When we started our adoption journey in April of 2011, we had to mail in a $200 application fee. This was so hard for me to do - what if we didn't get accepted? That would be $200 down the drain. Yet, it was that small step of faith which God blessed. Then, after we were accepted, the first installment of $1500 came due. I had no idea where this would come from, but through the awesome work of my beautiful wife, Summer and many of our friends who donated items and helped work it, we were able to raise almost a $1000 through a garage sale. Combined with some savings, the payment was made.
Last fall there was another $2000 due for our home study to be done. This time, we had little savings. And this time, I doubted God's providence. I finally surrendered the doubt to Him on a Friday and on the following Sunday God provided through a generous donation of some equipment we were able to sell on ebay for almost the exact amount of what we needed! God provided again!
Then this spring we needed to get the immigration form completed, which is about $900. God moved a family in our church to anonymously give out of their bonus $300, combining this with some more savings and some leftover Christmas gift money, God provided again!
Now comes the big one - $8400 needed by our goal of July 1st to send our dossier to Honduras to begin the process of waiting for a referral. God led us to this amazing thing called Both Hands where the mission is simple: a Hand for the Widow and a hand for the Orphan. Through our friends, He provided an incredible team of volunteers who have sent out over 600 letters to their family and friends seeking them to sponsor them for a day of working on a widow's home. 100% of the money raised goes toward bringing home an orphan. The Both Hands team gets to bless a widow and help bring home an orphan!!! You can get more info at: http://bothhandsfoundation.org/rick-and-summer-george.aspx
A few weeks ago, Summer opened the mail to find that we had been given a huge grant through Show Hope (http://www.showhope.org) toward the expenses of our adoption. This grant will not be given until the time of our referral, but yet again - God's faithfulness as we live out His will.
It has been a lot of work, and will continue to be a lot of work. There has been a lot of prayer - *chuckle* and this is only the beginning. This has been a slow process - and we will continue to experience a lot of waiting as we just found out from an inside source in Honduras to expect a 12 - 18 month waiting period once our dossier arrives. There have been frustrations at times, as we have had to go back to several people and organizations to redo paperwork that was not done right the first time. YET, I cannot help but look over the last year in amazement of our God! He has provided every step of the way!
His heart breaks for the marginalized of our world, so much so that caring for orphans and widows and foreigners are mentioned all over His Word. Any time one of His children steps out in faith to stand in the gap for the least of these, He will provide all that is needed to minister in that gap. If you are doubting the call that God is placing on your heart at this moment, take comfort and courage in the fact that He is faithful in providing all you need to accomplish His purposes and the work which He has set out for you to do:
"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Cor 9:8
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