From the First Day

On October 12, 2018, I was visiting the crèche where my three Haitian born children had lived prior to their adoption. I took a selfie with a young boy. Dressed in a neon green shirt, he had a smile that would melt your heart. I sent that picture, along with a few others, to my friend Jennifer. She and her family were planning to host him in their home for the holidays, but also strongly felt the Lord calling them to adopt him. Even before October 12, they had prayed, asking the Father of the fatherless to set this particular child into their home, their family, and their waiting arms.

When I sent the pictures, Jennifer was at soccer practice but she quickly responded. “He's just so perfect. Girl, how can you love someone so much and never have met them? I'm so overwhelmed with joy!!!!” Their love for him only grew as he spent weeks in their home, and when the time came for him to leave, his little boy heart was overcome with grief. For the first time in a long time, he knew the comfort and joy of being in a family. Jennifer knew she would move mountains to bring him home, and as soon as he headed back to Haiti, she began to do all she could to bring his adoption to fruition.

Today is January 25, 2023. That sweet little boy is now 15 years old. While we all thought he’d be home years ago, he is still in Haiti, living in that same crèche, waiting for the day his adoption will be complete.

The past four years have held multiple set backs. And at times, Jennifer and her family have wondered if God has heard any of their prayers. The prayers once uttered in faith and assurance eventually turned to pleas and groans of “how long, o Lord?!”

Then last night, Jennifer sent a message to our Bible study group. Finally, progress. Forward movement. As we all rejoiced with her, I thought of the words the angel told Daniel in chapter 10. “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.”

Daniel mourned and prayed for 21 days with no word from the Lord, yet his humble prayer was heard the first day. Why, then, the delay? In the heavenly realm, battles were being fought that Daniel could not see. The angel whom had been dispatched by God, was detained by an encounter with an evil force of darkness.

In our world of materialism, we have to see it to believe it. An invisible war waged around us seems unbelievable, and yet, in Ephesians 6, Paul tells us events like these are happening all of the time, and that is why we are to put on the armor of God.

Christian, be reassured, just as God has heard Daniel’s prayer from the first, so has he heard yours. Your adoption was finalized at the cross, and while you were once an enemy, now you are the beloved child of the King.

While there is one who wars against you and me and all of heaven, “There is none like God, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” You are “greatly loved, so fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” God has heard our prayer and he will bring us all the way home.

And Jennifer, may the day be soon when He brings your son home to you. Your cries have been heard.

-Natalie Runyon