Children Need Homes
"Why do we need another baby?" My then ten-year-old asked me this question when we first decided to adopt.
My answer, "We don't need a baby. My life would be full and happy with just my biological kids."
No one NEEDS a baby. We might want a baby, but it isn't essential to live a full life. Truth is I'd have a lot more time to devote to the things I enjoy and the gifts God has given me. But I couldn't turn away from what I'd learned.
My sister and brother-in-law had decided to work at an orphanage in China. Before their departure they showed us a slide show of children waiting to be adopted. Some were babies; most were one or two years old already. Their beautiful faces tugged at my heart.
In China, couples are allowed one child only. If they become pregnant a second time, they must have an abortion or they will face severe financial and social pressures. Children are expected to take care of their parents in their old age, but if your daughter marries she is to take care of her in-laws, not her own parents. Thus the pressure to have sons. Many women "disappear" to visit country relatives in early pregnancy; then if a son is born they come home to celebrate. If a daughter is born they come home empty handed. The system leaves healthy girls abandoned as well as less than healthy boys. Mothers agonize leaving their babes in gym bags outside the police station or the orphanage gates and then watch from afar as they're taken to another's arms. It brings to mind Moses and what his mother must've suffered "abandoning" him to Pharoah's daughter.
I'd had no idea such a system existed in our world today. But I knew that there was something I could do. I had more love to give. Love is a funny thing--some think love divides like a pie. You only have so much to give out. But truth is, love multiplies. It is a miracle.
We ended up adopting from Korea because of some hurdles along our path. But a child is a child and I adore this youngest Jem. What's amazing is that while I suppose she is blessed in some ways to be a part of our family, we are far more blessed for having her in our life.
More later,
Traci
James 1:27 Religion that our God and Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...
My answer, "We don't need a baby. My life would be full and happy with just my biological kids."
No one NEEDS a baby. We might want a baby, but it isn't essential to live a full life. Truth is I'd have a lot more time to devote to the things I enjoy and the gifts God has given me. But I couldn't turn away from what I'd learned.
My sister and brother-in-law had decided to work at an orphanage in China. Before their departure they showed us a slide show of children waiting to be adopted. Some were babies; most were one or two years old already. Their beautiful faces tugged at my heart.
In China, couples are allowed one child only. If they become pregnant a second time, they must have an abortion or they will face severe financial and social pressures. Children are expected to take care of their parents in their old age, but if your daughter marries she is to take care of her in-laws, not her own parents. Thus the pressure to have sons. Many women "disappear" to visit country relatives in early pregnancy; then if a son is born they come home to celebrate. If a daughter is born they come home empty handed. The system leaves healthy girls abandoned as well as less than healthy boys. Mothers agonize leaving their babes in gym bags outside the police station or the orphanage gates and then watch from afar as they're taken to another's arms. It brings to mind Moses and what his mother must've suffered "abandoning" him to Pharoah's daughter.
I'd had no idea such a system existed in our world today. But I knew that there was something I could do. I had more love to give. Love is a funny thing--some think love divides like a pie. You only have so much to give out. But truth is, love multiplies. It is a miracle.
We ended up adopting from Korea because of some hurdles along our path. But a child is a child and I adore this youngest Jem. What's amazing is that while I suppose she is blessed in some ways to be a part of our family, we are far more blessed for having her in our life.
More later,
Traci
James 1:27 Religion that our God and Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...
1 Comments:
Dear Miss Dupree,
I have read your books and they depict the (southern)Minnesota life to a "T". My name is Beth and I'm 27 yrs old and was born in Wells, MN in Fairbult county. We had a turkey farm there. When I was 10 we moved to Nevis, MN. (Near Brainerd) I have lived in Nashville, Tn for the past 5 years now and I just want to say it's nice to know that I can go back to my Minnesota whenever I want to in your books and I recommend them to all my friends to get a small taste of where I grew up.
Thank you so much for your books and keep on writing. May God always bless you and your loved ones.
Your sister in Christ,
BethAnn Bebler
Director of Christian Education
Faith Lutheran Church
Franklin, TN
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