?Questions you may have but were too afraid
Here we are.... Over a year now since we felt a tug from God to consider adoption for our family. We don't know why or when or how, but we felt the tug. And thus our family began this "journey" in prayer. (Fall 2007)In October 2008 we began the "paper chase" of this journey and continue to seek to do God's will for us.
And now as we begun traveling down this (adoption) path set before us, we have encountered many challenges, blessings & a fair share of doubt. Many of you may look at us, the Fisher's, and say, "they are not rich, not wealthy." But Alas, we are! We have an abundance of food, we have family, clean water, warm showers, a roof over our heads, and each other! We are so very rich!!! And we have much to give & share!
And that's where it starts... Our hearts prompted to grow our already blessed family through adoption, and provide a family for child(ren) who do not have one.
No, we are not saving a child, we are adopting children into our family, just as the Lord our God adopted each one of us. To love & care for the very children God planned for our family before the beginning of time.
"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons/daughters." Galations 4:4,5
Who & Where???
Our hearts are drawn to Ethiopia.
A Country of both beauty & despair.
Home of 4.6 million orphans.
Why? The answers pretty simple...
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
For us, Ehiopia is "the least of these." With a little research this is what we found:
Ethiopia...
- The 4th poorest country in the world, making about $160 per family per year.
- One in ten children die before their first birthday.
- One in six children die before their fifth birthday.
- 44% of the population of Ethiopia is under 15 years old.
- 60% of children in Ethiopia are stunted because of malnutrition.
- The median age in Ethiopia is 17.8 years
- 1.5 million people are infected with AIDS.
- 720,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS alone.
- Half the children will never attend school, 88% will never attend secondary school.
- Ethiopia's doctor to children ration is 1 to 24,000.
- Etc... "the least of these"
Who?
Our hearts & home is open to two children, siblings.
Why siblings?
Imagine a brother and sister experiencing the extreme pain of losing Mom, Dad, & even other family members to some unknown disease. All they have is each other. So often they are faced with one of two realities;
- Seperate and be adopted.
- Remain together and remain un-adopted
We want neither for our children!
Our children, Children of our heart, Members of our family-living in Africa for now. Children only God knows their names, ages, genders, and when they will come home to their forever family.
It may sound strange but our family has an emptiness in it now... We are missing & longing for members we still have yet to meet. So we wait and work to welcome & love them home-in God's perfect timing. To share with them the very HOPE we have been given only through Christ.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Please continue to keep us in your prayers. The journey can be long & unpredictable... But so very worth the wait & hurdles ahead!
See the below post "Mark your calendars" to further partner with us on this adoption adventure.
And once again, thank you for your support & encouragement!
(and bless you for actually reading this extremely long post) =) The End
2 comments:
That's an extremely interesting post..thank you.
Furthermore: you mentioned the anticipated cost of 20-25 thousand $$. Does some of that come from grants? How much of that are you hoping to be donated/contributed by others? If the full sum $ is not reached by such and such time, then what? Would the money be put aside for a later attempt or donated to clean water or ? tell me (and others) more : O)
Thanks for your comment :)
Our estimated Ethiopian adoption cost is $20,000-$25,000. We have already been blessed to received some generous donations from loved ones & strangers alike. We too have been diligently putting away every spare nickle of our own to have the needed amount -at each given step. Amounts come due at different steps in the process... thus our money & donations so far are already put into action of bringing home our (adopted) children. And we continue to trust God has a plan for each next step.
We have NO doubt God is going to see this journey to completion... One step at a time - In His perfect timing!
"What is impossible with men is POSSIBLE with God." Luke 18:27
No matter how He provides financially (grants, loans, donations, fund raisers)and otherwise, God alone is worthy of ALL the Glory!
Your continued prayers are greatly appreciated. We desire to trust Him completely! (trusting=waiting)
Answer your questions????
God Bless
Post a Comment