Jessi Morton
God placed the plight of the orphan on my heart in 2000 when I visited an orphanage in Mexico. He continued to open doors for me to minister to orphans in various ways through the work of The Boaz Project.
I was able to travel internationally multiple times, write Vacation Bible School curriculum, and help with events in Greenwood, IN. My direct involvement with The Boaz Project changed dramatically when my husband and I adopted our daughter in 2012 after meeting her on a trip with Boaz.
So many years ago, I thought I would just adopt a few times and my part of caring for orphans would be covered. I thought that was a great solution to at least make a dent in the orphan crisis. But I’ve learned over years of research and experience that I was extremely naive.
Over the years, my heart has continually broken for the losses known to both adoptees and their biological families. Now, I understand the importance of the work Boaz does to keep children in their home cultures because I see the difficulties of assimilating to a new culture firsthand. While adoption is a beautiful gift for some, it is not feasible for 99% of the world’s orphans. So, I needed to find a way to diligently ensure that as many children as possible are given an opportunity to know the love of Jesus and to break the cycle of poverty and prostitution.
During 2020, I attended an Encounter with Boaz session and soon found a way to be more engaged in caring for orphans. Soon after my first Encounter, I began sharing my testimony with others at Encounters via Zoom. I had finally found a way to serve and help from my corner of the world.
Around the same time, I started working on becoming an Orphan Advocate. I found that my passion for not only orphans was rekindled, but my love and support of The Boaz Project and its methodologies was also revived. Sharing the plight of orphans, God’s heart for the vulnerable, and the work of The Boaz Project became something that I regularly shared, and now people know I often speak about it.
During my time in OAT, my eyes were opened to difficulties, hope, and Jesus in ways I never expected. It was difficult at times to stay focused on my own learning and advocating because I am a busy mom of three who homeschools, but I made it a priority. Often, this looked like me taking an hour on Sunday evenings to work on things while my husband took care of dinner.
Because of my prior involvement with the ministry of Boaz, I was able to share information with others readily since I had witnessed the ministry in two of the regions where The Boaz Project works. I didn’t know any of the children or partners from one specific ministry location, and I felt compelled to change that. So, as an OAT, I packed my bags and left my family home to travel to East Africa in August of 2023.
Seeing a building come to fruition and being there to watch the partners and children rejoice at God’s provision through the generous donors of The Boaz Project was a sight to behold. I knew that God was stirring me to do more.
Now as an OAT Graduate, I have just joined The Boaz Project’s staff part-time as an OAT Coach and Developer. When I started this journey so many years ago, I hoped I’d be able to make an impact and share God’s heart for the orphan with others. Today, I’m doing just that.
I have over 20 families and individuals as supportive partners helping me accomplish my work and even more prayer partners. Most of those individuals heard about The Boaz Project because of my long history of volunteering with them. They are joining in God’s work because of an invitation. Their support allows me to coach OATs and develop a curriculum to inspire, equip, and educate.
Amanda Reed
I said “yes” to the Orphan Advocate Training because I had no reason not to do it. A staff member from The Boaz Project mentioned it to me in conversation. I already knew the work of The Boaz Project was covered in God’s favor. I knew their work was scriptural, and that God commands His church to care for orphans; I just didn’t know my exact role in that.
I remember the day I began working on level one. I remember where I was sitting in my home and what the day was like. I remember what I was drinking and the weather outside. I remember it so vividly because it was a moment marked by God.
I knew the moment I began reading the material and learning about the mission of The Boaz Project that God had a plan for me. The way I describe how I felt that day is pure joy. It was that deep, internal joy that nothing in this world can bring. Psalm 16:11 says “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy…” This is the joy I felt. The very presence of God leading me.
Over the following year, I continued to work through all the levels of the program. It is a self-guided curriculum, so I never felt pressure that I wasn’t performing as I needed to. In fact, It was quite the opposite of work. The material, including in-depth Bible studies and real orphan stories, led me closer to God than I was before starting it. Every time I opened the program, I was entering into His presence. I was being obedient in learning how to “defend the weak and the fatherless” as He commands in Psalm 82:3.
Completing the five levels is just the beginning of this journey for me. Orphan Advocate Training has opened doors in my life to serve God’s kingdom in ways that I would have never imagined! God is faithful! When we say “yes” and take a step toward Him, He will take ten steps toward us!
Proverbs 16:9 says “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” God was absolutely directing my steps. I just couldn’t see it clearly at the time. Now, I am seeing it!
With over 25 years of experience and a network of like-minded people around the globe, The Boaz Project can help you show Christ’s love to scared and abandoned children.
To learn how you can help save orphaned children from life on the streets—connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website here.
Thanks for sharing your stories, Jessi & Amanda! Amanda, I just started OAT training and I agree, every time I open the program I know God is with me and being glorified as we learn how to serve the vulnerable better.
Thank you for sharing these stories and being so willing to be used. I love your description of starting the OAT training, Amanda!
Wow I loved reading both Jessi’s side and Amanda’s of being an Orphan Advocate. It’s so beautiful that you both have such a strong passion towards orphans all around the world.
Jessi is my coach and I got the opportunity to go to Kenya Africa with her summer 2024 and got to meet her amazing family. Her story is truly amazing & I loved seeing her passion come to life.
Amanda said a lot of great things and you can tell she is just as passionate for Orphan Advocacy. To see what God has done through her is beautiful. God truly guides us where He wants us but the most sweetest part is that He KNOWS it’ll be good for us in the end. Thank you for sharing!!
What an awesome reminder of God’s work in this world, through two beautiful and obedient women. I am glad that they found The Boaz Project, because as Jessi alluded to, it is really hard to make a massive difference on one’s own. We need that community around us to coordinate with, to love with, and to move forward with.
I absolutely loved reading both of your stories, Jessi and Amanda! I definitely agree that I’ve found a lot of joy in doing the OAT program already! I love that even though I’m not in Indiana anymore, there still are multiple ways to serve and learn through this ministry!
Thank you both so much for sharing your stories! I also am completing my OAT and am feeling like I don’t know my exact role in this quite yet. Reading these two stories is so encouraging to trust in the Lord!