Divine Introduction

Before we came to Brasil, we were asked to bring down a laptop for one of the students here. He’s such a great guy. His name is Rodrigo. He and his wife, Lailah (who reminds me SO MUCH of one of my former roommates, Shanda...I almost call her “Shanda” sometimes, that’s how much she reminds me of her) have 2 sons, Lucas (4) and Andre (born in May). We started getting to know them and of course Joel spent time with Rodrigo every day at the airport.

Well, Rodrigo’s parents basically do exactly what I described seeing myself doing in my vision. Asas de Socorro had their graduation the at the beginning of December (students who actually come to the flight school here stay around 4 years...Joel will not be participating in a graduation like this since he is just doing some further training, not the whole school). We got the chance to meet Rodrigo’s parents. Here’s their story...

The dad worked in the electronics field and was happy. He always sensed he had more of a missionary type heart. But, he was very involved in his church. He loved the “social work” type of thing and fulfilled that love by really helping in that aspect of his church...the benevolence type stuff.

Well, he and his wife had 3 children. At one point she went to a conference concerning the evangelism of children. Somehow through that time, she began to really want to adopt a child...a baby. In fact, they planned to adopt 1 or 2. Well, he became increasingly unfulfilled and knew that it was time for a change. His wife challenged him by saying, “Why don’t we just work for God?” He asked her if she had the guts for that. Apparently they both did.

The opportunity came up for them to adopt, but it wasn’t a baby...it was a 10-yr. old. Their oldest child at the time was 9. So, they would be embarking on completely new territory. They were very brave though and didn’t just dismiss it. They prayed about it and knew that that was what God would have them do. They became involved with some people that were in ministry adopting children. That family had 10 children total...some adopted and some biological. They lived in an area where there were 2 houses. So, Rodrigo’s parents moved into the extra house and the plan was to adopt 7 children, making a total of 10 children for them too (since they had 3 biological). This was to happen over the course of 5 years. But, by the end of 2 years, they already had 11 children. The mission that they were associated with wanted them to stop. But, they knew that God didn’t want them to stop.

Long story short...they now have 34 children. 4 of their children are now married. They have 6 grandchildren. And 28 kiddos are still at home...their “big, little house” they called it. Big because it is big, but little because with all those people, it’s still crowded of course. Their youngest child right now is 3 years old. They are not sure if they are done adopting or not...it is a step-by-step, “what does God have for us now” existence.

It’s not an orphanage they run. It’s not a foster home. It is a home and a family. These kids are adopted and part of a family for good. I asked them how the kids felt about being in a home with so many other kids. They said that the kids know that it’s a ministry. They are all well aware of what it is like to not have a home and a family...they are all on board with helping to provide a chance like they have been given to other kids. These kids have all been rejected in a major way at least once...some of them were taken home to a family only to be returned to the orphanage. That runs deep. But, they focus on how all of us have been adopted...into God’s family. We are all orphans in need of adoption. They said that it is a challenge of course, to bring these kids in and help them to heal. But, they focus on bringing them to Jesus first...then it’s an easier process for the healing to take place.

Not only have they adopted though, they have helped others to adopt too...here and internationally. They founded an organization themselves. They have helped to place many children from orphanages in homes here in Brasil. He said that he knows the states (as in the states of the U.S.A) better than he knows Brasil because he’s been there so many times traveling to so many states just speaking to churches and other groups about the importance of and need for adoption. They have found homes for 40 children in the United States. And 4 children so far in Europe. Amazing! Such wonderful things they are doing. I just stood there and cried while talking to them, hearing their stories.

The need is so great. Just so happened that we had visited and helped with an outreach at the orphanage that is 2 streets over from us that same day before we went to the graduation. At that orphanage, there was a little boy named Luciano that just clung to one of the ladies that was there with us. He’s 2 years old. He just holds on and won’t let go. He was one of the ones who was of course put in the orphanage when he was born, but then a family took him home, only to return him after they either couldn’t take care of him any longer or just didn’t want him. Double rejection. I don’t know if that’s common in the U.S. or not, but it seems to be here. My heart breaks for these kids.

As in the United States, the older the child is, the less and less likely it is for them to be adopted. Also, as in the U.S., if they are a sibling group, they are harder to adopt out. But, in the U.S. I know they really try to keep sibling groups together. Here, from what they were telling us, they don’t really try to keep siblings together (although that is becoming more common, thank goodness)...if someone wants to adopt them separately, they do. So, again...much damage. Siblings are close and siblings who have been put in an orphanage really stick together...what a ripping apart when one is removed and one is left behind.

The kids with physical or emotional disabilities/problems are hard to get adopted. But, and I found this surprising, also the kids with darker skin are hard to adopt out. The darker the skin, the less likely to be adopted. Wow. So sad.

Rodrigo’s parents have focused a lot on the kids who nobody else wants...the ones with emotional/physical problems, the ones that have siblings (they take them all), the older ones (the oldest they’ve adopted was 13 at the time), and the ones with darker skin. What a ministry they have! I don’t even know their names, but if you would, just add them to your prayer list...theirs is such an important, ongoing ministry. And, if you are at all prompted to pursue adoption of a little Brazilian kiddo, please let me know. I now have contacts who could possibly start the ball rolling to make it happen. What an awesome God we serve of great introduction, networks, and connections to get His job done here on earth!

A couple more things to note:
-We’ve always been pretty sure and insistent upon the fact that the kids we’d adopt wouldn’t be older than Grady. There’s wisdom in that in that we would’ve already embarked on certain age-specific things with Grady and therefore would have at least a little experience with things instead of just being “thrown in there” with an older child. But, we are challenged by and impressed with this couple. Is it a God thing that we’ve felt this way in the past? Maybe...but maybe it’s our own fears. “God help us to be open and know Your will for us...not just what seems right and logical in the natural.”
-34!! That’s a lot, right? I’ve always wanted a big family, but 34?!? :-) But, these people wanted only 3, then maybe 4 or 5, then 10 at the most...but, God just kept on making it clear that they were to have more. Again, “God help us to be open to Your will alone, even if it seems ridiculously crazy in the natural.”

We're so excited to see what God does in this area in our lives. Pray with us for God's leading in this area...concerning what our part is, and also what yours is too.