Adoption Makes A Difference

Just in case you weren't sure........

The camp we work at - Uskichitto Retreat Center (Christian Camp & Retreat)...offers scholarships to all those in foster care. It is actually something Jason and I wanted to do :) Through the years I can't tell you the number of times we have really had children whose lives have been changed. They have truly experienced - some of them for the first time - God's presence.

This last week we had a young lady we'll call her A. She was sweet, and like a lot of the other campers she came up to me and wanted to see our sweet Joanna close up during meal time. She started saying that she thought what we were doing was so great. I said- thanks, but she insisted. She said you don't understand what I am saying fully.

She said for the last 2 years I have been in foster care. The home I am in now welcomed me and accepted me as their own. Much different from the rest. I am being adopted. You know last night you were sharing your testimony about losing Naomi and God's wonderful gift of Joanna. Well that is how I feel. To have your own mother say she doesn't want you was really hard. To be tossed around the system was not fun. But to be somewhere that you know is HOME. To have a family that you love. To take their last name and claim it as yours. To be given love unconditionally and be told we want to adopt you. It is the best feeling.

So when I say that what you are doing for your children is great I mean it. I mean it because even though they many not completely understand now, they will know that you wanted them. That you claimed them, and fought for them.

I have had many campers touch my heart in very real ways.....but she will be forever in my heart. HEAR HER WORDS!!! When you have taken in a child- IT MEANS THE WORLD! Now we still have a lot of work to do there are 147 million orphans! That means there are sooooo many that are still NEEDING HOMES, FAMILIES, and LOVE!

Just in case you wondered if what you are doing through adoption is worth it. The answer is YES!!!!!! Yes a million times over. Just in case you were wondering!