Tip of My Iceberg

“Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes.”  “Radical” by David Platt

Growing up, I didn’t know families who’d adopted children. I knew about orphanages–I’d seen “Annie” and was well aware of evil Miss Hannigan who hated little girls.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen more folks choose to adopt. Two of my best friends have adopted children–bi-racial and special needs–who might not have had a family otherwise.

Thirteen years ago, my three youngest daughters and I had the privilege of  working in an orphanage in southeastern China for part of the summer. Located in the city of Dianjiang, it was nothing I’d imagined. Two hundred infants were well cared for there–196 girls, 4 boys. All four of the boys were either ill or had special needs.

The one-child policy in China made it difficult to want to raise girls when it was often the responsibility of sons to care for aging parents. These were abandoned children. Throw away kids. Not necessarily unwanted. Most definitely not needed.

As we cleaned and changed diapers, rocked babies and played with them, I fell in love with these little girls. Wondered if I could sneak one home.

Thirteen years later, we were having a gathering at our home of people John works with in the various para-church groups around the country. A gentleman walked in; I’d met him before.

Turns out he, his wife and daughter were on that trip with us. Their hearts, too, were filled with compassion for these youngsters who had no voice of their own. They did something about it.

When they returned, Ken, Judy and Heather Williams began Hope’s Heart Orphan Foundation. So many of China’s orphans are deemed unadoptable. Their eyes may not be round enough, they may have some minor physical problem, such as a cleft palate, or more serious conditions, like heart issues. These things, which parents in our country would find the resources and doctors to correct, take away the option of these children ever finding a family. Hope’s Heart focuses on giving the best possible care to these sweet blessings, whether they get adopted or not.

Sadly, most do not.

Ken and I reminisced as he filled me in on what his family was doing for these kids. Raising money to get them surgeries, providing therapists, helping them become better able to help themselves as they get older.

Adoption is on God’s heart.  He chooses us to be His. Making us an heir with His Son. Giving us the privilege of being part of His forever family. Our selfish behavior has put a barrier between us and Him, but He’s done the work to take it down.

And bring us home.

He’s chosen to create us in His image. He chooses to save us because of His love.

Twice chosen.

For those who know Jesus, there’s no better family who could take us in.

Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names.They are easier to ignore before you see their faces.It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms.But once you do, everything changes.
Radical  by David Platt

For those interested in learning more about Hope’s Heart, here’s the link: http://hopesheart.org/

Photos taken from the Hope’s Heart website.