Scott and I are often asked why we chose international adoption as opposed to domestic adoption or foster care/foster to adopt? Most of the people that ask this question don't know a lot about adoption. They usually assume there are lots of available children ready to be adopted here in the U.S. Compared to the millions upon millions of orphans in third world countries, that just isn't true. In India alone, there are 86 million orphans. There is such a need for loving, Christian homes for these children; children that may never know Jesus, experience the love of a family, go to college. The best response I've found recently was on this blog: Why International Adoption
Why India? We have been intrigued with the people and culture of India for quite some time. The children are beautiful! Another reason we were drawn to India was the female gendercide epidemic. You can check it out for yourself with a google search. "Our" plan was to adopt a girl from India. In this quest we've met a few bumps along the way. The first one was last August. A friend was on a mission trip to Haiti and came across an 8 month old boy that needed immediate medical attention. His mother begged the mission team to take her son because he could barely eat or drink. Our friend insisted his wife call us and ask if we would be interested in adopting him. His medical needs were far beyond what we thought we could handle and, well, he was a boy. We were already in the India program, pursuing a girl. Seemed logical that we should decline, right? That sweet little guy did find a loving family, received much needed surgeries and he's doing so very well now. Check out this video about him - Delcardo We were back on track to adopt a girl. We were certain "our" plan was also God's plan. That changed in early January when we got a call from our agency asking if we would consider a boy. Scott and I spent some time in prayer, seeking God's will for our family. If we didn't accept the possibility that God could want a boy for our family, then He could certainly put a stop to adopting all together. So God chose a boy for us - and while it was not part of "our" original plan, we could not be happier with HIS choice - a beautiful, precious, "active and affectionate" 13 month old BOY!
I like the link you provided on international adoption. I haven't written to address "The Why Not here?" question yet. I struggled with trying not to make it sounds like the children here in the U.S. don't have needs. Any child without a family is in need no matter what country they are in. But she wrote the answer I couldn't put to paper! I usually answer that question with "God led us to India." I think it's a simple and truthful response that people accept without getting into arguments on money and needs. Thanks! - Trisha
ReplyDeleteJust saw this comment - So true, you go where God leads you, despite what others may say.
DeleteThank you for sharing your story, my wife are in the process of adopting what we hope to be a sibling group from India. We are trying to leave the door open and be flexible to God's hand in the process. Would ask that you pray for me (Kevin) and my wife (Ingrid) that we would be able to discern his path for us as well. It is hard not to get discouraged at times when we see so many obstacles through this process. We have to remind ourselves of the rescue mission that we have before us. We too are drawn to India for many of the same reasons you mentioned in your post. Thanks again for sharing,
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Kev and Ing
Hi Kev & Ing,
DeletePraying for you - God has a great plan for your family and your future children. Romans 8:28 - in all things God works for those that love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Natasha - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that link you shared, too. I am going to use it! Your blog is by far my favorite I've come across.
ReplyDelete