Trials are not enemies of faith but are opportunities to prove
God's faithfulness. -- Author Unknown

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one
to say 'thank you?' -- William A. Ward

Monday, May 16, 2011

Christianity, Adoption and Birth Family Loss

I've encountered a situation in my life that I've had a unique perspective because of our adoptions and that has made me rethink some things in the life of our family.
First let me start with a short explanation. I'm a new Christian. I've always believed in God. I knew about Jesus. I did believe. I didn't however "get it". I wasn't really raised in a church. I knew sunday school bible stories, but didn't know that people, other than scholars, read and studied their bible. I just had never seen it.
Then, while waiting for Ananya, I found a website called "Biblical Womanhood" (unfortunately the author has now deleted the blog). I started reading about a push back against feminism, biblical marriage, and of course Biblical Womanhood. This was definitely not how I was raised. Most of this was new to me. Then much later, I found a challenge to read the bible in 90 days. I dove right in and was hooked. That 90 days changed my life. I did the challenge one more time. I brought a friend down the journey that time and we both were changed. I'm completely changed from the inside out.
Now onto the topic at hand.
I've discovered that by adopting children from a country with little christian influence, our children will experience another loss. One that isn't discussed much. I've never read about it in adoption literature. What about if our children's parents don't believe? What if no one reaches them? Logically, as believers, we know. If no one reaches our children's reaches our children's birth parents, then they are lost. FOREVER. I hate that thought. There are 3 women who I pray will be reached.
This realization has changed my perspective. I know orphan care is important. Supporting the poor is vital. Of new importance to me is the fact that my family needs to support local missionaries. Men and women in the areas my children are from who are working hard and risking their lives to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I just have to pray every day that someone can reach them. I just have to pray that my children will not be without their birth family for eternity.
All of this is going on in my mind right now. One day my kids will understand all of this. One day my kids will get that they may be separated from their birth family for eternity. There probably won't be a chance for them to tell their birth parents about Jesus.
Its hard. For right now, my kids don't understand any of this. Birth parents have been lost in a sea of doctors appointments and therapy sessions. They know about India and being adopted. But birth families is just beyond their comprehension.
Right now, I'm worrying and thinking of all this for them. Right now, a friend of mine has brought this to my attention through personal circumstances. Right now, I'm praying for my friend's salvation. Right now, I'm praying my friend will come home safely from a very dangerous place they are traveling with the military. Right now, I am on my face daily begging for my friend, as well as the birth parents of all my children.
I have no idea how many beloved people I have lost to Satan. I am afraid that my friend won't be reached in time because they have lost someone close. My friend was too young to know Jesus. Therefore there was no way to witness to the person they lost. Now, they are facing another loss. A loss that rivals the first one. Too young to have to have dealt with this let alone to face it again. I pray for someone to reach my friend. A 20 year friendship. Great talent and great passion. This one I don't want to lose.
I'm sure other people have thought about this. I'm not the first to travel this road.
All I can ask is for prayers. For my friend. Salvation and safety. If salvation comes, then the loss won't be eternal.
Secondly, prayers and help. Help to support the missionaries facing death and abuse to spread the Gospel.
Today, I'm begging God to become so real that its impossible to deny his existence. There are some very important people I would like to spend eternity with. Salvation is a beautiful thing. I'm so happy that I know it is spreading. Just please save a few important people for me.

5 comments:

Traci said...

I love your heart for the lost. I prayed for you, for your friend and will now pray for the birth parents of my daughter even more.
Thanks, Amanda - Traci G.

Arnold family said...

Thanks for helping me remember the birth parents and their salvation. My last trip to India just broke my heart for all of the lost souls and they are so isolated from any truth, so hard to reach.
Holly:)
www.arnoldfamilynews.blogspot.com

Peter and Nancy said...

Our non-adopted kids have already asked questions about family members who don't know Christ -- I think you're right, that our children born in India will one day have the same questions. We do support one Indian missionary couple, but they're in a different part than Kolkata. There's a lot to think about.
Nancy

Unknown said...

LOVED this!

Mama D.'s Dozen said...

What a beautiful post!

We have supported Gospel for Asia for the past 20 or so years. They have native missionaries all over India, preaching the gospel ... leading the lost to Our Savior. You may want to consider supporting them, as well.

Laurel