I am loving doing this series on creating an awareness of the many aspects of adoption. Each week I am highlighting something different. So far we have read testimonies of families who have adopted children who have DOWN SYNDROME and last week many CHINA FAMILIES shared their stories.
Today I thought I would highlight something a little different. It's a topic that is seldom discussed yet so absolutely necessary to cover! Institutional autism/ institutional delays are very real issues facing families who bring these kids home and the children who are confined to awful mental asylums and older-child institutions.
There is not much that breaks my heart more than seeing families go to all the effort to fund raise, travel overseas to adopt a child with whom they have fallen in love--only to see the whole thing fall apart when they meet a child who self harms, rocks, babbles like a baby, drools, eats off the floor, is profoundly delayed, and displays unruly behavior. All of a sudden the family's world comes crashing down and difficult decisions are made. As a family that has adopted children from institutions, we completely understand how hard it can be.
It's easy to fall in love with a picture. Many times that is all a family has. We look at a photo of a cute little guy and fall head over heels in love. But the reality is that most times the picture we hold in our hands is several years old, and the child has aged out of a baby house a long time ago and now calls a mental asylum for older children and adults their home. These precious children are no longer in the relative safety of a baby home--they now live in places that we simply cannot comprehend. They are dark places where only the fittest can survive.
Sadly, many families are just not prepared for what they will find when they enter the doors of those asylums. It's hard for the human heart to understand such abuse, such neglect. We hold onto the picture of the cute, chubby little person in the photo and we hope that maybe, just maybe (please God!) they will be unaffected by their realities, their life of confinement.
Unfortunately, that's rarely the case.
But waiting on the other side of those metal, dilapidated walls is precious, valuable treasure just waiting to be found, to be given a chance--just like every other child on the planet.
Do they require more patience, more time, and more attention? Absolutely!
Do they have the ability to learn and grow? YES!
Can they bond and learn how to love and be loved? Of course!
The key is going into an adoption of a child who has been locked away in an asylum with hearts wide open and zero expectations (knowing that God called you!)--being prepared, educated, and ready for anything.
Having any amount of expectation of an institutionalized child when we walk into that orphanage will leave any adoptive family feeling like they can never do the job! They will potentially feel overwhelmed, disillusioned, fearful of the future, and completely uneqipped for the task of raising this child.
I remember feeling that way the day they placed Hailee in my arms. With tears I asked of the Lord, "How, Lord?" "How can I raise this child?" And then I asked Him fifty times if He was absolutely sure that He had chosen the right couple for the job--I could have counted ten more suitable families off the top of my head who could have done a much better job than me (the coward that I was!). I looked into that tiny little girl's eyes and I knew that inside that emaciated, ridiculously delayed body was a personality just waiting to come out. And of course, we all know how Hailee's story is working out--God is writing a beautiful, redemptive story.
Having zero expectations means that we can place the entire situation in the hands of the Almighty Father and trust that HE knows what He's doing--even when we feel completely inadequate for the job. He who calls us is abundantly able to equip us with everything we need to parent these children well.
I know that there are many families who have traveled to faraway lands to bring home institutionalized children. Some are older children who have spent their entire lives in orphanages. Others are children who have special needs and aged out of their baby home and got sent to horrendous places. They all have one thing in common: These precious children deal with hurts unimaginable. Those hurts manifest in different ways.
There is such hope for these children. Bringing them home is never, ever easy, but it is so rewarding. I am fully convinced of one thing in my own life. God hardly ever calls us to do the easy things! I believe that He is raising up a generation of soldiers who will be willing to do the hard things as the world becomes more and more desperate for the Church to rise up to care, to give, to love, and to go to the ends of the earth for the sake of saving one at a time.
Right now there are hundreds and hundreds of children who wait on waiting-child websites who are either older or who we know are living in hard places. Each one desperately needs someone to take a chance on them--no matter what! Just as with the cute little one year old who will find a family relatively quickly, these children are so valuable and precious in His sight. They too deserve to be chosen--to be given an opportunity to become all who God has created them to be! Sadly, many will never be given that chance. The reality is that too many go unnoticed and will eventually disappear from advocacy sites because time will have run out and they will not ever be chosen. It's devastating.
If you are a family who stepped out in faith and brought home a child from an institution, would you please share your journey with us? Would you be willing to link your own blog in the hope that others may find encouragement from your story? If you don't have a blog, please use the comment section. My prayer is that families in the same situation (or those considering bringing home a child from hard places) can reach out to each other and find joy in the journey. It is so comforting to know that we never walk alone! Please go ahead and add your blog below. You will be given an opportunity to add a caption--please use that space to tell us the age of the child whom you adopted and where you adopted them from. Thank you for being willing to share.
June 18, 2013
June 17, 2013
a girl, a boy, and shoes
It really is such a lovely day.
She ponders.
"Where's my little buddy to keep me company on this lonely bench?"
That's much better.
"Hey, Kael, isn't the scenery beautiful?"
"Not too interested in the mountains?
Okay, let me tell you something else interesting. You'll like this story. I just know it."
"See these shoes of mine?"
"Look here, Kael!
See these shoes?
Mom says that every time she buys these shoes another kid who doesn't have any shoes gets a brand new pair! She really likes that idea. I can tell.
How cool is that, big bro? We get to help other kids!"
"Hellooooo.....Kael! Buddy!
Can I have some attention here, please?
Let me get them closer to you so that you can see them better..."
"Oh, geez! I can see that you are completely bored and have no interest in my shoes.
Typical guy! You probably think that I already have way too many pairs of shoes.
A girl can never have too many shoes, you know! With all the girls in this family, you had better get used to this."
"It's okay, brother. Come over here and give me a hug. I still love you anyway.
You know what, Kael?"
"I'm so happy that you're my brother!
You're the huggiest, most lovable brother a sister like me could ever want.
I love you so much!"
Let's just sit and be together.
No more shoe talk. I promise.
The end.
She ponders.
"Where's my little buddy to keep me company on this lonely bench?"
That's much better.
"Hey, Kael, isn't the scenery beautiful?"
"Not too interested in the mountains?
Okay, let me tell you something else interesting. You'll like this story. I just know it."
"See these shoes of mine?"
"Look here, Kael!
See these shoes?
Mom says that every time she buys these shoes another kid who doesn't have any shoes gets a brand new pair! She really likes that idea. I can tell.
How cool is that, big bro? We get to help other kids!"
"Hellooooo.....Kael! Buddy!
Can I have some attention here, please?
Let me get them closer to you so that you can see them better..."
"Oh, geez! I can see that you are completely bored and have no interest in my shoes.
Typical guy! You probably think that I already have way too many pairs of shoes.
A girl can never have too many shoes, you know! With all the girls in this family, you had better get used to this."
"It's okay, brother. Come over here and give me a hug. I still love you anyway.
You know what, Kael?"
"I'm so happy that you're my brother!
You're the huggiest, most lovable brother a sister like me could ever want.
I love you so much!"
Let's just sit and be together.
No more shoe talk. I promise.
The end.
June 16, 2013
my love
Happy Father's Day.
To the man I cherish with all my heart.
The one I laugh with.
Dream with.
Love to adventure in this life with.
God chose so very well for me.
And each one of our children.
Today we call ourselves exceedingly blessed.
We love you, Honey! Thank you for being a man after God's own heart.
To the man I cherish with all my heart.
The one I laugh with.
Dream with.
Love to adventure in this life with.
God chose so very well for me.
And each one of our children.
Today we call ourselves exceedingly blessed.
We love you, Honey! Thank you for being a man after God's own heart.
June 13, 2013
time away
We feel so blessed beyond words to be away from home for a few days.
At a time in our lives when we needed it most...
...our faithful Father opened the floodgates of heaven and gave us a gift.
Time together as a family.
Time to recharge.
And make beautiful memories together.
We are so grateful!
Thank you my Jesus for your faithfulness to my family. How we adore you!
At a time in our lives when we needed it most...
...our faithful Father opened the floodgates of heaven and gave us a gift.
Time together as a family.
Time to recharge.
And make beautiful memories together.
We are so grateful!
Thank you my Jesus for your faithfulness to my family. How we adore you!
June 11, 2013
seeing God's kingdom come...together!
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations." ~~ Matt 28:19
Jesus wasn't kidding when He said that in the book of Matthew. He knew even then that the nations would need to hear the Good News. Every single nation in the world! He knew that the world would become desperate for a Savior. I guess that's why He was so intentional about telling His beloved people to go.
Going doesn't always mean leaving our own nation. No, some are definitely called to stay and be salt and light right where they are. We're all called to be missionaries--whether we stay or whether we leave our city, our town, or our country and head for a faraway land. The mandate is the same--make disciples!
There are those whom He calls to sell everything, give up all that is comfortable, and GO to the places where He sends them.
Distant lands.
Unreached people groups.
Poverty that our human hearts can never fathom.
Desperation.
Hopelessness.
Brokenness.
Many of you sowed such precious and eternal seed into a ministry that is so dear to my heart last December. Together, you helped to build the very first home for Village of Hope--Guatemala. That first house is nearly complete. The Block and Ucherek families continue to trust the Father to lead them in the mission He has birthed in their hearts. Their ministry has grown from a dream into something so big, so necessary in that land.
As Village of Hope has continued to grow and the needs of the people they serve has become more and more apparent and heartbreaking, God began to stir the hearts of another soldier couple in His army here in America. They're a family that has supported and encouraged the body of Christ for the sake of the orphan for many years. They've given, blessed, and tirelessly rallied for many couples as they have fought with everything they have for children to come home. They're champions for the cause of those who have HIV, and through their ministry Project Hopeful, hope has been restored to thousands who live with the virus around the globe. They're a couple that is all about their Father's business.
And, they've opened their hearts and their home to some of the Father's neediest angels.
Sweet Isaac learning to sign after being rescued from a mental asylum recently.
As busy as their lives are, God began to whisper to their hearts, "There's more." "Your servants' hearts are needed in a land accustomed to pain, to suffering."
"Now is the time. Go, Twietmeyers!"
They have heard the call of the Lord, and the Twietmeyer family has said yes to the ONE who has been faithful...no matter what!
Yes, to leaving behind the comfort and security of their home in this country.
Yes, to following His voice with reckless abandon.
Yes, to trusting the ONE who has called them by name.
Yes, to tough times, challenges, and intense stretching.
The Twietmeyers will be joining the Blocks in Guatemala and will serve at Village of Hope in any way they are needed. This couple will soon be uprooting their large family (that is so excited to be following the Lord in this!) and will be heading overseas in sheer obedience.
One of the many things I love about the body of Christ is that we're just that...a body! A body requires all parts to be functioning in order to function well.
When there is a need, we give.
When there is pain, we love.
When there is sorrow, we embrace tightly.
We're His body and when we come together to BE, we accomplish great things for His Kingdom.
The Twietmeyers are in a season when they need the body of Christ to rally for them. There is simply no way that they can accomplish this mission alone--nor are they meant to. As they are obedient to GO into the nations, we the body of Christ are called to come alongside them and support them in any way that God puts on our hearts. It's just how the Kingdom of God works--together as one.
No missionary should ever walk alone!
Would you prayerfully consider partnering with this amazing couple as they head to Guatemala to BE the hands and feet of Jesus? Would you consider being a part of the incredible work that is happening at Village of Hope by enabling another family to put boots on the ground and pour out sacrificial love to a people in need of hope and Good News?
Would you? Please?
We cannot all go, nor are we called to. But what a profound difference we can make when we come alongside those who are called to go! It's sad to me that the one thing missionaries lack the most in faraway lands are finances. That should truly be the last of their concerns. They should have an overflowing abundance to lavish upon those who need it most.
Any amount is beautiful seed that the LORD can grow. No amount is too small. Every single penny given is an investment in the Kingdom coming on the earth. That's eternal, friends. This is storing up treasure in heaven!
You can read more of the Twietmeyer's journey RIGHT HERE. Their needs and prayer requests are listed there too.
In the meantime, if you feel led by the LORD to join this family on their mission from HIM, below are donation boxes. ALL donations are tax-deductible.
To become monthly sponsors, please donate here.
For a one-time love offering, please donate here.
To see some of the incredible things God is doing for the people of Guatemala through Village of Hope, go and read Amy's blog RIGHT HERE. Get the tissues ready! This is the heart of the Father--it's the Body of Christ in action. This is His outstretched arm reaching the lost, the lonely, the broken, and the hurting through ordinary people who needed just one thing to be used by Him...willing hearts.
I am so thankful for those who go into all the nations to MAKE HIM KNOWN.
Thank you for prayerfully considering partnering with the Twietmeyers as they go to the nations. Would you do just one more thing for me, please? Would you please share this need and this incredible opportunity to see God's kingdom expand on the earth? I appreciate that so much!
Jesus wasn't kidding when He said that in the book of Matthew. He knew even then that the nations would need to hear the Good News. Every single nation in the world! He knew that the world would become desperate for a Savior. I guess that's why He was so intentional about telling His beloved people to go.
Going doesn't always mean leaving our own nation. No, some are definitely called to stay and be salt and light right where they are. We're all called to be missionaries--whether we stay or whether we leave our city, our town, or our country and head for a faraway land. The mandate is the same--make disciples!
There are those whom He calls to sell everything, give up all that is comfortable, and GO to the places where He sends them.
Distant lands.
Unreached people groups.
Poverty that our human hearts can never fathom.
Desperation.
Hopelessness.
Brokenness.
Many of you sowed such precious and eternal seed into a ministry that is so dear to my heart last December. Together, you helped to build the very first home for Village of Hope--Guatemala. That first house is nearly complete. The Block and Ucherek families continue to trust the Father to lead them in the mission He has birthed in their hearts. Their ministry has grown from a dream into something so big, so necessary in that land.
As Village of Hope has continued to grow and the needs of the people they serve has become more and more apparent and heartbreaking, God began to stir the hearts of another soldier couple in His army here in America. They're a family that has supported and encouraged the body of Christ for the sake of the orphan for many years. They've given, blessed, and tirelessly rallied for many couples as they have fought with everything they have for children to come home. They're champions for the cause of those who have HIV, and through their ministry Project Hopeful, hope has been restored to thousands who live with the virus around the globe. They're a couple that is all about their Father's business.
And, they've opened their hearts and their home to some of the Father's neediest angels.
Sweet Isaac learning to sign after being rescued from a mental asylum recently.
As busy as their lives are, God began to whisper to their hearts, "There's more." "Your servants' hearts are needed in a land accustomed to pain, to suffering."
"Now is the time. Go, Twietmeyers!"
They have heard the call of the Lord, and the Twietmeyer family has said yes to the ONE who has been faithful...no matter what!
Yes, to leaving behind the comfort and security of their home in this country.
Yes, to following His voice with reckless abandon.
Yes, to trusting the ONE who has called them by name.
Yes, to tough times, challenges, and intense stretching.
The Twietmeyers will be joining the Blocks in Guatemala and will serve at Village of Hope in any way they are needed. This couple will soon be uprooting their large family (that is so excited to be following the Lord in this!) and will be heading overseas in sheer obedience.
One of the many things I love about the body of Christ is that we're just that...a body! A body requires all parts to be functioning in order to function well.
When there is a need, we give.
When there is pain, we love.
When there is sorrow, we embrace tightly.
We're His body and when we come together to BE, we accomplish great things for His Kingdom.
The Twietmeyers are in a season when they need the body of Christ to rally for them. There is simply no way that they can accomplish this mission alone--nor are they meant to. As they are obedient to GO into the nations, we the body of Christ are called to come alongside them and support them in any way that God puts on our hearts. It's just how the Kingdom of God works--together as one.
No missionary should ever walk alone!
Would you prayerfully consider partnering with this amazing couple as they head to Guatemala to BE the hands and feet of Jesus? Would you consider being a part of the incredible work that is happening at Village of Hope by enabling another family to put boots on the ground and pour out sacrificial love to a people in need of hope and Good News?
Would you? Please?
We cannot all go, nor are we called to. But what a profound difference we can make when we come alongside those who are called to go! It's sad to me that the one thing missionaries lack the most in faraway lands are finances. That should truly be the last of their concerns. They should have an overflowing abundance to lavish upon those who need it most.
Any amount is beautiful seed that the LORD can grow. No amount is too small. Every single penny given is an investment in the Kingdom coming on the earth. That's eternal, friends. This is storing up treasure in heaven!
You can read more of the Twietmeyer's journey RIGHT HERE. Their needs and prayer requests are listed there too.
In the meantime, if you feel led by the LORD to join this family on their mission from HIM, below are donation boxes. ALL donations are tax-deductible.
To become monthly sponsors, please donate here.
For a one-time love offering, please donate here.
To see some of the incredible things God is doing for the people of Guatemala through Village of Hope, go and read Amy's blog RIGHT HERE. Get the tissues ready! This is the heart of the Father--it's the Body of Christ in action. This is His outstretched arm reaching the lost, the lonely, the broken, and the hurting through ordinary people who needed just one thing to be used by Him...willing hearts.
I am so thankful for those who go into all the nations to MAKE HIM KNOWN.
Thank you for prayerfully considering partnering with the Twietmeyers as they go to the nations. Would you do just one more thing for me, please? Would you please share this need and this incredible opportunity to see God's kingdom expand on the earth? I appreciate that so much!
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