Today I would like to introduce you to someone whom I have never met, but who has been an inspiration to me, and I think she’ll have the same affect on you. You see, three years ago she did something kinda crazy.
Three years ago, she wore the same dress for 100 days. Just to get attention. (But not for herself.)
No, this project wasn’t for herself at all. It was for several hundred little people who live in a faraway country- India, to be exact. The plight of hundreds of orphans who need food, clothing, a safe place to sleep, and most of all, to know that Jesus loves them and wants to be their Savior, touched the heart of this loving young woman, and she decided to do something about it even though she lived on the other side of the world from them.
So she made a dress (actually two, so she could wear one and wash the other) and set a goal. 1 dress, 100 days, $50,000. With additional pieces of clothing and accessories, many of them loaned or donated specially for the project, she changed the look of the dress every day (you can see three of my favorite looks here, here and here), and with that dress she got people talking, praying, giving, and caring about her kiddos, as she calls them. I was one of those people.
A friend shared Elaini’s blog with me when she was partway through the project, and I quickly became a faithful reader. The idea of doing something so selfless and bold intrigued me and her sweet love for Jesus, so beautifully demonstrated in what she was doing, captivated me. Reading about how children in an orphan home are so delighted to have beds, even without mattresses, made me aware of many blessings I have taken for granted most of my life- things like a comfortable bed, a warm house, good food to eat, and a loving family- and increased my gratitude for them.
It also made me want to do my part. For someone who was blessed with a happy, secure childhood, helping a child escape from having to live on the streets in hunger seems an appropriate response of gratitude to the One who has given me so much.
“Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.” (Luke 12:48)
Three Simple Things You Can Do
And the way to help isn’t difficult at all. Many times when we hear of a need, we’re left with a heart full of compassion with nowhere to pour it out. But that’s not the case here. There is plenty that each of us can do, and it all begins with three things: praying, giving, and talking.
Praying: Let’s be honest, nothing worthwhile happens without God’s involvement. Nothing. And it is by praying that we get out of God’s way and let Him guide us, change our hearts and make us willing to give of ourselves, our time, and our money for others, and give us the strength to do crazy things for Him that have life changing results- like wearing a dress 100 different ways.
Talking: People can’t give for a need they don’t know exists. Words have great power, and what better way to use your words than to inspire the people around you to help a child learn about Jesus and have hope for a better future? This is an area I need to work on (all three of these things are areas I need to work on!), but the first step to gaining courage is to pray for it. {tweet that} And what better conversation starter than “Hey, have you heard about the girl who wore a dress for 100 days to raise money for orphans?”
Giving: Talking can raise awareness but it can’t fill hungry tummies. This is where things get scary and real; where we have to put our money where our mouth is. This is where we have to consider that God might actually be asking us to put actions to our desires for a generous life and give something for someone else, and maybe even go without something to do it. How much you give is totally between you and God. It’s okay to pray about it and to struggle with deciding how much to give. And as you consider your decision, I would recommend reading 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 and remind you that every little bit helps. It’s more effective to give something small than to give nothing at all. {tweet that}
“Remember this: the person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should give as he has decided in his heart- not out of regret or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Compelled to Love
Sure, this is a great story, but why? You might ask. Why wear the same dress for 100 days? Why bother giving, talking, and praying for someone we may never meet face to face? The answer to that is given quite clearly in 2 Corinthians. Paul says,
“For Christ’s love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died. And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.”
Jesus has given us the most real, complete picture of loving that we will ever know, and the best that we could ever do will only be a small imitation of the example He has laid out. Loving in a practical way like this is loving like Jesus loved, for as He interacted with His followers, He met the needs of their bodies as well as the needs of their hearts. That’s what giving to a place like Warm Blankets, the organization that Elaini partners with, accomplishes. These children are given not only physical care, but spiritual care as well.
If you read her blog it won’t take you long to see Christ’s love compelling Elaini to care for the children in India, and if you spend any time with the Savior it won’t be long before that same love is compelling you to care for those whom God is waiting to reach through you.
Three simple things: Pray. Talk. Give.
What will Christ’s love compel you to do?
Three Things to Do Right Now (And One More)
Pray: Pray for the children in the orphan homes and those who care for them, for the children who still need to be rescued, for Elaini as she continues to be an advocate for the fatherless, and for God to show you how He wants you to share His love by caring for those in need.
Talk: I’d be so grateful if you’d share this post with your friends. Just use the buttons at the bottom of this post to easily spread the word.
Give: $5 can feed a child in an orphan home for one month. Isn’t that amazing! Your gift may pave the way for a child to learn that Jesus loves them. {tweet that}
And one last thing: You MUST head over to Elaini’s blog and check it out. She shares such beautiful pictures and words. Be sure to look at the links below as well!
Watch a video of the 100 days project and see a picture of each of the 100 days
Learn more about Elaini, what brought her to this journey, and her kiddos
Read her three-year anniversary post
Donate and learn more about Warm Blankets and church orphan homes
And the Results? Well, They’re Amazing
What happens when we stretch beyond our comfort zones and give? God takes our small offerings and multiplies them, and as only He can, blesses the giver as well as the receiver. So let’s put our fears aside and help these little ones. We’ll be glad we did.
“Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others through the proof provided by this service. And they will have deep affection for you in their prayers on your behalf because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:10-15
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