facts

I have prayed and prayed that You would remove my desire to adopt if it isn't what You have for me...and I become more and more convicted...more and more willing...more and more anxious to be a part of it.  The time I have spent reading about a ministry in Uganda has broken me even further.  Certain facts have hit me hard, Lord, and thankfully have left me changed.

The fact that parents will often not name their children because they are not valued and are expected to die.  The fact that children thought to be 'lame' are actually only suffering from malnutrition.  The fact that boys sold into slavery to be soldiers are now, after the war, considered outcasts and shunned- left to the streets to be hungry.  The fact that stepmothers who have the provisions to care for their stepchildren will chose not to do so because they are not related by blood. The fact that a mother will actually believe her small baby girl is cursed and refuse to feed her or show her compassion.  The fact that there are more self-professing, born again Christians in this world than orphans, and if only 8% of us would take ONE child in, there would be no orphans.  That last one blows my mind.

And I am restless because of it.  At this point I can't imagine not being involved with orphans in Africa in one way or another...even if I can't see the 'how' I definitely understand and believe in the why...and the who.

These facts have disrupted me and who I am...they call me to act.  A dear friend recently said You will eventually hold us accountable on how we respond to Your orphans...how we respond to You.  Enable me to be a good and faithful servant, Lord.  Go ahead of me and guide me to the children who need me...who need You...who need to know we love them...with all our hearts.

For the struggles of impoverished orphans need to be my struggles.  I must fight on their behalf.  I absolutely have to.