God continues to work in powerful ways on behalf of the orphan. Earlier this month, the Hope for Orphans team traveled to South Korea to serve the local church in several ways:
- The HFO team led the first international “If You Were Mine” adoption workshop for those exploring adoption
- HFO partnered with MPAK (Mission to Promote Adoption in Korea) to hold a thank you lunch and discussion for nearly 40 Pastors and their spouses already serving orphans through adoption and orphan ministry (adoption runs counter culture in Korea – these Pastors are truly stepping out in faith)
- Paul Pennington, Hope for Orphans Executive Director, was invited to preach on Orphan Sunday at the Onnuri Church, the largest English speaking church in Seoul. The re-broadcast and webcast of this service will reach over 100,000 people! (link: http://onnurienglish.podomatic.com/entry/2011-11-07T08_57_55-08_00)
- A highlight was the return of the Pennington children to their birth country. A touching and tearful moment occurred when Noah Pennington reunited with his foster mother who lovingly cared for him as an infant for 18 months (vimeo.com/32288126 <http://www.vimeo.com/32288126>). Returning adoptees spoke in powerful ways with nearly everyone we met.
- Paul’s daughter Elizabeth Golic also spoke about adopting Ben from Korea and their family’s journey of faith through Ben’s life and death earlier this year.
The HFO team is humbled and honored that God allowed them to serve on behalf of the orphan in Korea. They truly believe that He is stirring and preparing the hearts of many Koreans to be the visible gospel in a significant way.
Click here to see a few of the highlights from the trip (works best on full screen mode): <http://www.photosnack.com/slideshows/f609e30b3a036b78934b6f8da2036743>
