One of my sisters is now pursuing adoption - from the African country, Ethiopia. Reid's sister is also pursuing adoption - also from the African country, Ethiopia. It's astounding to realize that this child of ours will have an African cousin on both sides of the family! Isn't that incredible?
G - Ghana
E- Ethiopia
E- Ethiopia
Another close friend has also started the process - from Ethiopia. Friends of friends are hosting orphans for the summer. A different family - praying about it, but where? A family from church deciding - domestic or foreign adoption? Others, wondering...about...adoption?
The truth is that orphans are everywhere. Children need homes. Children are desperate for LOVE and SECURITY. Who will accept the responsibility? Could it be you?
There was a time I thought it certainly would never be us. Money - not enough. Age - too old. Family - too big already. House - too small. But then Reid and I allowed God to lead our hearts. Our answer - YES!
The truth is also that it seems to be God's heart to care for these children. Throughout scripture, God continues to point us toward loving, caring, and giving to others, but especially those who are forgotten. There are many adoptive families in scripture - several in the lineage of Christ - Moses, Esther, Ruth, etc... Even Jesus was adopted by an earthly father, Joseph, who chose to love this child which was not his own. Finally, WE are adopted into this kingdom because of God's great love for us! YES, it is God's heart!
I recently read this quote by Clayton and Amber Jones who adopted from Ethiopia,
"Alone. Unclaimed. Forgotten. Longing. These are the words I would use to describe the faces of the orphans I met while uniting with our daughter for the first time in Ethiopia. other words I would use: Beautiful, resilient, joyful, forgiving, humble, and I could go on and on. Our daughter is one in a million, but also one among 4.6 million orphans that are still in Ethiopia...waiting...just for a family. Just a family. Not possessions. Not riches. Not fame - all the things many on this earth seek after. These kids simply want love and belonging.
But the question remains: Who will go? Many families may be willing but are afraid to take the leap of faith because of the terribly high cost of adoption..."
Clayton and Amber continue on to thank the organization Show Hope for giving them a grant to help offset the cost of the adoption.
Today, God continues to amaze me with His continual provision. Today we received the first donation by the "donate" button on this blog. I nearly fell out of my computer chair when I saw the e-mail! So unexpected! (Since the button had never been used, I'd forgotten it was even on here!) God is so good! Several have sent gifts in the mail, ordered t-shirts, donated to the yard sales, or shopped at the yard sales. A young girl sold root beer floats to help us. Another young person gave us her "Mason jar" full of money. A friend paid our portion of a hotel room for a competition Mason competed in recently. A doctor waived his co-pay for my visit! Friends worked to the point of exhaustion last weekend to host a HUGE Yard Sale for us! There are so many other ways people have helped beyond what I've listed. Thank you! Friends and family, YOU are bringing this child home! YOU are the hands and feet of Jesus to do so! THANK YOU! Words seem so inadequate. I can not believe God's provision! My faith continues to grow, as I witness God's love for this child.
To borrow more of Amber's words to each of you who have helped us, "Most importantly, our Father in heaven will be well pleased that you are participating in HIS redemption here on earth. Thank you, thank you, and a million more thank yous!"
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. - Ephesians 1:4-6
For more encouragement on helping orphans, read Sydney's blog and find out what this 10 year old is doing to feed the orphans in Africa!
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