By now, many of you who have ties into the adoption community are aware of the news that sent shock waves through the adoption world in Ethiopia. We are no exception, we are still processing and are as unsure as to how all this will play out. Our son is waiting for us (referral date: February 23,2011) and we are caught up in the cross fire as well.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/-Ethiopia-to-Cut-Foreign-Adoptions-by-Up-to-90-Percent-117411843.html
I do think that we need to take the time to grieve and wonder, I still need to do that myself. There is corruption and injustice everywhere, it’s just become very personal to hundreds and possibly thousands of families. But what we all must realize is that this is not the end, even if Ethiopia or the US State Department shuts down adoption. I never want to see that day and I pray for favor and miracles to happen on behalf of the destitute and families that have their hearts invested. Already, I have seen a remnant begin to rise up and intercede.
Psalm 42:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. NKJV
However, this should come as a wake up call to us all – it’s time that the body of Christ began its embarkation to provide holistic orphan care! Not everyone feels called to adoption, but everyone is called to orphan care. We can still be fathers and mothers to the destitute, even without adoption. If the enemy can stop us now from knowing who we are and the rights we have as God’s children, then we are doomed. But if we choose to rise up and put on the armor of God, then it stands to reason that we are on the verge of miraculous breakthroughs. This is not a fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of darkness. The enemy has been defeated! But if we won’t pray, who will? Hope in God! We must remind ourselves of the incomparable greatness of our Lord.
Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills.” Amplified
While we wait to see how mightily God will work in these situations, we must continue to be busy with the Father’s work. Become a champion for sponsorship, water well projects, anti-trafficking, join an orphan awareness trip, provide food and medical care – there are so many options! Again, I’m reminded that this is a battle and inaction is the same as apathy. Imagine that the millions of orphans in the world are the faces of your children, your nieces and nephews, your grandchildren – what would you do for them? How far would you go? May this attack that the enemy brought serve as fuel to motivate you to radical and deliberate action! We cannot be stopped!
Ecclesiastes 5:8: If you see the oppression of the poor and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in the state or province, do not marvel at the matter. [Be sure that there are those who will attend to it] for a higher [official] than the high is observing, and higher ones are over them.
We need to develop the discipline of spiritual tenacity, I was reminded of this today while reading and excerpt by Oswald Chambers: "Tenacity is more than endurance, it is endurance combined with the absolute certainty that what we are looking for is going to transpire...Tenacity is the supreme effort of a man refusing to believe that his hero is going to be conquered."
If you are ready to help lead the charge against injustice: pray, stand firm and take action. One Child Campaign has many projects that need champions, to learn about these go to http://onechildcampaign.showitsite.com/#/current-projects/ You can contact us for further details if any of them touch your heart. There are many other amazing ministries that are also doing incredible work – partner with someone and show the world that the church is rising up and that the love of God cannot be quenched.
If you are in the Nashville, TN area, join us this Sunday, March 13th for a time of worship, prayer and community for the cause of the orphan! THIS IS A VERY STRATEGIC TIME, THE BODY NEEDS TO BE JOINED TOGETHER IN ONE ACCORD.
We are pleased to partner with Alisa Childers, Frank Byers and Collide, as well as the African Adoption Fellowship 686!S. We want to personally invite you to join us on Sunday, March 13th at Sodium in Franklin from 5pm to 8pm for a night of worship with Alisa Childers (formerly of Dove Award winning group, ZOEgirl). We will also be sharing in detail our vision, about our mission trips and the projects (i.e. clean water, home for street girls, capital projects, etc.) that we are tackling. The admission is a suggested donation of $2 at the door to help us cover the venue costs.
Sodium™1725 Columbia Avenue (Suite 100)Franklin, TN 37068 Phone: (615) 591-1818
It would mean the world to us if you could join us and hear about this journey of faith, hope and love. If you are connected with any other churches, pastors, families or individuals that would be interested in joining us, we would love to meet them as well! Together, we can breathe hope into the orphan crisis – one child at a time!
IF YOU AREN'T IN NASHVILLE, you can help in a few ways: 1. Pray for us and this event 2. If you know anyone in the area, invite them to join us that evening by forwarding this email or having them join our FB group. 3. You can donate towards the event and our projects at www.onechildcampaign.com Please contact me for more details or if you have any questions!
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