Beseeching the Lord

Like the tab on the side says…God writes a different story for every adoption, but each is beautiful and glowing with His glory. For those of you who are just getting to know us, and for those who just haven’t heard the whole story, here’s a glimpse of the shine we’ve experienced over the past 4 years . . .


So after ½ a year of prayer, research, prayer, consulting with family and close friends, and more prayer, we were both faced with the same conclusion . . . Adoption is now a decision of obedience for our family. We got started right away and began our homestudy for Vietnam. We completed the process and watched in awe as God provided every penny each step of the way. (more than a few amazing stories for another post) Our 4- 6 month process turned into 6-8 then 10-12 and after waiting almost 16 months being told over and over we should be next, after several heartbreaking discussions with our agencies about the corruption and devastating acts taking place in Vietnam, after feeling certain our case would slip through, the US Embassy stopped processing adoptions from Vietnam. It was over. Every penny was gone with no refund, and we were left with a gaping whole in our hearts that a child we had loved dearly but never seen would never fill. We were later told that our file was the next to be granted a referral…next! What assurance that our God had held our file down on that desk. It was the peace we needed to press on.

We were given our sweet Maela in January 09 and one year later the earthquake in Haiti shook our home as well. We knew it was time to get our adoption going again and the recent reconnection with some friends in Uganda was the open door we were ready to walk through. Here’s the abridged version:

February – Began homestudy #2 here in CA and were led to an incredible God-serving agency in Alabama that works in Uganda.

March - We were given the honor of praying for a baby girl, AB days after she was born extremely premature, and soon would decide to adopt.

April - We were matched with our sweet NJ by the orphanage director and fell in love!

God blessed us with a surprise pregnancy... Surprise!

We had to give up AB due to our pregnancy, grieved our loss but rejoiced that another family would soon have the gift of loving her.

May - We were told our homestudy was going to be denied due to our “conservative fundamental Christian beliefs”, unless we were willing to change them. Terrified we could loose NJ, we asked many of you to pray and God moved mountains and changed hearts – we were approved without forsaking the name of Jesus or the principles He has set before us to live out!

June - At 13 weeks, we lost our baby and once again found ourselves grieving. God poured His grace and peace over us, bathing us in the comfort only a Father who has lost a child can give.

July - Our agency informed us AB was still in the orphanage and we would have the opportunity to adopt her! Miraculous details God orchestrated kept her there, just for us!

August/September - AB became very sick and was hospitalized for 5 days. God in His infinite mercy provided a foster mom for her and heard the cries of many of His faithful . . . she was healed!

AB’s condition prompted our case to be considered a “special circumstance” and work began to potentially speed up our travel date. She is still very fragile and is in need of surgery. Here’s where you come in . . .

Will you join us in a time of prayer and fasting to beseech the Lord to send us to Uganda in October? This would be nothing short of a miracle, but our God is infinitely bigger than any hindrances that stand in our way! He can allow this and we are going to be on our knees before Him. Here’s what He is more than able to accomplish for us to go:

- AB’s investigation completed

- All paperwork is cleared and ready to go

- Judge is willing to see our case as a special circumstance and grants us an early court date in October

- Financial Needs are met (in 4 weeks rather than 4 months)

This time of prayer and fasting was prompted by a wonderful woman, Linny, whose family God has used to encourage us many times. Check out her blog to be uplifted by the worshipful music and read the many stories of other families in the midst of adoption hurdles. Will you come along side us, with Linny and many others, praying for the orphan and families around the world who are striving to bring their children home?

We have designated three days to go before the Lord, starting Wednesday, September 8. There is power in numbers and the Lord loves to see His children gather together in His name.  Remember Esther's call on the entire nation of Israel to fast and pray...history was changed and the Great Jehovah moved mountains! (thank you for that reminder, Linny)  He can do it again if He chooses and release the enemies hold on orphans all around the world.  Please join us!  Consider this Scripture with us as you pray and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for partnering against the enemy in this fight for the fatherless!

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.”

Thank you all for your love, encouragement and support!
Abiding in Him,
The VanderStoeps
(all 6 of us!)