Okay, I'll Play: 23 Ministry Blessings

Throughout the month of November, several of my Facebook friends have posted daily things for which they are thankful.  Some are simple, like coffee or bacon.  Some are sentimental, and others are thought-provoking.  On this Thanksgiving Day 2012, I thought I would play catch-up and list 22 blessings (plus 1)  in the 4theVoiceless ministry.  This is by no means a comprehensive list, just a list off the top of my head (which would explain anything important that was forgotten!).

22 Blessings

1.  That look in Tobie's eyes that led to my  My Taco Bell Moment
2.  The Pillstroms and and the Satchers and many conversations about caring for orphans
3.  The Pinnows, the Beesons, and the Basingers who all helped get 4theVoiceless named and off the ground before moving on.  Baby dedication for Annie Faith Basinger.
4.  Great friends to our ministry like Lauren Johnson, Jay Atkins, Russell Moore, Rick Morton, Tony Merida, Jan Biddick, Andrea Gehrett, Wayne Sneed, Mark Ottinger, Dusty Cooper, and many more.  (Please don't be mad at me if I left you off...)
5.  Paracord bracelets and paper bead jewelry
6.  A March mission trip to Haiti by a group of ladies from CHC, along with our missions pastor
7.  A May mission trip to Russia by a group of CHC young adults to minister to orphans alongside Russian college students.  Several nights of worship in our small groups telling their story and leading in worship.
8.  The powerful, transformative Word of God that compels us to care for orphans
9.  The opportunity this summer to preach in my home church in Star, Mississippi, about God's call to His people to care for the orphan
10.  The Hope for Haiti campaign that has sparked more conversations about caring for orphans that anything else we have done this year. 
11.  How caring for orphans in Haiti has transformed my friends Stephanie and Jacob
12.  Over $7,000 given in one day toward building the House of Abraham children's home in Jacmel, Haiti.  As many of you already know, construction on the new HoA has stopped due to a lack of funds, but we are grateful for what has already been given and what has already been done.
13.  An August mission trip to the Baptist Children's Village home in Star
14.  Beginning of construction on the new House of Abraham
15.  Together for Adoption conference in Nashville this past September
16.  The tremendous Orphanology class that we just completed at CHC Southaven and the action steps that people in the class have taken
17.  Two CHC families who have completed training to be foster parents.  Others anxious to begin that training.
18.  All the quarters and dollars that have gone into jars all over DeSoto County through our CHC small groups' Change It Now campaign.  This "power of everybody" campaign has served orphans near and far this year.
19.  A life-changing mission trip to Haiti in late October and early November this year.  What a team the Lord put together from Illinois, Florida, and Mississippi!
20.  Fenel and Mimi Bruna
21.  Our first Orphan Sunday at CHC on November 4
22.  All the recipes and adoption stories we have received for the 4theVoiceless cookbook, the profits of which will help fund adoptions for CHC families

Plus One

23.  The opportunity to express myself on Tuesdays and Fridays (and occasionally other days)  through this blog about what God is teaching me about Himself and about His most valuable creation: people.  Thank you for showing up here from time to time to read my thoughts and to engage in conversations that move the Kingdom of Jesus Christ forward, especially on behalf of the orphan.

4theVoiceless,
Al