Tags
adoption, children, christianity, church, compassion international, family, Haiti, orphans, religion, sermons
In the past I’ve written about both adoption (click and scroll down) and the tragedy in Haiti (ditto); both are issues that I care about. My 
pastor and his wife are adoptive parents. On more than one occasion he’s challenged our church to be radically proactive when it comes to adoption. (You can listen to a couple of those sermons here and here.) On a more personal level, my family has prayed for and sponsored a child in Haiti for many years through Compassion International.
I noticed that Christianity Today featured an editorial yesterday that brought those two themes–adoption and Haiti–together once again.
For Christians, the biblical basis for adoption bears repeating. The Book of James beckons every true follower of Christ to become involved in the lives of orphans (and widows)…
Adoption experts provided CT with four ways churches can increase their involvement:
- give adoptive families space to tell their stories in church;
- find ways to give small starter grants to people interested in adopting;
- encourage the adoption of children with special needs; and
- develop a full spectrum of responses, from child sponsorship to adoption.
It’s good to be reminded, as we are in this article, that there are 210 million orphans in the world, and that it’s our responsibility as Christians to care for them. (Read it all.)
who am i? 
My husband and I tried to adopt last year. It didn’t go well. If anything, I think that adoption is a calling. We just weren’t called to adopt or atleast the plans fell through at this time in our lives. I have to say that I think adoption, the process, is entirely difficult. I wonder how many families have fell through the cracks. Our adoption failed because they learned that we disciplined our son biblically. I will just leave it at that for the sake of stupid man made laws. The social worker was nasty. She basically accused us of abuse. In the end, I didn’t think it was worth saving one child just so I could lose my 3. I support adoption and those who are able to go through with it, but it is a very hard process and sometimes you have to lie in order for it to work out. Social workers view families as if they are potential criminals. I understand why with a system full of abused children. The laws are sometimes really harsh – like no medical issues, no history of depression or anxiety. Who doesn’t suffer from depression these days? I do think that Christians should come alongside those who are adopting. I just don’t know that I will ever try to adopt again. It was one of the most devastating processes I have ever been through. Most people aren’t expecting a loss, but that is exactly how many families end up due to finances, social workers preconceived ideas, and laws that are beyond ones control.
I’m sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience, MB, but glad to hear that you still support others who want to adopt. At its best, adoption can be a grueling process. Using a Christian adoption agency may ease some of the difficulty, but certainly not all of it.
Hey Barry- Great post about an important issue…I just finished Adopted for Life by Dr. Moore- it is awesome and I recommend it to not only those who are pursuing adoption or know someone who is, but to every believer. Adoption is about much more than “saving” a child…
I’m going to have to get that book–I’ve heard so many good reviews of it!
Barry,
Great post. As stated above, Adoption, like so many things we are called to do, is not an easy task. During the process, people will invade your privacy, get all up in your business, inspect your home, interview your other kids, want medical clearances, tax records, arrest records…all notarized, certified, and authenticated, i might add…not to count that it costs all kinds of money that we don’t possess…
But that being said…for us…it is all about obedience. We feel like it has been asked of us, and we hope to respond obediently. We should not have qualified, but we have. We don’t have the money, but I know we will. God has blessed us with a great social worker, and Holt International has been a pleasure to work with. They have been beside us every step. We look forward to bringing our new little girl, Lori, home from China before Thanksgiving.
We have to acknowledge that while we are all called to ‘look after’ orphans, that doesn’t mean adoption is for everyone. Some can raise funds. Some can help babysit the other little kids while the parents go pick up their child in a foreign country. Some can sponsor a child at an orphanage for a few dollars each month. Some can help couples sort through the mountains of paperwork that easily gets overwhelming. Some can buy new shoes and coats for the little kids in their town that don’t have them. There are lots of ways to contribute…
I appreciate you touching on the subject. I always love to read your blog, and we are passionate about this subject…so thanks. Love ya, Brother.
Thanks for sharing your heart, Jay. My whole family has been encouraged by your family’s love and care for orphans and others in need. If the Lord wills, I look forward to caring for Lori and other children in need along with you in the community God’s called us into together.