One of the great blessings of Rainbow's ministry is seeing children united with families. Over the years, we've often been asked if it's hard to say goodbye to the children when they are adopted. Of course, when you get to know someone and care for them, there's a certain amount of sadness in saying goodbye's. But one of the core beliefs Susan and I have held since the beginning of Rainbow's ministry is this—every child needs to have a family of their own, their own dad and mom (and siblings too!).
Over the years we've seen this inherent need in every child, young and old. Right now there's even a label put on a generation of young people in America that makes this point—"the fatherless generation." I'm not sure who is included, but this has been a problem in the rest of the world for years, decades, even centuries. What we do at Rainbow is a very small part of what is done throughout the world. And we're glad to play our small part in it.
A few weeks ago, we had two wonderful families from Norway come to meet their new children. The bonding of the children went very well, and it was a sweet time hearing the testimonies of these two couples. One family had two daughters, with one adopted from China. The other couple have waited several years to become a family. Both couples had been waiting for 3+ years for this moment.
Being a part of the process of seeing families bond with abandoned or surrendered children is sweet. We count it a privilege and it's one of the blessings Susan and I enjoy while here. One of the ongoing prayer requests we have is for good Christian families to adopt the children in our care. Now you have a little background for that request.
Adoptions aren't just one of the things we do at Rainbow, they're at the core of who we are as a ministry. It reflects our heavenly Father's heart—"You have been the helper of the fatherless" (Psalm 10:14). This is expanded on in Gal 4:4-7—
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (ESV)
So, at Rainbow, adoptions truly are blessings—for the children, the adoptive families, and all of us in the Rainbow ministry family.