We are starting our family
through adoption!!!
Its true. Its finally happening! We have begun
working with a local adoption agency and have applied to a brand new program in
Ghana, Africa. This letter, along with the blog referenced below, is our way of
informing and inviting all of you- the people who have supported us and cared
about us- to be involved.
Why
Now? We feel it is time to start a new chapter in our
life. We have come to realize that Jesus doesn’t ask us to wait for perfect
timing…it never comes. While recently reading the powerful book, Red Letters, we came across this quote
by Richard Rohr: “I would say that if you only think about Jesus, “believe”
Jesus and believe things about Jesus, not much new is gong to happen. It is the
risk of “acting” like Jesus acted that reconfigures your soul. We are converted
by new circumstances much more than by new ideas. Or as I like to say, we do
not think ourselves into new ways of living, we live ourselves into new ways of
thinking.” We have been talking about adoption for years and finally decided its
time to step out in faith.
Why
Adoption? In the work we both do, we see hurting kids every
day of our lives. It has furthered
in us a deeper calling to care for children who are neglected, abandoned, and
abused…a calling that goes beyond careers. We can no longer ignore the
unimaginable suffering that is all around us- it’s just too easy to see. We
hear God calling us to reexamine our lives and rethink everything.
The Old Testament contains more than 40 references
in 12 different books to God’s care and concern for orphans- “the least of
these”. Jesus carries this theme into the New Testament in Matthew 25:31-46 and
it’s found again in James 1:26-27. We felt God speak directly to us through
these verses, diminishing our doubts about how to move forward.
Why
Africa? We prayed and thought a lot about the great debate
between domestic and international and originally felt strongly about adopting
locally. When we saw the statistics and heard stories from around the world the
answer became clear. The international need is so overwhelming and the
circumstances so catastrophic that our hearts just broke for Africa.
Africa has been described as a dying country being
ravaged by greed, genocide and HIV/AIDS. Girls as young as 8 years old are left
to be the head of their household, often having no other choice but to sell
their bodies to feed their siblings. Thousands of people are dying every single
day…but its not hopeless. We have the opportunity to change the course of one
child’s future.
We
Need Your Support!
Would you please pray for us as we begin this next
chapter of our lives? Please pray for the safety of our baby, whether he (yep,
it’s a boy!) has not yet been born or is already living in an orphanage. Please
pray that our faith and our patience stay strong.
You can also support us financially if you feel so
led. While we continue to strive towards our goal of being debt-free, we have
committed to paying cash for our adoption...and it will not be easy. There will
be several ways opportunities to contribute over the next year and a half.
It seems appropriate to quote the African proverb
“it takes a village to raise a child.” Our need for your continued prayer and
support will not end when the adoption is final.
If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions
please do not hesitate to talk to us. We are excited about learning a new
process and a new culture and we want to share it with all with you. We have
created a blog to document this journey and keep you informed.
With love,
Chad and Shandra
Shandra and Chad,
ReplyDeleteThe two of you will make such great parents! I am so proud of you and your decision to adopt. It's not an easy choice and yet it is so fulfilling ... it is parenting with all the joys and anguish and hidden treasures. We'll pray for you and I hope we cross paths again and again and again.
Linda