I’ve been praying for all the orphans around the world, especially ones we will be ministering to on our trip. Trying to prepare my heart, not for the ministering part, but the leaving them part. (Taking the gospel is the easy part, it’s leaving the people that is hard). Ever since I’ve been doing missions I’ve had a heart for adopting. I’ve always said I wish I could bring all of the orphans home with me in my suitcase. I say things like, “If I could bring one home from every country I go to, I would.” And then my mom responds something like, “Maggie they aren’t souvenirs, they are human beings. You aren’t Angelina Jolie.” And I say, “yes ma’am I know (insert sad face)”.
It’s a joke among my friends that I’m going to bring home 11 kids, one from each country. They think I’m going to be the next Mrs.Duggar- with 19 kids and counting. My husband even put on a list of “expectations for marriage”- “I will not come home to a random little kid staring at me with arms reached out saying,…Daddy!” hahaha.
The truth is, every mission trip I’ve ever been on I’ve fell in love with a beautiful little one who needed parents. It is like THEY chose YOU! They attach to you and will not take their eyes off you when you are around. They soak up every word you say and soak up all the love you give them. As much as they’ve been abused or hurt, the ones that pick you seem to accept your love and give it so freely. It is really amazing. The gut wrenching part is when you have to leave them and go back to your “normal” life knowing what a difference you could have made. Rips my heart out every time.
On my previous trips, (actually many times in the states as well) I’ve always wished I were older so I could put my whole life on hold to be their mommy. I want to show them who this wonderful God is that sent us to share with them His love. That He is the best Daddy in the world and He died for them! I feel like adoption is a wonderful picture of God’s love for us. He fought hard to adopt me and all these beautiful kids are His also, and I know He wants His church to fight for them and love them.
The things I’ve been able to do are raise awareness, continue to encourage these kids by writing letters, support them financially, and pray. After that God whispers to me, that although one day I will be able to adopt kids like these, that I am to love them and give them over to Him. I get so burdened and it is so hard for me to lay it at His feet and leave it there. I want to give it to Him, but then next time I pray I’ll pick it right up all over again! He knows I cannot save them all and adopt them all. But He can. Sometimes I get so burdened and say God, do you see that? And He says, “Maggie, I know. I love them more than you do! I created them!” Then He gives me peace. He is my Sabbath and He is my rest. I can trust Him, and so can they! Hallelujah!
As Christians, I do believe we are called to either adopt or support orphans. If you are interested in supporting orphans, one of my favorite organizations is Holt International (you can support kids until they are adopted or help raise money for couples adopting). The neatest part is when they get adopted you can rejoice that they got a new family and you get another kid to support! Another organization is Compassion. I love this because it is really personal. You get to write back and forth, send pictures, and pour into the life of a kid in need. You can even visit them if you want.
