March 19, 2008

To arrange a meeting at the new Starfish Orphan Ministry office, just send Laura Roberts and Stacey Davis an email.

Thinking of adopting a child in need of a good home? You’re not alone. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption says that, at some point in their lives, 40 percent of adults consider adopting a child, but only 2 percent actually go through with it.

Stacey Davis and Laura Roberts fit in that 2 percent category. Roberts and her husband, John, adopted little Jonathan from Guatemala in June 2003. They already had two daughters, 13 and 19. “We thought we were finished,” she says. “And then we started over!”

Davis and husband, Randy, were married just a year before going on a mission trip to the Ukraine to work with orphans. “We interacted with a baby there, and that changed our lives,” Davis says. Joshua joined the family in February 2005.

The two moms met at First Baptist Church of Paducah and quickly realized their common bond – and their common passion to reach out to other orphans, as well as to help individuals and couples interested in joining them in that 2 percent category.

“It wasn’t until we both adopted internationally that we realized there are 145 million orphans in the world,” Davis says. “We also found that the Bible mentions at least 60 scriptures regarding our responsibility to orphans.”

The two started praying together in the church chapel and talking with one another about how they could make a difference. And, as good people and good ideas often go, they simply got going.

When his mom was found living in a trash dump, Miguel was sent to an orphanage. His mom travels five hours every two weeks to visit him. Thanks to a generous donation, Starfish Orphan Ministry purchased land and Habitat Humanity is building a home for the two. They’ll soon move in and grow vegetables – allowing another child from the streets to take Miguel’s spot in the orphanage.

Blessings Beyond Their Imaginations
In November 2006, they gave birth to Starfish Orphan Ministry with a mission statement (see right), a game plan, 501c3 non-profit status and a first general meeting to gauge community interest. The response was huge.

“Our organization is an independent, non-denominational group and open to anyone who’s interested in helping orphans,” Roberts says. “We just want God to bless this ministry beyond our imaginations.”

Evidently, God’s delivering big time with the blessings. Davis and Roberts are overwhelmingly busy, offering advice and resources to those interested in adoption, planning mission trips, raising money and collecting items that are useful to orphanages.

Medical Spa 7 Connection
The fabulous Medical Spa 7 has somewhat adopted Starfish Orphan Ministry by providing for the organization’s new 2800 Clark St. office (between Owen Cleaners and Wine Pro) and other expenses.

When the Starfish Orphan Ministry mission team met Juancito, 5, the boy couldn't speak and his orphanage couldn't afford special needs school. The ministry now pays for his glasses, uniform, books and special needs tuition. He's made great progress and can even speak!

The connection? Besides spa owners Loree and John Eckstein being all-around good folks, Loree and Davis are very close friends. “Loree asked how she could help, and we told her that if our operating expenses were covered, then all of our incoming donations could go directly toward our projects,” Davis recalls. “And that’s just what John and Loree have done. We’re incredibly grateful to them and to all of our supporters.”

Others in the community have played key roles, too. CSI donated computers and a projector, the Ecksteins and Larry and Roxie Jarvis donated furniture, the fabulous Bill Ford designed the interior and Greer Neon provided the outdoor signage.

Success in El Salvador
Davis and Roberts are now busy working on details for mission trips to El Salvador and Tanzania this summer. The duo, along with nine other community members, traveled to several orphanages in El Salvador last July, learning about various programs and assessing needs.

Karlita has no mother. She was neglected by her father and sent to live in an orphanage. She’s unadoptable because her dad and older sisters visit from time to time. Laura Davis’ daughter, Natalie, met Karlita last summer and regularly checks in with the orphanage to ensure that the little girl has what she needs. This summer, Natalie will become Karlita’s Godmother in a special ceremony.

“Sometimes we’re asked if it’s better just to send money rather than to spend money to go on a mission trip,” Roberts says. “But we have to actually see where we’re donating our money and develop relationships with the people who will be using it. And one of the women on the El Salvador trip ended up making a very sizable donation for a particular project there. That wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t gone to see these places firsthand.”

As an added bonus, two El Salvador orphans are now in the process of being adopted as a result of the trip. Kathy and Jim Gardner and Debbie and David Ward are working through all the adoption steps to bring the children to Paducah.

In fact, Starfish Orphan Ministry coordinated a hugely successful fundraiser last Friday night to assist the Gardners with their adoption of 6-year-old Eduardo. More than 100 people gathered for dinner and music by Devonda Treece and Serenade String Quartet.

Since the El Salvador trip, Roberts and Davis have kept in close contact with orphanage directors there. This past Christmas, they sent $6,500 to fund several parties and gifts for more than 500 orphans.

The Starfish Orphan Ministry mission team will visit orphans in Tanzania later this year. In the meantime, they’re supporting missionaries from Madisonville who are with the kids now.

The missionary who oversaw the festivities was so thrilled by the group’s generosity that he sent back daily emails and photos showing the extremely happy children who otherwise would have spent the holiday like any other day.

Outreach at Home, Too
Starfish Orphan Ministry is dedicated to helping children here in Paducah, as well. Davis and Roberts are working with local group homes in hopes of connecting them with volunteer mentors.

“Most of these homes have teens who’ve been let down by every adult who has been a part of their lives,” says Roberts. “They need good role models to come and spend some time with them, one on one.”

Davis and Roberts are also available to speak to groups, share information packets and hear about other organizations that could use their help. For more information, visit starfishorphanministry.com.  

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