In the July 19 edition of the Courier, there was a one-and-a-half page article on adoptions (“Panel: Adoption part of the Great Commission” and ” ‘Orphanology’ author says adoption shouldn’t be ‘Plan B’?”) that related thoughts from a panel of pastors. Many of the ideas expressed by this group were accurate, and most of us can accept their ideas as well-intentioned, even though one pastor described himself as “no expert in this field.”
DavisI respectfully disagree and am somewhat offended, however, by the misguided statement: “Man made orphanages for children, but God made the family for children.” It was out of faith and the calling of a caring church and a loving God that Connie Maxwell Children’s Home was established. I would encourage this pastor to visit one of the 22 Baptist children’s homes throughout the country, such as our state’s Connie Maxwell Children’s Home. At these ministries, children who have been abused or abandoned by their biological families find a new family among their house parents and “brothers and sisters” at their new home.
Unfortunately, some children just are not adoptable because of their age, their background, attitude, current demeanor, or their own desire to live with others who understand and identify with the trauma they have faced. Some children have been harmed so much by their own family that they just can’t make it in the closeness of a foster or adoptive family. Those who can do so certainly should have the opportunity for adoption or fostering when it is right and in the best interest of the child and the family. But for those where it is not the best option, many of them blossom and find a family in one of the quality, Christian children’s homes available. Just ask one of the almost 700 former students who recently returned to Connie Maxwell for a homecoming reunion. Most of them will quickly tell you, with tears in their eyes, that they are “back home” with all their “brothers and sisters” and a part of a loving “family.”
There is no way that a ministry like Connie Maxwell could ever make it for 120 years without being ordained and blessed by God. When children can’t and don’t pay for the care and services they receive at this benevolent ministry, it is virtually impossible for it to survive without God’s guidance, involvement and blessing.
Adoptions are wonderful for some children; others do well in foster families. We believe in and support both, and applaud the many caring people who are involved in this way. But we know that some children just can’t adjust or make it in either of these. Many of them, though, thrive and flourish in a group residential setting where they find a family of peers and loving house parents. Ideally, every child should grow up in a loving, caring, nurturing biological or adoptive family, but that just doesn’t happen in our fallen world. God certainly made the family, but He also made children’s homes where families are formed for the “least of these.”
– Davis is president of Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, which receives support from South Carolina Baptists through their Cooperative Program gifts.