Wednesday, January 7, 2009

why?

Why,
New pictures from Soddo, Ethiopia, our kids birthplace.




Why?

We are often asked WHY?

Why would we adopt FOUR kids, moreless adopt THREE kids more, making a total of SEVEN kids? A WONDERFUL total of twelve Children in all.

Why would we do this?

Why devote our lives to this "cause" (if you can truly even call it that, we do not).

Here's why:

BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT THIS LIFE IS NOT OUR OWN.
Because we believe that in the end, it won't matter what career ladders we climbed or financial investments we made or what gadgets we could afford.

It will matter that seven lives were saved. AND THAT IS THE BEGINING OF THE CIRCLE OF LIVES CHANGED

Because we have seen hopelessness firsthand in Ethiopia and China and elsewhere, but believe in all HOPE that each child is a child of God.

Because we believe that the orphaned street child who plays street soccer on the rough pavement of the streets of Addis Ababa is no less valuable to the Creator than the polished child on a suburban soccer team here in America.

Because we see nothing more worthy of our focus, time, resources, and lives.

BECAUSE INJUSTICE IS A WRONG WORTH RIGHTING.

Because the poor child is still a child.

Because we know that, while adoption is not the solution in and of itself to the orphan crisis 143 million times over, we have seen with our own lives how it rescues the lives of those who can be adopted.

Because we believe that Jesus died for redemption, not just for eternity, but for our lives on this planet and we believe we can be vessels of that redemption for children's lives here.

Because we know that, if it were our own flesh and blood, we would want someone to love them and be called to be their family,

Because, really, these kids are no different from your own. Not at all.

Because it's just not okay with us to say no to a child who needs a home when we have a home to give.

Because it's just not okay with us to say no to a child who needs a family when we have a family to give.

Because it's just not okay with us to say no to a child who needs room to thrive when we have room and can make room.

Because it's just not okay with us to do nothing.

Because it's just not going to be okay to do nothing.

"Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help. If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," [i.e. "that's not for me"] will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know— Someone not impressed with weak excuses." -Proverbs 24:12 (The Message)

5 comments:

The Gang's Momma! said...

I love this. I think I'm going to link to it. It's a perfect summary of everything we feel here in the Gang's house too. Thanks for putting it so beautifully.

Can't wait for some good, concrete news to come your way. And I'm filling another box, as I do my purging and cleaning for January and February! If I can just get the house de-decorated first :)

Can you use toys and puzzles and stuff too?!

Rick Lawrenson said...

That rocks!

Unknown said...

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

God bless you for all that you believe!

In His amazing grace,
Jill
PS We bring Gabriel home next Saturday!!!!

Wife of the Pres. said...

Came over here from The Gang! Oh my! May I link to this??? I'll be back to your blog! God Bless you!!

Aus said...

HUZZAH!! Man did you hit it spot on! Thanks - I need to share that with my bride right now!

hugs - aus and co.