No, I am not changing my mind about writing books. Yes, I am still working on my book – Adopting the Heart of a Father. In fact, I only have a few pages left to work on from Danielle’s, my wife, review. Then, I will decide on an editor, designer and publisher.
At least once a week for the next few, I will blog about a section in my book. In case you are not aware, you can read an unedited sample of the first two chapters. You can find them by going to the home page.
Early in the book, I share some of our history to give you some context. It helps a little to understand why we decided to be more involved in orphan care at this stage of our lives. One sub-chapter I entitled “Change of Plans”.
February 2007, Danielle and I led a small mission team to Thailand for a 10 day trip. Danielle and I had gone once before, but this was my first time to lead a team. What a learning experience! Short story is that after we arrived home, Danielle and I decided that we needed to go for a longer time.
We talked to the project leader in Thailand about us volunteering for 6-12 months. That turned out to be an answer to his prayers. They needed some help. Immediately. Within 2 months, Danielle and I quit our jobs, set up care for our home and vehicles, and were on a plane back to Thailand.
We volunteered with several mission organizations during the 6 months in Thailand. It was painful to leave and transition back to living in the U.S. I really thought that we would quickly be back overseas. But we have not gone back long-term.
Over the next three years, I served as the mission pastor at our church. In 2010, while I was still on staff, we felt that we were ready to return to the mission field. We began making plans, including setting up several meetings with mission organizations in Thailand. We went to Thailand for 3 weeks in March, 2010.
However, God had other plans for us.
Before we left for Thailand, Danielle and I attended a Verge conference in our city. Our focus was on learning more about being international missionaries. God refocused us. Not that our desire has changed about international missions. We still want to go.
At the conference, Aaron Ivey’s worship team shared about God’s heart for the orphan. Many on the worship team had adopted children. They emphasized the need for foster care and adoption in our own city. As, I sat their listening to their stories and challenge, I knew the Holy Spirit was speaking to my heart.
As Danielle and I walked across the parking lot to our car after that session, we both knew that we were about to change our plans. We still went to Thailand the next month to serve with a youth team from our church. Then, we served with a team from Tamar Center in a village. The next week we met with several other mission leaders in the country.
By the time we returned home, even though it did not make sense to me, I knew that we were going to pursue foster care and possibly adoption before we returned overseas.
The change of plans caught me completely by surprise. But, it is not the first time that God has done that in my life. And, I have no regrets at all.
I try to live my life with a loose hold on things so that God can change my plans when He chooses. I look forward to whatever is next. What an adventure!
Question – Has God ever radically changed your plans? How did you respond?
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