Roseland Family

Memphis, TN and Beyond

Iwas recently reminded of the different ways believers give. So often, I myself fall prey to immediately thinking in terms of finances. Certainly giving money from a joyful heart is worthwhile and Scripturally based, but there’s more to giving than that. 

Paul writes in II Corinthians 8:5, “and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”

In context, Paul is writing about the example of the Macedonian church. They saw a need and in their aim of bringing relief to the saints, they gave more than money; they gave their time, effort and prayers. They gave themselves. This sacrificial example is what I’m witnessing in the Roseland family.

Richard & Ximena Roseland work on our staff at Orphanos; Richard provides pastoral shepherding and care for each partner, while Ximena helps in the finance department. I am so grateful for their dedication in these roles.

But I am even more thankful for their life outside of work. For the last several months, the entire Roseland family have been giving themselves.

They were notified of a single mother of one with another baby on the way who needed a family to walk alongside her. This young mother had a trying childhood that including growing up in a Guatemalan orphanage before aging out of the foster care system here in the states. She’s been wandering around in need of direction and care from someone since then.

Enter the Roselands.

Richard & Ximena have been bright displays of genuine love, allowing this mother to stay in their home for weeks leading up to the birth of the new baby. They’ve shared meals at the dinner table, played with her son, provided practical wisdom, helped her gain a sense of confidence and taken the feelings of abandonment and isolation away.

The new baby arrived in May which made life slimy, yet satisfying (click the link to see their most recent blog post). However you describe it, it’s inspiring to see normal people living intentional lives for the sake of bringing glory to God. Their love expressed towards this mother and her two children is the heart of Orphanos at work here in Memphis.

Christ was rich but for our sake became poor so that we, by His poverty, might become rich (II Cor. 8:9). As we fix our gaze on the costly sacrifice of Christ, may it change the way we give to others each day!