Orphan Care/Adoption

Adoption can be overwhelming.

This page is a compilation of Scripture and resources that I have found to be useful along the way.

I hope that it can be a source of encouragement to you as you consider adoption or desire to assist those on their adoption journey.

God Has A Heart For The Fatherless

He [God] executed justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.

-Deuteronomy 10:18

"At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do."

-Deuteronomy 14:28-29

"Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow."

-Deuteronomy 27:19

"You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child."

-Exodus 22:21-22

"Do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart."

-Zechariah 7:10

But you do see, for you not mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless.

-Psalm 10:14

The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike no more.

-Psalm 10:16-18

Father of the fatherless, and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. 

God settles the solitary in a home."

- Psalm 68:5-6

The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

-Psalm 146:9

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's case.

-Isaiah 1:17-18

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

-Psalm 82:3-4

Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

-Proverbs 31:9

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this:

to visit the orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

-James 1:27

Resources 

Francis Chan For Orphan Sunday from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

Abba Fund

America's Christian Credit Union

Lifesong for Orphans

Show Hope



Sermon Series on Adoption:

Adoption: The Heart of the Gospel -provided by John Piper

Predestined for Adoption to the Praise of His Glory- provided by John Piper

10 Ways to Pastor Adoptive Parents and Those Considering Adoption- provided by Jason Kovacs

Adoption Is Greater than the Universe- provided by the Desiring God staff

Articles:

The Price of Adoption- provided by Amy Adair


Books to Read:
{I haven't read all of these, however, each came with a high recommendation from those currently adopting}

The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family
written by: Karyn Purvis, David Cross and Wendy Sunshine

Orphanology
written by: Tony Merida and Rick Morton

Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches
written by: Russell D. Moore

Helping Your Adopted Child: Understanding Your Child's Unique Identity
written by: Paul David Tripp

Adoption
written by: Raymond Guarendi

Praying Through Your Adoption: A Complete Guide to Creating and Nurturing Today's Forever Family
written by: Michele Cervone Scott

Global Orphan Statistics

Christian Alliance for Orphans

UNICEF 2012 Report

SOS Children's Villages- A Loving Home For Every Child

International Adoption Resources

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Practical Ways You Can Assist Families Who Are Adopting

1. Provide financial assistance. 

The cost associated with adoption can be overwhelming and every dollar counts. 

2.  Provide emotional support.

The paperwork and waiting process of adoption can be brutal (or so I've heard). If you cannot support the family financially during their adoption journey, you can always offer them the gift of community.

3. PRAY

Pray. Pray. Pray. And pray some more. Often the hold ups and setbacks during the adoption process can most definitely be attributed to spiritual warfare. The enemy does not want God's glory to be displayed by means of adoption. Please be in prayer for those who have answered the call to adopt children into their home.

4. Babysit biological children (if any) while parents are traveling.

Especially if the family is adopting internationally, one/both parent(s) will be traveling at some (sometimes multiple times) point during the process. If the adopting family lives no where near their immediate family, offer to watch their biological while they are away. 

5. Assist them in packing for their journey.

Whether it is domestic or international, I've been told that it is a whirlwind to get everything together in time (sometimes with only days notice) to travel. What a way to minister to the family by simply offering to help them pack!

6. Throw them a baby shower!
The cost of bringing a child into your home is expensive, whether it is biologically or through adoption. There are necessities that must be purchased in order to properly care for the child and every little bit adds up in the end. It would bless the family tremendously if you threw a shower for them! Bless them with articles of clothing, shoes, accessories, gift cards and any other necessary items (like diapers, bottles, burp cloths, pacifiers) they will need depending on the age of the child. 

 Once the child(ren) is/are home, you can:

1. Help with meals

2. Assist with laundry

3. Offer to clean the house

4. Babysit biological children

5. Offer to run any errands they may have

Each of the ideas above will help adoptive families during the crucial bonding time once the child has arrived. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Just a few ideas to get your wheels turning :)

***I will add to this list as I talk with friends/family who have completed their adoption process
and as we begin our own adoption journey.***