The Prayers of a Child

Have you ever heard the testimony of Christian singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman about how he and his wife came to adopt from China?

They already had three healthy, growing kids at home. But it was his daughter Emily who, at age 13, persuaded Chapman and his wife to adopt a child from China, after reading about the plight of orphans in that country. She prayed faithfully and left letters on her parents’ bed at night, explaining how she believed their family needed an addition.

God honored her prayers, and eight years later the Chapmans have adopted three daughters from China in addition to starting the Shaohannah’s Hope adoption grant foundation, which has helped to unite at least 500 orphans and families.

So how does this apply to us?

Well, in our family we have a daughter named Eva who, for the past two years, has faithfully prayed almost daily for twins (one boy and one girl.) Word to the wise: Never underestimate the prayers of a child! Because last night, we learned that our family indeed is going to grow by two beautiful children … twins, one boy and one girl!

With our agency, it is highly unusual for adopting parents to be matched with children prior to the receipt of their dossier in Haiti. But when Lori wrote to tell us that twins had been dropped off at the rescue center the very day that I inquired (on behalf of Eva’s tireless prayers) whether they ever placed twins; and when she said they were “one boy and one girl;” and when after several days of talking and praying my husband also agreed with adopting them; and when our adoption coordinator in Haiti received the twins’ lab reports showing they were healthy and available for adoption (and Lori consequently requested that they be placed with our family) … we were matched!

We have not yet seen a picture, heard their Haitian birth names, or learned their birthday (we only know they are currently between 1 – 2 months old.) But to us, they are IAN, meaning “GOD IS GRACIOUS” and ELIANA, meaning “GOD HAS ANSWERED.”

Because, truly … He has!