by Becky Burns

Who doesn’t love a good before and after?  We binge-watch those shows about dramatic home renovations – from disaster to dream dwelling.  We marvel at the makeovers posted on social media – from drab to youthful.

But there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that compares to the change God brings to the life of a child who has been abandoned when a family chooses him or her for adoption – from orphans to sons and daughters.  It is a perfect picture of Christ’s gift of salvation, bringing wholeness and new life to us in our deepest pit of need.

God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ.  This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.
Ephesians 1:5

At our little orphanage in Ethiopia we often wait many months – sometimes years – for one of our little ones to be chosen for adoption.  Prayers by our staff and our faithful monthly sponsors cover each one living temporarily at the House of Joy.

But sometimes we are surprised and delighted to get news of several adoptions taking place in a very short period of time, as we did in April.  Not one but four little boys were claimed and brought home to their forever families!

Once abandoned.  Now sons.

Empty arms now full.

Loved. Cherished. Chosen.

No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.
John 14:18

If you’d like to be part of a child’s before and after story, begin by becoming a $50/month sponsor for an abandoned baby.  It will be one of the greatest privileges you will have!