Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Question of the Cost of Adoption - An Opportunity to Share God's Goodness
Some adoptive parents get offended when asked about the cost of adoption.
"Is it expensive?" "It's really expensive, isn't it?" These are the regular questions.
I never look at these questions as intrusive. I look at them as an opportunity to share God's goodness to our family and His love of the orphan.
Today was a perfect example - twice!
First, I was at the hairdressers getting my makeover.... *grin* pictures later! As I was sitting there with my girlfriend and the hairdresser discussing what I wanted my girlfriend told her I had 'lots of kids' and had two girl coming in a couple weeks. This prompted a conversation on how I could look so good when I was due with two girls *grin*.
As usual, the inevitable question: "Isn't it expensive?" came up.
I was able (as always) to say, "Yes," and then follow this with, "But we have a strong faith, and when we stepped out in faith, God met our needs." I then went on to share with this lady how our financial needs had been met all the way - right up to this morning when I discovered the mysterious bank deposit in time for the hotel.
She was clearly amazed. She said that her and her husband had boys and her husband's dream was for a little girl. I told her that if she had the faith to step out that God would honor that. It was a really rewarding talk and whether or not she is a believer, she was very receptive to everything I said and she made it clear she could see that faith had a lot to do with our success.
She wants me to bring the girls in when they 'are settled in' - as she said.
Later that day, while in a parking lot, I ran in to an old acquaintence. Upon seeing each other I told her I was off to Africa in 18 days.
What for? she asked.
To get our little girls. I replied.
This prompted a big chat. She quickly confessed that her house was big and empty and she would love to have more children in it. (She has raised six children, but is yet young enough to have more children).
She proceeded to ask me the financial question and again, I had the opportunity to share how God was faithful.
You know, I am not one to walk down the street sharing my faith, but God has given me a platform to share His goodness. I cannot believe how many people have heard of our blessings from God, simply because they ask me if adoption is expensive!
I can only pray that some of these people will consider adoption and in the process come to know our loving Father!
At the end of our talk I told this lady that I would be doing a dessert evening and slide show to show our meeting of our daughter, our work in Ethiopia, and Ethiopia itself. She immediately asked if she could help me. How wonderful!! It is amazing where this adoption is taking us!
I shall continue to love the question: Is adoption expensive?
Answer? Yes!! But let me tell you how God has met our needs the whole way!
"Is it expensive?" "It's really expensive, isn't it?" These are the regular questions.
I never look at these questions as intrusive. I look at them as an opportunity to share God's goodness to our family and His love of the orphan.
Today was a perfect example - twice!
First, I was at the hairdressers getting my makeover.... *grin* pictures later! As I was sitting there with my girlfriend and the hairdresser discussing what I wanted my girlfriend told her I had 'lots of kids' and had two girl coming in a couple weeks. This prompted a conversation on how I could look so good when I was due with two girls *grin*.
As usual, the inevitable question: "Isn't it expensive?" came up.
I was able (as always) to say, "Yes," and then follow this with, "But we have a strong faith, and when we stepped out in faith, God met our needs." I then went on to share with this lady how our financial needs had been met all the way - right up to this morning when I discovered the mysterious bank deposit in time for the hotel.
She was clearly amazed. She said that her and her husband had boys and her husband's dream was for a little girl. I told her that if she had the faith to step out that God would honor that. It was a really rewarding talk and whether or not she is a believer, she was very receptive to everything I said and she made it clear she could see that faith had a lot to do with our success.
She wants me to bring the girls in when they 'are settled in' - as she said.
Later that day, while in a parking lot, I ran in to an old acquaintence. Upon seeing each other I told her I was off to Africa in 18 days.
What for? she asked.
To get our little girls. I replied.
This prompted a big chat. She quickly confessed that her house was big and empty and she would love to have more children in it. (She has raised six children, but is yet young enough to have more children).
She proceeded to ask me the financial question and again, I had the opportunity to share how God was faithful.
You know, I am not one to walk down the street sharing my faith, but God has given me a platform to share His goodness. I cannot believe how many people have heard of our blessings from God, simply because they ask me if adoption is expensive!
I can only pray that some of these people will consider adoption and in the process come to know our loving Father!
At the end of our talk I told this lady that I would be doing a dessert evening and slide show to show our meeting of our daughter, our work in Ethiopia, and Ethiopia itself. She immediately asked if she could help me. How wonderful!! It is amazing where this adoption is taking us!
I shall continue to love the question: Is adoption expensive?
Answer? Yes!! But let me tell you how God has met our needs the whole way!
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4 comments:
Thank you for sharing this. We have stepped out to show our faith in our third adoption. We are still struggling to gather the funds any suggestions.
awesome! what a neat way to see this. :)
I can't offer any suggestions, other than to say: do what you can and trust God for the rest.
When we did a garage sale and only gathered $250, I was very disappointed. My friend told me that God wasn't dealing with small potatoes. She was right! Right after this we got the grant for $10,000.
Have you applied for any grants? I know in America there are many grants; in Canada there is only one!
God has also revealed hidden money to us twice. But the first thing is to believe that God IS calling you to adopt. If He is, he will provide. My belief is - where God gives a vision, He gives provision.
I pray that God will meet your needs.
Loved this post! I have used every opportunity that I am given to witness regarding God's provision for our adoption. It is such an amazing feeling when you know people are receiving what you saying.
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