8 Principles for better practice in short-term missions
Christian Alliance for Orphans Blog
by Nicole Wilke
1d ago
Before you start planning a mission trip to an orphanage, knowing these eight principles can help protect orphaned and vulnerable children.  More than two million Christians travel on international short-term mission trips every year. Many of these participants seek to serve orphans and vulnerable children, desiring to live out the Bible’s call in James 1:27 by visiting orphanages. Mission trips make possible experiences, interactions and service that can be transformative – both for volunteers and for the communities they visit. Many child advocates and leaders of organizations serving v ..read more
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Reflections from the WWO Global Forum
Christian Alliance for Orphans Blog
by David Hennessey
6d ago
I recently had the opportunity to connect with a multitude of inspiring global leaders at the World Without Orphans Global Forum in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Our time together was deeply encouraging as I engaged with regional groups of leaders from Africa, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Better Together vision at the core Our shared Better Together vision encapsulated every interaction together, speaking to the core of who we are and what we strive to achieve. As I navigated through conversations and shared experiences with leaders from diverse backgrounds and regions, one thing ..read more
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What’s the theme of CAFO2024?
Christian Alliance for Orphans Blog
by Jedd Medefind
3w ago
Can you see the blacksmith’s shop? Fire, steel and sweat … hammer and anvil … clang and concussion. The Blacksmith knows what it’s all for. He labors for a future good no one else yet sees: to meld usefulness and beauty, blending perfect form and function in a single object. That is the end to which He works.  He will apply every tool at His disposal to bring it about: tongs and bellows, searing flame and cooling bath. He is the Master. But the steel plays its part, too – defiant or pliant – resisting or participating with the Greater Power to become the good that He intends. This is the ..read more
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New Pure Religion Project videos to highlight ‘pure religion’ lived out in local contexts 
Christian Alliance for Orphans Blog
by Jason Johnson
1M ago
The Pure Religion Project is a focused initiative inspired by the members of the Christian Alliance for Orphans and the broader CAFO community, designed to help churches live out their calling to care for vulnerable children and families while growing closer to Jesus as His disciples.  Simply put, the Project aims to inspire and equip God’s people to live the “pure religion” described in the book of James and invited throughout Scripture. This “pure religion” is at the heart of Christian discipleship – both a growing deeper in faith and a living out of that faith wider. Practical, diverse ..read more
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Help shape the future of the movement
Christian Alliance for Orphans Blog
by Jedd Medefind
1M ago
For the past 20 years, we’ve seen God’s faithfulness in leading our community. From the first 38 leaders who gathered and pledged to “leave logos and egos at the door” … to the potent initiatives of today, we want to celebrate all that God has done and continues to do!  But we also want to consider together where God is leading us next.  Are there great opportunities in our field that call for a shared, CAFO-wide response? Are there critical gaps or needs that require joint action? How has your life been shaped or impacted by this movement? We want to seek God’s leading in this ..read more
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How does healthy eating improve mental health for foster and adoptive families? 
Christian Alliance for Orphans Blog
by Rachel Medefind
1M ago
This is the third article in a three-part series on The Powerful Role of the Body in Mental Health.  For most of us, a burger and fries hold more easy appeal to our taste buds than a chef salad. Eating healthy doesn’t often come naturally. It’s all the harder because processed and fast food are everywhere and so easy! Foster and adoptive families frequently face additional challenges, whether it is a child newly entering their home with different eating habits, strong aversions to certain tastes and textures, or hoarding and overeating related to food anxiety.  We get it.  But r ..read more
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How does physical activity help improve mental health for foster and adoptive families?
Christian Alliance for Orphans Blog
by Rachel Medefind
1M ago
This is the second article in a three-part series on The Powerful Role of the Body in Mental Health.  A rosy-cheeked child energetically playing outdoors – exploring, climbing, running – carries a vibrant look of health. It is a picture of strength and stamina, but also alertness, motivation and happiness.  It’s easy to recognize that there is something about being active – whether a child, teen, or adult – that so clearly bears profound and lingering good.  What we know intuitively is now confirmed by research. Regular physical activity is vital for healthy mental, relational a ..read more
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How does sleep improve mental health for foster and adoptive families? 
Christian Alliance for Orphans Blog
by Christian Alliance for Orphans
2M ago
This is the first article in a three-part series on The Powerful Role of the Body in Mental Health.  Here’s something crucial for foster and adoptive families to understand – how we routinely care for our bodies profoundly impacts mental health.  Sleep, exercise, nutrition and time outdoors all play critical roles in the well-being of every family member. But sleep especially plays an outsized role in mental health.  Children and adolescents struggling with mental and behavioral challenges often have trouble sleeping and poor sleep habits.  For foster and adoptive families ..read more
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3 fundraising and giving trends in 2024
Christian Alliance for Orphans Blog
by Michael Mitchell
2M ago
The nonprofit fundraising landscape continues to evolve rapidly. As nonprofits look ahead to 2024, being aware of key trends, challenges and opportunities is essential to adapting an effective fundraising strategy. Based on recent data, here are three trends nonprofit fundraisers should understand for the coming year. 1. The continued surge of monthly giving Monthly giving continues to emerge as one of the biggest growth opportunities for nonprofits. While 2023 data has not come out yet, in 2022, monthly giving increased by 11%, while one-time revenue declined by 12%. Monthly giving also accou ..read more
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The surprising link between spirituality and improved outcomes for adults with care experience
Christian Alliance for Orphans Blog
by Nicole Wilke
2M ago
Adults with care experiences serve as some of our most important allies in the journey to care for vulnerable children and families.  They know what it’s like to be separated from their parents. They can tell us about the things that helped and harmed while they were in foster care or residential care.  They have information and experience that doesn’t exist anywhere else.  And rather than making our best guess about what we can do to improve the lives of vulnerable children, they can tell us with certainty.  The incredible earned wisdom of adults with care experience led o ..read more
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