God's Plans

Sometimes, we pray and God says "yes" - we immediately see an answer. It is often better than we imagine and we delight in the fulfillment of our desire. We praise God and are reminded of His power and His love for us.

Sometimes, we pray, and we clearly hear God say "wait". We settle in and wait, comfortable in the circumstance and knowing we rest securely in the Hands of our Father. We chant to ourselves and others "His timing, not ours". We praise Him, and are reminded that "He has a plan for us...a plan for good."

Sometimes, though, we hear "no". and we are confused. You see, we have prayed for something that is good, that would glorify Him, that would serve His Kingdom. Our faith is tested. We wonder how a "good and loving" God would shut the door on something that is clearly so good.

Then He, in His infinite wisdom, sometimes chooses to reveal the reason for his "no" - and often it is because He had something better for us. Something bigger for us to do. Something that would reveal His mercies and power so much better. 

He has done that - once again - in our lives. For several months now, we have been seeking God in different potential adoption scenarios. Each time, He has gently but firmly (ok - one time wasn't so gentle) shut the door and told us "no". I confess, I didn't understand. Here we were, ready and willing, to adopt a child that was in a hard place. We were trusting that He would help and instead, He told us "no". 

In His mercy, we now understand He had something else planned - and in His infinite wisdom it is awesome.

Through the miracle of modern technology, we were made aware of a little girl in China who had lived in an orphanage since she was 2. Since she was found on the street screaming literally on fire. Who has lived with disfiguring and debilitating burns for the past 7 years. Through some God ordained orchestrating, an amazing mom with a daughter from the same SWI arranged for her to get the surgeries she needed by one of the best surgeons in the country...who happens to practice in Los Angeles. All she needs is a foster family to care for her for at least a year (and probably more) while she receives her surgeries. 

Turns out she is from a place about an hour from where Becky is from.

Turns out while the surgery center is in North LA (about 2 hours from us), the surgeon also has a practice in Santa Ana - about 20 minutes from us. 

Turns out her first name is "Ai" - same as Becky's. 

Turns out this is what God had planned for us.

Turns out we will be a family with 5 kids instead of 4 (at least for a year - maybe more.) 

Here is what we know about our newest family member --

She is 9 years old and has lived at the SWI since she was 2. She is badly disfigured from burns and has had some life saving surgery but not much more, As she grows up, the scar tissue is beginning to pull and tear at the skin around her eyes, and she is not able to close her mouth or chew properly. Child Burn Foundation has unbelievably stepped to the plate to cover all of her medically related costs for as long as she needs (these people are amazing!!!) and Dr. Peter Grossman has committed to do the surgery. Without Dr, Peter and the foundation, she would not get the help she needs. Dr. Peter is considered one of the best burn surgeons in the country.  Their participation is living proof that Jesus loves the least of least - an orphan from China getting the best surgeon in the US - and maybe the world - to help her.  I confess - makes me cry every time I think of this for her - how very much she is loved by God. 

As we have begun to share this story with people, so many have asked "how can we help?".  There are going to be many needs as we walk this journey. First, foremost and most importantly, we need everyone to be in prayer. Our specific prayer requests are:

• for a smooth and lightening quick paperwork process
• for an easy transition for all the children involved 
• that all the financial needs will be met and the burn foundation would be blessed for helping
• that our family would be protected from the enemy during this time
• that Ai's heart would be prepared for the major changes she will be experiencing

We continue to be amazed at the way God is working in our lives. We are nothing special - the only notable thing about us is that in our brokenness, in our sinful state, God chooses to use us to show people His Kingdom - and for that we offer all the praises to Him and Him alone! 

Turns out we are reminded that God always has a plan - and it is always better than ours. 

Praise to be God! 

(we will share pictures of this treasure with you as soon as her paperwork is all final)