Dear Friends:
Did you hear this amazing story? In late-September, Albuquerque police officer Ryan Holets was responding to a reported theft at a local convenience store when he noticed a couple about to shoot up heroin nearby. As Officer Holets approached them, he noticed that the woman was pregnant. Not only was she pregnant, she was almost 8 months along, homeless, and struggling with drug addiction. Given her dire situation, the woman expressed hope that the child would be adopted. At that moment, Officer Holets felt compelled by the Lord to do something remarkable – he would adopt the child himself. And that’s exactly what he and his wife did.
On October 12, a beautiful baby girl was born. Her name is Hope, and in spite of the complications of being born with an opioid addiction, she is now home with her new family.
Last month, Kansas Family Voice of New Mexico was proud to celebrate National Adoption Month and highlight some incredible stories of children whose lives were radically changed through the power of adoption. We also successfully lobbied Congress to restore the Adoption Tax Credit in the federal tax proposal. (Thanks to those of you who participated in this with us by contacting members of our Congressional delegation.)
While this represents a meaningful victory, there is still much more work to be done to ensure that our children are provided with loving and supportive families. According to the Adoption Exchange Association, there are more than 2,300 children in foster care in New Mexico and approximately 700 of them are waiting to be adopted. Many of these children are victims of neglect and abuse, and, as Christians, we should be leading the effort to save them.
If we look to the Scripture, we see that “adoption” is used to illustrate our eternal salvation. In Galatians 4:4-5, the Apostle Paul says, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption.”
Friends – at the heart of the Gospel is adoption, and Jesus Christ is our saving hope! As we enter the Christmas season and reflect upon the birth of our Savior, I encourage you to also consider this – of all the language God could have used to describe how we became His children, He uses adoption. So, for those of you who have fostered or adopted children, or are considering such, please know that you are following in the steps of our Heavenly Father.
Something to think about: According to the Children’s Action Network, the average child waits for an adoptive family for more than 3 years.
Something to pray for: Please pray for our New Mexico children who are currently in the foster care system and those waiting for a family to adopt them.
Something to do: Ask yourself this question: “Is the Lord leading me to adopt a child?”
Together, let’s support a culture of life in New Mexico by supporting adoption!
Standing for Faith and Family,
Vince Torres
President and Executive Director