Story:

Emma came to ORR deeply wounded—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Through love, prayer, and guidance, we helped her heal and discover her value, introducing her to a God of love. Forgiveness played a key role in her transformation, helping her let go of the past and embrace a hopeful future. We’ve learned the power of gratitude from these children—how a thankful heart can triumph over despair and bring lasting healing.

Personal Reflection:

1. Impact of Thoughts on the Brain: Our words, thoughts, and feelings have a profound impact on the brain, specifically influencing the thalamus. The structure of the thalamus changes based on our conscious choices, thereby shaping how we perceive reality.
2. Choices and Wellbeing: The way we choose to live and the thoughts we cultivate directly affect our health and overall wellbeing.
3. Colossians 3:15-17 encourages us to:

• Allow the peace of Christ to rule in their hearts.
• Be thankful and live in gratitude.
• Dwell richly on the word of Christ by teaching, singing, and sharing in spiritual wisdom.
• Perform all actions in alignment with the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God.

Actionable Encouragement:

• Write down the negative thoughts to change.
• Consciously choose new, positive thoughts to transform your life both mentally and spiritually.

How to Connect or Learn More:

Inspired to Action: How Following the Promptings of Your Heart Can Change the World by: Rebecca M. Pratt/ Book can be found on Amazon

Inspired to Live an Extraordinary Life: Even through Difficult Circumstances by: Rebecca M. Pratt/ Book can be found on

Rebecca favorite thing is for people to be awakened to hear the voice of the Lord. In preparation for the new year, take 1-hour to ask yourself the following questions:

1. God, What Do You Think about Me?

Write down the first things that come to mind. If they are condemning thoughts, they are not from the Lord. If they are beautiful words, they are from the Lord. This is not a time that God will give you disciplinary words, but rather a time for God to share how He feels about you. Ignore the 2nd thought of you disputing that you heard from the Lord. Ignore the 3rd thought from the enemy telling you that you did not hear from God.

Spend some time thanking God for what He has done for you and sharing with the Lord what you love about Him.

2. Is there anything that I feel is hindering me from living the life I know God has intended for me to live in this season?

3. What do I feel God wants me to do about it?

4. Ask the Lord for a word for the New Year (you may get a scripture, a quote, or a song).

ORR Story: Sonia and Fredamine are living proof of the transformative power of ORR’s Safe Home. As orphans and trauma survivors, they’ve overcome incredible challenges. Now, as ORR employees, they give back to their community with compassion, inspired by the children we serve. Seeing themselves in these stories fuels their dedication and passion, embodying the values of hope, faith, and love that shaped their journeys.

Links:

Inspired to Action: How Following the Promptings of Your Heart Can Change the World by: Rebecca M. Pratt/ Book can be found on Amazon

The Bible Recap by: Tara-Leigh Cobble: https://www.thebiblerecap.com/start

Orphan Relief and Rescue: orphanreliefandrescue.org

Rebecca M. Pratt: https://www.rebeccampratt.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orphanreliefandrescue/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orphanreliefandrescue/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VoicewithAction

If you enjoyed today’s episode, would you consider sharing or...

Title: 7. The Power of Jesus' Love: A Christmas Reflection

1. Trust in God's Faithfulness: Assurance that God is trustworthy in every aspect of life.

2. Miracle of the Body of Christ

• Scripture Reference: Ephesians 3:20-21, highlighting God's ability to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine through His power working in us.
• Focus on God's Care: Reminder that God is intimately involved in every detail of our lives.
• Personal Reflection: Encouragement to reflect on and share personal stories of God's redeeming and restoring love.

3. Gifts of Jesus: The miraculous gifts provided through Jesus, including:

• A relationship with Him.
• The presence of the Holy Spirit.
• The power of prayer.
• Fellowship and unity within the Body of Christ.

4. Daily Practice of Gratitude: A call to unwrap and appreciate the gifts of Jesus every day, allowing His love and blessings to transform our lives.

How to Connect or Learn More?

Inspired to Action: How Following the Promptings of Your Heart Can Change the World by: Rebecca M. Pratt/ Book can be found on Amazon

Inspired to Live an Extraordinary Life: Even through Difficult Circumstances by: Rebecca M. Pratt/ Book can be found on Amazon

Orphan...

You can the answer to someone’s prayer!

Summary:

The children in our program were praying for a miracle to be rescued. If we didn’t listen to God these kid’s miracles would not have taken place. We get to be the answer to their prayers.

One story stands out: a 14-year-old girl, forced into a harrowing existence as one of nine wives. Every night, she prayed for God to give her a way to escape. After three long months, her prayers were answered, and she found her freedom.

Without the help of organizations like ORR, many of these children would not have survived. This work is a true partnership with God, a calling to fulfill His perfect will. We don’t have to have all the answers ourselves. Instead, we can bring their needs to the Lord, trusting Him to provide guidance and solutions. Together, we are part of something miraculous.

How to Connect or Learn More?

Inspired to Action: How Following the Promptings of Your Heart Can Change the World by: Rebecca M. Pratt/ Book can be found on Amazon

Inspired to Live an Extraordinary Life: Even through Difficult Circumstances by: Rebecca M. Pratt/ Book can be found on Amazon

Orphan Relief and Rescue: orphanreliefandrescue.org

Rebecca M. Pratt: https://www.rebeccampratt.com/

Facebook:...

“Our only business before ORR came was sending our children away (selling our children), but now you have come and our WHOLE life has changed. But now, we don’t have to send our children away anymore. We have been shown a better way.” – Mother in ORR’s Savings and Loan Program

Theme: God Brings Dignity and Value to Our Lives

Key Scriptures:

• 1 John 3:18
• Micah 6:8b

Story: Savings and Loans Program

Practical Application for our lives:

• Show Christ’s love in everyday life.
• Be attentive to needs around us:
• Send encouragement to those in despair.
• Pray for others who need healing or support.
• Extend acts of kindness and visit the lonely.
• Trust God’s guidance to make a difference wherever you are.

Where to Connect:

• Orphan Relief and Rescue: orphanreliefandrescue.org
• Rebecca M. Pratt: https://www.rebeccampratt.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orphanreliefandrescue/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orphanreliefandrescue/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VoicewithAction

Inspired to Action: How Following the Promptings of Your Heart Can Change the World by: Rebecca M. Pratt/ Book can be found on Amazon

Summary:

Looking around at the malnourished children, a sobering thought came to Rebecca, “What if these were my own biological children and I was dead? What if someone with the power to relieve their pain walked by and saw my babies suffering like this yet chose to do nothing? If possible, I would cry from my grave a big, ‘Shame on you for not helping my babies!’ Overwhelmed with emotion, I felt God remind me of the unique future and value He has for each child, including little Gifty in my arms.”

After returning to America and having six months of sleepless nights, it became clear to Rebecca that Orphan Relief and Rescue would focus on helping children in the most dire and neglected circumstances, providing intervention to save lives, bring justice, and alleviate suffering.

How do YOU start making a difference in the world when you feel called to help others but aren’t sure where to begin? Rebecca starts with a quote from Rick Warren, “When God gives you a burden, don’t ignore it. Feed it, and let it break your heart. That is God’s heart. Don’t stuff or ignore those burdens.”

Where to Connect:

Orphan Relief and Rescue: orphanreliefandrescue.org

Rebecca M. Pratt: https://www.rebeccampratt.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orphanreliefandrescue/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orphanreliefandrescue/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VoicewithAction

Inspired to Action: How Following the Promptings of Your Heart Can Change the World by: Rebecca M. Pratt/ Book can be found on Amazon

If you feel burdened to help support Orphan Relief and Rescue’s efforts to end-child trafficking in West Africa, you can donate at orphanreliefandrescue.org/donate.

Summary: Do I really want to give up your life for God?

Three Themes that are deeply rooted in being able to say “yes” to God:

1. Do you know who you are in Christ? Identity rooted in Jesus.

2. Do you know the God you serve? Understand the character of God.

3. Do you know what you were created for? God has a plan and purpose for your life.

Guest Host:

Chuck Olmstead: Experienced Director of Operations and Media Sales with a demonstrated history of working in the public relations and communications industry. Skilled in Sound, Media Production, Publicity, Marketing Strategy, and Radio Production. Strong community and social services professional. https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckolmstead-65244915/

How to Connect or Learn More?

Inspired to Action: How Following the Promptings of Your Heart Can Change the World by: Rebecca M. Pratt/ Book can be found on Amazon

Inspired to Live an Extraordinary Life: Even through Difficult Circumstances by: Rebecca M. Pratt/ Book can be found on Amazon

Orphan Relief and Rescue: orphanreliefandrescue.org

Summary:

“Rebecca, I have 18 children. My husband’s other wife died, and I have inherited her children. I have already trafficked 6 children, and I will have to traffic 5 more because I cannot feed them.”

Our anti-trafficking work started with a judge seeking safe places for rescued children to prevent them from returning to their traffickers. The judge gave legal permission for our Anti-trafficking team to get to know the community —understanding their needs. Through six months of listening to the community, we identified solutions to prevent trafficking: enrolling children in school, providing two daily meals, and supporting parents with Savings and Loan programs to start businesses to provide for their families.

“Start by doing what is necessary; then do what is possible; then suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – St. Francis of Assisi

Links:

Orphan Relief and Rescue’s Trafficking Program: https://orphanreliefandrescue.org/ati/

Rebecca M. Pratt: https://www.rebeccampratt.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orphanreliefandrescue/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orphanreliefandrescue/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VoicewithAction

If you want to help us end child-trafficking in West Africa, $50 a month will protect a child from falling victim to trafficking but also ensures they have regular meals, access to education, and equipping their parents through our Savings and Loans program.

Visit: orphanreliefandrescue.org/donate