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One of the most important things we've done with homeschooling- and one of the most fun, too!- is giving Emmeline a worldview.   Of course, she'd traveled halfway around the world at age 4, and two of her favorite "toys" were a wooden puzzle map of the United States and a globe.  So it was easy to teach her about the world and its variety of countries and people. Her interest has always been keen, and her understanding has been exceptional.  When she was little, her Sunday school teacher showed us a picture she'd drawn to illustrate her world…  New York was on one side of the page and Ukraine was on the other.  Most kids just drew their houses.

In those early years of homeschooling, we spent time learning about many different cultures.  And whether it was from the stories, the arts and crafts, or the food, Emmeline understood that there were people all over the world who were just like her.  As she grew older, she learned that some of them were colder, or hungrier, or sicker, or lonelier. 

This is an important step in helping the orphans.  We must raise a generation of children who see the entire world as God's creation, and seek to share their blessings with everyone.  It can start when they are very young, with fun and games, and grow as they grow, developing hearts for all God's children.

Here are a few of the tools I've enjoyed using while learning about other cultures:

Around the World: Visiting the 7 Continents through Arts and Crafts Fun   by Judy Press

Children Just Like Me: A Unique Celebration of Children Around the World by Anabel and Barnabas Kindersley

A Trip Around the World and Another Trip Around the World by Leland Graham and Traci Brandon

Families of the World DVDs... 

 

There are so many great resources available! I feel so strongly about this and get so excited about it that I'm going to share something every Tuesday for you to share with your kids… or just enjoy on your own!

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When I was a child, I read They Came to Stay by Marjorie Margolies, and I was immediately fascinated by the story of this single mother and the two young daughters she'd adopted from Asia.   I think the desire to adopt was planted then.

I've loved just about every "orphan" book I've come across since…  Anne of Green Gables, Understood Betsy, Runaway Alice, Ready-Made Family, Up A Road Slowly… I dreamed of making a difference in a little girl's life.

Neat how things work out, isn't it?

Of course, there are many more personal accounts of adoption journeys to be found in the nonfiction section of your local library, but I have to be honest... I haven't read most of them.  I'm usually irritated by something- criticisms of the foreign country, or the quest to find the perfect child, or the always-embarrassing ugly American showing up.  My current favorite way to get caught up in some great, real-life stories is by reading blogs.  I love watching the development of the children after they come home, and the parents are devoted advocates.  Inspiring and convicting.

Here are a few of my favorite blogs:

 Tiny Green Elephants

 No Greater Joy Mom

Just Another Day in Paradise

The Blessing of Verity

Take a peek- set aside some time and read! Allow yourself to get inspired and excited. You, too, can make a difference in a child's life!