Our upcoming Idea Camp in NW Arkansas is centered around the theme of Orphan Care. I’m honored and excited to be a part of this significant event for a couple of key reasons:
- There is an estimated 163 million orphans in our world today. Enough said. We must do something that brings tangible care to these orphans. This Idea Camp will engage several innovative concepts to providing care including community development, foster care, adoption, restoration for orphans that are trafficked, better story-telling, collaborative networks, etc.
- My mother regularly inspires and reminds me of why this is so important. While doing business in China a few years ago, my mother became aware of the plight of orphans in the city she was working in. This understanding forever changed her future trajectory in life. In response, she established an orphanage in China that focuses primarily on children that are physically or mentally challenged. My mother was the first US Citizen in the region to be granted this privilege of serving kids in China. She now serves close to 50 kids and works tirelessly to provide a sustainable future for all of them.
- For those of us who come from a faith perspective, caring for orphans resides central to the heart of God and his love for humanity. The number of sacred passages that mandate our care for orphans continually reminds us of this necessity of care.
I hope to see you in Arkansas in February for this particular Idea Camp. It will not only inspire you but also give you implementable “ideas” to participate in the care of orphans around the world!
Although this is primarily a faith-based event, all are welcome to consider how we may work together towards orphan care.
Honored to participate,
Charles