Quite a few times we've been given this verse:
Romans 8:28
English Standard Version (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
from well meaning people saying it's showing that because we love God and God works for the good who have been called according to his purpose, our Gideon will come home. Nope. That's not what this verse means. To us, this verse means that in ALL things (even if that little boy who we thought was to be our son never comes home to us), God will work it out for good. That good may mean that we are closer to Christ. We know Him better. And that is the best good there is. God has not changed and has not stopped working for our good because this doesn't feel good and happy right now. He is still working. He is still and always will be good.
This is the verse we are praying holds true in our case. We pray that Christ will bring justice to the orphans and oppressed. We pray that people can no longer terrify or bully families in Ethiopia into putting their children up for adoption. We do not know that this is true in Gideon's case. We do know this is true in some Ethiopian adoptions. We know there are families who are terrified and are giving their children up for adoption (or who are being tricked to do so) when they don't want to. We also know there are true orphans, who need homes and families and love. We are praying this mess we are in brings justice to them all. That the light is shining and people see the unethical side of adoptions and work hard to combat it while still caring for those who need it.
An update for where we are: We have hired a private investigator that is currently on the ground in the area of Ethiopia where Gideon is. He is busy asking questions and seeking answers and truth about Gideon's story. Our prayer is that he (the PI) is able to find Gideon's family. That they want and love this sweet boy and that reunification is possible. Other than that, there is a lot of information swirling around but nothing for sure yet. We are praying for answers from all sides soon and that Gideon is cared for and loved right this minute and all that follow.
