Now, But Not Yet.

Learn to do good.  Seek justice.  Help the oppressed.  Defend the cause of orphans.  Fight for the rights of widows.  Isaiah 1:17

Dear friends and family,

We have some exciting news: we are going to welcome our second child into our home!  But the child won’t look very much like us.  In fact, they’ll be African.  That’s right, we’re adopting! 

The adoption agency we’re working with has understandably requested that we don’t share very many specifics online (specific country, gender, and age) but we can say that our child will come from a place in Africa where orphans face some of the worst imaginable circumstances.  Feel free to call us or talk to us and we’ll share any other specifics you may want to know.  We’re still in the beginning stages – we don’t yet know what child we’ll be adopting.  But we’re in the thick of the process, feverishly completing paperwork, getting referrals, getting stuff notarized, completing medical exams, and moving forward with our home study.

Some of you may be wondering why we are doing this.  We’ve had people ask us, “Don’t you want to have more biological children first?”  “Isn’t that something you should do a little later in life?”  These are great questions.  However, for a variety of reasons, we feel urgency about this.  Natalie and I strongly believe that we are supposed to take our countless resources – financial, relational, emotional, and more – and leverage them for the sake of an orphan in this world.  I (Phil) have gone to Africa several times in the past few years.  As crucial as our work in Zambia has been, I don’t want to just go see orphans anymore.  It’s time to make one less orphan in the world. 

James 1:27 says that “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”  Things haven’t changed much.  Orphans (and widows) still face dire situations.  The way we have chosen to live out this verse is by giving a future to an orphan who doesn’t currently have one, and we’re inviting you to join us.

The country we’re adopting from is one of the worst environments imaginable for its five million orphans.  It has been home to one of the bloodiest wars on the planet.  The violence still continues in some places in the country where children are often kidnapped and forced to become child soldiers or sold into slavery.  Millions die of HIV/AIDS, malaria, starvation, and a host of other causes.  As you can imagine, the future for any orphan there is bleak at best.

So we’re asking if you’ll help us bring an orphan home.  Adoption, as opposed to biological birth, gives a tremendous opportunity for everyone to be a part of the miracle.  Every time you see this child, you will know that you were a part of the process that gave him or her a family – you were the miracle.  We hope you don’t miss the chance!

Here’s how you can be involved:

1.  Pray!  International adoption is risky.  There are a number of things that could go wrong.  We’re trusting God to make our paths straight. But we need you to pray for our future child and us and everyone involved in this process.

2.  Donate!  This adoption will likely cost $40,000.  Yes, you read that right.  Forty thousand George Washingtons.  Our goal is to raise at least $25,000.  Keep in mind: this isn’t a program or a charity we’re asking you to support.  It’s a child – a child you will likely meet someday.  And if you give, you’ll have had a significant part in bringing her home.

Donating is easy AND tax deductible!  We have a profile set up at adopttogether.org/wiseman.  Simply go there to donate via credit card or paypal.  Or, you can mail a check with our name on the envelope and memo line to AdoptTogether, 251 W. Central Ave #278, Springboro, OH 45066.  You can also go online to our profile to track our fundraising progress with us.

Because time is of the essence, we’d love for all donations to have been made by May 1st.  Our hope is to have our baby home about a year after the mailing of this letter.  It will be a long, difficult journey, and we covet your support in any and all ways.

There are 143 million orphans in this world.  Together, we can make it 143 million minus one.

Blessings,

Phil, Natalie, and Bella Wiseman

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer

But God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might shame the wise things,

and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might shame the strong things,

and God chose those of the world that are not of noble birth, the despised things – the not-being things - so that the things that are might be abolished,

so that nobody may boast before God.

PW Translation

This little Zambian girl doesn’t look to be much older than my own daughter.

But by an accident of latitude and longitude, my daughter will probably not grow up having to dodge malaria, traffickers, and hunger.

I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of this picture from my mind.

Oh God, let this day come quickly:

The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
    and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear,
    their young will lie down together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
  They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.  (Isaiah 11:6-9)

Though the wrong seems oft so strong

God is the ruler yet.

Words are powerful.

People have changed history with a pen, paper, and their words.  Movements have been led through words that were spoken.  Relationships have been won and lost because of words.

We live in a world where the person with the most words has the most power.  Whoever talks the most in the room probably leads the room.  Whoever sits quietly probably follows.

This isn’t always the case, of course.  There are the exceptional few whose integrity or accomplishments or reputation proceeds them, and these people have a certain gravitas that earns them respect without having to talk their way into it.

But these people are few.  And they usually don’t set out to get the attention they end up with.

I often wish I could create a device (an app, maybe?) that I could carry with me all day.  This device would take note of all the words I say and at the end of the day give me a breakdown: 4% of Phil’s words today were encouraging.  27% of Phil’s words today were critical of others.  2% were directed toward God.  7% were in the interest of someone else.  60% were about himself.  He said the words “I” or “me” 375 times.

…or something like that.  What would my readout be?  Do I use my words to increase my reserve of power, authority, respect, popularity, influence…or do I use my words philanthropically?  Do I use them to build up others?  Do I “spend” my words in order to give life to others or myself?  Do I ever shut up even when I could say something that makes me look awesome?  Are my words the equivalent of a big neon sign constructed above my head with a down arrow and a flashing “look at me!” with which I try to direct everyone’s attention my way?

Maybe I don’t want to create that app.  I’m afraid of what I’d learn.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  Ephesians 4:29