How God led us to this point...

Many years ago, God burdened my heart for the country of China. The stories of the babies that were being abandoned in the street, left to die, or sent to a cold, dark orphange truly broke my heart. I researched adoption but never saw a way possible due to having four children, lack of the finances needed and we were also on deputation to be church planters in Australia. Life just never seemed stable enough to accept this call on my heart. I continued to be moved and wish that I could do something but again... excuses. The Lord continued to prick at my heart through the years with different circumstances but again it wasn't time. Jeff began reading "Radical" by David Platt and his heart began to be convicted about the call of God for every believer to care for orphans in some way. Jeff met a friend for lunch one day and found that he was already in the process of adopting a beautiful little girl from China. We went to a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to support he & his family and learned all we could about their journey and the process of adoption. What we heard was all God. Its God who places the call on our hearts to minister and serve Him in whatever capacity He wills. As I Thess 5:24 says "Faithful is HE who calls WHO will also do it". When God has a task for us to complete, HE will provide a way to do it. We called for information and over months prayed and prayed. God used our study "Experiencing God" to move our feet forward. Many of us wait for God to "give us a sign" or "confirm in our hearts" if we are to move in a certain direction when we know that only He could have laid the direction on our hearts. We learned that God wants us to step out in faith and trust Him. We are to be obedient and then watch Him work. So, here we are today. We have been accepted by CCAI to adopt from China and are in the process of pulling together our finances through faith in God and fundraisers, as well as filling out all the paperwork needed. We are scheduled for our orientation to begin our home study process on November 10th. Before we can do this we must have paperwork filled out and the first fee turned in. We are in the "matching" process now which could take up to 6 months (depending on waiting list). We trust God will provide for what He has called us to do through whatever means He desires. If you would like to help by donating or helping with fundraisers or in any other way. Please let us know. Thank you SO much for your prayers.