Adoption.

Around the beginning of this summer a friend of mine mentioned something that I had always been favorable towards but never really thought about: adoption. They told me that they really want to adopt a child when they get married. They also asked me what I thought about adoption, and since then I've been thinking about it a lot.

Honestly, I had never really thought of it that much - but I have never felt negative or turned off to it at all. As a matter of fact when I was growing up, my parents frequently talked about their desire to adopt a little girl - so adoption has always been seen as a realistic, desirable thing in my family. So when my friend asked what I thought about adoption, I told them I wouldn't mind adoption at all. As a matter of fact, I might even want to adopt someday if I get married.

So ever since my friend rekindled that thought in my mind, I've been thinking about it ...a lot. And then a couple of Sundays ago I saw a story on the front page of the El Paso Times about the difficulties of adoption in Mexico. I believe it was on September 4th, now that I think of it. So the article was chronicling the story of an American family who has been trying for years to adopt a Mexican girl. They've spent thousands of dollars on administrative costs and court costs, and in making trips to Juarez to go see her over the years. They've basically watched her grow up and even though the Mexican government is making it nearly impossible for them, they still have hope that she will soon be part of their family.

The article also talked about many other kids who are in that orphanage waiting for a forever family and it showed several photos of the kids - some of them teenagers - playing at the orphanage. I looked at those photos of the little kids and thought maybe someday I'll adopt a child like them. I looked at the photos of the teenagers and wanted to be an older brother to them.

Honestly, it's really bothered me since then that SO many of these kids have been waiting for SO long, and that the Mexican government is making it so difficult for the adoptions to be finalized. It just doesn't make sense to me.

So ...adoption. It's a beautiful thing and it's an amazing, visible picture of God's love for us. Someday if I ever get married, I think I'd like to look into adoption. I pray and hope my wife will be open to that, because I think adoption is a really great thing.




What about you - have you ever thought about adoption? Would you be open to adopting a child?

Pray for Youth for Christ El Paso.

Tomorrow morning, we as the board of Youth for Christ El Paso will gather together at 8:00 am to pray for the new school year of ministry with YFC. I want to invite you to join with us in prayer wherever you're at. Below are the things we'll pray about and even if it's after 8:00 am tomorrow, please pray for these things anyway. I believe this will be one of the greatest ministry years ever of YFC, so thanks for your prayers.

Prayer Requests:

1. That God would open any unopened doors in every and all areas of YFC: financial areas, churches, and campuses.

2. That this year we would be able to reach even more young people for Christ. That there would be a 10-fold multiplication of what God is already doing on YFC campuses in El Paso. That many more campuses and churches be added.

3. That through the planning of upcoming banquet, God would open even more doors in financial areas that perhaps we have never tapped into.

4. That as a Board we would begin to intercede frequently, and not only pray during our board meetings.

5. That the banquet would be 100% sponsored through business donors in this city.

6. For all our families. 

7. For Rick (YFC's executive director), as he has to deal with various pressures from different people in different areas. That God would pour more and more of Him as he continues to walk in faith with the vision that God has given him in this city for YFC and Ft. Bliss. 

8. That as a Board, we would be so united and stand together in times of battle and discouragement.

9. For Tara (our campus director) and her family: provision and strength to manage tasks that God has placed in their lap.

10. For Rosemary and Zach (YFC staffers): for greater leadership and greater abilities to manage responsibilities. That God would open contracting positions at Ft. Bliss so that they can continue to help with YFC.

12. For our jobs and ministries that each of us is doing. That God would prosper the work of our hands and give us greater favor. 

13. For continued passion of each YFC chapter.

14. That this year, God has marked it as a year of great increase for YFC, and that we would hold on to that promise with all we got!

We pray based on God’s Word:

Psalm 91:15
They will call to me, and I will answer them.
I will be with them in trouble;
I will rescue them and honor them.

1 Corinthians 15:58
So my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Do not let anything move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.

Colossians 1:10
... so that you will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God.

Hebrews 6:10-11
God is fair; he will not forget the work you did and the love you showed for him by helping his people. And he will remember that you are still helping them. We want each of you to go on with the same hard work all your lives so you will surely get what you hope for.