condemn

{kuh n-dem] /kənˈdɛm/                             

1. to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on; indicate strong disapproval of; censure.

2. to pronounce to be guilty; sentence to punishment:

3. to give grounds or reason for convicting or censuring:

4. to judge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service:

5. to force into a specific state or activity:

6. to declare incurable.

"14% of children who enter our care each year are condemned to institutionalized care until their 18th birthday."

The crazy thing is that that statement didn't just linger in the air.  I'm sitting in a Costa Rican government-run workshop on adoption, surrounded by incredible families who desire to adopt.  No one else seemed to be enraged by the words.  The presenter wanted to skim over it.  As if it's just a reality we can't do anything about.  I wanted to stand and defend these children.  CONDEMNED?  Why are they being sentenced for other's behavior?  Condemned?  Kids being sentenced to a life without the basic right of being raised in a family.  Condemned. 

Why are these kids condemned?  Simply because there are not enough families to raise them.  Not enough people willing to be courageous and love an older child. 

And how I wish this was only an issue in the developing world.  In the US, there are currently 100,000 kids in foster care waiting to be adopted.  20,000 kids age out of the system each year without the safety net of a family.

We are the ones that should be condemned.  Condemned for our apathy.  Condemned by being overwhelmed by the hugeness of the problem that we don't make a life-changing decision for one.  Condemned because we continue to perpetuate myths that older children in child care deserve nothing more from us. 

So here I am, standing up, and saying this is not okay.  This is not a future I want for the world.  This is an area where we can make a difference.

Would you join me in praying for freedom?  For grace and courageousness.  For hope.  For liberation.  For a world where kids not only simply have the right to be raised in families, but are being raised in homes where they have a place to belong and be loved.  We are never outgrow our need for family.  So I'm dreaming big and believing that Jesus followers around the world will continue to step up.  I believe there is a family for every waiting child.  Let's be that family. 

It's a Miracle!

There are days when I just need to know that You are there... that You are here... that You are working.  There are days when I just need to see You - Your face and Your hands.

This was one of those days - and you let me see a miracle.

It took me a few weeks to give myself enough courage to head to the Central Authority's office (PANI) to ask for the letter explaining that Costa Rica would gladly do a home study for an US foster care adoption (because Costa Rica had said it was impossible for me to adopt here), or they would allow a US social worker to come and assess me.  My life always seems to be way too complicated and I was afraid that once again a door would be closed in front of me after I felt that I was called to walk into it. 

I finally decided that I wasn't going to let the fear of the unknown win.  I wasn't going to allow the worse case scenarios to play on repeat in my brain.  I was going to pray like crazy and then actually walk into the office and see what happened.  I wasn't going to accept a no - I was asking an either or question.  Either you say yes to this option or yes to this option.  I'm not going to leave without a yes.

So I put on a "I'm a beautiful powerhouse outfit" and I promised myself in the mirror that I could do this.  That Jesus and I could do this.  I asked Jesus once again to confirm that He was in this crazy process.  And I went.

Long story short - I ended up in a meeting with the director of the adoption department and an amazing social worker.  The director seems like an incredible man who really wants to be helpful.  The social worker was compassionate and kind.  They informed me that Costa Rican adoption law was changing in three weeks.  Wording would change from "citizen" to "habitual resident".  This cracks open the door for the national adoption process for me!  This means applying to adopt a Costa Rican child, here in Costa Rica.  This is the best case scenario that I had been told was absolutely impossible.  I am witness to a miracle.  God is changing the adoption law!

I love how Jesus is allowing me to watch what He is doing.  Giving me more evidence that He is trustworthy and fighting for me.  That if I won't give up walking where He's asked me to walk (even when it seems unproductive to me), He will show up. 

I am currently collecting a mountain of paperwork to prove that I actually live in Costa Rica and not only enjoy "traveling" to Costa Rica - as my legal status appears.  Please pray for God to continue to give me favor with government officials. Thank you for praying and believing with me for this miracle of adoption to take place!

 

I'm Your Momma - We Just Haven't Met Yet

Hey there...  It's me, your momma.  I'm waiting for you.  I'm fighting for you.  I LOVE YOU!

I wish I could sit in front of you today and see your handsome face and tell you how long I've been thinking about you.  Even though I had no idea (and still don't) what you would look like. 

This is what I know...

You are loved.  You are desired.  You are known.  God made you perfectly.  You are worth fighting for! 

I am praying for you.  I am fighting for you in the best ways I know how. 

I am longing to be able to sit at the table to laugh and cry with you.  To listen to you.  To learn with you. 

One day this dream will be a reality.  We may never know why we had to wait so long to meet each other, but I'm trusting and praying for you as I wait.  So today, I pray you know.... know you do have a momma somewhere and she loves you very, very much.