ONE IS TOO MANY!
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
In the next 60 seconds, 3 more children will join the ranks of the more than 140 million orphaned children in the world.
Will you stand in the gap and pray? Will you click here YOU CARING and tangibly say, “I’m IN!” Gathering my thoughts as I ring in the New Year from my $11 hostel gazing at the South African mountains from my bedroom window. RAISE YOUR HAND IF you want to see God multiply His 2015 release in 2016. KEEP YOUR HAND UP IF you don’t want to miss out! I’ve waited 3 years for my turn after putting it off the first time in 2013 to wait for a route in 20014 to go on a race in 2015 that I gave my YES to in 2008, to a God who relentlessly pursued me and won in 2000 ringing in the New Year and writing on New Year’s Day of 2016…with the audience of one in a God of multiplication ready to work another miracle for His glory. NO, I’m not going home early, and YES I’m still staying present. It’s month 7 as I write, and I don’t have a penny to my name that hasn’t come from the More Than Hearers in my life, those who love my heart, and the things of His. Month 7 of a journey that has marked me forever, namely wrecked by World Race. For so many years I have said out loud, “IT’S NOT YOUR TURN AND IT’S NOT YOUR TIME. TAKE YOUR POSITION!”…so I did. I threw the baby showers and stood in the gap to pray for the littles yet to be born, and the already snuggled with and adored. I’ve known since 18, both that I would be sent to the nations, and the nations would find her home with me. A much prayed for baby girl with a large wardrobe carrying memories from her mother’s many travels. 18 countries, as of May 20th. In 2013, I was in my last year of teaching and ready to begin the 12-18 month process, but I told God I knew missions and marriage could come first…so it did. THIS Namibian street art on the walls of Hope Village Orphanage in Katatura, Namibia says it all. An empty chair and a child left with questions. Orphans. Africa is littered with them and it wrecks me. Children orphaned by AIDS not once, but three times. I met them. I held them for hours in my arms. Imagine losing your mom, dad, and then your grandma, your safe haven, your promise of hope. What would go through your head each time someone picks you up? Would you smile or cower in fear that she too will leave you? So many times, left speechless. Many tears late into the night. Some even now as I write. Three years later at 33, I’ve done what I said I would do and I’m keeping the vows I’ve made. It’s never been a matter of IF with adoption. I’ve known my whole life. Just a matter of WHEN and WHO. God has confirmed Africa over and over again. I thought I was leaving in 2017 to do this process alone, but decided I want her older before we return to the mission field, and I don’t want to steal away my family’s joy of watching her grow. I already have a home both in Thailand and Namibia the moment I want to return…but I’m ready for home to be Georgia living an on the field off the field life that will not disappoint. She hasn’t a clue what she’s in for, but you already know and you’ve seen too much to doubt. Her school is in my basement, but I desire a little montessori, a little global world, and most likely a place specifically for missionary kids to be a part of something greater than themselves. If you’re asking yourself why 11/18/18 to mark completion of this event, ask me the story of the ring I wear, now sitting next to Africa on my right hand. Ask me to share stories carrying the number 18. This is not the date I believe I will have all the funds I need, but a date of celebration, because I knew He’d deliver no less than He’s ever done before. Remember World Race? Remember 11 months 11 countries, and Him releasing over $16,277 in 11 months of fundReleasing? Raise your hand if you want to see Him double His release. Keep your hand up if you want to play a role. Return to His faithfulness. I choose to operate in and out of HE IS ABLE…claiming 2 Corinthians 9:8. Do you want to see what He’ll do with your YES? Have you already had a glimpse? Like a puzzle, are you staying near to my story as He moves the pieces into place? I am because I know I AM. Chances are I’m following yours. His children, His masterpieces, His scattered people come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. She already has a place in my heart. I can’t wait to give her a place in my home. I am no less a mother for trusting His timing and following His lead before she has a father in my home. With His sense of humor God may deliver on both simultaneously. I am not wrong to take her from her culture, because I can’t have her without her nation, and all that makes her mine, will not trump the place she came from, always both teacher and student, I couldn’t keep her from it if I tried. No better or worse than domestic adoption. Simply put, ONE is too many! ONE waiting child is too many! ONE orphaned child is too many! ONE little girl thrown away, molested, rejected, dismissed, hungry, carrying AIDS from superstition’s cure carried out through rape is too many! ONE empty chair is too many! I am a voice for ONE, I write for ONE, and I live for the audience of ONE. ….and that ONE matters. This is an invitation. The ask is on me and the response is not. I just didn’t want you to miss out on the celebration. Pull up a chair or find a rug, perhaps a war room, and pray. It’s 2016 and I’m praising Him IN ADVANCE for safe travels, a job, a house, approved applications, completed medical forms, no government, illness, or injury distractions, a tangible passport and birth certificate with all necessary names, passing all home studies and social worker examinations, approved for Show Hope grant, court approvals, productive time spent in and out of country, and all finalized documents, resulting in a prayed for baby of 18 years in my arms before celebration day. Why? Because the story of my life is…AND THEN HE MOVED. ONE is too many!
