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.
