We were standing outside an orphanage, waiting for the drivers to unload our donations. I stood by like a helpless American while they hefted huge boxes down from the tops of their vans. A nearby window was open and there's nothing like a group of ferengis* to draw a crowd. In mere moments, the window was crowded to capacity with little arms straining to reach us. Their noses were drippy, their clothes were dingy and their eyes held unreserved, unwavering hope. They all said the same haunting word over and over.
Ah-by-ay, ah-by-ay, ah-by-ay...
Daddy? Daddy? Daddy?
Are you my daddy?
As hard as it was to leave Sophia behind, it was bitterly more heartbreaking to leave these children. Sophia had a family. She was desired, loved and cherished. I was coming back for her. No one was coming for these children. Despite this horrible truth, their hope remained undimmed during our entire visit at their orphanage.
I firmly believe there are people reading these words, knowing God is telling you it's time. Your family is missing someone around the dinner table. Your movie nights need another child snuggled next to you on the couch. There's one more stocking to add to the mantel.
And somewhere there is a child waiting for you to be their ah-by-ay and eh-my-ay.**
Irreparably Broken For The Better,
Cynthia
P.S. I want to address ways other than adoption to help the orphan, but first will you please, please, please with a cherry on top spend earnest time in prayer, seeking God's heart for your family and keeping an open mind?
*Amharic for "non-black foreigner".
**It's probably obvious, but Amharic for "daddy" and "mama".
aye....prayer it is.
ReplyDeleteI know you will, and I am praying too. God is scripting something A-MA-ZING for your family!!
Deletethat He is!
DeleteAndrew refers to his calling to ministry in similar terms...he says God has wrecked all other careers for him. He has a way of making our paths known!
DeleteWe took a huge leap of faith by committing to adopt Nico. We are not wealthy. We struggle. We have 4 kids already. But God told us to go, and after months of resistance, we listened. IT's hard. But it's doable.
ReplyDeleteI do not know how I will handle all the babies we will leave behind. I wish we could bring home more than one, but I don't know if it's possible. I pray constantly for all the children waiting. Hopefully someday the word orphan will be only a memory for this broken world.
Kara, you will be crushed, but you won't want it any other way.
DeleteGod's way is always doable...even when it isn't!
Cynthia, I LOVE reading your story and the positive influence that you have on others. You and your daughter are matched perfectly, God had a plan. Larry and I are adopting through foster care and hopefully as long as all goes well, by this time next year, my boys will be permanently mine and no longer a ward of the state just living in my home.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kris! I can't wait to hear your good news!!!! God is working out the details.
DeleteLove your broken heart - praying!
ReplyDelete