Hope's Story

It was several years ago that our good friends adopted a child from Guatemala. As we watched them trusting the Lord for His provision, our hearts were moved to support them through our earnest prayers and financial gifts. Little did we know that mighty seeds were being planted in our own hearts.

In early 2007, we were again praying for these friends as God laid on their hearts that they were to adopt another child. We suspected that God would again have us help them financially but God had other plans. While they were working on their paperwork, they learned of a waiting child in Ethiopia, a girl about 11 years old who was considered by some to be "unadoptable" due to her age. They were burdened for her and posted her photo at our church, asking us to pray. God spoke to our hearts and compelled us that He had plans for her future and we could not leave her there. The next two days were bathed in prayer as we sought God's direction and on the third day, we told the adoption agency that she was our daughter.

Once we knew this was God's path for our family, He gave us the heart to do whatever it took to bring her home. Trusting God with the finances was difficult at first as we didn't have the adoption fees at our disposal. In the end, God showed us that He had already provided for her through our past stewardship and we cashed out our sons educational savings, realizing we could not put their education over her life. Our sons blessed us with their support and encouragement as they learned they had a little sister.

We met our daughter, Hope, in August of 2007 and marveled at the amazing young girl God had given us. She has overcome so much in her young life and touches the lives of so many around her. We can not imagine life without this amazing girl and she has been a wonderful addition to our family.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

-- John 14:18