"...I can change the world..."

“I’m just one person…what can I do? I can’t change anything.”

Every now & then I’ll hear someone say something like that. It drives me nuts how people can be so complacent about things, using that excuse.

18 years ago, guy named Philip Hayden travelled to China to teach English and ended up volunteering in his spare time helping with China’s orphans. After awhile, he brought along his friends, Tim and Pam Baker, who were also there to teach…and they began volunteering. This led to Tim & Pam adopting an orphaned baby named Esther. Tragically, at the age of 28, Philip Hayden died, while in China, from a rare heart defect.

A seed had been planted by Philip. That seed began to grow following his death. He had introduced the Bakers to China’s orphans. His love for these children spread to them and they continued volunteering, but soon realized that they needed to do more. In 1995, the Bakers established The Philip Hayden Foundation (PHF) in his memory.

Originally, PHF supported local orphanages financially and by donating time & supplies. Four years later, in 1999, they opened “Luke’s House”, which was a foster-style home for orphans. Within five years, the one house in Langfang, China grew into five houses and a preschool.

In 2002, a new children’s village took shape on government donated land located 10 minutes away from their original children’s village in Langfang. Christened “Shepherd’s Field”, it includes children’s homes, an inn for visitors, a clinic and their main office. A vocational center is currently being built there to help older orphans learn a trade so that they do not end up as beggers.

PHF takes in children who are at-risk or have special needs. Sometimes other local orphanages will ask PHF to take a child that they are unable or unequipped to handle. Other times, babies will be left on their doorstep. Still other times, the police will bring a child who they have found to be abandoned. PHF takes in these children, loves them and cares for them, and provides the medical care that they need. They have provided children with over 2,600 surgeries, and have helped hundreds of families adopt from China.

All of this developed…and thousands of people were affected…due to one single solitary guy who decided to go to China and help.

So when you here someone say, “I’m just one person, what can I do?”…tell them this little story. One person CAN make a difference.

If you are interested in more information about PHF, or are interested in donating or sponsoring a child, please visit their website at www.ChinaOrphans.com. You can make a difference in the lives of others.

"The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his life on his belief." ~ T.S. Elliot