This could be REALLY powerful if everyone gets involved!
The end result will be a video that NHFC creates using your photos. All these photos of messages of HOPE will be pulled together into a video and it could be very powerful.
What to write, well, certainly you can ask God to send you to a particular verse. Consider verses that apply to not only orphans, but ALL of us! Then, put it in first person, as if the host child is “speaking” it. For instance, the verse that says “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Could be written as, “God loves ME with an everlasting love”
Basically, get a piece of scrap cardboard and a black marker. Whatever you write needs to be written clear and legible. You might need to go over your letters to make them a bit bolder, so it’s easy to read on camera. Focus your host child’s sign on a message of HOPE. Photograph your host child holding it. ONE host child with ONE sign. If you have multiple host children, have them EACH do one if possible.
Feel free to comment with your ideas below, we don’t want everyone the write the same thing. Look at it as an opportunity to get your Bible out and share some of God’s promises with your host child. Explain that you are selecting a PROMISE from the Bible meant just for them!
Some other ideas are “PRAY for me”, “GOD welcomes me”, GOD cares for me”, “For God so loved the WORLD”, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”, “He will defend me”, “God will never withold LOVE from me”, “He watches over me, “I am never forsaken,” “He knows the plans for me” “I am more than a conqueror”, “I am protected”, “He sings over me.”
See the photo & video below for guidance. Sign not too big, not too small to read. Not too much going on the background (like drawings or doodles) so the message is the clear focus of the photo. Would like these to come in over the coming week and will hope to complete and upload the video before the kids leave so they can see it too!
Guidelines for Submitting Photo:
- Select a verse or paraphrase from the Bible that suits your host child
- Find a large piece of cardboard to write your message (posterboard also works)
- Write phrase or sentence on board, keep it simple, dark, and easy to read
- Find a good place to photograph, once again simple background with good lighting.
- If photo doesn’t come out well, try again in a different location or a different time of day
- Email the photos to jcozza@newhorizonsforchildren.org by Thursday January 10th!
Enjoy this little project with your host kids!