In the debate over abortion in America, those seeking to save children's lives will often promote alternatives. "Don't abort. We'll help you raise your baby," we might say. "Or, if that's not an option, we'll help you find an adoptive family."
“Incredibly—in a country with one of the world’s highest abortion rates—there is no law that allows a mother to place her child voluntarily for adoption. ”
In Romania, sadly, one of those two choices is off the table. Incredibly—in a country with one of the world's highest abortion rates—there is no law that allows a mother to place her child voluntarily for adoption. The only way a child can be declared adoptable is if he or she is neglected, abused, or abandoned.
We recently ran up against this law for the umpteenth time, when a pregnant mother came to our ministry director for counseling. This young mother already had several small children and, though recently having professed faith in Christ, she was still working to escape an unhealthy relationship with her baby’s father. Though we often counsel and help families in these situations to stay together, she wasn't ready. She didn't want to abort, but she didn't feel able to parent her baby either. "Can you help me find an adoptive family?" she asked.
Our ministry director had to break the difficult news: in order for her baby to have a chance at adoption, her mother would have to abandon her in the maternity hospital. Understandably, this came as a shock. However, we also promised to do everything we could to get her baby out of the system and place her in a family.
When baby "Maddie" was born this May, her mother did opt to leave her at the hospital. Unfortunately, thought full-term, the baby was severely underweight, and doctors believed she had a mild form of hydrocephalus. Testing revealed the the condition was correctable, and our Romanian director began looking for a family for Maddie.
Just a few weeks ago, a family was found found through our connections at the Romania Without Orphans Alliance. The process is still ongoing, so please pray that God would superintend the details and unite Maddie with her new family quickly.
We rejoice that we were able to keep the promise to Maddie’s birth mother, and find her baby a good, loving family who shares her Christian faith. Join us in praising God, and in continuing to pray: for Maddie’s adoption process, for legal reforms, and for so many other babies still at risk.
Give today to support our orphan care work: