Many of you know that last summer we considered adopting a boy from Ukraine. While God did not lead us to do so, another couple in our church decided to adopt the boy that they had hosted. Joy and Mark McClain have raised three godly children, and have a beautifully testimony of the faithfulness of God in restoring their marriage and their lives. Joy has had a heart for adoption for years and went on many missions trips to orphanages but thought that God had closed the door to adoption for them. Then God worked to bring this Ukrainian boy into their lives, and to stir her husband's heart to adopt him. (You can watch a video about their journey to bring Artem home here.) It's been a total work of God, and in two weeks they are scheduled to go to Ukraine and finalize the adoption. Unfortunately, they do not yet have the funds to do so. A couple of options for a grant and loan they had applied for have fallen through and they are in a place of having to trust God completely to provide the remaining funds.
As we have considered adoption, so many of you have been so supportive and encouraging. Many have said that they would love to adopt if it weren't so expensive. Some do not consider that this is the right time or phase of life to consider adoption at all. God's Word makes it clear that we believers have a responsibility to care for the orphans. Whether you are called to adopt yourself, having been adopted by God, you have a responsibility to share His love with the orphans. James 1:27 states very clearly, "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." The Greek word for visit in this verse means to look upon and care for.
There is a wonderful, godly couple who is ready and willing to live out this verse, but several thousand dollars stands in their way.
Will you stand in the gap for them?
Are you willing to be a part of what God is doing through them?
Will you look upon this orphan boy and give of your own finances so that he can be cared for?
I know that "in this economy" people are struggling financially. I know that things are tight. But God is faithful. I know that He is able to provide. Will you trust Him enough to permit Him to provide through you?
The Fatherless Foundation is a wonderful organization that provides financial assistance for adoptive families. Please pray and consider giving them a gift, ear-marking it for Joy & Mark McClain. (http://www.thefatherlessfoundation.org/GetInvolved.aspx) You'll be making an investment in the life of a child and storing up treasure in heaven.
Thank you for reading and considering this couple and their orphan boy, Artem. May God bless you abundantly!
Grace and Peace,
Angel
1 comment:
This is a common problem, and a sad one. A friend of mine has started a foundation as well to combat it. She has found that many hearts are soft to orphans' plight, and though they do not feel called to adopt, they gladly give to help someone else. I believe that we all are able, in some way, to help place children and families together.
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