Hmm…where to start? It has been quite a while since I have written about the adoption, or much of anything for that matter. We have made some definite decisions and are currently moving forward on that front. We have decided to begin the adoption process and are currently working on our homestudy. A homestudy is made up of a TON of paperwork, a home visit, multiple checks and verifications and such.

We have decided to adopt from Uganda and to adopt two children. This is all still in the Lord’s hands, and if He directs us differently, we will follow, but we feel confident that this is what we are supposed to do at this point.

I wanted to write this, not as much to let everyone know what we are doing, but more to let everyone know why we are doing it. I also wanted to address some questions we have already received. In a previous post, I gave some background on our decision to adopt.

Why Africa?
Both of our hearts have just really been pulled to this particular country in Africa. There is a huge need there. This country has 2.3 – 2.5 Million orphans, even though it is only about the size of Oregon. Unfortunately, the need just keeps growing with the prevelance of AIDS. Also, our church does a great deal of work in this country in partnership with ALARM. You can read about it here and also sponsor a child from the site.

Another reason we feel like this particular country is a good option is because there is not a very established adoption program there, so there are far fewer people who adopt children from there. There are a few agencies who are doing adoptions there, but they are all very new. Also, there is a somewhat unknown timeline for your time in-country, which leads to people choosing elsewhere.

Is Adoption the Best Answer?
We feel it is one answer. To a child who has no family, no one showing them God’s love, no one instilling in them the dignity and sanctity of their own life – it is a great answer!

There are also other answers. We finanacially support our church’s program and Rafiki Foundation. Both of these programs work with orphans there to feed and educate them, as well as teach them about Christ and His amazing love for them. These are children who will grow up in-country, but with training and love, and who will hopefully be the leaders in the next generation. Jeff and I believe it is certainly important to invest in the country and pray for national change, however we do not believe we can just let the orphans there now in this generation perish.

Why Adopt Internationally When There Are Orphans in America?
We really just feel that adopting internationally is what the Lord is calling us to. There is absolutely a huge need here, especially within the Foster Care system. We pray that other families who the Lord prompts to adopt or foster here in the US will obediently answer His call. It is just not what we feel He is asking of us.

Isn’t Five Kids A Little Extreme?We don’t think so. 🙂 The Lord has done a MAJOR work in my heart and Jeff’s heart over the last year. Through multiple tools, God has burdened us with the necessity to take care of the poor. He has shown us that we have bought into an American version of Jesus and Christianity, not what the Bible teaches. He has revealed to us that the “American Dream” is not Biblical. In fact, it is unBiblical. We are so grateful that God graciously took a hold of us and gave us a big ol’ shake! We needed it.

The Lord has revealed to us that working to store up money and “treasures” here on earth is just plain crazy. It’s all just gonna burn, you know! Padding savings accounts so we can rely on our balance rather than the Lord if we hit hard times is not Biblical. It only ensures we never have to totally rely on God for our provision. To keep our bank accounts full for the purpose of ensuring we never really have to live out our faith and trust the Lord fully, while people all over the world are perishing is beyond cruel. It is not what the Lord has called us to do. WE are God’s plan for providing for His people. In our excess we are to give to their need. In fact, Proverbs 28:27 says that ‘He who shuts His eye to the poor will be cursed.’

What about College?We feel being obedient to the teachings of Christ is more important than having our children’s college paid for. For people that can do that, that’s great! We may not be able to. Who knows what the cost of college is even going to look like when our kids are at that point? Someone asked Jeff the other day, “What about saving for college? How are you going to pay for 5 kids?” His answer was, “If our children, who have everything, are bitter because we invested resources in children who have nothing (no family, no protection, no one who loves them), then we have failed miserably as parents.” I Amen that. 🙂

SO, is 5 children aged 5 and under going to be difficult? YES! In fact, I am pretty sure it will be the most difficult thing we will have ever done to this point. If we were supposed to spend our lives here on earth working to be comfortable, we would be crazy to do what we are planning. However, that is not what God has called us to. In Matthew 16:25, Jesus said, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Here are the resources the Lord put in front of Jeff and I this past year. If you haven’t read (or heard) them, I would strongly urge you to. See what the Lord reveals to you. 🙂

The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns (book)
Just Courage by Gary Haugen (book)
The Radical Series by David Platt (mp3)
Crazy Love by Francis Chan (book)
Extensive Passages in Scripture, including Isaiah 58