Orphan Care Homes
About 100 widows connected to Living Spring Church look after more than 500 orphans who otherwise would be fending for themselves. The widows provide a warm, family environment in their own homes – a stark contrast from an orphanage concept that provides far less oversight, structure and family connection. Most of these women either need a new home (a small, two-room home could be built for as little as $3,000 with donated labor from church members) or extensive renovations to ensure a healthy environment for the children. The inspiration, direction and work on the project is all provided by Living Spring Church members, who have titled the movement, “Better Homes, Healthier Lives.”
Pastor Ronald said the homes, whether built new or renovated, accomplish at least three things.
They protect widows and orphans from extreme weather, particularly the seasonal torrential rains.
Connected in part with the weather protection, they also help protect the widows and orphans from diseases, whether that’s mosquitoes bringing malaria into an unprotected home or various infestations that come from living on a dirt floor.
Sadly, insecure homes have commonly resulted in violence against the women themselves. “Widows are very easily targeted by rape, especially when they have rundown huts, and because of the stigma they die silently with shame and diseases,” Pastor Ronald said. “This ministry of helping widows get small, decent homes is one of the greatest things Living Spring has been involved with.”
Your gift through ABIDE Worldwide can go to providing improved living conditions for these women and children.
ABIDE’s goal is to ensure every widow caring for orphans through Living Spring Church has a healthy and secure home, either through repairs or new construction. Think of it as a capital campaign for an orphanage, but instead of building a massive, impersonal group-home structure, you are blessing a caregiver who is providing family, structure and a home to kids who would otherwise be fending for themselves. Living Spring members will be overseeing and participating in the construction projects, as well as donating funds themselves, living out for us the example of Isaiah 58:12: “Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.” We invite you to participate in this movement by donating below.