As most of you know our family had the opportunity to take a vacation this summer to Ohio and on up through Canada then back home. Our main reason for the trip was to participate in the Philip Hayden Foundation reunion that Salem Church of God was hosting. You can ready about it here, here, and here. This loving part of the body of Christ more than covered the cost of Elijah’s heart surgery that took place in China shortly after he arrived at PHF. I thought it would be appropriate to copy here what we shared with ther congregation last June:i
June 21, 2009 – Salem Church of God
It is a blessing and an honor for our family to be here today. It was just over two years ago that as a family we chose to sponsor a special young boy, half a world away, that was in need of much healing. At that time we were unaware of you and you were unaware of us. But through His guiding hand and the obedience of each of us to His calling, we are now all together in one place.
On June 20, 2007 Elijah underwent major yet very successful heart surgery. Just two months after that God began to work on our hearts and plant in us the desire to be more than a sponsorship family for Elijah, but to be his permanent family. I began to scour the Internet trying to make connections with anyone and everyone connected to the Philip Hayden Foundation. I received an email from a lady who’s congregation had raised funds for Elijah’s heart surgery and who said that they continually prayed for Elijah and a family for him. That lady was Heather Bench. I distinctly remember feeling an instantaneous and overwhelming debt of gratitude towards this congregation. You had taken care of our son in a time of his great need, when we were unable to do so. I wondered how we would ever be able to thank you, and imagined that one day we would to travel to Ohio to thank you in person.
Now fast forward to this last January when our family traveled to a very special place in Tianjin, Shepherd’s Field, to meet our son. In our one and half years of pursuing Elijah we saw God move many mountains to make this adoption possible. We were continually amazed at His faithfulness in working to give Elijah a family. Without a doubt it was part in thanks to the prayers of faithful ones like you who shared in God’s calling to care for orphans and the least of these. On January 8 of this year our desire to have Elijah as a part of our family became a reality. Our hearts were very full. We continue to be blessed as we witness great transformation taking place in Elijah’s life.
It is with humble and grateful hearts that we are here to express our thanks to this congregation, to the children of VBS 2007, and to the leadership of the orphan outreach ministry team. Your love, prayers, and practical outreach to cover the cost of Elijah’s heart surgery have transformed his life both physically and spiritually. May you be blessed and encouraged by seeing the fruit of your efforts here today. May you continue to do His work faithfully and earnestly to make a real difference in the lives of children in need.
Elijah stood with Chris and I as we shared with the congregation. After Chris was done speaking, Elijah said, “Thank you for helping my heart.” I don’t think there was a dry eye in the audience! Thank you again Salem. You are forever a part of our family and tonight we will place a Salem card in our Memorial Box as a standing stone to remind us of your impact on Elijah and the rest of our family. God is good.
