Our Adoption FAQ

Obviously since our little announcement a couple of weeks ago we’ve gotten a lot of questions about our choice to adopt internationally so I’m going to do our own little version of FAQ that will help explain where our hearts are on this just a little better. If I don’t cover something your wondering about feel free to ask!

Why Adoption?

“Pure and undefiled religion is this, that you visit widows and orphans in their trouble, and keep oneself undefiled from the world” James 1:27

The fact is God has a thing about orphans, he COMMANDS his believers to take care of them. That DOES NOT mean that God calls everyone to adopt. Russ and I feel a specific call to our family to reach out in love to a child and provide them with a home and unconditional love that they would not otherwise know. We understand that this is a radical answer to God’s command, but we cannot deny that this was something that was on both of our hearts long before we made this decision. This is just ONE way in which we plan to care for the orphans of the world and quite frankly it’s a drop in a leaking bucket.

This world has an orphan crisis. In case this has inspired you do to something please read this post for a list of ideas of how you can help.

What we are not doing is “saving”  or “rescuing” a child. We will not be raising an orphan. We will be raising a son. A child that has just as much right as Lily to get mad, to be frustrated with the rules, to have some not-so-grateful moments. That’s what children do  and that is all part of being in a family. Which is the whole point.

Why Uganda?

2% of the Total population in Uganda is orphaned. War, famine, AIDS and disease have caused orphanages to be overcrowded and basic needs to remain unmet. This country has made huge leaps in all of these areas, but the fact remains that the beautiful and powerful children of this country need PARENTS.

Unfortunately, while the majority of conflict in this area has abated the orphans in this country are still at risk for being forced in to service in guerrilla armies, sold into child slavery.

Because there aren’t even enough families in Uganda to take care in all of the orphaned children there.

We understand that a trans-cultural, trans-racial adoption will come with a lot of baggage. We are going to prepare ourselves to deal with this the best we can and trust that God will have it all in His hands.

What Now?

Now we begin swimming in an ocean of paperwork and bureaucracy. The adoption process will take anywhere from 15 to 24 months. There will undoubtedly be setbacks and heartbreaks. There will be much hurry up and wait. We will be opened up and exposed to strangers that will ask us any and everything about not only our life now, but our entire life history. We will send our life story to Uganda and pray that they see us fit to adopt.  Mostly we will be continually surrendering to the Lord.

Anything Else?

Yes. Actually. Until we started researching this I didn’t realize that this was considered somewhat controversial. There are some that would say that white parents shouldn’t adopt black children. They say these children should stay in their own country, that families there would be better for them.

To that I say I TOTALLY AGREE.

But that’s not happening. That CAN’T happen with the current economic and situation. This is just the next best option. Because I’ve read and watched personal accounts of what institutional life can do to a child anywhere. I believe in my heart that FAMILY IS ALWAYS A BETTER CHOICE.

So as we said earlier we ask for your prayers and support. This is all in God’s hands no matter how it all turns out so please pray for us and our son as often as you think of it!