My Miracle Story11/23/2015 Over this Adoption/Orphan Care series, we’ve taken a close look at God’s heart for the orphan, our responsibility to care for them, and ways in which one can get involved. So to close out this wonderful series on adoption and orphan care, I would like to share my testimony of God’s faithfulness and bear witness to the power adoption has to transform the life of an orphaned child. My story began before I was even born, when about thirty-five years ago in the ancient land of China, one man decided to implement nation-wide population control. This decision was brought into effect through the One Child policy, and though this law has recently been repealed, it has forever impacted a generation. The One Child policy limited Chinese families, who ordinarily raised many children, to one, single child. And in Chinese culture each family wanted at least one son, for it was the son who would care for the parents in their old age, not the daughter. Therefore, when the One Child policy was enacted most couples wanted their single child to be a healthy boy. So when expectant mothers discovered that their unborn child was a girl or might have some handicap, they were strongly advised to abort the pregnancy and many did. However, there were some who loved their child so much that they were willing to risk disgrace, deliver their baby in secret, and then break the law by placing it in a public area to be found by government officials and taken to an orphanage. It was into this complex world that I was born, which is a miracle in and of itself. I do not know anything about my birth mother, but this I know: she loved me. So much so that she chose life for her little baby girl, and while I don’t know the opposition she may have faced because of this decision, she counted me, her unborn child, worthy of the cost. And after successfully bringing me into this world, she bravely placed me in a market square, early in the morning, knowing that I would soon be found, and praying that I would live a better and full life. Meanwhile, halfway around the world, a child-less, Christian couple felt God knocking on the door of their hearts and calling them to adopt from the country of China. They followed their heavenly Father’s calling, and started the long paperwork process to bring home a fatherless child. After many long months, this American couple’s paperwork was sent to the desk of government officials in the People’s Republic of China who then matched their file with that of a little girl from Nanning in Guangxi Province. And eventually, these American soon-to-be parents traveled across the great expanse of the Pacific Ocean and, on November 23rd eighteen years ago, received their long awaited, greatly prayed for little girl. And that little girl was me. Many times we don’t know how or why certain things happen in our lives, however, we can be sure of this: God is in control. Many could read my story and think "Poor child; she was born in the wrong time and place, abandoned at a young age, and left orphaned." However, God had a plan. He wanted me to live here, in America not in China, and to grow up knowing about Him. And God used my parents to carry out His plan, two people who were willing to follow the call of God and step into the unknown, welcoming into their home not just one daughter from the People’s Republic of China, but eventually three. God also worked through other people to bring about His will, from the unbelieving Chinese officials whose job is to match prospective parents’ files with those of waiting children, to the generous individuals who became part of my story by giving monetary gifts to help cover the high costs encountered through international adoption. All these people are integral characters in my story because they all actively participated in removing one number off the orphan statistics and changing the world for this child. I often times wish there was a way to tell my birth mother my story, and that because of her bravery and unconditional love, her hopes, dreams, and prayers for me were answered. For I have been miraculously transplanted from a seemingly hopeless situation as an orphan to America, the land of plenty and abundance, with a loving family of my own, who has shown me the path to eternal life and the One who’s in control of all things. Nothing in this world happens by chance; everything has a divine purpose. And as I look back over my life’s story, I can see God’s fingerprints over everything. So as we close this series, I pray that you have been moved to seriously consider the plight of the orphan and how you can either change a child’s world or participate in changing their world. My life have been completely altered and transformed by the miracle of adoption, and not only that, but through it I have acquired a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, I have now been adopted twice; once by my earthly parents, and once by my heavenly Father. And all this was made possible because two Christian adults followed God’s call and welcomed an orphaned child with open arms and hearts. So will you follow God’s call? For remember that we, as Christ’s Body, are responsible for the plight of the orphan and have been divinely mandated to care for them and continue God’s ministry of adoption. Therefore, join the movement to father the fatherless, provide for the needs of the least of these in Jesus’ name, and change the world of a child so that they are orphans no more! I would like to thank my parents for following God’s call all those years ago and for teaching me about my heavenly Father. I would also like to thank all the people who helped, supported, prayed, and gave financially to my parents as they walked the journey of international adoption. You have been faithful followers of God and have practiced pure and undefiled religion or worship that is beautiful and wholly acceptable to our holy God. So thank you for making my story possible, and may God richly bless you!
12 Comments
Stephanie
10/20/2016 12:09:07 am
What an absolute joy it has been to play an ongoing role in your story all these years. You grew in my heart such a very long time before holding you in my arms for the very first time. How blessed I have been to have been chosen as your Mama ~ I love you my precious daughter!
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Christ In Me
10/20/2016 12:12:58 am
And I am so glad that God gave me you! You are a wonderful, loving mother and a close friend and confidant. Thank you for cultivating the meaningful relationship we have and for being the kind of mother every child needs! I love you!
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Anonymous
10/20/2016 12:10:17 am
I too am in awe at God's workings. Thank you for proclaiming Him and honoring your parents!
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Christ In Me
10/20/2016 12:13:38 am
You are so right! Our God is a God of purpose and forethought, nothing He orchestrates is random or by chance. I am just so humbled and blessed that He chose me and brought me out of the land of China to receive citizenship in America and in heaven. May His name be glorified and the plight of the orphan spread through the story of His work in my life!
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Anonymous
10/20/2016 12:10:46 am
So, so blessed to know your parents, sisters, and YOU. I praise God not as I ought, but as I am able. Thank you for these loving, articulate thoughts.
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Anonymous
10/20/2016 12:11:06 am
Thank you so much for writing these adoption posts and for sharing your own testimony. They have been a blessing to read and have challenged me in the area of orphan care. I too am so thankful for your adoption story, because, without it, I probably wouldn't be here either. :)
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Anonymous
10/20/2016 12:11:22 am
Thank you for sharing. :) It is great that you continue to share the testimony of Christ's love on this blog and in front of others.
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Avi Deshmukh, MD
11/21/2020 05:08:07 pm
This story brings more faith in God. God had purpose to love and nurture this orphan, disbanded from her unknown mom, whom she loved as she formed in her womb, by feeling her heartbeats, respiration, and warmth of love providing much needed nutrition. For knowing the plight of this orphan facing political strain the mom made the best sacrifice to let her child go, be adopted for more love, security, respect, growth,and success, knowing God will help. Yes, with faith in God. miracles of God this child became grown human as a christian, adopted not just by her adoptee parents, but also by Jesus Christ. Jesus has shined on her through love, blessings, and unconditional faith, and has allowed the freedom of life under his wings. You are blessed and loved by God, and you always will be loved with no limits!
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Kristin Renfer
11/21/2020 05:31:02 pm
Thanks for taking time to comment, Avi! Yes, God’s blessings in my life are so evident and I am grateful for all of them. I can see God’s fingerprints on my life from the very beginning and know that He has a special plan and purpose for me. So I am confident in His love and fully trust His sovereignty. God bless you as you follow our faithful God!
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Don
11/23/2020 11:14:53 pm
Wow, Kristin you are such a blessing to so many people. I truly enjoyed reading your story of adoption. It is so true that adoption changes the life of the orphan and also the life of the adoptive parents. It is also true that adoption changes our world for the better. Think of the impact that you - Kristin - have had on the lives of so many people and how different our world is because of how the Lord has used you to minister to so many people both young and old alike. Because your parents followed the leading of the Lord regarding the call to adopt, our world is a better place. May the Lord richly bless beyond your greatest expectations.
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Fawn
11/26/2020 10:35:01 am
What a blessing it has been to see from the announcement of your adoption ( with a little picture of you) until present. And to see how you have grown in God's love.
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Jesse Broussard
12/11/2021 06:57:00 am
I had always wondered, and am glad to know. I was never adopted, but was cared for by distant relatives who obtained guardianship of me when I was just four. I’ve long planned to adopt siblings as soon as I am able, in order to keep a family together the way I wish had been possible for me. Thank you for writing.
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So to close out this wonderful series on adoption and orphan care, I would like to share my testimony of God’s faithfulness and bear witness to the power adoption has to transform the life of an orphaned child. Read more Orphan Care Ministries:Categories
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