The desire to adopt was placed on both mine and redemption that we get to experience together.
It’s not uncommon for people to tell us how special we are or how “lucky” our adopted children are. To that, we can honestly say that WE are the “lucky” ones. We can’t believe what amazing kids God has given us the opportunity to parent! We pray that in 20 years they’ll all feel the same way about us-until then, the verdict is out as to whether we’re anything special in the parenting department. We strive to make our home a secure haven full of lightheartedness and I are keenly aware that no sacrifices made by us will ever compare to the depth of the losses our adoptive children experienced before they came into our lives.
Christina, Damion and their two sons they are hoping to bring home in the next few months.
While we’d spent years researching, reading about and Ethiopia. And it’s these same types of losses that bring children into care with the Children’s Homes, whether in Florida or any of their partner orphanages around the world. That brokenness will forever be a part of these precious children’s stories whether they’re eventually reunited with their birth families, or grow up in foster care, or are placed with adoptive families.
But though there is brokenness, there is hope!
I’m thankful that, like my children from hard places, the children served by the Children’s Homes are introduced to a redemptive God who can heal all wounds. They’re taught that He came not only to save them, but to make them whole. Though their losses weren’t a part of God’s original plan, He has always been with them, loves them more than they can imagine, and always faithful. There is no destruction, no trauma, that He cannot restore. There’s no tragic situation that He cannot use for His glory.
“. . . bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning,and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:3)
My adopted children are survivors! They’ve inspired me to seek ways I can make a difference in orphan care-improving conditions for children who need care-and families around the world!
Together for children,
Christina M. Johnson-Boyce
Women of Compassion Council