We invited Brooke Henningfeld, our International Waiting Child Advocate, to reflect on family and adoption, and we’re delighted to share her insights with you.
What led you to consider adoption, and how did your journey begin?
"I grew up near a family friend who was adopted domestically and then, in fourth grade, a new boy came to our school. He was adopted from the Philippines and most of his siblings were also adopted internationally, from South Korea and from China. I was so inspired by his beautiful family and the way the Lord built it. Those friends planted the seed in my heart and from that point, I always knew I wanted to adopt internationally. My husband, on the other hand, didn’t know much about adoption at all, but did want a big family. After having our first son, we had two miscarriages. It felt like maybe that was the right time for us to adopt. We have since adopted six children (twins from Ethiopia and four children with special needs from China), all between our oldest and youngest biological sons."
How has adoption changed the way you view family?
"Once we visited our first orphanage, our eyes were opened. We were reminded of Proverbs 24:12.
It’s impossible to see so many children living in orphanages and not want to go back and adopt again.
David Platt says it best in his book, Radical: 'We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes.'
We truly believe that every child, no matter the country of their birth, deserves to grow up in a home with a loving family. The need is great, and I’d urge any family feeling the tug on their heart to take the leap. The hardest things are often the most rewarding."