A Few More Thoughts

Elizabeth and Elijah are recouping from strep. Liberty is throwing up. Dw went for a little while to work on the house. He’s back and he, Tyler and Graham are watching college football. (Sarah’s gone shopping with her sisters and mom.) That’s all Tyler wanted to do when he came home. Watch football with his dad. Sweet memories in the making.
As I’ve been doing chores and caring for the little ones, I’ve been doing alot of praying and talking to the Lord. Yesterday I know that many of you read about the situation unfolding in Canada regarding Ugandan adoptions. Several of you said that you would join in fasting and/or prayer.

I feel that I need to share my heart a bit more. When I learned of what was happening to J and C,  I knew the time was right to share what God has been nudging me about for awhile now and so I wrote yesterday’s post. But today I need to explain a bit more. Here’s what has been whirling around in my heart for months…..bear with me, will you? For months I have been feeling that God’s hand of mercy has been on America/Canada etc. regarding the orphan. But I am feeling more convinced than ever that His hand of mercy is being lifted and His hand of judgment is coming. I don’t write those words lightly sweet bloggy friends.
Take for example: Many years ago prayer was removed from public schools. I was a little girl in school, but I often wonder how many questioned the decision. Some may have questioned, but most, just sat with their jaws dropped and said, “How’d they do that?”
I am convinced that we as Christians have been so concerned over the years that we would offend people that we have said nothing. Our rights have been slowly stolen away as most have sat idly by. The United States of America was formed by those who gave up everything familiar (homes, jobs, families) to come to America seeking religious freedom. Yet, only a little over 200 years later, we Christians are quickly becoming the most oppressed (not persecuted, but oppressed) people in our “free” land.
And so it is seeming to go with adoption. There are now 147 million orphans in the world. In recent years the hearts of God’s people have begun to stir for the orphan. But really, think about it…….there wouldn’t have gotten to be 147 million orphans in the world if the vast majority of Christians had said, many, many, years ago – “NOT ON MY WATCH! – We WILL defend the orphan, we will get on our knees and pray(!), we will open our homes to the orphans, we will stop this injustice!”

Not so long ago if someone was adopting Jesus-loving Christians whispered, “Ohhhhhh…wow….they’re adopting….” And it was whispered back, “Ummmmm, why? Can’t they have kids of their own?” Very, very few were genuinely concerned for the orphan. Really, why would anyone be concerned, it didn’t affect them. It would be inconveniencing to care. Everyone had a life. Their own life. And most often, two children (max!) fit into their lifestyle.

But I believe that God has given our wealthy Western world Christians one last chance. No kidding. I feel like He said, “Their parents hearts have hardened…..so I’m going to stir the hearts of young people for the orphan and see if their parents generation of America/Canada/Australia, etc. will wake up for the orphan. I am going to fill some young people’s hearts with compassion for the 147 million orphans. I am going to see if their parents will wake up. I am going to see if their pastors will wake up. I am going to see if their peers will wake up. I am going to give them one last chance!”

As many of you know, Steven Curtis Chapman’s oldest daughter Emily’s heart was so moved for the orphan that she hounded her parents to consider adoption. Years later, they had three Chinese little girls and a huge special needs hospital built in China, not to mention an entire ministry dedicated to helping others adopt. What amazing things will happen when a young girl’s heart is yielded to her Master – the defender of Orphans a/k/a Almighty God. (And many of you heard the call to adopt at a Steven Curtis Chapman concert – again, as a direct result of his daughter Emily’s passion for the orphan.)
I know of another couple who Dw and I had the privilege of meeting recently. They told us how their oldest son went on a missions trip to Russia and upon returning home convinced his almost empty-nest parents that they had to open their home to an orphan. They eventually adopted from Russia and maybe one day will adopt again. All because a young man was stirred by Almighty God.
And more people have been waking up. Their hearts have been stirred. Some have gotten so passionate for the orphan that they are now labeled as “obsessed”….but the funny thing is that God’s word is filled with just how we are supposed to care for the orphan – we are supposed to be passionately obsessed!! He is crazy about the orphan, He is grieved about the injustices done to them and He is waiting for those to rise up and say, “enough!!”

I am convinced that the countries that are making it more and more difficult for orphans to be adopted are a direct result of the judgment Hand of God. I am equally convinced that He is waiting to see what we, the body of Christ, will do. Will we turn a deaf ear and say, ‘Canada must have a good reason to stop processing VISA’s.” OR WILL BE SAY – Not on our watch!! At the risk of losing every bloggy friend out there – – I will be a passionately obsessed voice for the orphan – No. Matter.What!!!

God’s greatest commandments are these: First, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. Second, Love your neighbor as yourself. At the risk of stepping on toes, really sweet bloggy friends, most of what we do is a giant waste of time – almost all the “stuff” that fills our time. Our stuff distracts from loving God and our stuff distracts from loving others. Our stuff steals our time. Our stuff costs us valuable energy. If it isn’t done with pleasing Him first and foremost and ministering to the less fortunate – then it is a time and energy sucker. And with no time and energy we have nothing left over to do what really counts, ya’ know?
So I believe, with all my heart that God is watching us and waiting. What will we do with the information that Canada will not process VISA’s for children from Uganda? Will we pray? Will we get on our knees and beg God to intervene? Will we fast? Will we tell others of what is happening? OR Will we turn a deaf ear? Will we ignore it? Will we rationalize it and say, “Ummm Canada must have a good reason! It’ll all work out. I am sooooo busy, you just have no idea! “

I refuse to have my children to someday say to me, “What did you do mom when America stopped allowing orphans to come home?” and have me say, “Ummm, I was busy. I didn’t notice. You have no idea how busy I was. I was going to lunch with my friends, taking classes, walking in the woods, scrapbooking, blogging, volunteering, teaching Sunday School, etc. I just didn’t have time and I thought someone else would do it for me.”
No, I can’t do that and I must do something. I trust you have heard my heart. That you know that I don’t say these things flippantly.

Just this morning I received an email from a bloggy friend, Kathy.
Thank you Kathy for writing and sending me the link to this front page (yesterday)
article from her British Columbia newspaper.
Here is the title:
Canadian bureaucrats strand Surrey parents in Nepal with adopted daughter
The article goes on to explain how this cardiologist and her husband have done all to bring their daughter home, but now the Immigration services in Canada has halted it, stranding them in Nepal with their newly adopted daughter.
Anyway, I felt compelled to share my heart with all of you. This is serious friends, it’s serious. The situation is definately not too difficult for our God. It is not too difficult at all. BUT what we do with this situation and others will directly relate to what God allows in the future no doubt.

I believe if we don’t act on behalf of the orphan now we will watch as the Western World slowly stops allowing precious treasures (also known as orphans) come home to families waiting.
Will you keep pleading with me on behalf of the orphan? On behalf of J (and C) in Uganda and all the desperately trying to bring their little ones home to their forever families?

58 thoughts on “A Few More Thoughts

  1. This is the first time I have commented on your blog. I have enjoyed reading it for a bit now.

    Praying for the situation in Canada. I loved your post and completely agree with it.

    I am mom to a combo of bio and adopted children. Mom to an foreign exchange student and mom to some foster kids.

    We are looking at going back to either China or Ethiopia, haven't considered Uganda, maybe we should. I'll have to check it out

    Thanks for blessing me with your blog.

  2. Linny, you said what I've been feeling for quite some time. As Christians we stand on the sideline and don't do anything when our freedoms are gone. Then we complain because they are. I WILL STAND WITH YOU and fight for the orphans. I will pray for them, fast for them and do anything I can to get our parliamentarians to change these visa laws.

    I'm reading a book right now titled The Hole in our Gospel. Richard Stearns talks about the orphan and the poor. Dynamite book!!

    Hugs and thanks for bringing this to the forefront. Don't ever stop!!

  3. As a 19 (and a half) year old girl who is longingly counting down the days until I am old enough to adopt and/or foster (with or without a husband)… I am most definitely among the "obsessed" and the praying. (I've been realizing lately that it is entirely possible that one, or more, of my children might actually be born/growing in their birth mother right this moment!)

    Do you have any news links on the whole situation in Canada? I have several Canadian friends that have a heart for orphans, as well, but before they can bug their government, they want more information about what exactly is going on. Please let me know.

    -Stephanie

  4. Hey there friend of God, friend of the orphan,

    We're sooo with you on this. God keeps waking us in the night hours to wrestle in prayer for the poor, oppressed, for widows and orphans.

    We're doing the "Orphan Sunday" at our church tomorrow – Mark and I are sharing a communion message about adoption. Please pray.

    God bless, Emma!
    God bless your whole rock'in, cool family!
    Lisa

  5. Thanks Linny for writing this post. How many times do I hear Christians around me saying, "Oh that's so nice you adopted Philip, but I could never do that!" It blows my mind! And it hurts my heart for the orphans around the world.

    In Christ,
    Janet, Kevin, Ted,Philip, and waiting for our Eli

  6. Hey Linny,
    Thank you for your courage and boldness to proclaim the TRUTH!
    I will stand beside all the other "obsessed" people and believe God to move mountains on behalf of the orphan.
    Thank you for rallying us to prayer and fasting… It IS huge; this IS a foothold that we do not want the enemy to get…….
    Love you!

  7. Linny –

    Who do we contact? Who in Canada is involved with or can impact the moratorium? What is their "reason"?

    Who do we write? And which "king" do we pray for that God will turn his heart?

  8. I have been struggling with many aspects of adoption for years. I am nearly 3 years into the wait for my daughter and I am broken about the many babies who are just laying in orphanages…with no one…all because of bureacratic junk! It's wrong and it is not of God! Linny…I am with you! on my knees for children of God all over the world!~

  9. Linn, YES! I agree with you! I was saying almost the same thing to Curt last night. I was soooooo wound up over this exact thing after reading "kisses from Katie"…I LOVE HER! Anyway, I found myself almost yelling over the fact that Christians will not boldly move out of their comfort zone and just do it! I was even asking why the Lord WHY HE won't move more tremendously for the orphan? I believe you are right dear friend. Our time is short here and frankly is running out. I posted about the Canada issue to my FB. Praying about this. THANK YOU FOR BEING SO BOLD AND HITTING US OVER THE HEAD WITH THIS….WE NEED IT! LOVE YOU!

  10. Thank you Linny for sharing your heart. My heart is right there with you and I am hoping I can start an adoption ministry in our church. I feel it is our responsibilities as Christians to step up and bring His children home.

  11. Linn,
    I feel so burdened as I write. Reading your blog and seeing those sweet pictures of all of those babies in China and all of those cribs and what is happening with children just pains me. God and I have needed to talk about this stuff for a while and I have to confess that my busy life has distracted me from this conversation. I will pray on behalf of your friends in Canada needing to adopt. I will bring this issue to the Lord because it is important and needed. I will pray… thank you so much for continuing to share your heart about such important things. I am praying girlfriend… hard. I will also fast. Love you, jen

  12. Linny I can't even begin to explain what feelings and emotions I've been having. For so many years I have had this weird nagging about adopting, but it seems I've always been pregnant, 5 kids in 11 years, when could I fit in adoption. But I could never shake the feeling like I was supposed to adopt or be involved in some way. Then came Emilia and then came you, and then came like everyone I am associated with in blogland, telling how they to want to adopt or are in the process of adopting. I found myself surrounded by it. Then came the biggie, my hubby announcing that he too thinks we should adopt! I really feel like I am a part of something God has planned. I finally feel like I am on the road that God intended me to be on. I'm with you Linny, whatever it takes. My greatest fear is to stand before Jesus and have Him say, why didn't you do something. You could have made a difference. I'll fast and pray, and do whatever else is needed of me.
    With each of my children my heart has grown bigger and bigger, but with Em it nearly exploded with love. You know my heart is with the orphan with special needs, Where ever I am needed I will go.

  13. Thank you Linn! Thank you so much for your friendship, your support and your action! It is nice to be surrounded (even if only in cyber space) by fellow believers. I appreciate you joining us in this battle. I too, cannot be silent about this. Thank you for helping me plead with God to bring our kids home and for all those yet to come behind me or other here with me. To God be the glory!!

    In Uganda fighting,

    James

  14. Amen! My heart is heavy and I'm on my knees for James and Cheremi, and for many others who may be in their situation. I missed yesterday's post so I'm just now catching up, but I will be fasting on Monday and will continually be covering this in prayer.

    Please keep us posted and let us know if there's anyone we need to contact on their behalf.

    Much Love,
    Kathie from Georgia

  15. Oh LInny,

    Thank you for your words–reading though the comments shows me that many hearts are praying in one accord. Seeing James' comment–it's tough–keep fighting James! Don't give up.

    We have a huge responsibility as believers, HUGE. Thank you for pushing us forward Linn.

    "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of ALL who are destitute." Proverbs 31:8

    Love you friend ~

    Praying.

    Tina

  16. Well said- I have been feeling all day as though we/I "are fiddling while Rome burns". Like multiple tidal waves roaring over the 'beach' of all we thought was rock… our way of life in the US, our Constitution with it's amazing freedoms and balance of powers, our ability to to speak God's Word without fear of retribution from the government, and now, perhaps our privilege to share the joys Christian love through adoption… these things we count dear are as sand being swept to sea. The demonic "waves" are ideologies and consequently world views and actions that are absolutely and finally opposed to the God revealed in the Scriptures. Beneath the beach sand there is the bedrock of God's Word and His faithfulness to do as He has promised. He will answer our prayers for the orphans. Our battle for now is on our knees and this war may escalate to more, I hope not. Have you seen the Manhattan doctrine?
    May the Lord give us strength and wisdom to do what we must do!
    Caroline

  17. We will keep the prayers coming. We just sent our application in to adopt in rwanda. We have 4 little ones at home under 6. We are so excited. do have any tips for fundraising? I follow your blog and I talk about you to others like your my best friend. We love your family. thanks for sharing! We love you!

  18. I can hardly keep from jumping up and down and shout "YES"!!! Actually, I wont!!! Wow…you would not believe how the LORD has been saying these very things to me and what He has been showing me this week…I'm linking to you again and then must post what the LORD has been showing me…
    your sister in Christ who is;
    obsessed, crazy, passionately, gripped, fanatically, preoccupied and possessed by the LOVE OF THE LORD for the defense of the orphans,
    Shonni

  19. Thank you Linny for this post- it is time to wake up and pull together, pray together and work together for the God's tiny treasures.

    Thank you for your huge heart for the children and for helping us help them.

    Praying with you!

  20. Linny – I LOVE that you speak your heart and share what God is telling you. I think we all need to hear the truth and I bless you for speaking it. Truly an inspiration to me.

    I completely agree with EVERYTHING you have said. And I too have felt a spiritual "shift" in the adoption world. It seems like what used to be an 'easy' (and I use the word lightly) endevour has turned into a hard, grinding process. Governments saying "no" to adoptive parents, visas being denied, it all hurts the goal to getting these precious children "home!"
    If we all band together and pray/fast for those who are in process and for the children that yet need families, I too believe that HE will intervene.

    I read somewhere that if 7% of the 2 Billion Christians adopted one child, there would be NO MORE ORPHANS in the world. Staggering, isn't it?

  21. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. This brings tears to my eyes. Adoption at first seemed like our second choice, but now we've talked and know that this is now our first choice. Not a second or last. We've heard that alot from others when they hear we are adopting and say, "Oh, you must not be able to have kids." We love our child wherever they are & are trying our best to get to them ASAP! I will be praying and fasting for the orphan. I don't want to look back and say I didn't have time.
    Thank you again!

  22. Thank you, dear Linny. Don't worry about stepping on toes–one of the things we are supposed to do for our friends is encourage and admonish them to do what is right, isn't it? And you are so faithful to do that for us. I am praying, for this situation and as always for sweet Jubilee, and I will be fasting tomorrow.

    Sarah

  23. Friend…your heart…your honesty…so needed in this world. So needed for me.

    Thank you for standing on the front lines, fighting for these children. Thank you for openinging my eyes to this. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

    Standing alongside you in storming heaven. Begging God to stir Canadian and government administrations worldwide. Pleading He continues to stir the hearts of families.

  24. Oh, Linny, that the body of Christ would be the hands and heart of Christ in this world.
    I have a burden for the children of South Africa, too, after being there, and knowing adoption from South Africa is not possible right now.
    I will join in prayer tomorrow, just reading tonight on Sunday, with a tummy far too full…..I pray the LORD will open the eyes of our hearts!
    Robbie

  25. I'm praying with you and for you! We will continue to pray until, we have no breath left!

    Psalm 82:3
    Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afficted and needy.

    Psalm 82:4
    Deliever the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.

    Trusting God to do this,

    Michelle

  26. Amen sister! I agree! I have a friend who was just telling me the other day how they would adopt if they could afford it. I don't think Americans have ANY idea how most of the world lives. They CAN afford it! And those who can't adopt can still sponsor a child or Christian orphan car ministry. I have such a heart for the orphan, as well!

  27. Linny,
    Bless your heart you are a warrior of God. I don't know you but I love you. I love your honesty and your courage to put into words what God has put in your heart. I have 6 kids, 1 adopted. I have been praying that God opens the door to another adoption and am currently looking into special needs China. Personally I don't believe that Christians are doing enough to look after orphans. So many people tell me how great it is that we've adopted and than others say they would do it but can't afford it. We spend our money on so many unnecessary things why not invest our money into another human being? I will pray for this family and I continue to pray for your Jubilee.
    God bless you Linny!

  28. The word is powerful and living – cutting between flesh and spirit!

    There will always be those offended by truth – yet it sets us free!

    Keep sharing His truth and God will do the rest no need to apologize for speaking what He has placed in your heart.

    I'm praying on sharing His truths about adoption from a point of view not many want to discuss and I could use some prayer coverage.

    This Momma of 9 – 7 times through the blessing of adoption hears His voice loud and clear on how He feels about the orphans and widows too!

    Love and blessings – did you ever post photos of your new home built by God? If so, I would be blessed to see since following along your story since last year!
    Jill

  29. I wish I could be actively involved. I have wished that for years. But I can pray and I will keep praying, even more fervently now that I know these specific requests. I hope you and yours begin feeling better soon. God bless you all.

  30. Hi Linny-

    I spoke to one of the moms this morning. She will find out if she will get her sons visa or not this week.
    In the meantime, she is going to go see our contact at the US Embassy in Kampala about getting a visitor's visa to the US for her son. The Canadian Embassy might be easier to work with here, than the one in Nairobi.
    The children can leave Uganda, they just can't GO to Canada..

    If the children can be given visa's to the US, Maybe we can pray about finding these children Host families? That way they are closer to their parents and families? This is what I've been praying about, if the visa's to Canada are not granted. Will know more by the end of this week!

    ~Kathryn

  31. AMEN!!! I just came to your blog from Shonni's and I couldn't agree with you more. LOVE your heart and your passion. Can I say it again? AMEN!!!

  32. Linny,
    I've been following your blog since about a week after you came home from Uganda with your two littlest ones. I prayed for you so after the fire, emergency surgery for Graham, and the loss of your dog.
    As a mother of two (very soon to be three) precious angels from China, I share in your passion for the overlooked children of the world. My husband and I spent time on our knees last night and will be getting our prayer warrior friends in on the action. If there are any further things we can do in addition to prayer, please let us know!
    Oh how I wish I had the blessing of being able to write the way you do…
    Kristi

  33. I truly think that our brains are linked in some way, these exacts thoughts, exacts words all of it is what is on my heart all of the time and I am guilty of really doing nothin, sure we are adopting from China and this is my second adoption but with all of the things that we Christians have just sat by and let happen it kills me a little more and more everyday. And I dont know what to do other than pray and pray is what I will do, I wish there was an email address that we had in Canada to just load up their in boxes with support of this family and support of the "Visa" situation. Linny thank you so much for posting this. God bless you. You are an incredible woman.

    Love and blessings, Kristy

  34. AMEN!!

    And I haven't shared this with anyone yet on my own blog, and precious few friends in real life…

    …but both my husband and myself felt led very strongly to start an orphanage of sorts RIGHT HERE! I thought it was supposed to be overseas, and we would move and live there….

    ….but I'm being prompted ever more to begin a Children's home right here in the United States.

    I have no idea how, my husband is still unemployed at the moment. This is a GOD-SIZED plan that ONLY God Himself can do.

    But we are so willing. I'd even sell my much-beloved home to begin the process. And that tells me it's God! LOL

  35. I am one of those young people with a love and ache for the orphans. What I want to be when I grow up is a Mama to adopted children. My heart is also for the children and orphans who captivated me in Africa.
    I live in Canada and desperately want to be able to adopt from Africa in the future. Thanks for all your prayer and intercession. I am on my knees.

    Em

  36. I am one of those "people" you describe who have an "urging" to adopt. I was slightly obsessed about Haiti and look what has happened. I feel God is giving me another sign with this post…I just need to make sure I don't ignore it…or blow it! Thank you!

  37. Love this post! Thank you for passing along your passion for God's precious orphans. I, too, have a story about God stirring the hearts of the young. When we were considering having a 3rd child of our own, our 4-year-old son told us at bedtime prayer time that God told him that we have to pray for a baby that is "way far away". This began a series of dramatic confirmations from the Lord that we were to adopt. Two years ago this month, we brought home our new 5-year-old daughter from Ukraine. And what a mountain-moving, miracle-laced story that was!
    Thank you for boldly speaking the heart of the Father.

  38. I am a first-time reader, but this won't be the last time! I plan to continue watching Jesus work in your family as you minister to others.

    Thanks for being 'passionately obsessed' and for challenging other to be the same. You are a blessed mother and please know that you are blessing others.

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