Plundering Blessings
by Laurence Windham

You're going to love this story.

Marbin was 6 years old, just one of many children who, having been forsaken by their parents, was "living" in an orphanage. One day a tall, white man from Virginia appears at the orphanage where Marbin lives in Manila, the Philippines. He notices the kind stranger talking to a couple of the nuns in the main office. He sees them talking and smiling and then as one of the sisters points out Marbin all the adults turn and look at him. They file out of the office toward him and Marbin is soon shaking hands with Buz Wellons. He learns that Mr. Wellons has come from America to adopt him. Buz and his wife Nancy have prayed, saved money, filled out approximately 9,000 forms and now have chosen Marbin out of all the other children in the world, to be their son. For the last three years, Marbin has lived on a 100-acre farm overlooking the south fork of the Hoiston River. He has excelled in his schooling-at home. And has shown particular skill in the area of drawing. In fact, he has actually bought some of his own toys with cash prizes he has won in art contests. Marbin is one special, beloved little guy. But wait 'til you hear the rest of the story.

Just a few months ago, after much prayer, scrimping and saving, and filling out 11,000 more forms, Buz and Nancy returned to the Philippines and brought back another little unwanted boy, from the same orphanage. His name is Gregor. Gregor was Marbin's best friend while they were both in the orphanage. Now, they are brothers! And yes, Marbin is busy these days introducing his old friend and new brother to the wonderful new life that they now both share. I told you that you'd like the story.

Hey, here is another one. Nickoli was just another poor little kid left at the orphanage in one of the darker parts of Russia. To this lonely and desperate corner of the earth came Pat and Susie McCune. The situation they found Nick in was pitiful. He was basically left in his bed all day. His motor skills were compromised by lack of attention and opportunity. The McCunes endured the travel, the unexpected extra expenses, and the discomfort of an extended stay due to the bureaucracy and finally found their way back home with their new little boy, their new son for whom they had prayed and worked toward receiving. Just days after their return to Virginia, the orphanage where they rescued Nick closed its doors to adoptions. Instead of thinking what may have happened to Nick, I am delighted to report that he has for the last 3 years enjoyed a life that few children will ever have. He lives on a farm with cows and horses, ducks and cats and dogs and gardens and meadows to run in, hills to climb, a stream to get extra dirty in, fences and trees to climb. And a family who feels that they are blessed.

Ok. One more.

You would be hard pressed to find as fine a young couple as Samuel and Amber Snapp. Newly married, they were soon to find out that they could not have children. This situation, of course, lends itself to trial and blessing. Just a few weeks ago, an unwanted pregnancy for a pagan became a wanted child by another Christian couple. By this July the adoption should be final. Samuel and Amber are already cradling the new babe in their arms.

Have you ever thought about adoption?

Can you think of a better way to imitate the grace that God has bestowed on us? Think about it. Once we were orphans. Now we are the children of God. We, too, were outside the covenant. Now we find ourselves in the embrace of the Almighty God, the Everlasting Father!

I am so thrilled to share with you the stories above. I could fill this entire issue with others just like them, all about people that I know and live near. I am constantly in the presence of these children who are so far removed from the hopelessness that they once knew. Most of them are from foreign lands (and you who were from afar He hath made near by the blood of His dear son). Most have been brought thousands of miles to their new home (as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us). They have found more love in the families they now belong to than they ever sought (God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us). Of course, none of this has happened without cost. None of these families mentioned are wealthy. But they came up with the monies for adoption (you are bought with a price).

These stories of rescue and redemption challenge our values. They call us to inspect our hearts for selfishness. They encourage us to become heroic like the McCunes, the Wellons and the Snapps.

One day we all will walk on streets of gold. And with us, those who were hungry and we gave them food, those who were naked and we clothed, those who were homeless and we took them in.

And Jesus said, "Suffer the little children and forbid them not to come unto me. For such is the Kingdom of Heaven."