Say ‘Yes’ and Trust God with the Rest

“Adoption and foster care is not a fairy tale; it is a redemption story.”

There is a place for everyone in that redemption story, and Declare No More’s mission has always been to share this good news with as many people as possible. The primary way we do this is through our No More Orphans Experience, an interactive evening of worship, taking next steps to serve, and testimonies from those who have answered ‘yes’ to the call to care for vulnerable children. 

Last month at our No More Orphans Experience, we were blessed to hear a testimony from a family who has been on their foster and adoption journey for 11 years. Evelyn Long, the mother of this family, shared that “God had planted the desire to adopt in both my husband and my heart, but Declare No More was actually the catalyst that prompted us to step out in faith,” Long explained. “The way God has brought each of our children into our lives has been different, but in every situation, it required us to listen to God’s prompting, say ‘yes’, and step out in faith.”

Our friends from Safe Families for Children, a nonprofit that strives to keep children safe and families together, thought back to a night, years ago, when they received a referral for a little girl and her siblings who desperately needed help. They needed a family willing to step in, protect them, and keep them safe while a path toward permanency could be found. 

The circumstances surrounding these children weren’t typical. But the representative from Safe Families shared that she simply couldn’t shake the burden God had placed on her heart for them. So, she said ‘yes’. Years later, she found herself sitting in West Bradenton Baptist Church and seeing one of those children now with her adoptive family. 

That night in Bradenton, we were all reminded that every child deserves to be known, loved, safe, and surrounded by people willing to step into their situation.  And when we say yes, God can take our willingness and use it to write a story far more beautiful than we could have imagined.

What a beautiful reminder that we all have a part to play in the story God is writing.  

Evelyn Long wants to convey, though, that “adoption and foster care is not a fairy tale” as some might believe it to be. It is much deeper than that. “It is a redemption story. It requires sacrifice, perseverance, and a hard, unconditional love that may at times go unreciprocated.”  

Even if you do not feel led to foster or adopt, Long encourages everyone to be a part of what God is doing within these spaces and these families. “While [fostering/adopting] is a distinct calling that requires a step of faith, supporting this mission is something we are all called to do.”

Sometimes our part is opening our home or saying yes when the circumstances aren’t easy. Other times, it might mean supporting a family who has stepped into hard places. Most times, it’s simply showing up, praying, giving, or connecting someone to the right resource. We may never know the full impact of our ‘yes’ on this side of heaven.

If you feel moved to take action, we encourage you to say ‘yes’ and allow the Lord to work out the rest. Here are a few ways you can help us declare, “No More” orphans.