We’ve been waiting for weeks to share our big news, and the time has finally come. After tons of prayer and thought, and sharing and praying with the people closest to us, we have decided to adopt a baby boy from Ethiopia.
Ever since I went with my parents to adopt my little sister from Romania when I was eighteen, I have known that I wanted to adopt someday. When we visited the baby orphanage in Romania I was overwhelmed by the rooms full of babies, rocking themselves because there was no one to rock them. Many of them no longer cried, because they knew no one would answer. It breaks my heart to know that my little sister was once one of those babies. At the older orphanage, the children ran to us the moment they saw us; the littlest ones climbed into my arms, clung to my legs, and called me “Momma.” I have never forgotten this. It is staggering to realize that there are over 143 million orphans in the world just like this.
We know that God has a heart for the fatherless; His word is full of instruction to care for the abandoned. In Deuteronomy, He continually reminds His people to provide food for the fatherless; Psalm 82 says, “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy . . .” and James tells us that “pure and undefiled” religion is to care for the widows and orphans. We have felt God tug at our hearts, and we are finally answering.
Since we have decided to adopt from Ethiopia, we have been overwhelmed by the incredible need we see there. In 2005, the Federal Ministry of Health reported that Ethiopia has 4.8 million orphans. These children have lost their parents because of sickness and disease and because of the terrible famine that Ethiopia has suffered for so many years. Our adoption agency estimates that in Ethiopia three out of four people do not have enough to eat. It is overwhelming to think of how easily we could change a child’s life simply by bringing him into our home and giving him three meals a day.
Of course, we believe that we have much more to offer a child than proper nutrition. Our primary goal in raising this child, just as it is as we raise our son, Caleb, will be to share with him the love of Christ and to help him grow into a faithful man of God. We believe that one of the greatest resources we have to share with our new child will be our beautiful family and friends. Can you imagine the overwhelming love and joy that are waiting to greet this lonely child? It can only be compared to the overflowing grace and mercy that, because of Christ’s love and sacrifice, surround us, who were also once so lonely. In fact, we believe that there is no better metaphor for the gospel of Christ than adoption. When we had absolutely nothing to offer Him, Christ gave up everything to bring us into His family. As Ephesians reminds us, through Jesus Christ, God has adopted each of us as His sons.
Please pray for us as we begin this process. We are told that it will probably take 12-18 months for us to get our baby boy, and we will be traveling to Ethiopia to get him at that time. Pray for safety and health for our little boy, who is probably not even born yet. And please pray for Ethiopia; there is so much suffering there, and our hearts have been burdened by their pain.
We will have so much more to share as we travel this journey, so expect many more posts to come. We thank God that we have such wonderful friends to share our news with.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
What amazing news! That is fantastic! You are in my prayers.
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:18 pm
This is incredible! May the Lord bless your family on your journey to bring home your new little one! We’ll be praying for you!
I love the new look on the blog
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:47 pm
James calls it “pure religion” to care for the orphans. I am so proud and can’t wait for God to bring us our new Grandson. He will bless our family!
Love,
Pops
September 4th, 2008 at 6:03 am
So very excited for you, so humbled by your love and generosity. Wishing you and your new son a safe, fast, easy adoption.
September 4th, 2008 at 6:48 am
We’re so happy for you and excited that you are going to adopt. God bless you in your journey and keep us up to date.
September 4th, 2008 at 6:52 am
How exciting and inspiring! I can’t wait to hear more as you all begin this journey!!!
September 4th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Mary Beth- I am so excited for you guys! I love to hear when people feel God calling them to do something and they respond faithfully! That is so encouraging! We will be praying for you and Casey as you begin this journey! Keep us updated on the process!
September 4th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
We know that no one could provide a greater family
environment for one of those little orphan children
than you. He will be surrounded with unconditional love including ours. We will add him to our daily prayers.
We look forward to more information as it becomes
available. “Red and yellow, black and white, they are
precious in His sight.”
God bless,
Papa and Mema
September 4th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Hi Marybeth and Casey! I have been a long time reader and you know something funny? I was just thinking to myself, “I wonder when they are going to have another baby.” Then I came here and read this! What a joy for a child in need! I will definitely be here praying for you throughout this process!!
God Bless!
September 4th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Congratulations! What a big heart you have and how blessed that child will be! I look forward to reading the updates. Take care!
September 4th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Mary Beth and Casey,
What wonderful news! Please keep me posted on the progress. I am happy for you both and will pray for what lies ahead!
Love you both,
Jill
September 4th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I am so excited for you and your family! What a blessing! I am looking forward to reading more about your adoption in the weeks and months to come. Our prayers are with you all
September 6th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Wow! I am so impressed. God bless your family and the new child that is being created for your family.
Amelia
September 7th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
hey Casey and Mary Beth,
heidi told me your news and I’m really excited for you!! Mary Beth the book I told heidi to tell you about is called Orphaned, by Melissa Fay Greene. It’s about an Ethiopian lady and her work with the children in Ethiopia as well as lots of facts on Ethiopia, etc. I thought you might want to give it a read.
super excited for you!!
-hayli
September 7th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
As you know we think adoption and caring for His children is God’s calling. We have been blessed beyond words, even though some days are difficult, the blessings far outweigh the tough days. We will pray for you and we are here for any emotional support and guidance you might need! We love you guys!
Jeremy, Michelle and all the kids!
September 8th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Hey Mary Beth! I am so glad to have your blog now to read about your story. It was so good to meet you. Thank you for contacting me! Will be following your story. If there are any ?s I can answer, I am happy to!
November 19th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Hello guys! I hadn’t checked in on your blog in a while, but I was talking to Marcie Parrot Hydrick last night and she mentioned that you guys were adopting from Ethiopia. Justin and I went to Ethiopia in July to get our son who was then 5 months old (now 9 months). It has been an incredible journey. Let me know if you guys want to talk adoption, or Ethiopian adoption more specifically! My email is kathrynburton (at) gmail (dot) com.