Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The Wrong Orphans

It has been said to my face but more often behind my back with a hint of disapproval and a dose of disdain... that old standby response when people hear that we are adopting two orphans with special needs from another country...

“There are plenty of children in the United States that need adopting.”

What exactly are you trying to say? I know what the words mean, but I want to know what this statement, made under the circumstances of hearing about our adoption, means.

Are you saying we picked the wrong kids to rescue?

newchild

We are forever sacrificing our time and resources to save two orphans who are doomed to a life in a place worse than where we send our most violent criminal offenders, and you have the balls to critique us with a, “there are kids in the USA that need to be adopted”?

For real? You have something negative to say about us saving the lives of two innocent human beings? Seriously? You want to dicker with me about who deserves to be adopted and... who doesn't? You really wanna go there with me?

Listen, if your heart doesn’t break for children with special needs who are living in terrible conditions and facing even worse... If, for whatever your reasons are, you don’t want adopt one or help me save the two children we chose, that is ok. But don’t try to turn it around into something bad just because you don’t want to be a part of it.

pg1

And one day when God says to you, “For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me..." you can answer, “Sorry ‘bout that Lord, if only you had shown me your American passport.” Mat 25:42-45

15 comments:

Arizona mom to eight said...

Ah, I have heard it too, even from close (ex) friends and family. "Why not adopt a foster child, they need a family".

Short answer, we were not called to adopt a foster child. I do not think I was led to RR July 2006 for no reason, there was a plan, show me the suffering children without the love of a mommy and daddy and I cannot stand by and do nothing. God knew all He had to do was make me aware of the children. HIS children, children who could not live a full life where they were born. We brought two precious little girls home, we HAD to, end of story.

Cathy said...

I don't remember the Bible saying to take care of only American orphans and widows...hmmmmm. You are obeying HIS words...and that is never wrong!

The Sanchez Family said...

This gives me chills it makes me so mad....thank you for addressing it...thank you for explaining it so clearly....these children need help NO MATTER WHERE THEY COME FROM!!! Hang in there! You are doing an amazing thing. I will be donating some money for your girls this week through RR!!!!

Unknown said...

This pisses me off when people talk about adopting in the USA...yes you can adopt in the USA you can even do it for free through the foster care system..BUT we live in ONE WORLD!! and we have a place in our hearts for kiddos with Down Syndrome and that is OK! and we know that these kiddos will be un-adoptable at age 4! that means we need people to act fast and help these kiddos...next time someone says this show them of the PEOPLE (they r people) living in the bed they recieved when they were 4 and it has not changed and they are 24...humanity is it to much to ask?

Envyshope said...

How about a quick, "Why don't you?" The problem is that these people would not adopt on American child either. ALl children are God's children. We do not need to waste time argung about who is needier, do we??? All children deserve the love of a family.PERIOD! Good for you and blessings to you!

Lacey said...

We weren't goingto do international at first, but for another reason. Leaving Jax, which may indeed prove difficult! We tried for a DS baby here in the US, only to find that over 500 families wanted her! The DS babies here are well taken care of, we need to rescue these babies that will be doomed to death if we don't.

Melissa said...

I hate that people would say things like this, but I know that there are those who do. You are SAVING two little girls and really that's all that matters!

Holly W said...

These people don't realize that to adopt a baby with DS in the US the waiting list can be 2-4 years, but these poor babies overseas are being shut away because no one wants them...breaks me...
Your fam is amazing! Don't let anyone make you feel anything but fabulous for what you're doing

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

You're living like Jesus. Keep at it. Even when people don't get it, God does.

Oh, how I admire you.

God bless you and your growing, beautiful family.

Johnna said...

You remind me of my inspiring single friend who has adopted 3 children, two of whom have Down syndrome. She has never married, would love to be, but just keeps doing what she has been led to do. Before the adoption of the third, she asked me if I thought she was crazy. I told her she WOULD be crazy if she did not do what God was tugging at her heart to do. You go, girl!

Lisa S. said...

I know this was serious but I really had to laugh. I laughed because people are that ignorant. You are the best!!

SimplyDarlene said...

Amen, sister. There are no wrong orphans. God's love doesn't stop at the border. I will donate some more images from my international photography ministry, For The Least of These, to use for your continued fundraising to bring those babies home.

Blessings.

http://matthew2540.zenfolio.com/

Cindy said...

If everyone would help instead of hurt, if everyone helped instead of criticized...think what our WORLD could be. Thanks for the post.

Grizzly Bear said...

That statement totally ticks me off. When I post about kids from Reece's rainbow, I have received comments about why don't I post about kids here in the US... Really why the heck aren't you doing anything for any child.

I have a temper and that question was asked again.

Amy JD Hernandez said...

There is a boy named Buddy living in an orphanage in Eastern Russia. He has no chance of adoption by U.S. parents, thanks to Putin and his "concern". I think about him everyday and mostly, cry that I cannot help. I've hit roadblock after roadblock trying to support him without supporting the institutionalization of children. The world needs a paradigm shift. They need to see the value in all children, not just the lucky ones born without visible disabilities. You are a part of that shift. Thank you.

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