Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: FAMILY (01/21/16)
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TITLE: My "Never-Never" Obstacles | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Enqvist
01/25/16 -
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God led me through Ceylon, and India, to Thailand. He was in the process of breaking down my “never-never” obstacles. I had to go through each step, which I had obstinately protested against earlier while I still lived with my parents.
I had returned to dad’s Gospel Ship.
I had worked as a Volunteer in India.
Now I was making a promise, to marry a missionary.
The next step was a surprise to me.
At that coffee table, I heard myself voicing a question that I had never consciously reflected on earlier.
“If we are not able to have kids, would you be prepared to adopt any?”
His answer was just as spontaneous, “Yes, of course!”
Five years later, God gave us a lovely baby girl, four months old. She was the first of our Amerasian children.
After nine months we found her adoptive sister, aged three. Seven months later, their little brother, aged two months arrived. When little brother was ten, and the two girls twelve and fourteen, our fourth child appeared on our doorstep; a brother, aged fourteen. Many doubted our wisdom in accepting this new child. Time and God have proved to us; it was not a matter of our own wisdom, but a part of God’s plan.
God had planned another kind of family for us as well. At the age of seven, I read a story about a girl who dreamt about having a large white house where she would take in orphans to live with her. That story became my dream as well. My training to be a Registered Nurse for sick children was part of that dream. God led me through various experiences which confirmed it. My husband and I had never discussed the question; it was just a latent dream in my heart.
At a missionary gathering in Bangkok 1974, the question was raised:
“Is anyone interested in starting an Orphanage?”
We both just looked at each other and nodded, and then said, “We can do it”.
Early the following year, the first four siblings were brought to our big white house. The Bethany family grew over the years, with nearly 300 children receiving shelter for longer or shorter periods of their lives. In July 2015, we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the home with about one hundred of both former and present children.
We pray that those who have lived at the Home will really learn to know the love of their Heavenly Father. We have not always been able to share in their lives as we should have. Yet, we trust in God’s promise:
Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:5-7 (NIV)
Today God is calling His children from every tribe and nation, fulfilling His plan to gather His own family around the throne.
I’m glad He tore down my obstinate “never-never” obstacles, and let me share a tiny part in His plan.
Revelation 7:9-14 (ESV) 1 John 3:1-3 (ESV)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerasian
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God bless~
This is such a touching tribute to those who minister to the hurting.