Why do you spend several thousand dollars to travel around the world for little more than a week, when you could have donated that same amount of money? The same question arises about adoption. Why spend tens of thousands of dollars to adopt a baby when you could donate that amount and feed many more?
These are good questions and when asked with sincerity, I appreciate that the person asking felt comfortable to do so. I also assume that the person asking truly wants to hear the answer. And there is an answer. A very very good one.
I will start with the mission trips. Yes, it is true that this trip Bryce is on cost her several thousand dollars. God brought in the entire amount she needed, though, plus some donations. Her dad and I supplemented the donations she wanted to take with her. It is also true that she will only be on the ground in Africa for eight days. What can you do in eight days that will make a lasting difference? Well, you can read their Day 1 update on the Ordinary Hero blog, but as you can see they spent day one loving on children in a transition home. These particular children have been adopted and the home is full of anticipation and joy. We have personally prayed for many of the children by name that Bryce was able to hug on today. They are no longer just faces on our computer screen, now she has heard their voices, seen their smiles, and kissed their precious faces.
They also gave manicures and pedicures to the nannies and gave them a much needed break from their jobs as caregivers. Don't mistake this as a small thing. They literally washed the hands and feet of the saints who are in the trenches day in and day out. Women who have chosen to give their very lives to care for these orphaned or abandoned children. This must be a sometimes lonely and frustrating job. I know how unappreciated I feel sometimes as a stay at home mom - in America, with every conceivable convenience, and a husband who loves me. These women care daily for children that are not their own, with very little in the way of comforts, and not too many people telling them they are doing a good job. To have a group of women come in and pamper them and give them a few hours "off" is a HUGE, HUGE thing. Much different, and certainly more personal than a check in the mail.
So, in just one day they have blessed a multitude of children and the women who care for them in ways that they will not soon forget. That is only Day 1. They have seven more days to go. Is it worth it to sacrifice a week and a few thousand dollars to let someone know on such a personal level that you care what they go through? That you care enough to share in just a small part of the life they live daily?
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7
Today, these few Americans who offered the very small sacrifice of a week of their time to God, received the blessing a hundred fold. They also were able to, for a brief moment, comfort and encourage these nannies. We all serve the same big, big God and no matter where we live, whether in the slums of Ethiopia or the suburbs of America, we all have a hole in our very souls that can only be filled by Him.
Is it worth it? You bet!!
As for adoption, you can imagine I have plenty to say on that subject, most of which I will save for another day. Suffice it to say that basically the same principles apply. Yes, we could have donated the money we spent on Patrick's adoption to some very worthy organization - and there are plenty of them out there, working very hard to feed the hungry and clothe the needy. However, we are human beings created in the image of a very relational God and He designed us to live within a family unit. Children thrive in families. Even in places like Ethiopia where the nannies are usually loving and kind, they will testify that there is only so much they can do when they have so many children to care for. Children need a mom and dad and brothers and sisters. (I do believe singles should adopt and couples with no other children, so don't take that last statement totally literally).
Children who live their entire lives in orphanages feel unworthy and abandoned. As they get older, they don't believe that anyone could ever want them. It affects their entire lives. There are websites that contain the profiles of young adults, over 18, who have aged out of the system, begging to be "adopted" even as adults, so that they have a family of their own. It is a sad reality that over 163,000,000 children and countless adults have no one to call their own. Can you even imagine?
Adoption is the very picture of how God relates to us. It is worth every penny a million times over to adopt children and then raise them to love the Lord and serve Him. Besides, the biggest blessing of adoption is not for the child you supposedly "saved" - the biggest blessing is yours. You get to be a part of God's redemptive plan in the life of a particular child or children. You get to be involved in something that God could have easily done without you. He doesn't need you, He can find someone who is willing, but He chooses to allow you to participate. It is an awesome responsibility and it is amazing to watch Him knit families together. All colors, all ages, all "needs" - knit together into a unbreakable bond called a family. It is worth every cent and every sleepless night to be called by the Creator of the Universe to participate in His plans.
It is my honor and great privilege for this little boy to call me Mommy.
I would do it over and over again.
**I want to add a bit to this blog post. Bryce has only been in Ethiopia one day, but here is a quote that she wrote to me after she read this particular post.
"Another very important reason to GO. A trip like this changes your heart. Don't fool yourself into thinking you don't need a heart change. God has so much to teach us all about His heart. A trip like this is life changing in so many ways. Even after only being here one day I understand that my main purpose on this trip is for God to teach me about love and compassion and sacrifice... I am also here to bless others, but there is only so much I can do for the people in such a small amount of time. The little bit I can do personally for the beautiful people here is worth the time and money... but the heart change in all of us on my team here will last for a lifetime."
God is in the business of heart change. If every single person who takes a short term mission trip goes back home and in turn blesses someone else - then God is glorified. GO and see what God can do!!
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