Caring for Orphans (Part I): Article by Vannetta Chapman
This week, in celebration of the release of Sarah’s Orphans, we’re talking about the heart of the story and the blessing of caring for orphans. Today’s post by Vannetta Chapman offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the book…
(P.S. Don’t miss the giveaway for a chance to win 1 of 5 copies of Sarah’s Orphans! To get your name in the drawing, fill out the form HERE or at the end of the post.*)
Read Part II of this series (by author Tricia Goyer) HERE!
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Sarah’s Orphans is the third book in my Plain & Simple miracles series. Anna’s Healing deals with the miracle of healing. Joshua’s Mission is a story about how as a community we help one another during tragic circumstances. And Sarah’s Orphans centers on reaching out to the children in our communities.
I had read a few news articles about Amish adopting outside of their faith and that intrigued me because we tend to think of them as NOT being involved with the larger community. The opposite is so often true. When there’s a need—whether it be a natural disaster, people suffering from personal crisis, or orphans—the Amish are often the first to respond. I wanted to tell that story and show a different side of the Plain people.
My main character, Sarah Yoder, has a turbulent home life. Her father has died recently. Her mother is struggling mightily with depression and eventually leaves the family. It falls on Sarah to care for her brothers, and then she stumbles across two homeless children. Sarah already has her hands full, which I think many of us can relate to. Most of us have plenty to deal with—emotionally, financially, even physically. Yet Sarah sees these children in need and she understands what it feels like to be abandoned, what it feels like to be motherless. Her heart leads her into the journey that is Sarah’s Orphans.
Part of the reason I wrote this story is to show there are children in need all around us. Not everyone can adopt a child, but we can all offer a kind word, or a ride to church, or financial help for school supplies or summer camp. As a group of believers, we can do a lot to alleviate the suffering in our communities. Mateo and Mia bring joy into Sarah’s household. They are the reason that Sarah opens her heart to love and to a joyful future.
This book was inspired by the words found in James: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (1:27 ɴɪᴠ). The result is, I hope, inspiring fiction based on real life events. May you be blessed and more aware of the orphans around you.
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About Sarah’s Orphans…
Orphaned…But Never Abandoned by God
Sarah Yoder belongs to a Plain community in Oklahoma, but her days are far from simple. Life suddenly gets complicated when a series of tragic events unfold, leaving her in charge of the household.
Alone with her younger siblings, Sarah is exhausted but finally at peace. Then she nearly runs over a small Hispanic boy with her buggy…and somehow finds herself sheltering two more orphans.
Paul Byler moved to Cody’s Creek to help his brother in a time of need. But now that Joseph has recovered from his heart attack, Paul’s ready for a quiet place of his own. The only problem? His new property lands him next door to the orphaned Yoder family—and a calling from God he can’t seem to ignore.
A story of extraordinary grace and love in the face of desperate need, Sarah’s Orphans is the third standalone novel in the Plain and Simple Miracles collection by Vannetta Chapman.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook
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Vannetta Chapman is the author of several novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series and Anna’s Healing. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace in Albion, Pennsylvania. Vannetta is a Carol Award winner and a multi-award-winning member of Romance Writers of America. She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas Hill Country.
Visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.
*The giveaway is open to US residents only. The form will close at midnight PT on November 22, 2016. Good luck!
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Thank you. I only read amish books.
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Amber | AmishReader.com Reply:
November 16th, 2016 at 8:19 am
Then you’ve come to the right place, Lea!
Thanks for stopping by!
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Sarah’s Orphans sounds like one fantastic story to read. I loved the book description! Usually if I love the book description, I love the book.
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Amber | AmishReader.com Reply:
November 16th, 2016 at 8:20 am
Awesome! So happy to hear the description intrigues you. And Vannetta is a wonderful author!
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Looking forward to reading the book.
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When my TV went on the blink I decided it wasn’t worth repair. I hadn’t been watching it anyway because I am a happily retired teacher and librarian. My best time of day or night is when I sit down and READ! Then I donate my books to my favorite library! I can hardly wait for your new book. Thank you Vanetta.
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It really looks like a really good book. I love reading amish books.
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I so want to read this. My mom was raised in an orphanage from age five to sixteen. Blessings!
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I love reading good clean, uplifting, Christian stories from the Amish and am anxious to read this book, as well as to discover a new author to me.
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This looks to be a very good novel, I would be so prprivilegeto win and read it. Blessings
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I enjoy all the Amish books and would love to read this one too.
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I so can’t wait to read this book. I Love Your books and this one has really caught my interest.
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I LOVE READING ABOUT THE AMISH I HAVE SEVERAL AMISH BOOKS IN MY PERSONAL LIBRARY.
I CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF THEM!
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Thank you for the chance to win a copy of “Sarah’s Orphans”, sounds great.
wfnren at aol dot com
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I love reading books that deal with adoption. After being foster parents for a few years, we were blessed with the opportunity to adopt 4 of the precious babies that were placed in our home. They are now 15, 18, 22 & 23. My 22 year old is married & just blessed us with our first Grandchild.
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THANK YOU FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THIS BOOK. yOU ARE ONE OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS. GOD BLESS YOU.
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This book looks really good, would love to win.
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I always get so excited when Vannetta Chapman has a new book release.
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Just finished reading Sarah’s Orphans. I appreciate winning a copy. The story is heartwarming. I hope to read more of Vannetta Chapman’s books. Thanks!
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