Yesterday I had a conversation with a beautiful friend, that has really got me thinking. We spoke about all the publicity we have received with Hailee’s adoption.
Why the publicity? Why have we chosen to do it this way?
The answer is simple, really. Because we’ve chosen to live out loud with this adoption. Because God has given us a voice…and we’re using it. Not just for Hailee. Definitely not for us. But for every single orphan who waits for a family.
Hailee is one. One of 147 million. Our prayer is that every time a person sees her face on TV, or in a newspaper, that seed would be planted. Our prayer is that seed would fall on fertile ground and that others would say, “Hey, if they can do it then so can I.”
Obviously there is a flip side to all this. It’s called criticism. There is a measure of safety when you live within your four walls. No-one sees what you do, and no-one really cares. When you live your life [and open your home] for all to see, well, the opinions come. How people love to voice their opinions.
“How can they adopt another child if they don’t have the money to pay for the adoption?”
“How are they going to afford to take care of her for a lifetime?”
“Don’t they have enough children already?”
Bla, bla, bla.
You know what? We don’t care! At all. This is NOT about the Salem’s. We died to ourselves a very long time ago. This is about the Kingdom of God moving forward-advancing! Every time an orphan is rescued, the enemy trembles as another child is brought into His glorious light.
Nope…it has nothing to do with us.
If just one orphan is rescued because someone took a leap of faith after seeing Hailee’s story-Hallelujah! We call that a victory.
I have to add something else here. Adoption is expensive. Insanely so. It puts so many people off. Do we have $25 000 lying in the bank to pay the fees? No way. We don’t. I know that there are a lot of ‘adoption loans’ out there that one could use to finance an adoption. And, of course, there are the delightful inventions called credit cards. Yes, we could use either of those to pay the ransom for Hailee. That would be so easy, and I know many do it that way.
But here’s my take on it. I don’t, for one second, believe that God intends any of us to go into DEBT to bring a child home. Debt is not of God, dear friends. We have worked hard to stay out of debt, because it pleases God. I believe with all my heart that with some hard work, a lot of effort, the support of friends and family, and a very faithful Jesus, it IS possible to finance an adoption completely debt free. I mean, why would God command us to do something, only to leave us paying off the debt for the next five years? That makes no sense to me.
Call me crazy. That’s totally fine. I probably lost my mind, as I once knew it, a very long time ago. I now choose to see things through the eyes of faith. Besides, I have seen God provide for adoptions. Lived it. Experienced it. It’s a beautiful thing.
We have chosen to bring our children home this way-through fund raising. The Father has been faithful to provide every single dollar we have required for our previous two adoptions. And we know He will do it for Hailee. Why? Because He LOVES orphans, He is passionate about them. But also, because He loves to mobilize His Body when there is a need. He sends out His glorious army and commands them to help out in any way needed-and that includes giving to those who are called to go. The beautiful Body of Christ.
Until the day that I die, I will continue to do what God has told me to do…to be a voice for those who have no voice. No matter what the consequences are. No matter what anyone may say. After all, we stand before an audience of ONE on that glorious day. To be called faithful is all that matters.
So, with all that being said. This is another story on the news last night. Not our story-but Hailee’s. Not just Hailee’s story-but that of many, many, many fatherless. You can watch it here.
Hi Adeye
I’m so glad to be back online and catching up with your blog. My kids asked me a question the other day that I battled to answer because I just don’t actually know how it works: Why DOES an adoption cost so much? Does the e.g. $25,000 include the plane ticket and paper work or is there more to it? (Well, their exact words were “why in the world do people have to BUY an orphan?”) Maybe you can share with the “outsiders” sometime
Love and hugs to you and your family
Amen, girl! I noticed that the negative comments were from people who wanted to be anonymous. Keep living out loud!!!
I am so thankful for the publicity because so many times people really would like to help if only they KNEW about the situation.
And also…I think that fundraising is an opportunity to allow other people, people who may not be able to adopt themselves, to be a part of something bigger than themselves. I can’t go on a missions trip overseas right now. my husband is deployed and I am educating my children at home. But I can chip in on a trip that someone else is taking so that I have have a small inheritance in the things of God.
Don’t we want to store up as many treasures in Heaven as we possibly can? This would be one of my favorite ways to store up treasure…helping children find families
Beautifully said, girfriend! “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant” IS the ultimate, isn’t it?
Lisa
Amen! Amen! Amen!
That was so cool that you got a news clip. I can’t wait to hear howw the concert goes.
Amen! We are one of the blessed families that completed our adoption by fundraising and donations…and it was all debt free! We started and I didn’t have a clue how it was going to happen…but God did. He called us to go, and we followed. Of course, it was a long hard fight, and we were worried that it wouldn’t happen for a while, but God showed up, and managed to give us $15,000.00 right as we needed it. It didn’t happen until we OPENED our mouths and USED our voices about Daisy. The only way to continue to save our precious children is to get LOUD about it!
Listen girlfriend - Don’t do it outloud - SCREAM it!! Every orphan deserves a family. Critical people are people who feel guilty for turning their back. Don’t sweat them! Just keep screamin’ the value of kids and that your family (for one) is going to do all you can to love them and bring them home.
This is exactly why Dw started to cry when he was talking to Home Extreme Makeover about building our new home….we had insurance so we no longer were in the running, BUT Dw’s biggest concern - the orphan story…we believed that maybe, just maybe, our home fire, could be used for a greater purpose - EHM telling our story which is all about the orphans of the world - 147 million of them!
Anyway, proud to call you friend!
xo And if you didn’t live quite so far, we would be at your fundraiser tomorrow….
Yeah Adeye!!
I love it!!~ Awesome post and thank you for saying it beautifully!! These children are children of God and they are all our responsibility! It is up to all of us to help these sweet babies whether they come home to our house or another house!
Fundraising is hard work and it is humbling. It is total reliance on our Lord! Those who criticize do not see our Lord at work they do not see you bow before our Lord and totally trust in him. It is too bad that they cannot see this… who are they to pass judgement…
I’m sorry you have had to put up with any criticism… it is very undeserving.
AMEN, amen and amen. I wish we had a fast enough connection speed to watch the clips you posted. Walking this path of death with you! So that more children will have a chance to call Jesus Lord-Rescued and Redeemed!
Love,
Mama from Uganda
Thank you for being a voice for orphans and for loving your Hailee so much! God loves widows and orphans and calls us as believers to care for them- thank you for doing that and for challenging others to do the same! I wish we could be at your concert since we can’t, we are praying that God will do amazing things at it- for you, for Hailee and most of all- for His Glory!
Sending prayers your way for tonight but also for the paperwork to move forward so this sweet giel can be in the arms of her mama, daddy and family soon!
Blessings,
Gayly
Really great post. Good luck with the adoption!
Nikki
http://www.madebynikki.blogspot.com
Amen sweet sister AMEN!
Adeye,
AMEN!
AMEN!
AMEN!
Cheering you on towards the goal He has placed before you! Knowing He who calls is faithful to do it!
Love and hugs,
Jill
Amen, and to doing it without going into debt a hearty Chinese AAAAmmmmen!!!
Great post Adeye! And I do agree, mostly.
We started this adoption with a credit card loan. We didnt have the $3500 we needed. And we needed it then, because in Bulgaria children get lost to other agencies and there seems to be some competition for agencies to hold onto them, even if they are not generating interest. So, we were at a point where Shawnees referral was to be sent back that week. We committed the next day.
So while I do not think it is Gods desire for us to go into debt, I do believe that God will call you. And when He calls you need to listen. And that may mean stepping out of your comfort zone, trusting God to help you repay the debt created. For if there was ever a reason for to go into debt, I have 2 of them waiting on the other side of the world for me!
That being said, I would NEVER limit God. He will fund the adoption, if we are seeking Him, trusting Him, and talking to Him! He can raise $25000 or MORE! He can, and you better believe it!
As for the negative comments, that is just Satan grabbing hold of a weakness in someones life and exploiting it! Toughen up people! Children are worth fighting for!.
Amen, sister! I’m so glad you’re living out loud for the 147 million orphans worldwide, and if 1 gets a family because of it … then praise our Heavenly Father!
so we were 100% dependent on the Father to guide us and provide. We were humbled to make our need known as we draw near travel. We held a community fundraising dinner. Our prayer was that God’s presence would be known. We needed a whopping $21,000 to complete our ‘duo adoption miracle,’ and at the end of the day there was $21,115 in the bucket!!! (Did I mention we live in a town of 500, a church of 120 - and we’re supposed to be in a recession?!?) That’s the God we serve, my friend. And He will provide all you need!
I have a slightly different take on ‘debt’ to pay the ransom. We have gone into debt in 3 of our five adoptions, and God has been faithful to provide repayment! I say if not borrowing the funds will stop us from bringing the child home, then that would be a shame. I’m willing to repay a debt for my entire life if that’s what it takes to bring my child home. God has never allowed the debt to last very long! And this time around we didn’t even have the ability to borrow funds (self-employed farmers
Love~
I just love reading your posts. You have such a passion for our Lord, resulting in a passion for the orphans. We always get the question, “Are you done, yet?” How can I even answer such a question when it’s not in my hands?
Thank you for sharing! Thank you for opening your heart, home and loves. Forget the negative speakers, and live your life out loud! ;o) You rock my friend, God is using you to be a blessing.
We had adopted 2 girls from China without any debt and thought that is what would happen this time also but it was not to be and we are now left with some credit card debt that we are paying off. It is actually the best use of credit I can think of and do not regret a cent of it and the interest we are paying. Could God have done it any other way…I’m sure…I have done over 8 garage sales….and someone gave us 3600.00 towards our expenses and for that we were grateful. Was it His will for us to go into debt? I believe there is a bigger picture than I can see and that He will provide the funds to pay it off….we are trusting HIM for it all. I actually think it is a testimony to our devotion to the will of God no matter what it takes, no matter what the cost. I do hope you will be able to complete the adoption without going into debt but I just wanted you to know that if it happens ….it’s still HIS will for you to adopt Hailey. HE gave HIS all …can we do no less.
Adeye,
I am so glad that you are living this adoption out loud. I know that I have been so educated and informed just by knowing you. I am sure that you are educating and informing others as well of the need to bring orphans home to a family, no matter where they are from. Thanks for being you and letting God live out loud through you.
Christy