It’s estimated there are more than 150 million orphans around the world.
And while many children struggle to get adopted, those with special needs or medical complications have an even tougher time finding a place to call home.
Wanting to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, one American girl stepped up in the most incredible way – and you won’t believe how she’s made a difference.
Addisyn grew up in the United States in a family of missionaries, but her life changed forever when she and her family moved to Guatemala to take care of children with severe medical needs.
It was here that Addisyn’s heart was molded by God to continue the work of her family.
So when a 10-day-old abandoned baby girl with special needs was presented to her, Addisyn adopted the baby into her heart – and into her home – without hesitation!
Love What Matters reported:
“‘Her own family didn’t even want her,’ the judge told me solemnly, ‘She’s probably not going to live, and even if she does, she’ll never have a normal life. So why would you even bother? Why do you care so much?’
I looked right back at her and I told her I cared because her life matters, and the value of our life isn’t decided by the number of our days.”
While serving as a missionary in Guatemala and caring for children who were terminally ill, Addisyn met a man who would later become her husband. He too cared for these children and served right alongside her!
Addisyn started a ministry called “Into His Arms” which committed to love these children who were terminally ill up until the very end.
In addition, now that she has a husband and partner with the same calling, they continue to adopt children into their family.
Although it hasn’t always been easy, Addisyn has no regrets.
Love What Matters continued:
“The journey that brought us here wasn’t always easy. Along the way I’ve had guns held to my head, I’ve held babies in my arms as they took their last breath, and I’ve sat in doctor’s offices holding one-year-olds after they’ve been raped.
I’ve seen the depths of the darkness, but I’ve also seen so much light.
I’ve seen families come together to feed villages of 2,000. I’ve seen doctors travel across the world to provide life-saving surgeries. I’ve seen orphans become sons and daughters. I’ve seen people rally around the widow, the orphan, the family struggling just to get by, because they care. Because they see their value.
There’s a lot of bad in the world, but I believe there’s even more good, and it’s up to us to be it.”
Jesus calls us to live out our faith – and to care for the orphans.
James 1:27 says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
Addisyn and her husband don’t just read passages like this – they take it to heart and live it out.
Raising a child with special needs is tough – and something most people wouldn’t sign up for.
But Addisyn is not only adopting children, she is choosing to adopt those who are medically frail to show them the love of Christ, even though she knows many of them will die in her care.
Wow!
Talk about really living out your faith.
We wish Addisyn and her family all the success in their ministry as they continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
May more men and women boldly live out their faith and ‘go’ where God has called them!
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