Brianna and Maiya

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10

A well known verse in Christian adoption circles is James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. You'll see this verse in blogs, as a theme for adoption care ministries, and hear it from the pulpit as a call to action. The verse is wonderfully direct and leaves no room for "helping orphans and widows is not my calling". In fact this is one of the verses that early on captured my heart and moved Ben and I from mere interest in adoption to what we now describe as being compelled to adopt. Yet as we go through the paperwork and approval process I'm struck with the realization that this is so much bigger than I ever imagined.

I'd like to introduce you to Brianna and Maiya. Brianna is 16 and Maiya is 10. They are not related by birth and live in different parts of Florida. Both have had parental rights terminated, are free for adoption, and need permanent homes. They are typical of the children and youth in foster care with one distinction - they are Christians.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ are living around the world in foster care and orphanages. Does this thought catch your breath as it does mine? As Christians we are called to care for the poor, the vulnerable, and the orphan, but we also have a special calling to care for each other.

I encourage you to click on the links below. Watch Brianna's video and read Maiya's bio. As you do, remember that they are already family.

Maiya: http://www.adoptuskids.org/child/ChildView.aspx?id=34278

Brianna: