Our first adoption video...
Why are we adopting?
This is perhaps the most important thing to understand about us and our adoption. We have a great marriage, two wonderful kids, a beautiful house, and good jobs. All things considered, we are and could continue living the "American dream." However, we simply do not believe that God calls us to live the American dream but rather to live his dream for our lives. We are truly blessed, but we want to use what we have for more than our comfort and pleasure.
It is hard to describe exactly how we have been sensitized to the needs of orphans. Jenni has always felt specific compassion for orphans, while it was less present in my thoughts. Over time, I believe that God has allowed me to feel his heart and, through that, I am broken over the fact that so many children in the world are growing up without a father and family. However, all of this is nothing if we don't get moving and do something about it.
It is hard to describe exactly how we have been sensitized to the needs of orphans. Jenni has always felt specific compassion for orphans, while it was less present in my thoughts. Over time, I believe that God has allowed me to feel his heart and, through that, I am broken over the fact that so many children in the world are growing up without a father and family. However, all of this is nothing if we don't get moving and do something about it.
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling."
Psalm 68:5
Psalm 68:5
Throughout the Bible, God demonstrates how he feels about adoption. Moses was set into a basket and floated down the river where he was found and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2). Naomi adopts Ruth's son, Obed, who ends up the grandfather of King David (Ruth 4). Mordecai adopted his cousin, Esther, since she was orphaned when her parents died (Esther 2). Even Jesus was adopted by his earthly father, Joseph, as he had no biological connection, but was raised as Joseph's son and included in the lineage of David (Matthew 1).
In Jesus' life and ministry, he makes it clear how God sees children as he welcomes them (Matthew 19:14) and instructs us to do the same (Matthew 18:5). Furthermore, through Jesus' death and resurrection, we are adopted as children of God (John 1:12, Romans 8:15, Ephesians 1:5). God uses adoption, cares about orphans, and has adopted us as his children.
In Jesus' life and ministry, he makes it clear how God sees children as he welcomes them (Matthew 19:14) and instructs us to do the same (Matthew 18:5). Furthermore, through Jesus' death and resurrection, we are adopted as children of God (John 1:12, Romans 8:15, Ephesians 1:5). God uses adoption, cares about orphans, and has adopted us as his children.
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..."
James 1:27
James 1:27
Because of God's example of love to us we are able to demonstrate that same love to others (1 John 4:19). This love is the core of Jesus' message and we believe that love is the expression of our faith and God's command to us (Matthew 22:37-40, 1 Corinthians 13). Just as Christ redeemed us and made us his sons and daughters, adopting a child allows us to redeem a child from a situation with little hope. We will give that child a home, a family, and an opportunity to know that God loves them dearly.
"These are the lives that the world has forgotten, waiting for doors of our hearts and our homes to open...if not us, who will be like Jesus to the least of these?"
Audio Adrenaline "Kings and Queens"
Audio Adrenaline "Kings and Queens"
Adam and JenniWe live in Wexford, Pennsylvania, just north of Pittsburgh. Both of us are born again Christians attending North Way Christian Community. Adam is currently teaching elementary art and Jenni is teaching high school Spanish. This summer we will celebrate our 10th anniversary!
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Our FamilyWe have two biological children. Levi is 6 years old and loves soccer, Legos, and playing games with family. Ariana is 5 and enjoys dancing, playing with dolls, and animals. They are both extremely excited about our adoption and are deeply involved in the process with us!
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Our MissionWe are adopting a little girl, age 5 or younger, from Haiti!
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