up.
I notice that almost daily with our children. Mainly I notice it when we go in a store and they want something they saw on TV. Or like a couple weeks ago as Daniel and I were returning with Mariah from Chapel Hill and he wanted to stop at Burger King. He never wants to stop at Burger King! You know, all kids have a magnet inside them that is drawn to McDonald's . . . or is it the powerful marketing of the golden arches?
Why did he want to go to Burger King? Because he had seen some kids meal toy on TV that he wanted. He knew that because it was just him and Mariah that I might let him get the kids meal. I did, he got the toy, played with it for a few minutes and basically gave it to David, who broke it within a day.
If you ever watch Fox News, you've seen the free credit report.com commercials. Our kids love those commercials. They will go around the house singing the jingles. They've even been known to go around other people's houses singing those jingles. No matter where they are in the house, if one of those commercials comes on they stop what they are doing or run from where they are to be in front of the TV. If you haven't seen the commercials they do have catchy tunes -(watch on youtube).
Bottom line . . . i need to be careful of the marketing messages that are in front of my kids (and myself) each day. I need to be a better marketer of the important things I want my kids to remember in life. I'm not Seth Godin, but I need to be the "marketing guru" in my household.
If you read this far you deserve a treat . . . here is a recent quote from Seth Godin's blog . . .
Persistence isn't using the same tactics over and over. That's just annoying.
Persistence is having the same goal over and over.
That's great advice for parenting, for business, for church, for life. It's like the "if you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always got" thing. The goal is more important than the methods of reaching the goal. More on all that later . . . .
Mariah's CI Update . . . Day 9
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Wednesday, 26 March 08 - 09:42 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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That smile is still there after 9 days with her CI's. By day 9 we should have been on program 3-4 of the 4 first programs. It didn't take us long to realize that she wasn't hearing much or at all even at level 4. So, Amy talked with one of our audiologist in Chapel Hill and they had us FedEx our extra set of processors to them for re-programming.
We got them back today and at the "new" level 3 we have detected hearing! I must admit, I was getting a little worried. We had been told not to expect much in the first couple weeks, but we were just anxious for some type of response.
The response was not much today, but it was repeated. That gave us a lot of encouragement and hope. She's still doing well and almost walking. She can take at least 6-8 steps now without falling on her face. She's such a joy and we are blessed to be her parents!
Happy Easter
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Sunday, 23 March 08 - 08:44 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in General |
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HAPPY EASTER
Jesus is Risen! It's been a great day for us. We had a wonderful service at church. It was an opportunity for us to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord!
We were also able to spend time with family. It's been a long time since we shared Easter with our families. We even had an easter egg hunt.
You guessed it, I did take a couple pictures today. Below is one from the family shoot after church. The other is a card I received from a missionary / pastor in Croatia. I thought it was too cool not to share here. Enjoy!
Just a thought . . .
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Thursday, 20 March 08 - 10:27 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Ministry |
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There is a law of love that says: we tend to become like that which we love. This explains why God became human. It also explains how we can become like Christ.
I don't know who said it (must be anonymous), but I first heard about 8 years ago when I was a guest speaker for a youth ministry class at Mars Hill College. The professor started off each class with a quote and this one stuck with me all these years. I was driving to the YMCA tonight (yes, you read that correctly) and I was thinking about the truth of this quote.
Maybe I was thinking about it because of a podcast I listened to last night that identified the two most important things to being a Christ-centered person 1. Bible reading. 2. Prayer. Most of us, including the researchers, already knew that, but now it's backed up by some of the most advanced research. Maybe you're interested in stuff like that. If so, both of you can read more here.
Cochlear Implants Day Three . . . all is well!
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Thursday, 20 March 08 - 10:13 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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Just thought I would post a picture of Madison (the little mother) and Mariah. For the past two days, Madison has kept asking me to take a picture of her and Mariah. I think she's figured out that many of the pictures I take end up on this blog. So, Madison made the blog today! Woo Hoo!!
Day 3 with CI's and Mariah is doing great. We haven't noticed much of a change with her hearing, but we have to understand that she's hearing like a 3 day old baby. She's hearing, but her brain doesn't yet know how to process individual sounds and give them meaning. Patience, that's what we are learning . . . all of us.
One last thing, it's still amazing to me to see how our other children have accepted Mariah. They help out tremendously and have even fought over who gets to put the magnet back on her head. No, they haven't tried to stick her to the fridge, but I'll take pictures if they do!
First full day . . . goals met!
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Tuesday, 18 March 08 - 09:48 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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Day one ends, and we are encouraged. We're encouraged that she kept them in. We're encouraged because we think she's hearing something. We're encouraged because Mariah was the same happy child today that she was last week. Below are a few pictures to let the curious ones see what the devices look like.
Rear view with processors clipped to her pajamas. Notice the brown coil on her head.
Rear view with both coils visible (if you look close).
Side view with her processors clipped to her t-shirt under her sweater. You can click all the photos to see a larger image. Yes, that's David with her.
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