Would you consider hosting a Chinese orphan?

New Horizons is the largest faith-based host program, facilitating orphan hosting nationwide.  Since 2005, more than 2000 orphans have been hosted through their ministry!  If you are familiar with New Horizons, you know they mostly bring Eastern European orphans over to the U.S. for hosting.  I am thrilled to share that they recently announced a brand-new Chinese orphan hosting program also!  This is so exciting!  As far as I know, Chinese orphans have not been hosted in the U.S, so this is really awesome news.  I think they have about 55 Chinese orphans that they are looking to host here in the U.S. with Christian families during Chinese New Year - approximately January 24-February 1.

So what is required to host?  Without getting into too much detail, you simply need to open your home up to a Chinese orphan for approximately four weeks.  Host families agree to cover the cost of airfare and other incidentals for the child while they are here.  You take care of food, clothing, shelter, etc. ... and LOVE on them.  Show them what it means to be a Christian and be part of a family.  Teach them that they matter and that someones does care.  Show them unconditional love, just they way Jesus loves them.  Let them get a glimpse of American culture, the English language, and what it means to be a part of a healthy, loving, Christian family.  Give them a chance.  Give them hope.  Change their life, and your family's in the process.  For more concrete specifics, click HERE for the New Horizon's China pre-application.

You do not have to want to adopt to host through this program, although I do think they are currently giving preferential treatment to host families who are open to the possibility of adoption, especially this first time around.  Some of the details are still a bit up in the air, as this is the first time they have worked with China to host.  Currently, all children are being flown into Atlanta.  And then depending on where the host families are clustered, certain locations may not be eligible for hosting this time around.  New Horizons needs to guarantee they can properly chaperone the children - doing so means the kids need to be in host homes clustered within an hour of each other, throughout the U.S.  I think the plan is eventually (after this first time is successful) to loosen up on that, although I am not positive.

So anywho, the reason I am advocating for this program is because our family would very much like to host over CNY.  In order to do that though, my impression is that there needs to be other host families in a close-ish proximity to us.  I wanted to get the word out about this program so that as many people can know as possible.  Maybe God will stir their hearts also to host.  Will you help spread the news?  We would love to share the love of Christ with one of these precious blessings and are praying that the door is opened for us.

Photo credit: New Horizons