Proverbs 18:17
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By now you’ve no doubt heard of the ten American missionaries to Haiti being held in a Port-Au-Prince prison on charges of child abduction. While the facts are still filing in it would appear that for the most part, these folks had the best of intentions but might have needed a better sense of direction, if not at least a better set of them
As Christian Child Advocates we can’t let them entirely off the hook. Their actions have caused a set back for certainly those seeking to adopt from Haiti, but perhaps more importantly, a black mark against anyone seeking to adopt from anywhere in Christ’s name.
Having said that, God desires mercy and how different are these 10 missionaries from the folks that started and ran the famed orphan trains of a century ago? Initiated as a response to homeless kids running the street during the advent of the Industrial Revolution, Orphan Trains would quote “save” close quote children from inner cities by sending them to the country whether they were orphaned or not; whether they wanted to go or not, whether it was legal or not, most often sent because their parents wanted a better life for them. Sound familiar?
Did the missionaries miss in their rush to judgement; probably. Do they deserve to be scorned; probably not. Proverbs 18: 17 says clearly…
The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.
When the question gets called in the Haitian court, here’s a prayer that the judge hears their hearts and sets their bodies – and their minds – free.
