I’d love to start off by sharing my joy and excitement over God’s provision. Every person who has donated is playing a huge part in bringing home Dylan. It’s so incredible to receive God’s provision at the exact moment we need it. We have paid for our home study and now we are working toward paying for half of our international agency fee ($2500). We have seen God providing financially for the beginning steps and it’s amazing to be surrounded by encouragement and joy. There has also been fear and trepidation for us. I just want to say do not be worried for us. Place your concerns on the well-being of these orphans. Please care more about Dylan than you do for us.
Here are a few of the concerns I’d love to address:
What about the impact this will have on your own children?
All I can say is I hope this impacts my children. My children have been involved in every step of this process. Dylan is already their brother. Dylan’s picture is in the middle of our dinner table and each night we pray for him and talk about how God has been faithful thus far in bringing home their baby brother. My kids are actively involved in raising money to bring him home. Instead of focusing on the newest X-Box game or which games they want to download on the iPad, my kids are choosing compassion and sacrifice. Last night my children asked to make their costumes for Halloween and to place the money we would have spent at Target into our “Dylan Jar”. Ten years from now, we will not remember the “things” we gave up to bring him home.
Why now? Why you? You can’t save every child!
If we as Christians wait for the perfect moment or the perfect person, it will never come. Throughout the Bible, God called forth people to do things in impossible circumstances. We are not asked to step out of the boat into the calm seas. Peter was asked to trust God when the waves were crashing and swirling around him. How can we show the incredible power of God with perfect circumstances? I do not want to diminish God’s sovereign power by projecting a perfect circumstance. We are relying completely on God in this. We understand that God does not need us to do this; He could choose anyone He wants because He is ultimately sovereign. We count ourselves blessed that He chose us to receive the blessing of adopting Dylan.
Why not adopt children from the US?
Would you ever see this in the US?
Or this…?
This?
This baby girl is 9. Yes, at the age of 9 an American family adopted her from an adult institution and brought her to the states. Her body was so malnourished she had stopped producing human growth hormone. She is now a thriving, beautiful little girl who brings much joy to her family.
This…
I am staggered by the statistics for these children and the deplorable living conditions. Darren and I have fully committed to saving our son and bringing him home.
Why Dylan? I don’t know. He is the boy who spoke to my heart. I also could not tell you why we picked Isaac, Ellie or Joel. The only thing I knew was that they needed a mommy and while not perfect, I could do my best. Dylan needs a mommy and I am excited to step up. I remember being afraid when we first started foster care. My fears were numerous, until I saw the child. When you can see a face and hear a name, the orphan becomes a child.
Look at Dylan. He now has a face and a name. If he was brought to your door, would you say, “Sorry, I don’t have room, time, or resources?” Dylan cannot walk at this time. He needs medical attention and therapies. He just turned 2 years old and has needs that are not being met in an orphanage. And while I can get caught up in all the many needs, his greatest need is something we can easily provide. He needs FAMILY. He needs Bailey to read him books, and Silas and Isaac to encourage him to stand holding their hands. He needs Ellie to comb his hair and Joel to teach him to roll a truck. He needs a daddy that boosts him high on his shoulders and calls him “Little Man”. He needs a mommy who will rock him when he cries at night or encourage him to get back up when he falls down. I have had some of the most medically complicated foster children live in my home. Amazingly the most talented doctors and therapists could never bring about the results of a loving home. A child belongs in a family.