GO FOR IT

A friend contacted us yesterday to encourage us and answer our request of "Gee what do we say?  We just got asked to speak to our Church family about our adoption journey.  We are encouraged.  See some of his thoughts an a letter to us from yesterday below:

3-5 Minutes is not much time for a presentation, but it worked for me, speaking at a pastor's conference in the Philippines.  One pastor came to our ministry table after the conference and inquired about adopting.  A few months later we helped them start the adoption process which resulted in a very successful adoption of an amazingly charming 5 yr. old boy.

I would stick to the following. Not necessarily in this order

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in DEED and in truth.  (1 John 3:18)  ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS.    Saint Francis of Asisi said, "preach the gospel at all times, if necessary, use words."  ( WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS QUOTE) Action that preaches the gospel is our living example.

Jesus Christ brought the Gospel and God's love to mankind by living example.  Christian families who adopt are MISSIONARIES who bring the Gospel and God's love to orphan children by Living Example.

Orphan children want to know, "If God loves ME, why am I an orphan?"

Galatians 4:4-5 is a simple statement that children who have been adopted can easily comprehend the gospel in the context of their own adoption.

God sent Jesus Christ into the world - "So that we might receive the adoption as sons."   "As many as received HIM, to them He gave the right to become Children of God" (John 1:12)

Everyone understands belonging, it's why we get married.  PERMANENT Relationship is critical.  So why is it we can't understand that orphans also need a permanent relationship with someone?


We worked in an orphanage for six  years and the children did not believe that either we or God loved them.  "If YOU love me, why am I an orphan?"

James 1:27 is a COMMAND for every Christian to help rescue orphans in one way or another. This is big:  NOT ALL ARE CALLED TO ADOPT, but ANYONE can love and minister to orphan children in a very practical and meaningful way by helping members of their church family who already want to adopt.

Adoption is the best way to share the Gospel with orphan children, by living example.

Overcoming the objection that adoption is an extravagant luxury that others should not be asked to help pay for.

Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross TO PAY FOR OUR ADOPTION !  The most extravagant gift in the history of creation.  Love that is not extravagant is not love.  In the Filipino language, Tagalog, the word for love is the same word that is used to describe something that is expensive or extravagant. "Mahal" is the word for love.

Mahal kita means "I love you"    Ang mahal!  means IT'S EXPENSIVE.   Ang masyadong mahal means ITS EXTRAVAGANT.   Love, by its very nature is extravagant.

A pastor who preached an eloquent sermon about God's extravagant love shared how that is God's example and model for us to be extravagant with our love for our fellow man.  The same pastor when approached about adoption ministry asked me, "Why should we spend all that (extravagant) money on adoption?  It's cheaper to raise those children in an orphanage!"

By our standard of measure, extravagant or cheap, it will be measured unto us.  For those who want to feel God's extravagant love, it is necessary to be obedient to practice our own extravagant love.  Help pay for a child's adoption.  (Matt 7:2)  (Mark 4:24)  (Luke 6:38)

Most people are not aware of what happens to orphans when they leave an orphanage with no family.

Theft, prostitution, homelessness, substance abuse, incarceration and suicide.  Read this statement on Steven Curtis Chapman's website:   "The Great Need"  Show Hope Foundation  Paragraph 5
     http://www.howtoadopt.org/TheGreatNeed/

Predators lurk at the gates of orphanages, already armed with the names of the girls and the dates they are due to be released to snatch them away directly into sex slavery.  (several hundred thousand annually)  We know several people who have personally witnessed this.

 James 1:27

When the church practices pure and undefiled religion,  the world notices and people are drawn to Jesus Christ. (Glorified or lifted up)  (Matt 5:16)    Jesus said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself" (john 12:32) This creates one of the best and easiest ways to generate healthy church growth.  Never in my life did I hear this exclamation from a total stranger until I got involved in adoption ministry:  "My what a wonderful thing you are doing, the world needs more people like you."

Hope this will stimulate your creativity. Let the Holy Spirit guide your lips, as He blesses your investment of a few loaves and fishes.  GO FOR IT.  In the name of Jesus.

Gerry

Go for it...INDEED!