Diane Lynn Elliot - The Global Orphan Crisis: Be the Solution, Change Your World

Be the Solution; Change Your World

CHICAGO

2012 by
DIANE LYNN ELLIOT

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright 2000, 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Edited by Annette LaPlaca
Interior design: Ragont Design
Cover design: Beryl T. Glass
Cover image: Rwandan Orphan by Matthew James
Author Photo: Dave Elliot

All websites and phone numbers listed herein are accurate at the time of publication, but may change in the future or cease to exist. The listing of website references and resources does not imply publisher endorsement of the sites entire contents. Groups and organizations are listed for informational purposes, and listing does not imply publisher endorsement of their activities.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Elliot, Diane Lynn.
The global orphan crisis: be the solution, change your world / Diane Lynn Elliot.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ).
ISBN 978-0-8024-0954-6
1. Orphans. I. Title.
HV965.E47 2012
362.73--dc23

2012023828

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Outside a schoolhouse in northeast India, these children couldnt contain their smiles and giggles as the photographer playfully made faces at them. Bill Wegener photographer, copyright Evangel Bible Translators, Intl

For orphaned, fatherless, abandoned,

and vulnerable children around the globe,

who even today need protection, sustenance,

help, and encouragement.

Fear not, for the Lord your God is with you!

Cry out to Jesus; He will hear your cry.

The troops are being assembled. Help is on the way.

As more and more Christians answer Gods call to serve the orphan, it is vital that we relentlessly bind together action with understanding and zeal with knowledge. The Global Orphan Crisis helps us do that, offering an impressive array of data, a primer on key issues and thorny debates, and a wealth of ideas for personal involvement. All orphan advocates stand to benefit from the extensive information Diane Elliot shares.

JEDD MEDEFIND, president, Christian Alliance for Orphans

The Bible tells us that we have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). Jesus mind is more than His intellect. When united to Christ, we think, feel, hurt, and act right along with Him. Throughout the Bible our Christ is burdened by the plight of the fatherless. Sharing His Spirit, we must be as well. This book prompts Christians to the enormity of the global orphan crisis, and calls us to action.

RUSSELL D. MOORE, dean, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of Adopted for Life

This book reaches deep into my inner Robin Hood and calls me to action for the sake of Christ and His children. Kids pay the highest price when the issues of economic, physical, and spiritual oppression go unaddressed. The Global Orphan Crisis is packed with research that informs us, photos that convince us, and stories that move us.

SCOTT OLSON, President/CEO, International Teams

While the evangelical church should be commended for its growing commitment to orphan ministries, there remains a wide chasm between our zeal to care for the fatherless and a true understanding of their plight. The Global Orphan Crisis is a must-read for all who want to truly obey Gods call to care for orphans. Diane Elliot helps us not only understand the scope of the orphan crisis throughout the world but also presents practical and biblical solutions to the crisis. A great resource to go through individually or with a group.

DR. DANIEL BENNETT, pastor and author of A Passion for the Fatherless: Developing a God-Centered Ministry to Orphans

Diane Lynn Elliot has written a well-researched, thoughtful, and balanced work. This is not a book for the faint of heart but for those who are serious about being in the center of Gods will for the orphan. She takes the reader on a journey fraught with heartache, struggle, sorrow, pain, sadness but also filled with the possibility of hope, joy, redemption, healing, grace, and unconditional love. It is a journey that begins and ends in the heart of God, and if you are faithful to His voicewill change you and the children you serve in His name forever.

Michael Douris, president, Orphan Outreach

Diane Elliot in her book has uncovered and exposed the dirty, complex, and messy problems that define the lives of millions of vulnerable children around the world. The Global Orphan Crisis aids the reader in knowing the mind and heart of God relating to orphans and vulnerable children. This resource opens the readers mind, heart, and hands to developing and implementing solutions. Those of us on the ground in orphan care ministry anxiously await Gods blessings on this phenomenal tool!

ED SCHWARTZ, founder and president, Loving Shepherd Ministries

She did it! Diane Elliott answered the big question I want to help, but what can I do? with clear and powerful ideas that will surely make an impact.

MATTHEW STORER, president of VisionTrust, chairman of Christian Alliance for Orphans, chairman of Food for Orphans

I wish I had read The Global Orphan Crisis years go! For far too long, I read Scripture but missed Gods heart for the orphan. Not only does this book offer an inside look at the causes of the crisis, it also equips you to live out the call to practice true religion and make a lasting difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.

PETER GREER, president and CEO, HOPE International and coauthor of The Poor Will Be Glad

For 25 years, Ive prayed that God would call someone to shine a spotlight on the issue of orphans. He answered that prayer through Diane Elliot and her book The Global Orphan Crisis. Her writing begs you to take a hard look, perhaps for the first time, at the staggering statistics of how many children, worldwide, are orphaned. Then she inspires you, as a child of the Godwho calls Himself the father to the fatherlessto do something for the orphans in your town, your state, your country, your world!

CHRISTA M. MARCH, founder and president, Teen Mother Choices International and author, Light to Lead the Way.

This book is a must-read for all who want to be informed about and involved in the global orphan crisis. I know firsthand the life-changing impact we can make in the lives of these vulnerable children, as we respond to this invitation of engagement. With a wealth of data, challenging questions, and practical ways to participate, the book is a valuable resource in the struggle to be Gods love to these needy orphaned children. As you read, I pray your heart will be open to how God wants you to be part of the solution.