I’m Adopted,I’m Adopted, I’m Chosen,I’m Chosen, I’m SpecialI’m Special By Susan Tanner “You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have
taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever” (Psalm 30:11-12).
T
revor Raborn grew up in Boyden Beach, Florida. He did not grow up in a Christian home. He went to Florida Atlantic University, where he met Melissa. During their last year of college, Melissa encouraged Trevor to join a Bible study. Through that, Trevor got to know the Lord. They married shortly after col- lege and tried for eight years to have a family. While the Raborns really wanted to adopt, they put it on hold, knowing it could take years. The Raborns heard of the 4 Kids Fos- ter Agency through Melissa’s sister-in-law. 4 Kids trains Christians how to become foster parents. A representative from 4 Kids de- scribed foster care not as a time of saying goodbye but as a time of showing a child love and God’s love. “This may be the only time in their life they could feel this love,” the representative said. The goal doesn’t happen, then it moves to adoption.
The Raborns began looking for God’s thumbprint. One month
before fostering, Melissa’s job changed to a Monday through Fri- day day position instead of working nights. As soon as the Raborns were licensed for foster care, they found out that twins needed placement. “I can’t write this. God is all over this,” Melissa said. The twins, Buddy and Chloe, needed a safe and forever home.
They are fraternal twins and came into foster care at the age of two and a half. Another family was fostering them but was unable to adopt them. A year and a half later, they are adopted by the Raborns. and that it went into a permanent situation. Only God can orches- trate this,” Trevor said. “We wish more Christians would open their homes in this unique way to share the Gospel.” Romans 8:14-16, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are
the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you re- ceived brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba we are God’s children.” “We constantly think about how God is with us. He is patient
we work through them,” the Raborns said. We want to encourage and inspire others to look into foster care or even adoption. Reverend Trevor and Melissa Raborn live in Vero Beach, Florida, where he is the pastor of Morning Star ARP Church.
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The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
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