Lifeline – Now Open in Mississippi

Lifeline has officially opened its doors in Mississippi! We are so excited about our new office, located in Meridian, MS, and our ability to better serve Mississippi families. We thank you, Mississippi, for your support of our organization throughout the past 30 years. We are proud to now serve you with the convenience of an office right here in your home state.

We have many great ways to get involved in Mississippi to “defend the cause of the fatherless” (Isaiah1:17):

Pray:

• Pray for our new office and staff in Mississippi, that we would be obedient, faithful and pleasing to Him.
• Pray that God would prepare the hearts and minds of His children in Mississippi that they would welcome and support our ministry.
• Pray for the women throughout Mississippi that are struggling right now with an unplanned pregnancy…that God would lead them to Lifeline where they will be provided with encouragement, love and support, as well as counseling and assistance finding prenatal care.
• Pray for the 143 million orphans around the world and right here in Mississippi, that have no father or mother to care for, love, and protect them.

Visit:

• Sign up for an (un)adopted mission trip to “visit orphans… in their distress” (James 1:27). Less than 1/10 of 1% of orphans around the world will ever be adopted. Our (un)adopted ministry was created to love and care for the millions of orphans that will likely never know the love of a mother and father.

Donate:

• Make a financial donation at http://lifelineadoption.org/invest/donate/ to support our ministry to women in crisis, families seeking to adopt, and orphans around the world.
• Donations of office furniture, lamps and other items for our new office would be a great way to support the ministry in Mississippi.
• Donate the precious resource of your time. Volunteer to help us with Mississippi Lifeline events, administrative tasks, or general maintenance for our building.

Defend and Advocate:

• Host a Lifeline event at your church, organization or home to bring awareness and change to the plight of the orphan.
• Spread the word among friends, family and co-workers about Lifeline’s ministry in Mississippi.

Adopt:

• Opening your home and welcoming an orphan into your family is one of the most vivid expressions of Christ’s love and redemption you can show. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40).
• On behalf of the 143 million orphans worldwide, we are asking YOU, Mississippi, to get involved.
• For more information on how you can help, please contact our Mississippi office at msnyder@lifelineadoption.org or (601) 621-4285.

Mary Frances Snyder
Mississippi State Director

Kentucky Celebration

Imagine for a moment running into an old friend while traveling across the globe . I am sure this reunion would include grinning from ear to ear, big hugs, and laughter. This is what we saw on Saturday at our Lifeline Kentucky Family Reunion and Celebration. We saw children with a friendship that began in an orphanage in Ethiopia playing together again. We heard them laughing. We watched as they crawled into their mommy's and daddy's laps . It was such a wonderful day of fellowship as we celebrated all the sweet children running around and prayed for those who will join our families in the future.

As a Lifeline Staff Member, I loved being able to meet our new families and introduce them to others in the process. As an adoption advocate, I was amazed to see all the families that have been blessed by adoption and all the lives that have been changed. As an adoptive mom who met many of these same children while in Ethiopia picking up our son, I stood in awe of God’s goodness, grace, and love. At our reunion, I was able to see that shy child who would not speak in Ethiopia now running around, laughing like crazy. I was able to see the tiny, underweight baby who I held who is now healthy and thriving. I was able to see several older children who I know sat in an orphanage and wondered, “When will someone come for me?” These same children walked in with their parents as beloved sons and daughters!


It's easy to see from those pictured above why every aspect of our reunion was wonderful! I would definitely say that our first Lifeline Kentucky event was a success and I am looking forward to our next time together. If you are a family that was able to attend, I would love to hear about your favorite part of the day.

Brittney Armstrong
International Adoption Assistant
Lifeline Kentucky

Trust

It is official. . . As of last month, I have been a ‘Southern Belle’ for a full year.
The last couple weeks have been a sweet time of reflection. There is also abundant anticipation for all God has in store.

One thing I can testify to: God most certainly is in the business of giving you your heart’s desires. . . He is the one who puts them there. Within His will, and His ways, and His provision and timing and plan- He knows what is best, and when is best.

Trust Him.

Pre-Alabama, I was in Kansas. I had seen God bring families together through adoption- both internationally and domestically. I also had the opportunity to serve and walk beside young women who were pregnant or currently parenting. I knew adoption was of His heart. I also knew these young women needed role models, support, encouragement, and the love and forgiveness of a Savior.

The fruition of these two hearts desires has been a beautiful collision. I have come to know God in such a serious way. . . and I cannot deny. . . my life is His story to shape.

God knew. He knew what it would take to stretch me beyond myself, and help me see life with His eyes. Just recently He gently reminded me. . . “Remember those years of prayers? And standing upon the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 19:21 and Isaiah 30:18 and Colossians 3:10? Remember how you were not quite sure where I would lead you? Do you see now how all that helped me get you here? You are loved, dear child. And there is more to come.”

I am sure you have also had times in your life when you were able to look at where you were, and realize where He has brought you. There are things you are hoping for, believing for, hurting for, and desperately praying for today. They may be things He laid on your heart long ago, or it may be something that recently broke the surface.

Realize- God may have already answered that prayer. . . you just do not know it yet. You may be praying today for your child. You may not bring that little one home until next year. Maybe it will be three years. Maybe in three days, your case worker will call with the news of a referral, or a birth mother who would like to meet you, or a child who needs a forever family and a home. Maybe you placed a child for adoption 19 years ago tomorrow, and you hope to hear from them soon.

Whatever it is you are praying for- believing for- and hoping for- know this. He already has it answered. I pray you know His love for you today. Be blessed.

Michelle Staab
Birthmother Counselor