Dipping our Toes in the Jordan
We were so excited to finallyannounce last week that we are adopting! But as we begin this journey, we wantto be honest about the hard part—the fear of the unknowns. How long will wehave to wait? What will our relationship with the birth mother be like? Will wehave a failed match? And one of the biggest questions looming our heads—howwill we pay for this?
I’m not going to sugar coat it.This is an expensive process; less expensive than some adoption processes andmore expensive than others. But as we prayed about whether this was God’s willfor us to start the process, finances were our biggest obstacle. When we findout a mother has chosen us to love her child, will we have enough money tofinalize the placement?
As my husband and I prayedthrough the tension between stewardship and faith, God brought us both to thebanks of the Jordan River in Joshua 3. I have been studying the book of Joshuawith my discipleship group, and, if I’m to be honest, sometimes I struggle withconnecting Old Testament stories with my everyday life. But the story of thepriests leading the people of Israel across the Jordan into the Promised Landbrought tears to my eyes and faith to my heart.
Picture this with me. They area generation who has only known the dry desert. They have only ever eaten mannafrom Heaven. The miraculous stories of Egypt are all second hand; and only twomen’s eyes have ever glimpsed Canaan. I can feel the nervous energy as theylook at the rushing river before them, just as their forefathers has stoodbefore the still Red Sea waiting to escape Egyptian slavery. They know Godparted the sea for the previous generation, but will He do it for them as well?
And this time, it’s slightlydifferent. All Moses had to do was lift his hand, and God split the sea (Exodus14:21). This time, God requires more faith-filled obedience. Instead of raisingan arm over still water, they must dip their toes into an overflowing, rushingriver. It’s one thing to watch God split the sea and walk on dry ground. It’sanother to step into the water believing that God will do it again.
That’s where Joseph and I were.We were in front of a rushing river—an adoption process that would cost so muchspiritually, emotionally, and financially. Would God provide this time, and ifso, how? We could look back and see how He has provided for us over and overagain, but often He provided before we had to act in obedience. Thistime, was He calling us to obey before He had sent His provision?
We could look back and see how He has provided for us over and over again, but often He provided before we had to act in obedience. This time, was He calling us to obey before He had sent His provision?
Yet, despite the fear, thepriests obeyed. “And as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as theJordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink ofthe water … the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap veryfar away” (Joshua 3:15-16). They believed the God who was faithful yesterdaywould be faithful today and tomorrow and the next day. They believed that justas God had provided manna every day of their wandering, He would provide fortheir next steps as well. And even more miraculously! When the Red Sea parted,the water was “on their right hand and on their left” (Exodus 14:22). Here, Godpushed the water miles away!
Instead of walking as quicklyas they could through the river, the priests stood in the middle, watchingthousands of Israelites pass into the Promised Land. “Now the priests bearingthe ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of theJordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nationfinished passing over the Jordan” (Joshua 3:17). Just as they had faith Hewould cut off the waters; they believed He would hold the waters there.
Here we are now, dipping ourtoes into the rushing river of the Jordan, trusting that God will make away—financially, spiritually, and emotionally. It will not be easy and willtake sacrifice, but we know that God is with us. We cling to the same promisethat motivated Joshua and the people of Israel, “Have I not commanded you? Bestrong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for theLord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
We’re asking you to make thatjourney with us. A big part of the adoption journey is fundraising. We mustraise around $32,000 before we can bring our baby home. This includes the significantamount of money Joseph and I are investing in our adoption from our income. Thismoney goes towards agency fees (covering the care for the birth mother, cost ofthe home studies, etc.) and legal fees. As Joseph and I work hard to writegrants and save money, we would love for you to partner with us. Here are a fewways you can do this:
- Buy a t-shirt! T-shirts cost $20 (XS-XL) and $22 (2X-3X) (they are soft shirts, so they run small). We will be placing the order later this month and will get the t-shirts in early August. We are glad to mail them; and you can pay us in cash/check or by Venmo. To place an order, email me at bethanygwebb@gmail.com.
- If you have a business that supports fundraisers (such as product parties), we would love to partner with you to host a fundraising party.
- If you would like to donate directly to our adoption fund, you can email me at bethanygwebb@gmail.com.
We will be hosting morefundraisers in the coming months, so check back for ways that you can be partof our journey through the river. We love each of you and are grateful for yoursupport of our family.