Together In The JourneySample

Rise Up and Build

“Soon after these confirmations, I established a 501(c)3 nonprofit in order to collect funding to start these building projects. With the help of a friend, I named it LOFT 218: Rise Up and Build. LOFT is an acronym for Least OF These, and 218 comes from Nehemiah 2:18; in this chapter and verse, a group of people were inspired to “Rise Up and Build” and serve a group of people in need. Again, this was from the book I studied when I felt called to start this ministry.” (Chapter 15)

During our adoption process, I fell in love with the book of Nehemiah while studying it with women in my church. I was touched by Nehemiah and his heart for his people. His spirit was so broken for the people of God that he wept, fasted, mourned, and prayed for them.

He was so burdened that he felt led to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem for God’s people, not an easy task. When he shared with others what God had called him to do, they responded, “Let us rise up and build.” Nehemiah faced a good bit of opposition, even from God’s people, but he stayed the course and rebuilt the wall and consecrated it with the reading of God’s Word.

During this study, God broke my heart even more for India and for orphans and victims of sex trafficking. However, I must admit I did not want Him to break my heart—my plate was already full. But as I sought Him whole-heartedly with an open mind and heart, I could feel His calling of me to do more—not in the sense of “Add one MORE thing to your plate.” No, He was calling me to seek after Him MORE.

Scripture says when we seek Him with all of our hearts, we will find Him. And in my deeper seeking, His heart for the orphan and the oppressed became more apparent to me, and I began to feel that “Nehemiah brokenness” for them, leading to our nonprofit LOFT 218, an organization to serve the least of these in India.

Be like Nehemiah: live in tune with God, that you are broken for what He is broken for. I am not saying you are going to start a nonprofit serving a country halfway around the world, but He will direct your heart towards someone or a group that He wants you to “rise up and build.” It could be your neighbor, your co-workers, or an unreached people group in South America…who knows?


Ask God in prayer to break your heart for what breaks His. Ask to see people through His eyes and to cause your spirit to walk in step with His. Be His hands and His heart to those around you, in and through your adoption experience.