Where is Here?

On Sunday, I was at church talking with a few people during coffee hour when I noticed a couple I'd never seen before, so I went over and introduced myself. They told me they were visiting from another state and were in the area due to a death in the family. During the conversation, they asked me what sort of programs were available for children during the week. I told them I know there is a preschool but beyond that I'd be happy to get someone else who would be able to answer their questions more precisely. I told them I didn't have any children in the programs right now, but that we are waiting on an adoption from China and after our child arrives I'm sure I'll be able to answer that question myself. The man looked at me with a furrowed brow and asked in a stern voice, "Why would you go to China when there are so many kids to adopt from here? It's a matter of taking care of our own."

Over the course of the three years we've been waiting, we have sometimes been asked "Why China?" and have always been happy to answer that question. We'd read an article in a magazine about empty-nesters opening their homes to children who were waiting to be adopted, we called one of the agencies listed in the article and happened to speak with the person about whom the article was written, we attended one of the agency's meetings, etc., etc., and now here we are. But, this time the question was different because it pitted here against there. Without hesitation I told him that we believe "here" is the planet, that we are all God's children, and, if there is a child who needs a family, it makes no difference where "here" is. The Bible has a number of passages about our obligation to care for orphans, one being Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows. It never mentions that they have to be from "here."


Love, having no geography, knows no boundaries - Truman Capote