Think Global, Do Justice

In episode 237, we have a special on the ground episode to share how one organization's journey and commitment to family based care plays out through all the people in their organization. We're featuring voices through Selamta Family Project in Addis Ababa and invite you to join us in this conversation to celebrate the family care movement taking place in Ethiopia.

Show Notes

• Julia shares how she became involved in the sector (3:30)
• Selamta's programs and striving for forever families (5:00)
• Trust-based relational culture (10:00)
• Transforming children's welfare in Ethiopia (12:00)
• Tamrat shares about Selamta's model (18:30)
• The reality of aging out (21:32)
• Collaboration and partnership on the ground (23:30)
• Connecting with love and care (25:00)
• Providing consistent care (27:00)
• What family can provide (35:00)
• The difference that family makes (41:00)
• Hearing from older youth (48:00)

Resources and Links from the show

Selamta Family Project

On the Ground in Lesotho- The Power of Family Reunification

This week we have dedicated academic and researcher Dr. Lauren Pinkson. Lauren is the host of the Upwardly Dependent podcast and comes with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in human trafficking prevention and community development through social enterprise. She has a passion for exploring creative solutions to bridging cultures and investing in communities. Join us as we challenge preconceptions surrounding human trafficking, shifting perspectives in bridging cultures, and delving into the intersection of podcasting within this sector.

Podcast Sponsor

Sojourn Studio

Sojourn Studio empowers young women and moms on the Thailand-Myanmar border through dignified work as they handcraft beauty to rewrite stories and lift communities. Get shopping today and support families at the same time!

Resources and Links from the show

Slavery Footprint

Freedom Business Alliance

Kindred Exchange

Upwardly Dependent

Human Trafficking 101

Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary L. McBride

You Should be Grateful by Angela Tucker

Conversation Notes

• The intersection of trafficking and orphanage care settings (10:22)
• Promoting freedom business (17:00)
• How we define freedom and changing our framework (24:30)
• The power of story (31:00)
• Responding to what we know now about international adoption (38:00)
• Upwardly Dependent podcast (43:00)
• Foster care into trafficking (48:00)
• Lauren's favorite recommendations (53:00)

Mackynzie 'Mac' Archer comes with a deep love for the Haitian people and vulnerable populations. She is an anthropologist, researcher, consultant, and advocate. In this episode we dive into some of her findings in short-term missions, the orphanage system in Haiti, and her most recent doctoral research on the emotional labor of care-affected children.

Podcast Sponsor

Sojourn Studio

Sojourn Studio empowers young women and moms on the Thailand-Myanmar border through dignified work as they handcraft beauty to rewrite stories and lift communities. Get shopping today and support families at the same time!

Resources and Links from the show

Most Children In Haitian Orphanages Aren't Orphans — But US Missionaries Take Them Away From Their Families

Disquieting Gifts: Humanitarianism in New Delhi

Travesty in Haiti: A true account of Christian missions, orphanages, fraud, food aid, and drug trafficking

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics

Conversation Notes

• How Mackenzie got to Haiti (6:00)
• The reality on the ground at an orphanage (7:30)
• Interviewing children in orphanage systems (10:30)
• Let's talk about life in Haiti right now (12:00)
• The impact of instability on orphanages (15:00)
• An increase in malnutrition (21:00)
• Most organizations unable to meet basic needs (23:00)
• Sustaining poor child welfare practices (26:00)
• Good intentions (27:00)
• One story from a short-term missions volunteer (31:00)
• Accountable empathy (38:00)
• Are we willing to receiving from other cultures? (41:00)
• The emotional labor we see at orphanages (47:00)
• Wiping the eyes of children between groups of visitors (52:00)
• Emotional labor in family reunification (57:00)
• Building relationships instead of structures (1:12:00)

In this Conversation episode, we're joined by nonprofit leaders Leslie Beasley (Miracle Foundation), Dave LeVan (Lifewater International), and Paige Shope (Yoked Partners). We'll delve into how non-profit organizations are increasingly adopting for-profit strategies, blurring the lines between the two sectors. Our discussion will venture into valuable leadership insights from experienced leaders, strategies to creating an effective team and organizational culture, and how to lead in uncertain times.

Podcast Sponsor

Sojourn Studio

Sojourn Studio empowers young women and moms on the Thailand-Myanmar border through dignified work as they handcraft beauty to rewrite stories and lift communities. Get shopping today and support families at the same time!

Resources and Links from the show

Missions Based Management by Peter Brinkerhoff

Think Orphan Episode 219: The Uncharitable Truth about Nonprofits with Lindsey Hadley

Engine of Impact: Essentials of Strategic Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector

The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

Uncharitable Movie

Conversation Notes

• The differences between business and non-profit (14:58)
• More organizations operating like for-profit entities (19:00)
• Importance of clarity on impact (23:00)
• Lessons learned leading (32:00)
• Identifying where people will be most effective (42:00)
• Staying focused on your strengths as an organization (57:00)
• Best leadership advice (1:05:00)

In this conversation episode, we bring together leaders within different denominations to talk about care reform and the role the American church can play. Joining ust today are from Kristen Lowry from Shelter Yetu and Send Relief (Southern Baptist Convention), Laura Horvath from Helping Children Worldwide and the United Methodist Church, and Pastor Jacob Lierz from LifeMission Church. We discuss what motivates American churches to engage in global orphan care? How do we encourage them to move towards better practice? Can the church lead the movement for care reform?

Podcast Sponsor

Sojourn Studio

Sojourn Studio empowers young women and moms on the Thailand-Myanmar border through dignified work as they handcraft beauty to rewrite stories and lift communities. Get shopping today and support families at the same time!

Resources and Links from the show

1MILLIONHOME Church Resources

Love Wisely course

Short-Term Missions Manual by Faith to Action

Barna Research Study

Send Relief consultant advocates orphan care reform

From the Field: How can your church help orphans?

Freeing Congregational Mission

Breaking Bread Series

Conversation Notes

• What brought our guests into reforming orphan care (6:00)

• Advising churches on best practice (13:00)

• Helping the church ask questions (16:30)

• Bringing change in missions (21:00)

• Why are churches and donors reluctant to change? (31:00)

• Should we stop supporting orphanages? (35:00)

• Stories of change (42:00)

• Short-term mission vs. long-term missions (49:00)

• Improving child protection in missions (58:00)

• Start with education and ask the hard questions (1:05:00)

In this Conversation episode, we're joined by global child welfare professionals Dr. Greg Burch, Kelly Strong, and Dan Hope. We'll look at cases where westerners were given access to vulnerable children in the Global South and then abused those children. We'll explore the significance of cultivating cultures of awareness around child protection. We'll get into the importance of establishing robust policies and systems designed to mitigate the risks associated with child abuse and exploitation. By fostering environments that prioritize vigilance and the well-being of children, we can better identify and prevent abuses, ultimately ensuring their safety and welfare.

Conversation Notes

• Recurring cases of exploitation in overseas volunteerism (voluntourism) (17:00)
• The risk in naivety (20:00)
• Harming, not helping (24:30)
• The power dynamics that add to vulnerability (27:00)
• White saviors, colonialism, paternalism (30:00)
• Establishing policies and systems that mitigate risk (34:00)
• Creating cultures of awareness and protection (44:00)
• Developing national safeguarding processes (50:00)
• Risk involved with child sponsorship (1:00:00)
• How do we create reporting mechanisms for children (1:08:00)

Resources and Links from the show

SFAC Safeguarding Course

SFAC Homepage

Multnomah Plus Course: Protecting the Vulnerable

Research Paper : Child Sexual Exploitation in East African Orphanages

In this episode, Brian Fikkert and Gabriel Walder join the show to tackle critical topics such as helping the church rediscover its identity, divisions within the American church regarding poverty, and the intricate relationship between economic empowerment and family well-being. Additionally, they delve into cross-cultural missions, the significance of community and relationships, and discuss ACE's collaboration with Chalmers Center. Tune in for insightful perspectives on poverty alleviation and community building.

Podcast Sponsor

Replanted Conference

The Replanted Conference provides a time away for caregivers to be refreshed, equipped, and inspired! Join us October 12-14, 2023 in Chicago or at a simulcast location near you. Registration now open! Use code '1MH10' to get your Think Orphan discount!

Resources and Links from the show

When Helping Hurts Vulnerable Children

How Soccer Explains Leadership with Graham Daniels

Becoming Whole by Brian Fikkert and Kelly Kapic

Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World by Andy Crouch

Chalmers Center

Alliance for Children Everywhere

Conversation Notes

• What does human flourishing look like? (7:30)
• Helping the church to rediscover who we are (9:00)
• Supporting organizations to transition to family care (16:00)
• The division of the American church on why people are poor (22:00)
• The problems with economic empowerment (24:00)
• The Graduation Approach of economic empowerment (34:00)
• Family as the solution and greatest community asset (37:00)
• Approaching families with humility (41:00)
• Working cross-culturally in missions (43:00)
• The imperative of community and relationship (48:00)
• ACE's collaboration with Chalmers Center (1:04)

In this thought-provoking podcast episode, we delve into the intriguing concept of "The Gift of Disillusionment" as explored in a recent book co-authored by our guest, Peter Greer. Peter is president and CEO of HOPE International, a global Christ-centered micro-enterprise development organization serving throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Don't miss this captivating conversation that explores the profound perspective that disillusionment can be seen as a gift rather than a setback.

Podcast Sponsor

Replanted Conference

The Replanted Conference provides a time away for caregivers to be refreshed, equipped, and inspired! Join us October 12-14, 2023 in Chicago or at a simulcast location near you. Registration now open! Use code '1MH10' to get your Think Orphan discount!

Resources and Links from the show

The Gift of Disillusionment

Peter Greer's Website

Free Hope International Downloads

Rooting for Rivals

The Intentional Father by Jon Tyson

Where the Light Fell by Phillip Yancey

Conversation Notes

• The work of Hope International (7:00)
• Biggest lessons learned from the last 20 years (12:00)
• The impact COVID-19 had on impoverished communities (18:00)
• The impact of war on Hope's extensive work in Ukraine (24:00)
• Peter shares about the Gift of Disillusionment (32:00)
• Hope in a world full of cynicism (43:00)
• Being fully present with others (55:00)

In this Conversation episode, we are bringing together leaders to talk about care reform and transition support services. We have Elli Oswald from Faith to Action, Jonathan Dowell from Weza Care Solutions, and Hannah Won from ACCI. These leaders come with many years experience from providing direct services in an orphanage to leading organizations committed to supporting orphanages to transition their models.

In addition to the audio podcast, you can check out the video podcast on 1MILLIONHOME's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@1MILLIONHOMEofficial

Podcast Sponsor

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit

CAFO2023 is a gathering of more than 2,000 Christian orphan care leaders, parents and practitioners coming together from over 50 countries to worship and learn together. The event is September 20th-22nd in Oklahoma City. Register today!

Resources and Links from the show

Think Orphan Episode 162: The Global Church Pledge with Elli Oswald and Karen Springs

Better Care Network: Phases of Transition

Changing Mindsets and Practice from ACCI

Transitioning Support Survey by Faith to Action

1MILLIONHOME's Youtube channel

Conversation Notes

• Hannah shares about her experience with transition (6:00)
• Jonathan's background in corporate to Agape (9:00)
• Systems of protection and care are in reform (14:30)
• External pressure towards reform (23:00)
• Keeping donors engaged through transition (35:00)
• Care reform in Kenya (37:00)
• Giving local communities the resources they need (41:00)
• Being strategic and thoughtful with all stakeholders (58:00)
• Why do we need to look at policy and frameworks of organizations? (1:00:00)
• Restoring relationships (1:05:02)
• Resources, tools, people (1:09:00)
• First step advice (1:17:50)

This week we have the co-author of Freeing Congregational Mission, Dr. Hunter Farrell. He served as a long-term missionary in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Peru and now works as the Director of the World Mission Initiative at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Dr. Farrell brings a wealth of first hand and research knowledge about Christian Mission. After 35 years in intercultural missions, he is calling for a reframing of missions. What would it look like to approach missions with a learning posture? How can we create spaces of connection for shared learning across cultures?

Podcast Sponsor

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit

CAFO2023 is a gathering of more than 2,000 Christian orphan care leaders, parents and practitioners coming together from over 50 countries to worship and learn together. The event is September 20th-22nd in Oklahoma City. Register today!

Resources and Links from the show

Freeing Congregational Mission

Village Reach

Quiet

The Power of Introverts

Conversation Notes

• Hunter brought back to faith in Congo (4:50)
• Defining missions (10:00)
• The three stones framework (15:00)
• Cultural humility and learning posture (20:00)
• Problematic attitude of giving without receiving (24:00)
• Creating spaces of connection and horizontal learning (40:00)
• Unintended consequences of child sponsorship (42:00)
• Redeeming short-term missions (51:00)
• Key differences in cultures (57:00)