Recently we had a pretty hard day. We got discouraging news regarding the adoption. As we read and learn more and more about international adoption we see that this is just a part of the process. We were hit with many unexpected expenses. After we submitted the dossier we were told that everything needed to be sent to be officially translated and then to Costa Rica but that we had passed our 6 month deadline for our FBI clearances and that we had to re-do those and we were coming up on the medicals deadline. On top of an additional 1500.00 in legal fees that we had not expected, we knew this too could be an expense. It just kept feeling like we were just one step away and each time we took that one step, an additional step would be added. We were told that once the dossier is fully submitted and locked in, that is it. No more expirations, no more added paperwork, nothing...we just wait to get our referral and travel to Costa Rica to get this special little girl.
I think some of the reason this set back and added expense was such a discouragement is because it was met at the same time as an unexpected medical bill and in the middle of vehicle problems. But God is good. He is bigger, He is our provider, He is our comforter, and (this one always gets me) He is our Helper. (Wow, really God? I really don't deserve all that!)
He is so good, that the morning after all of this happened I read in Judges about Gideon. God had called and appointed Gideon to defeat the Midianites. It was difficult for Gideon to believe because of his circumstances, but what did God do? He told him to send home 22,000 of his 32,000 soldiers because He was going to get the glory, not Gideon. But that wasn't all, just a couple of verses later God had Gideon send all but 300 men home to assure that He would get the glory for winning these battles. God would handle this.
All of this reminds me of how precious a gift our position with the Lord is. If we trust in Christ Jesus for our salvation we are His sons and daughters. He writes our stories, provides all we need, works miracles, works out everything for our good and HE gets all the glory.
The Lord God is Awesome. And as we trudge through our 18th month of
this journey to adopt we know He is going to work it all out. My sweet
husband reminded me that we were called to do this. As many of you know
Jeff and I are heavily involved in local ministry so we get asked a lot,
why adopt internationally? We know there is a huge need here in our
very own country. Jeff and I feel strongly called to make an impact in
the sex slavery industry through international adoption which is what
led us originally to China after Jeffs mission trip to Thailand. But when we landed in Costa Rica things started to come together for us even more. In Costa Rica prostitution is
legal and it has become a hot spot for American and European "sex
tourism." Girls age out of orphanages at 16 years of age in Costa Rica
and unfortunately there is not yet and UNADOPTED program in that
country. The alternative is usually a life on the street and for most
girls its prostitution. Young virgin girls are a specialty service so
Jeff and I felt that the adoption of, what is considered an "older girl" in
Costa Rica, was exactly what God had led us to do.
So for now we will ask the Lord to give us humble hearts filled with joy and gratefulness. Our blessings are overwhelming!!! And as I meditate on all God has done, and is doing, through our children, homeless ministry, adoption, home school, and just in the everyday little things...I think.... how could we be discouraged at all?
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