Blog reader Justin Rhodes read this December 16 blog wherein I threw out the idea,  "Start an organization that asks orphans for their dreams and then make them happen.  Call it, 'Orphan Dreams.'"

I love it when people like Justin take an idea and road test it.  Justin went to Honduras on a mission trip (check out his blog) and just wrote me to say the following:

So we had an interesting go at orphan dreams. I challenged myself and the team find out their dreams and see if we couldn't help make it happen.  Here's a break down:

A couple of young girls: Actually wanted jacks and shoes for Christmas. The
2 team members didn't or weren't able to make that happen with the 2 day notice, but the children seemed to get shoes and plenty of jacks for the Holiday.

Joseph: Dreams of learning English and French so he can teach others the languages and tell them about God. I asked him how we could help accomplish that dream. He said, dictionaries. 1 of our team members gave him her Spanish/English dictionary right then and there. I just ordered him a French/Spanish dictionary.

Philippe: Dreams of learning the piano, guitar, saxophone and the banjo so he can teach the other Emmanuel orphans who to play so they can lead worship in church. He as a guitar and we found a friend who will donate a keyboard and a saxophone (plus learning books). All that leaves is a banjo.

Mommy and Poppy: When the directors of Emmanuel 1st came to Honduras they roamed the streets asking the children what they dreamed of the most. Their answer, "A momma and Poppa, who will love us"

Some of the dreams were easy to fulfill, others a bit more difficult and still others, radically life changing. I'm proud of Mommy and Poppy for fulfilling countless orphan dreams. And I imagine family is top of any orphans list. These kids at Emmanuel didn't have that wish, because they had that.