Along Came Faith, Adopting a Child With Down’s Syndrome
"We are all made in the image of God."
-Tim Orr
Tim and Michelle Orr learned shortly after they were married that they were unable to have children. So they dedicated their lives into ministry and put having children on hold. The turning point occurred at a Christmas party with Tim’s family as Michelle watched the children opening their gifts. Tim could see the sadness on her face so they began talking about adoption and praying that God would lead them to the right child.
One day when Tim was visiting a special needs pre-school a little girl with Down’s Syndrome held her hands up to him which is the universal sign for “pick me up”. As he held her in his arms, swinging her around the classroom, he felt his heart melting. Tim had a Masters degree in Elementry Education but knew nothing about special needs children. He immediately knew he wanted to adopt a Down’s Syndrome child. He and his wife began praying and a door opened to a child that would soon be born in Indiana. When Faith was born they met with the doctors who told them of the many complications possible, one of which is Dandy-Walker Syndrome meaning that she may never walk or talk. Tim had inner peace and he felt that it didn’t matter because we are all made in the image of God. She was in the NICU when Tim and Michelle first saw her and they noticed that her feet were kicking, which was a good sign. They believed that God would extend the grace needed to face any challenge.
Points to consider:
- God’s grace is sufficient for whatever circumstances we are in.
- Never give up. God has a plan for all of us.
- When you abide in God, He gives you inner peace no matter what the situation is.
Words to Live By:
“Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives me” Matthew 18:5 (NKJV).
“Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, He waits on high to have compassion on you, For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him” Isaiah 30:18 (NASB).
Grace Notes by Philip Yancey
“As I read the Bible, it seems clear that God satisfies an eternal appetite by loving individual human beings. I imagine God views each halting step forward in my spiritual ‘walk’ with the eagerness of a parent watching a child take the very first step” (67).
Recommended Resources:
Global Down Syndrome Foundation
National Down Syndrome Adoption Network
We Named Her Faith -Tim Orr
Real People, Real Stories, Real God®
