The Gores

What Does Child Trafficking Have To Do With Me?

Posted on July 21, 2011 by melindagore

People always ask what are we going to do when our three year commitment is up in Bolivia. Are we going to stay? Are we going to move back to the U.S.? Are we going to move somewhere else to start a ministry? The truth is, we have no idea. However, wherever God has us in two years, there are a few things that we would like to do.

The past year has given me lots of time to think about what I would like to do. The day we received Jolee was the day I knew that I wanted to do something to help unite abandoned children and families looking to adopt, instead of having the child enter into an orphanage for who knows how long, awaiting adoption. My desire is not only that, but to create a way to prevent as many abandonment’s as possible. Obviously details are still in the works.

There is so much Romon and I both want to do. A recent article my friend Angie shared last week really had us thinking of other ways we can help . The article is entitled Bolivia Children on Sale for $3. Yes, the article is exactly about what the title suggests. I figured this happens almost everywhere, but never had evidence of it taking place here. I believe that we are capable, in some way, of making a difference in this area. I wish we had the ability (funding, tools, and knowledge) to do something right now, but within the next several years it should become more clear to me what we can do to help.

Please take a moment to pray for the nation of Bolivia, for the victims of child trafficking and child labor, and for clear direction for our future in ministry.

-Melinda

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Seriously? Only In My Generation

Posted on July 1, 2011 by melindagore

I read something on my brothers Facebook status about planking. Curious, so I decided to Google it. It is possibly the dumbest thing I have ever seen in my life, right next to the blasphemy challenge. (Blasphemy challenge targets our youth and encourages them to record themselves denying God and denouncing the Holy Spirit). You see why I think it’s stupid?

Planking: The art of planking is to lay horizontally across any object or the ground with their arms by their sides, aiming to occur in daring situations or a brotherly display of core-strength.

Here are some real life examples:

Tell me the truth, do you feel like planking now too? Some of the pictures had me cracking up. Some had me questioning, “what are they thinking”?

A recent article reads,“This morning we have seen a young man take this activity a step further and attempt to plank on a balcony. Unfortunately he has tragically fallen to his death.” (Deputy Commissioner Ross Barnett). “People are trying to out-do each other by planking on structures or in precarious positions putting themselves and others at risk. The potential for disaster increases as more and more risks are taken to get the ultimate photo.”

I can’t help but think that our generation is bored. One day, Romon and I were walking in the park and saw 3 guys, probably between the ages of 15-20, laying in the grass staring at the sky. I laughed and thought, “Wow, they have absolutely nothing else to do”. I have come to the conclusion that our generation is seeking something fun to occupy time. As a church, we fail at being the solution to this problem. I don’t have any specific answers, but it definitely gets me thinking about what can we do to contribute to the solution.

What do you think can be done to be a part of the solution? Any thoughts?

-Melinda

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A Picture With Daddy

Posted on June 27, 2011 by melindagore

There were 6 years before my parents divorced to get a family picture of us all together. I believe that would have been a beautiful memory. Unfortunately this picture does not exist. I don’t own a picture with my Daddy. In fact, I’ve never seen a picture of my dad with any of my siblings.

I don’t remember much about how I felt after my parents divorced. All I knew was that the life that followed it was unstable. As a teenager, all I knew about my dad and my parents divorce was what my mother told me. I learned after becoming older, that there is always two sides to a story. I had to forgive my father for things I am not even sure he was completely guilty of. He never asked me to forgive him. (I don’t know of many parents who would admit to their faults.) But, I had to realize that my parents fall under the “human” category and are capable of making mistakes. It wasn’t until then that I was able to sincerely love him and not judge him. It benefited me more than him. I am sure of this.

My childhood was not ideal and I always told myself that when I had a family of my own I would do things differently. This is what we all say, right? Some of us find ourselves repeating the same mistakes our parents made. But it’s not too late. When given the chance to do things differently and know that it is for the benefit of your child’s future, do it.

Someone once told me that children desire security. Securtiy defined is freedom from risk or danger. Safety. Daddy will be sure of this. I love seeing Romon with our girls. There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing that my girls will have a positive relationship with their father. Dear Dads, your girls need you!