Pages

"God sets the lonely in families" - Psalm 68:6



Thursday, April 11, 2013

Reflections on our Adoption Journey




On September 7, 2012, it finally happened.  After five years of waiting, fundraising, praying anguished prayers, and questioning God’s timing, our baby girl was finally placed in our arms in Gangnam, South Korea.  Haesook became Hailey Ramsey and found her “forever family”.  It is a day that I will never forget.  Hailey’s “Gotcha Day”.

In 2007 we sensed God calling us to adopt.  Through a series of supernatural events, this calling was confirmed and we were thrilled to be adding a third child to our family.  We had no idea that God had an unbelievable journey ahead, filled with twists, turns, miracles, heartache and indescribable joy.  We believed that God was leading us to adopt in El Salvador and announced the news to the world.  After two years of paper chasing, fundraising and waiting, I had the incredible opportunity to lead a short-term outreach trip to El Salvador with our adoption agency.  What I discovered on that trip would break my heart and change my life forever.

In November, 2009, I boarded a plane with three other naïve and hopeful Americans (who were also hoping to adopt in El Salvador).  We were thrilled to be bringing gifts and encouragement to the orphanage, and expectant to connect with children in need of forever families.  When our dusty van finally entered the compound, it was impossible to hold back our tears as children rushed to the van with shouts of glee.  Over the next few days we held and kissed babies, toddlers and teens, played games, sang songs, and fell in love with the precious children.  We were shocked when we learned that adoption was frowned upon in El Salvador and our agency was not being honest about their program.  But our God had a plan that was bigger than any of us could have dreamed or imagined. 

It just so “happened” that the founder of a small, Christian adoption agency was in El Salvador helping one of her clients while we were there.  We met this mighty woman of faith, filled with compassion and mercy, and she welcomed each of us into her agency with open arms.  Two months later, she offered me the opportunity of a lifetime.  Would I be open to leading short-term orphan outreach teams back to El Salvador on an ongoing basis?  My answer?  Absolutely!  I had fallen in love with El Salvador and my heart was broken by the realization that most of these children would never be adopted.  Although our adoption journey was now in question, I had left my heart in El Salvador and the opportunities to serve these beautiful children were endless.

Over the past three years, I have been honored to lead six teams to El Salvador and two teams to Guatemala. Each trip has been led by His Spirit and the Lord has worked in powerful ways as we have loved on children, met with government leaders, assisted the poor and worshipped alongside our Latin brothers and sisters. I have been overwhelmed over and over again as I’ve considered the fact that I would  not be leading these teams if God had not led us to adopt in El Salvador. 

In 2010, after much counsel, prayer and research, we withdrew our adoption case from El Salvador, losing $15,000.  We applied to a program in Korea and were immediately accepted.  Over the next two years, God did the impossible as we raised close to $35,000 to cover our adoption costs.  In June of 2012, we received the phone call we had prayed for and finally saw the face of our Korean princess.  We accepted the referral and were filled with anticipation as we prepared to travel to Korea to bring our daughter home. 


Proverbs 19:21 says that “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will be established.  When our family opened our hearts to adoption, we had no idea that God was leading us into a lifetime of orphan advocacy.  We have been amazed at the privileges the Lord has given us in starting the So Cal Orphan Care Network, birthing a thriving orphan care ministry in our church and leading teams to Central America to serve orphans.  We have been honored to be part of The Christian Alliance for Orphans and to participate in The Orphan Summit.  God’s ways are truly higher than our ways and His timing is perfect.  We finally have our little girl in our arms and there is one less orphan in the world.  God has expanded our borders and allowed us to serve His orphans throughout the world.  We are overwhelmed by His goodness, his Father-heart for us and the calling He has placed upon our lives.  

No comments:

Post a Comment

The Vision

God spoke this vision regarding our adoption journey to Barbara Lange on March 26, 2010...

"Jenni,


I have made the decision to speak our boldly when God speaks to me. Last night as I was washing the dishes I received this "vision" of you. I hesitate to use the word "vision," but what I saw was a slide of your life. As I watched the show in my mind I began to cry because I was so touched by what I saw. You and I have shared many tears these last couple of years, both sorrow and joy. The attachment is what I saw.

FRAME 1

Jenni sitting at the South Coast Community Church reception desk with the photo album of her courtship and engagement to Mike.

FRAME 2

Jenni performing the gospel message in mime at New Harvest Community Church, showing her heart for the lost and oppressed. Jenni performing the gospel in mime on missions trips everywhere she is able to go. Her Father rejoicing at her obedience and passion.

FRAME 3

The anguished look of a woman desperately wanting to have children. Unsuccessful fertility treatements.

FRAME 4

God watching over His daughter, His heart breaking as tears flow down her cheeks. He whispers in her ear, "My child, I know how broken you feel, but I have a great plan and purpose for your life. This anguish, this heartbreak, this pain will subside. Joy is on its' way. I needed you to suffer in this way because of My plan is for you. You are going to be an advocate for international adoptions. You are going to spread my gospel this way.

FRAME 5

The births of Jordan and Aidan! At last a MOM!

FRAME 6

Having experienced the heartbreak of infertility, Jenni's passion for adoption grows.


FRAME 7

Jenni's passion for missions and adoption begin to fuse.


FRAME 8

The Ramseys start the adoption process for a daughter.

FRAME 9

Jenni goes to Washington DC and connects with adoption leaders. Relationships follow, teamwork begins. Jenni begins a new chapter in her life in the intl. adoption network.

FRAME 10

The slow adoption process is agonizing to the Ramseys.

FRAME 11

Jenni leads a missions team to El Salvador and learns sad news about El Salvador adoptions and specifically their own plans. Heartbroken again, but resolved to press on.

FRAME 12

More networking with intl. adoptions, hope for their daughter and another trip to El Salvador. Jordan goes to El Salvador. The orphans are overwhelmed and ecstatic that Jenni returns. Jenni and Jordan build "forever friendships and family" in El Salvador. Jenni's passion increases.

FRAME 13

Jenni prepares for third trip to El Salvador in one year. Amazing things happen.

FRAME 14 - THE FINAL FRAME...

Mike and Jenni, standing now, older, graying hair, surrounded by their sons and their wives, their daughters and their husbands and their grandchildren. Below them are thousands of children joyously celebrating Jenni's life. Her passion to follow her Father's call and purpose on her life is fulfilled. These thousands of children represent all of the orphans, adoptions and ripple affect of her life's work.

A work that could not be accomplished without the pain, suffering and brokeness she endured trying to become a mom.


Well done, my good and faithful servant."

A Heartwarming Adoption Story.... the Howerton's Miraculous Haitian Adoption Journey

God's Heart for Orphans...

An Incredible Video...

"Cry of The Orphan" - Thoughts on orphan care from some of my greatest heroes!