doorofhope-ourfamilynews-mar2019

WE HOPE AND PRAY YOU HAVE HAD
A GOOD START TO 2019. FOR US, IT
HAS BEEN A MIXED BEGINNING.
It is still early in the year but already there have been
a couple sizeable and unexpected challenges thrown
into our path. First, proposals have been put forward
to amend the South African Child Protection Act.
These amendments, if passed, could have devastating
consequences in the adoption arena, very likely bringing
them to a grinding halt. Door of Hope, and similar
organisations, would be severely hampered in our work
of finding forever families for children needing a home
(Follow links below to read more about the situation*).
Second, our building plans at the village have been
stalled due to a, seemingly unreasonable, rezoning
process. As you know, we are establishing the Children’s
Village as an additional solution for children needing
a home and not finding it through adoption. In order
to continue our building projects, we need our land to
be rezoned by the authorities and given the suitable
permissions for development and use. We were told at
the beginning of this year that our imminent plans for
building the next houses must stop immediately due to
environmental reasons that, to us, appear unreasonable.
There are other challenges, too, but these are the two
biggest, at present.
Yet, God has been reminding us that we are not alone. He,
the sovereign King, goes with us. Recently, I have been
led to reflect on the story of Ezra and Nehemiah in the
Bible. These men led remnants of Israel out of exile and
back to their homeland to rebuild its temple and city.
They, too, faced many challenges and building was even
forcibly stopped for a time. But God led them to victory
in due course. We would be naive to think the path we
are walking will be easy and straightforward. Our task is
to remain faithful to God and obedient to Him, walking
closely in step, and trusting that He will work sovereignly,
in His time, in the areas we cannot. Just as God worked
in the hearts of King Cyrus and King Artaxerxes moving
them to look favourably on Ezra and Nehemiah,
respectively; please pray that God would work in the
hearts of those in authority to look upon us favourably.
May God accomplish His plans for the saving of many
children and to show His great goodness and glory.
“May the God who has caused his
name to dwell there overthrow [anyone]
who shall put out a hand to alter this or
to destroy this house of God”
(Ezra 6:12)
*Why Adoption is a problem in South Africa – by Dee Blackie
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2019-01-17-why-adoption-is-a-problem-in-south-africa/
Access to adoptions will decline if Children’s Act amendments are passed – by Robyn Vorster
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2019-01-07-access-to-adoptions-will-decline-if-childrens-act-amendmentsare-passed/?fbclid=IwAR0wbcI1pYlGr2bE146DMNE4aH68sbgAjtTwTnpJZo-SEbvGWD6BqMZ9tHU#.XDL5m4nSz5g.facebook
We have our own fundraising page on GivenGain. Here you
can donate to one of our projects - choose from assisting
with our everyday needs through to one of our major events.
doorofhope.givengain.org