We are all called to care for orphans, but not all of us are called in the same way. What's your passion - Adoption and foster care? Donating to provide life-changing medical care to an orphaned or abandoned child in need? Helping to meet the most basic needs of orphaned and abandoned children - like food, water, and clothing? Joining our brigade as an orphan sponsorship partner? We urge you to reflect upon your role, and we would love to have you on our team of orphan care warriors!
Our Board
We share a love for all children, regardless of where they were born, and we are passionate about our mission. Collectively, our OHFO team has 40 children, grandchildren, and little ones in Heaven and have gone through 18 adoption processes! We are fortunate to have many wonderful volunteers as well.
Our Mission - In Memory Of:
DANIEL MURPHY
Meet Daniel - the real founder of this organization. He was a beautiful two-year-old boy living in China with CHD (congenital heart disease). Jim and Lisa Murphy made him their son in 2010 and were given four treasured months with him in their lives. When Daniel's broken body could not recover from the open-heart surgery that he needed, their little boy left this world on Trinity Sunday that same year. They were devastated, but not without hope. God called Jim and Lisa to a few things straight away - the first was to share their son's life story with others, which Lisa penned into a memoir called With an Open Heart (ALL royalties go to Open Hearts for Orphans), and every scrap of detail they could remember about their sweet son is preserved within those pages, keeping his spirit alive. God also called the Murphys back to China, so they ventured across the world three more times to bring His amazing children into their hearts and into their home. In 2016, when they were given signs that it was time for their own personal adoption journeys to end, and for a new chapter to begin, this non profit organization, Open Hearts for Orphans, was created six years after Daniel left for Heaven.
IVY JOY SAMMONS
"We always knew that someday we would return to China for another daughter; what we didn’t know was when. But as always, the author of our story, God, had a plan. One day, an adoption agency reached out to me and asked if I could share the story of a little girl who needed a family. This precious baby girl was just a year old, with several complex heart conditions. Her file was daunting—a list of medical challenges that seemed overwhelming. But then I saw her sweet little face, and my heart was touched. I shared her picture with my husband, and we prayed together. As we prayed, clarity came: We had found her family—it was us! Ivy was pure joy from the moment she entered our lives. Her quick ability to speak English sentences just weeks after coming home amazed us. Her spirit lit up every room, and her love for all living beings was infectious. She had a special gift for making people feel loved, a gift she shared with everyone she met. Spreading joy and love was not just something Ivy did; it was who she was, embracing it with every ounce of her being. To know Ivy was to love her, and being able to love her was our greatest privilege. We are endlessly grateful for the immense blessing of Ivy Joy. She is a testament to the beauty of opening your heart and home, and we feel incredibly honored that God chose us to be her family." - Mary Sammons, Director of Adoption & Advocacy Programs
TERESA BARTLINSKI
"“I love you more” were Teresa’s last words to us. We were blessed to have her in our family for three years as one of seven children we've been blessed with through adoption. Teresa was born in China on Christmas Day 2006 with a congenital heart condition known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which meant she had only half a heart. She loved sharing her birthday with Jesus! She was an “Old Soul” who had one foot in Heaven and one on earth, always whispering secrets to “Her Jesus” as she called Him. Although she had a fragile heart, she loved the Lord with all of it. Teresa was tiny, brave, and full of light. She had a unique ability to make those around her feel loved, especially with her “Huggy Huggles.” Her love was pure and unconditional. Despite her delicate health, Teresa never let her oxygen tank slow her down, pulling it along as she rode her bike. Teresa went to be with “Her Jesus” on July 1, 2013. Teresa taught me how to live with an open heart. I promised her I would continue on in her memory, helping orphans and vulnerable children receive love, care, and hope for a better tomorrow. Thank you, Teresa. Being your mom is such an honor! I love you more..." - Ann Bartlinski, Director of Medical and Orphan Care Programs
Support Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
