Where’d Ya Go?

When I began writing our Place Called Simplicity, I meant it to be a journal to my family.  Just a place to share my thoughts about the people I love, the miracles we have seen God work and the things I am most passionate about.   Never would I have dreamed, not even in a million years, that God would turn it into a ministry.

There is no one more surprised than me.  Promise.

Of course, being a mom of 12 treasures, nine adopted from around the world,  there would be no way that adoption and the orphan crisis would not be a topic as I wrote for my family.  It’s who we are. It’s what we live.

It’s what we’ve been doing for almost 30 years. 

Being perfectly honest, it was very exciting just a few years ago to have so many talking about the orphan crisis, going to bat for adoption and being outspoken for the needs of the vulnerable around the world.

Yet in the recent months my heart has been pondering, wondering, confused –

To be straight up, it almost seemed like suddenly, without any warning, the orphan crisis wasn’t mentioned very often anymore.   One could almost think that the need had passed to serve the orphans or perhaps there were no longer orphans in the world.

And many of us who have been in it for the long haul have been left to wonder,

“Where’d ya’ go?”  

Was it kind of just a fad?

[Please say no!]

Could adoption have just seemed like “the rage” that in the end was just too hard
or too expensive or too much work or just not cool anymore?

Cause I’ve just gotta’ share my heart here…

I’m sitting upstairs from some of the most vulnerable Gems in the entire world.  It’s 1:04am in Uganda.

One of these precious treasures has been crying off and on…..he’s in incredible pain and very sick. His contorted body just seems to hurt all the time.   Barely able to be soothed.

His needs are significant.  But what a sweet little lovey he is.

Another whimpers….he can’t move….an unknown infirmity that the doctors just can’t figure out.  He sleeps much of the day…but in his wakefulness, his eyes follow you.  I wonder what he’s thinking as I tell him how handsome he is and how much I love him.

There’s another who has completely stolen my heart.  He is probably the most vulnerable of all residing here now.  His name is more than perfect for his situation.  He has much to overcome. He will have to be strong and courageous.

And all the others??

Their needs are so enormous.  

Every one of them.

And at the very same time I am reminded that there are 
orphanages or homes filled with orphans very much like 
The Gem Foundation in places like China, Russia, 
Mexico, Ukraine, Liberia, Guatemala, Haiti, Mali, Ecuador, 
HongKong, Ghana, Korea, the Philippines, Kenya – 

all just for starters…. 

And all I can think of is this:

God’s heart for the orphan has not changed.


Neither can ours.

26 thoughts on “Where’d Ya Go?

  1. We are in the process of adopting a sweet little girl with Down Syndrome from Ch*ina…and I feel so discouraged tonight because it`s such an uphill process and no one really seems to care too much. But by Gods grace we will make it through…He cares for these little ones, and I know there are others that care, I just can`t seem to find them in my daily life. Thank you for all you do to be the voice of the voiceless!

    1. Kara, I am so sorry you have been discouraged. Anytime you need encouragement, please dash me a note via email and I will send you my cell so I can cheer you on!! Truly. I do believe that the "fad" has ended and hence the post. There are certainly some passionately moving forward, plodding along, and may this Place Called Simplicity always bring HOPE to those who are passionate for the orphan. But seriously, dash me a note and I will send you my cell May God give you great peace and joy as you love this little treasure who desperately needs you!! xoxo

  2. It is definitely not the case here. My across the street neighbors brought home four children from Ukraine on Friday! Seeing these lives being changed keeps our hearts stirred for the orphan!!

  3. WOW!!!! What a GREAT post!!!! praying for the gems each and every day and for Emma and LM!!!! Praying for the team headed to Uganda! Miss you!!!! Tell Emma and LM i said hi and give them hugs for me! i can't wait tell i can finally meet the GEMS in person!!!!
    Lots of love and prayers,
    BEE

    1. We miss you here Miss Bee. This has been a difficult time, yet beautiful…seeing Jason so very loved, even in death. Our hearts are broken, yet rejoice that he no longer struggles to breathe. And we are quite certain he is playing with Arthur. January!!

  4. We started late but we adopted a girl from India 2010 and another girl from India in 2012 and most currently a boy and a girl from China 2014.
    Our youngest has been diagnosed with Lissencelphaly and is currently in the hospital getting a G-tube. This is possibly be our last adoption because finding funds, grants,and people to come alongside us was very hard. We prayed a lot about the finances and ended up having to write out checks from our Credit Cards. Probably take years to pay off but well worth it !!! I believe that God has this !!
    I do think it is about the money why International Adoption is fading and the real stories about how hard it can be at times.

    1. Bless you for loving the treasures. I definitely think money and adjustment stories are part of it. I fear though that people's hearts have not grown cold to the needs of kids sitting in orphanages… But you are so right – they are sooooo worth it!!

    1. Thank you lizzielou for the love sent. I am just so concerned that people's hearts are growing cold…and they cannot. Whether the adoption road is tedious, expensive or difficult, they need us. Bless you my friend. xoxo

    1. Thank you for that reminder…dh keeps telling me no, we're maxed out and overloaded (he means timewise) but somehow I just can't give up the dream! I sent him a picture and blurb about a sweet little 8 yo boy with arthrogryposis…..don't know if he's looked at it yet.

  5. My heart has not changed. I just find I need to control it better…. i would take them all. We are in process of our second adoption in 2 years. We stepped out not sure how exactly we could afford it. So far so good.

    1. So thankful to read of another whose heart has not changed!! God is faithful…may He provide for every single penny you need!! {And it's okay to want to take them all – I will fight you for some though! xo}

  6. HOW can there be no comments on this post?! I too fear exactly what you do….And am thinking perhaps the dialogue about whether Intnl adoption is good for children has led many to reconsider. I believe you are also right that the hard parts of adoption have silenced voices. just today I met a friend for coffee who has adopted two children and she shared she would never recommend adoption. My heart broke to hear the words. I agreed that no one should go into adoption blindly…but what if no one goes? There are two little girls in my home who may never have survived their future in their home country. Are we to leave these precious children to die alone and unloved? Adoption is certainly not the best solution in every situation but orphan care has so many facets….God, reignite a passion in your church to care!

    1. Jessemyn,

      I hadn't posted the comments yet because of the situation here.

      You have spoken my heart!!!!!!!!

      I too believe that people have jumped on the "it can't be good" bandwagon, but I fear that that really has become a cop-out for most!! And surprisingly, no one arguing for the "it can't be good" theory brings up Moses who was sent by God for a different mission – to lead the entire nation of Israel…right? And Moses KNEW his birth family – yet it clearly was God's best plan in our broken world!! Or how about Esther?? Orphaned and subsequently raised by her uncle yet put into the service of the King at a young age to be the catalyst to save the entire Hebrew nation!! God was doing something in Esther's situation…because He is *always* at work.

      And what of those with Special Needs who have been found abandoned?

      It is so easy for some to throw out a blanket "keep the families together" {which of course would be optimal} but many are still abandoned…{many because of special needs} and there is no family to be found or even if the family is found they don't want them. Then what??

      I am so grateful for your encouragement – Soooo true: What if no one goes??

    2. We leave in a few weeks to adopt our second with special needs from China. I have been reading blogs of adult adoptees and many advocate leaving children in their country of birth until ideologies change toward unwed mothers. I often respond back that I want both. A home for every child and a change of attitudes in the country of origin. We cannot allow children to languish while social circumstances adjust and change. Of course, it would be wonderful if every child was welcomed and wanted in their first community. But, until that happens, adoption must continue. God's people have clearly been called to action — no matter how long or costly it is.
      ~Barbara

    3. Barbara, Thank you for weighing in and taking the time to comment.

      I have heard of adult adoptees belly aching about adoption…but have not read their blogs. Of course, there will always be people who complain – some just enjoy complaining!

      I think some have had families that they aren't satisfied with…but they forget that there are birth children in birth families who are abused, broken and traumatized.

      It is a powerful thing to come to the place of trusting God with whatever it was you grew up with and knowing that He is working a good plan in spite of even the very worst circumstances.

      No doubt, the few complaining have loud voices because there are plenty who are grateful for their families, for adoption and are planning on adopting one day….{like our T, A, L, E, E, I, and N}. They all LOVE adoption and are thankful for family!

      Blessings to you my friend as you go get your second treasure!! xo

    4. Thanks Linny! You said it, "It all comes down to trussing God.". None of the blogs that I have read belong to believers. Jesus changes everything! Without Him there is an emptiness that cannot be filled — for adoptees and the rest of us.

    5. You nailed it again! The only place that true fulfillment and joy will come is from the foot of the cross. We keep our eyes focused on the doing the two things that matter: Loving the Lord with all our hearts and Loving others. In fact I read a quote the other day and marked it because it was so simple and profound:

      "At the end of our lives we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by: I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in." ~Mother Theresa

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