"And if you give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
"And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."
- Isaiah 58:10-11
There are at least 130 million orphans throughout the world.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves"
Proverbs 31:8a
1. “Adoption costs too much.”
Reality: Depending on the circumstances, the cost of adoption ranges from nothing upwards of $30,000. But you may not know just how much assistance is available for parents who adopt. For example, you can take advantage of the federal adoption tax credit.
Also, grants for thousands of dollars are often available to families pursuing adoption. Other options may include adoption funding programs at your place of employment, reductions in fees for special needs children, and financial assistance from your church. All these make adoption affordable for almost anyone willing to pursue the options available. In the end, if the Lord is calling you to adopt, He will provide the finances for your child.
"...for in you the fatherless find compassion."
Proverbs 14:32.
2. “Isn't there a great chance that a child's birth parents will get a child back after the adoption?”
Reality: In modern adoption, laws have been established that nearly eliminate this possibility. It is practically unheard of in international adoption. In domestic adoption and adoption out of foster care, this possibility can be avoided by obtaining competent legal advice. This kind of counsel will ensure that all legal papers are signed before the child is placed.
"The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Matthew 25:40
3. “Adopted children probably have many emotional issues I won't know how to handle.”
Reality: It's true that some children who have had traumatic experiences may have an increased chance of having emotional and behavioral issues. But the truth is that any child, adopted or biological, may present these types of challenges. Any hurt child, whether adopted or biological, desperately needs a Christian family to help him navigate through his difficulties from a biblical perspective. You might feel a certain child is beyond your ability to handle, but if you remain available to how God might want to use you, He will equip you to raise any child you are obedient to bring into your home.
"For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death."
Psalm 72:12
4. “I may not be able to love an adopted child as I would a biological child.”
Reality: While many people fear this very thing before adopting, it is difficult to find parents who actually do struggle with this issue after they've adopted. According to research, 95 percent of adoptive parents say they experience a strong attachment to their child. In addition, this same study concluded that adopted adolescents are as deeply attached to their adoptive parents and extended family as their non-adopted siblings (Growing Up Adopted study, Search Institute, Minneapolis, 1994).
"He defends the cause of the fatherless..."
Deuteronomy 10:18
Please visit this website to learn more about how you can care for orphans:
http://www.hopefororphans.org/
God has spoken. He wants his people to care for children who have no one. This is what he has always wanted.
