Once the word is out that you are adopting, a lot of questions come your way. Most of the questions are simple like: "Where are you adopting from?" & "when will you bring him home?" And all of these questions are usually followed up with some encouragement from the questioner. However, there are a handful of questions that get asked over and over and the answers are not always simple, and many times received with a bit of ..... coldness. So, since we are just sitting around waiting on a passport for Sawyer (a process that has been delayed by 3 days) I figured I'd answer some of these F.A.Q.'s. Hope this helps :-)
1. There are so many kids in the U.S.A. that need families, why don't you adopt them instead of going to another country?
Valid question but ignores a few things. First, there's no "proximity clause" in the Bible. In other words, care for orphans wherever they are. This question hardly ever comes from someone who has adopted or fostered in the U.S.A. It usually comes from someone who isn't active in caring for orphans. The Bible is clear that we are to care for Orphans. Very clear. No one is exempt. This is "general revelation (God's Word for everyone)." The "specific revelation" (God's Word for you) comes through prayer and leadership from the Holy Spirit. He will lead you to how you specifically care for Orphans.... foreign or domestic, adoption or fostering, financially or emotionally.
Secondly, it is much cheaper to adopt a child in foster care. Like, free. Go for it:-) I think if you're asking this question, it is evidence of God working in your heart for the orphans near you!
2. You've already got 4 kids, why would you want to adopt another?
We met an orphan. We have an extra bedroom. God wanted us to.
3. How did you know you were supposed to adopt? Did you "feel called"?
We asked God to stop us. He didn't.
In the Scriptures there are tons of things that God mandates clearly for His followers to be active about. Orphan care is one of them (James 1:27). Sharing our faith, worshipping, Prayer, caring for Orphans, and many other Biblical mandates don't require another call. The "call" comes when we trust Christ. Now it's just a matter of obedience.
4. So how do we know if we are "called" to adopt?
Here's where I think the story of the Good Samaritan speaks to us. In Luke 10, the good Samaritan saw a need and met it. So, if you see a hungry person, feed him. See an Orphan, care for him. God puts people and situations in front of us all the time. Your call is to be like Jesus.
P.S. Going out of our way to NOT meet an orphan so the Good Samaritan principle doesn't apply to us is...well...just proof of a heart issue.
5. So does this mean every Christian is supposed to adopt?
That would be awesome! But obviously not everyone can. I do think we make a mistake in assuming we are not supposed to adopt and asking God to write it in the sky if we are. It seems more Biblical to assume we are supposed to adopt, and then ask Him to stop us if He has a different plan. This is what He did for Paul. Paul took the Great Commission serious and went from place to place preaching and planting Churches. Sometimes God stopped Him (Acts 16) and other times He pushed Him. Point being, we've got to do something. There are hundreds, if not thousands of ways to care for orphans. You can host (www.newhorizonsforchildren.org), donate to an adoption grant, be foster parents, offer respite care, pray and encourage an adoptive family, or encourage your church to REALLY get involved with an orphanage (www.thehopeepidemic.us).
6. Why do people who are adopting or have adopted seem so "clique-ish"?
The same reason recovering alcoholics seem clique-ish. It's a huge part of your life and you need people around you for support who know what it's like. It's a hard journey and people who share the same struggles and place in life have a way of finding one another.
7. People who adopt seem to think they are better Christians. Not really a question, but I've heard this quite a few times.
Just not true. Honestly, it's my opinion that people I've heard say this are saying this as a smoke screen for the push they feel from the Lord to do more for Orphans. I could be wrong. Now, some people do think they are better Christians than others....but this is way more of a flesh & pridefulness issue and not an adoption issue. Everyone I know who has adopted or fostered has been humbled in huge ways and sees their need for Grace more than ever before. If someone is arrogant, its not because they adopted and think they have arrived at the pinnacle of Christianity.
So there you have it. Walk away more intelligent than ever before and ready to email us your desire to adopt one of the 99 other kids from Sawyer's orphanage.
Just kidding.
But I'm not.
But really, hope this was somewhat insightful!
Love,
Jono, Heather, & Sawyer Long
