Lisa Murphy has a heart the size of Manhattan. She cares about people so deeply that her motions and motives are divinely ordained.
She started this selfless journey when she decided to adopt a child with her husband Jim. “I was at church listening to my friend talk about losing her six-year-old child with such fierce devotion. Her incredible strength and faith moved me so much I said to Jim, ‘I want to be a mother and feel that kind of love.’”
So that is exactly what she did. But there is more to the story of this couple who see life, not in black and white, but in colors of the rainbow.
“I was approaching 40 and I went to the doctor, and she asked me if we were going to start a family. I wasn’t sure, but I knew my husband had to be a dad because he loves kids and has the biggest heart.”
But it was the doctor who was the catalyst to their family origin. She was the one who handed Lisa a packet of information from an adoption agency. The packet had just been mailed to the doctor and she passed it along to Lisa.
If you know Lisa and Jim, then you know that serendipity has played a big role in their lives. It is often said that if you can see the big picture the smaller ones come into focus more clearly.
And if anyone can see the big picture, it is Lisa Murphy. Her faith is her profession, and her love and care for others, is all encompassing.
That is why she went to China with her husband Jim to adopt a baby girl named Madi. When Madi was three years old Lisa felt a strong pull to go back and adopt another baby.
But this time it was different. They were told that baby boys were available and many had special needs. So, Lisa and Jim learned about Daniel, who was two years old and had heart problems.
This news did not dissuade them, it opened a space in their hearts for love to spill out endlessly. “I felt this divine voice say to me, ‘this is your son.’”
Lisa also saw the fine lines in the drawing of life. “It was weird; every time we would talk about Daniel in the backyard our garden bell would ring. Jim’s mother had just passed away and we took this as another sign that we should adopt Daniel.
So they went back to China and adopted little Daniel in 2010. “He was so sick, but we took medication with us and he got better in a few days. When he smiled for the first time we cried tears of joy.”
But after four months (and open-heart surgery) the fairy tale ended. Daniel passed away 19 days after surgery. Though they were brokenhearted Lisa did not sit idly by.
She wrote a book called “With an Open Heart,” that chronicled their journey from hope and love to loss and courage.
They also decided to adopt another child. “It wasn’t about replacing Daniel, it was knowing there were millions of other children who needed families.”
When they received another call about a baby boy who needed a home, it turned out he had the same birthday as Jim’s mother. “It was a sign for us,” Lisa said. “Not only that, Jim and I both had siblings, and we wanted that for our daughter.”
They ended up adopting three more children in need of a loving home. Though they continued to build a strong nuclear family, some-thing was tugging at Lisa’s heartstrings. And it wasn’t a strong wind, it was a heart-centered call to help other children.
“It took us 10 years to build this family, but there was one big prob-lem,” said Lisa. “I learned about the orphan crisis. There are millions of children who need homes and once you know that you can’t just pretend it away.”
So, Lisa started a non-profit organization called Open Hearts for Orphans. It was created to provide resources for orphans and aban-doned children. That includes medical intervention, basic needs and adoption assistance.
They also have a grant program called “Downright Lovable” to assist families who adopt children with Down syndrome. In Daniels’ honor they have a “Heart Warrior” grant for families adopting children with heart defects.
Open Hearts for Orphans – a 501(c) 3 – has also funded heart sur-geries, shipped medical equipment to orphanages, and given adop-tion grants. “We have given over 130 ‘Say Yes’ adoption grants to families in 34 states to adopt children with special needs in 21 coun-tries,” adds Lisa.
On a global level they provided funds to build 36 furnished 3-room brick homes for orphans and widows in Uganda (helping over 200 children). They also sponsored monthly tuition for 75 vulnerable children there. “We knew that education is key to changing the tra-jectory for these families. Our mission is for funding hope, funding life, and funding love.”
This love has also branched out locally to include the care and support of vulnerable children. They are affiliated with 4KIDS, funding basic needs for at-risk children in the foster system.
They also partner with Children’s Home Society of Florida, providing gifts and field trips for children in foster care. On a more theatrical note, they were Movement Partners with Angel Studios for the riveting film: Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.
Open Hearts for Orphans also provided 250 school uniforms for at-risk children, and 90 gift cards for children graduating from school.
They were also at the recent Delray Chamber Business Expo spreading awareness about adoption. And every November – National Adoption Month – Lisa speaks at her church, St. Vincent Ferrer.
“November is national adoption month, and we shine a light on the beauty and sanctity of adoption. The members of St. Vincent Ferrer are amazing. These people have been through five adoptions with us, five baptisms, four first communions and one funeral.”
Though Lisa and Jim are not loud or imposing, their mission continues to bring strength to those who have no voice. Within this oasis of need, others have watched as the Murphy’s continue to build momentum.
“Lisa is a gem in our community. Her mission to support orphans began right in her own home through adoption. But her love just kept flowing; from her own children she reached abroad and has made the difference for so many orphans across the globe. She and her husband Jim live out their mission with passion and grace,” said Lynn Van Lenten, of the Delray Beach Chamber.
Debbie Leising also sees the diamonds in their aura. “Lisa is such a kind soul. When I met her, I knew that God had sent a special person to take care of children that can’t help themselves. Through Lisa’s good grace and Charity work, people in our community are helping raise funds and build homes so children have a better life.”
Lisa, who has lived in Delray Beach for 25 years, considers herself to be an introverted extrovert. Though she loves the Wakodohatchee Nature Preserve (and being the mother of Open Hearts for Orphans) she carries other dreams in her pocket as well.
“My dream is that we will all live on the same street when our children grow up. I’m thankful that our faith was stronger than our fear. I can’t imagine our lives without our children, and I am committed to defending vulnerable children in Daniel’s memory until I take my last breath.”
To Learn about the mission of Open Hearts for Orphans, visit openheartsfororphans.org
“With an Open Heart: a true story of love, loss, and unexpected blessings” can be ordered on Amazon.com
