I assure you, when you did it for one of the least of these..., you were doing it for Me.

--Matt. 25:40

In January of 2002, God spoke to our hearts about adding a child to our family through adoption.  Unable to shake His calling, we began to research what that would mean and we shared the exciting news with family and friends.  With one income, two children under the age of 2, and $100 in our savings account, we were repeatedly questioned about our sanity and our calling.  Despite the enormous costs of adoption, God lit the fire of faith in our hearts that what He calls us to do, He will accomplish if we only believe Him. 

As we timidly stepped out of our comfort zone, God carried us and fueled that fire with tangible reassurance that He was doing something bigger than we could grasp.  He gave us a vision of a daughter in Guatemala and the knowledge that we could not do this in our own strength or resources, we needed Him to act in a mighty way.  Despite the fact that we were anxious to meet our unknown daughter, God knew that there was much work to be done in our hearts.  We did whatever we could to come up with the adoption funds needed by refinancing our home, selling a car, scraping by and even using a credit card but it was just too much...for us.  We heard Him challenge us to invite the body of Christ to participate in this calling. 

Over the following 18 months, we witnessed God’s provision in many ways. As we confessed our pride and humbly laid out before others what we were trusting God to do, God responded and moved hearts on our behalf.  We watched in awe as people held yard sales, took a catering job, committed part of their income, and sacrificially gave their “5 loaves and 2 fish” toward our adoption fees.  God multiplied these gifts as the sacrifice of one would inspire another to do the same.  God was glorified as His Church came together to help rescue the life of a child and give her a hope and a future.

In March of 2004, at 4 months old, Isabel joined our family.  She has been a joy and has enriched our lives in so many ways.  God’s timing was perfect, as were His methods.  Just as He had planned for Isabel’s place in our family long before her conception, He had planned to use her adoption process to grow our faith and show His power to those who watched His mighty work.

“For from Him and through Him

and to Him are all things. 

To God be the glory forever”  

-- Romans 11:36