Why international?

Just today, I was reminded again that not everyone understands why a family may chose international adoption when so many children here in the U.S. need homes as well. I think this is a personal decision for every family. For us personally, there is no doubt God has called us to adopt internationally. I really can't explain this...but we feel totally at peace with this decision. We did explore domestic adoption (during a 3-hour seminar), but it is not where we feel led. Everyone is called to something different...that is why God is God and we shouldn't ask questions.

But when Nick and I look at the numbers this is also our WHY and more specifically why special needs in China.

In our world today it is estimated that there are more than 143,000,000 orphaned children (130,000 in the US). Often sick and medically fragile children are left to die. In some orphanages, the death rates are as high as 20%. Asia has an estimated 61.5 million orphans. In CHINA there are more than 40,000 orphanages with an estimated 3 million orphans. Two in five babies entering the system die. In response to concern of over-population in China, the government enforced a "one child" policy. Compounding the problem is the cultural response to boys and girls. The birth of a boy is celebrated, while the birth of a girl is not acknowledged.

The fact is it doesn't really matter why...but inevitably people will wonder. Geez, we even wonder sometimes...but God is God and we are answering His call...even when we don't understand WHY!