I Like Adoption

As we start out the new year, Summer and I wanted to give you the gift of this video.  You will be blessed as you watch it.

Is one enough?

New Film Premiere - I Like Adoption. from ILikeGiving.com on Vimeo.

Exciting News from Both Hands

Exciting News from Both Hands Foundation! (Click here)

Orphanology: What each family should consider about adoption

This is a repost from The Blog of Famly Research Council at http://www.frcblog.com/2012/07/orphanology-what-each-family-should-consider-about-adoption// by Rob Schwarzwalder July 13, 2012

Adoption is one of the crying needs not just of our culture but of our world.

Here at home, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2009 there were more than 114,000 children in public foster care alone who needed to become part of a loving family. This number does not include the many thousands of children awaiting adoption through private agencies.

Worldwide, it is estimated that there are 15 million children growing up without either a mother or father.

Christians should have a special place in their hearts for adoption because all who know Christ are themselves adopted into God’s family. Paul the apostle writes that believers have been adopted by God through the Savior (Romans 8:15, 23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5). The Lord Jesus was Himself raised by an adoptive father.

Last year, FRC was honored to host Ryan Bomberger, himself an adoptee who shared with us his beautiful testimony of love and healing. You can watch it here. Additionally, FRC’s Marriage and Religion Research Institute has shown that “Adoption Works Well.”

Pastor Tony Merida, in his new book Orphanology, describes both the theological foundation for adoption and the way that individuals and churches can be involved embracing little ones who so greatly need a mom and a dad. Pastor Merida is strongly pro-life and is the adoptive dad of five children. His book is a gracious exhortation to Christians to consider how they can partner with precious young lives to create families where affection and hope and security transform not just the lives of children, but of the parents who adopt them.

Pastor Merida is a realist. For that reason, he makes a compelling point about practical aid for children in desperate need:

In many countries, you can’t bring children home. The church should be thinking creatively and intentionally about how to care for these kids in terms of maybe sponsorship, in terms of helping to educate them, in terms of taking the Gospel to them. A big one would be transitional assistance for children who are not adoptable — how can we get them jobs, how can we get them into society and help them have a successful life? Churches could even underwrite an orphanage.

Later in the same interview, he asks a poignant question: “Let’s say Roe v. Wade is overturned and there are more orphans than ever before. Are we willing to pay the price to care for them, to do all that is necessary to provide for them?”

That’s a humbling question, and one all Christians should ponder — even as, at the same time, we do all we can to end the horror of abortion itself.

Both Hands Project - Still Time To Give

Thank you for your prayers and support of the Both Hands Project last month. Because of your support, a widow was blessed and an orphan was brought closer to home.  To experience the project visually, watch this short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5TuQ9y2lc4&feature=youtu.be or read the article in our local newspaper: http://crystallake.patch.com/articles/cary-couple-helps-widow-adoption-fund-through-both-hands-program

Our team was able to paint Sandy's whole house and give it a fresh and beautiful look. A service door to her garage was replaced to keep unwanted critters out. Rotted siding was replaced. AND she has a beautiful new deck to sit and relax on and enjoy God's providence through this project. Over $5000 of materials were donated by area businesses toward her house to make this happen!  Out of Sandy's own words: "Every time I look at the house, the deck, swing and doors, - everything - my heart just swells. I am so amazed at all that has been accomplished in just one day."

The project is not complete! We still need to meet our sponsorship goal to see the orphan brought home. If you have not given, or have been praying about how God would lead you to give, please consider a donation today. http://bothhandsfoundation.org/rick-and-summer-george.aspx

Trashed Boots on a Blessed Day

My 7 year old work boots, my favorite steel toe boots, have hit the trash can. And what a way to go - while blessing others!

A team with joyful hearts, a widow's home in need of some help, area businesses providing materials, and hundreds of sponsors ready to assist in bringing an orphan home.

Sandy has a new, and better, deck. Her whole house (HER WHOLE HOUSE) was painted (even the swing)! The trim, with a new color, has a fresh and beautiful look. Rotted siding was replaced. A new service door to the garage was replaced, keeping out unwanted critters. The rotted retaining wall was removed and the front graded downward and seeded for easier mowing. And a whole team of almost 40 people were fed and children babysat.

We began our morning with a short devotional from Matthew 25 "...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matt 25:40). We were reminded and encouraged that the acts of service done in His name is a sacrifice of worship to Him. The work was physically tiring and hard, but it was eternal work. Yes, the house will one day pass away, just like my boots are now no longer, but, as according to Matt. 25, God will remember what we have done for the stranger - both the widow and the orphan. It is our acts of kindness that have eternal value.

And the day could not have started without a Honduran mission trip style of singing "This is the Day"! And it was truly a worshipful day and the smiles on the volunteers as they left after a days work told the whole story. It was well worth trashing the boots over!

http://bothhandsfoundation.org/rick-and-summer-george.aspx

Front of House - BEFORE

Front of House - AFTER

Deck - BEFORE

Deck - AFTER

Garage Service Door - BEFORE

Garage Service Door - AFTER

Why they call it a "Faith Journey"

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

A Hand for the Orphan, A Hand for the Widow

This last week Caden and his friend, Anna, ran a lemonade stand during a joint family garage sale. He worked hard to earn some money. Since January he's been saving up to buy the Alien Conquest Mothership lego package, so he was excited to learn that he earned over $12.00 toward his $70 goal. However, to our surprise, he handed Summer over half of what he earned to give toward bringing home his little brother or sister. It was a proud moment for us as we saw our child "get" sacrificial giving. Our prayer is that he will carry this on through all his years.

This adoption process has been teaching our whole family a lot. We are growing in our patience, our hope, our prayer life, and our faith. God has again and again renewed and strengthened our faith in Him through His providence in this journey. One of the ways we expect God to do something great is at an event called a Both Hands Project.

In April we were approved through Lifesong for Orphans for a Both Hands project. We are in the process of gathering a team of volunteers who will go work on a widow's home for a day. These volunteers will send letters asking people to sponsor them for a day of work, kind of like a race for the cure. 100% of the money raised goes toward bringing home an orphan for a chance at life.

This project will be on June 23rd and you can find out more information by going to The Both Hands George Project Page. You can also find information on Facebook at the George Both Hands Event Page.

How can you help?

• PRAY! Pray that God would use our team mightily in blessing the widow and in raising up funds to help an orphan. 
• VOLUNTEER! Consider volunteering for a day of work on June 23rd. 
• DONATE! Either donate as a sponsor or donate materials that will be needed for the widows home. For donations of sponsorship, go to the Project Page link up above. 

We are excited to see God at work in this James 1:27 project!

PS - If you are local and are interested in donating materials to the widows home, please email us at rickgeorge4hg@gmail.com or summertime79@gmail.com.  Here is the current list of needs:

1. 600 Stamps!
2. Kentucky Blue/Rye Landscape Seed Blend 1290 SF = 10 LB of Seed. Estimated cost @ $25.00
3. 12 Gal. of Exterior Latex soft gloss siding paint in a gray tone color, 2 Gal. of Exterior Latex Soft Gloss Trim Paint in a Redwood Tone, Ladders, Paint Trays, Rollers, Roller Sleeves, Brushes , Exterior Caulk, Exterior Spackle, Paint Scrapers.  Estimated Cost @ $400
4. 80 LF of 12" Flat/Beveled Primed Masonite Siding, 2 LB of 8D galvanized siding nails. Estimated Cost @ $100
5. 2' wide by 8' long / 16 SF of 3/8" primed AC Smooth Exterior Grade Soffit Plywood. Estimated Cost @ $20
6. 2x8 14' pressure treated floor joist. 2x6 #2 Pressure Treated wood Decking, (34-2x6-16' #1 or #2 Pressure Treated Lumber), 2 gal of a exterior latex deck stain in a Redwood tone. Estimated Cost @ $425.00
7. 2/0 x 6/8 3/4" AC Plywood Doors ( 1-4x8x3/4" ) with 1x4 Rough Sawn Cedar Trim (26 LF).  Estimated Cost @ $75
8. Bushes, Shrubs, Perennials - Looking for donations from existing gardens or new from garden centers.