jars of clay

I heard about a beautiful answer to prayer this evening. I listen to these online sermons from a church in michigan -- the pastor is one of my role models (his name is rob bell) anywhoo! He was interviewing a couple from the congregation. They got married about 10 years ago, and decided to adopt an orphan from Russia. 10 years later there are 5 additions to their family -- all with beautiful and unique stories from around the world. Their youngest son is from the Detroit. This couple decided to adopt him after 7 other families rejected him. At the young age of 2 weeks he was both HIV+ and had hepatitis B.

The family love and cared for him. After about 6 months Princess Zulu (incredible woman from Zambia) spoke at their church about HIV and how she has been personally affected by the virus. After her talk, she and about 60 other people prayed for this young boy to be healed from his sickness and to grow up to be a mighty man of God.

The next time the little boy went to the doctor, he tested negative to BOTH hep B and HIV. God miraculously healed his precious child. Its been 3.5 years and even at the DNA level, there is no sign of either illness.

What a testament to God's power.

This story brought tears to my eyes. Both of these parents came from a divorce. The husband explained that what Satan means for brokenness and condemnation, God uses to restore the world. 10 years ago the wife prayed for God to take away her loneliness. And God gave her a beautiful family of kids from all over the world who never would have had the opportunity they now have would it not have been for this Christ-following couple.

Its so incredible how God uses people to change the world. These 2 adults could have easily chosen to save their money and retire in a few years. Instead they decided to serve Christ over themselves and follow his plan for their lives. Now they are leading, loving and disciplining 5 children who otherwise may have grown up alone. God is so beautiful!