Last Friday, June 24th, CCP and COT staff went to visit an orphanage in the city of Khonkaen. The facility was very nice, colorful, and welcoming. We arrived for morning snack (which we provided-thanks supporters!). We sat with them as they drank milk and ate crackers. Of course they speak no English and hardly provided their names when we asked.
Then we took the children (ages 2 1/2 to 6) outside to play on the playgrounds. The girl I was holding took off so I just ran around with a few and took pictures. Then I went with the toddlers to another playground. I picked up one boy (we called him Dino because of his dinosaur shirt) because he was crying over his spilled snack. I carried him to the playground and had him sit on my lap while he ate. Another little girl climbed onto my lap. After Dino finished he eating he climbed down, I continued to hold the little girl (we'll call her Mai because she said "mai" a lot which means "no"). I played with her on the playground for awhile but then she just wanted to be held. Every time I tried to put her on the ground or on the playground equipment, she would scream "mai mai mai!!!" I knew it wasn't going to be pretty when we left. Sure enough she screamed bloody murder when we started to leave, even when I took off her shoes to go in the building. I tried to put her on the floor but she clung to me and screamed and cried. When I pulled her off my body she writhed on the floor as if she was in pain. All I could think was "I am totally messing you up for life kid. You have major attachment problems." I absolutely loved her and it broke my heart to leave. I wanted to scoop her back up and take her home. It saddens my heart to think that she is still there with dozens of other children without a mother and father. In Thailand, mothers are allowed to bring children to the orphanage if they don't want them. However, the mother can come back and get the child. Therefore, it is very hard to adopt in Thailand. Still, when the time comes, I would love to adopt from Thailand.
I left the orphanage thinking of how I am adopted as a son into God's family. And I say "son" because I can receive the full inheritance of a son.
"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons...So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir." Galatians 4:4,5,7 (NIV)
"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord God Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)
"In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will." Ephesians 1:4b-5
"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ..." Romans 8:15-17a
God has chosen me! The beautiful thing about adoption is that the parents chose the child. God chose me, even before I was born. God has pursued me and LOVES me as His own daughter. I am fully accepted by Him and can be secure in this.
I pray that the children at the orphanage will also be chosen by earthly parents and that they have been chosen by God to know Him. Please pray that prayer with me.
Week 5 of ministry has begun. We are meeting with several girls each day. We have met over 100 girls and we have established relationships with 20 of those girls. We have been sharing the gospel with a few of them and growing closer and closer to them each day. Please pray for time to hang out with them and for us to find "entry gates" to share the gospel.
In Christ,
Christine ><>
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