Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true at last, there is life and joy. (Proverbs 13:12)

What does it mean to be adopted? As I look at my two beautiful, internationally adopted daughters, the definition becomes living and full of personal meaning, not just a two-dimensional word on a written page. Maybe what I want is not so much a definition as an understanding of the depths of its meaning on a spiritual level—the act itself of love, sacrifice, cost, and inheritance.

Today my children are ten and seventeen years old and as American as any other child born in this country. We live in middle class suburbia, I drive a “mommy van,” our refrigerator is full of too much junk food, my kids wear J.C. Penney clothes, and sleep on comfortable flannel sheets and memory foam pillows. Manisha has Christian teenage friends who come over and watch action-packed movies on our high definition, forty-eight inch television screen, and Joy competes at level seven on a girls’ gymnastics team. We are living the American dream. On the surface, we seem “ordinary,” but in reality, we are quite to the contrary.

My two children were orphans from third world countries. They came from destitute backgrounds without hope, clinging to a miserable existence. I asked my 17 year old daughter, “What does it mean to you to be adopted?”

“It means I didn’t grow in my mommy’s stomach but in her heart,” she responded.

Sometimes when we decide to write a book, it’s because there isn’t a book on the bookshelf that addresses what we want to read. I wanted to understand what it meant to be adopted by my heavenly Father. I searched the Scriptures for all the passages on adoption and thought about what it meant for me personally. The more I thought about it and looked for material, the more I realized how little extra-Biblical literature existed.

I prayed about writing my own book and started writing, but as I wrote, I realized I had to tell my own story. I imagined a beautiful book of how we became a family because I wanted to encourage others to pursue their own dreams of adoption. I wanted it to be a story of hope and fulfillment, but God’s adoption of us and the adoption of my children aren’t just beautiful adoption stories in the sense that most of us would think of as beautiful.

Mine is the story of the struggle to create a “forever family” as I endured lies, betrayal, sickness, delay, deceit, deception, greed, corruption, suffering, fear, abandonment, and sacrifice. Eventually, through perseverance and dependence on God, I received fulfillment. It soon became clear to me that the adoption of my children wasn’t that different from God’s adoption of us.

Jesus gave His life for us by paying the ultimate sacrifice at great cost to Himself—suffering on a cruel Roman cross after being abandoned by His closest friends and even God Himself. He suffered every human emotion that I had suffered, but even more so, and without sin.

Perhaps I did accomplish what I wanted, but just not in the way I had originally envisioned. I get teary-eyed when I think about it because I know what heartache and suffering I went through, which pales in comparison to what God has done for us. He has given me a great gift, because I am able to see how much God loves me through the adoption of my children.

In heaven, the Lamb will stand before the throne, in the midst of thousands upon thousands of angels, illuminating us with His holy presence. Only when Jesus breaks the seven seals and opens the scroll, which is the deed to the earth and all its inhabitants, will our entitlement be revealed.

The adoption of my two children was a hard-fought battle—trusting God, forgiving others, and fighting forces of evil that wanted to destroy me. Ephesians 6:10 states:

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

My earthly journey of adoption not only gave me the “Children of Dreams” I longed for, but it has shown me the inheritance awaiting us when we arrive in heaven through God’s adoption of us. My story begins many years ago…. 

Come on - I'm sure you have 60 seconds spare and would love to watch a movie. If so then click the video below and see my latest trailer for "Four Given". It is fast paced and intense - after all that is what life often is. And don't forget to share your comments and views!

By His Grace
Malo Bel

60 Seconds - It could change your life

It's time to grab your popcorn, turn up the sound and settle back...Well, at least for the next couple of minutes. Here is the first official trailer for "Four Given". 

As Steven Speilberg was not available to direct this production and as the producer insisted it cost less than the making of "The Hobbit" the creative team was forced to use stunt doubles for all the main roles.

Watch it NOW - and don't forget to leave us your feedback, so that the sequel can be even bigger and better!

Thanks everyone who has helped me so far with both backing, and even more importantly, reading and reviewing my book Four Given. 

If you have not had a chance to read my book, I really would appreciate your comments. You can read it for free on Harper Collins Authonomy site. By doing this you will help move me up the rankings.

If you have read my book I really would appreciate you posting a review both on Harper Collins and Amazon.

Thanks again for all the amazing feedback. I feel truly blessed.

Love in Jesus - Malo

The latest book review of Four Given by Stacey Louiso.

"I had no idea what to expect upon opening the virtual cover of Four Given by Malo Bel. What I found, from the first paragraph, compelled me forth until the very last syllable.  In fact when I read the last line, I kept trying to scroll the page to find more text! But alas, every good book concludes and most good authors, know where and how to end it.  Mr. Bel, did this well.

I read Four Given in one sitting, despite having a few qualms with it, which were probably (hopefully) ebook, formatting issues such as missing or forgotten quotes, omitted words and the lack of page numbers. But otherwise, I was hooked! Mr. Bel’s ability to spin this tale was astonishing.  I am going to say this out loud because I have experienced it and because I believe a lot of my audience consists of fellow Christians: this work was an anointing. The story resonates something very special on a spiritual level. I found that prospect, exciting!

Vibrant isn’t a strong enough word to describe the illustrations depicted of the main character’s experiences of meeting and walking with Yesh (who is actually…well, Yesh is a good clue as to who…).  His descriptive allusions of place, whether real or in Bel’s mind, were vivid yet tranquil; joyful yet full of parables, as Yesh put Bel to the test, so to speak, in order to teach him the important lessons needed, in order to further his scope and walk toward a God centered life.

At first, I was unable to decipher if this work is fiction or non-fiction and perhaps it is meant to be as such. No matter the genre, the plot twists and outcomes are cryptic, gripping and the ending, unexpected yet realistic. There is a truth in the emotional portrayals playing out, from betrayal to forgiveness to understanding, hence all roads leading to God. The book reads so well, so quickly that it was like a film reel for me, with the action leading from scene to scene.

To not give away much more, I shall stop with this statement: Malo Bel, whomever you are, I pray you’re anointed fingers keep tapping away at the keyboard and that God keeps moving stories through you, for years to come. You have gained a fan…and I’m probably not alone!  Kudos, sir!

To learn more about Malo Bel and find out how to obtain Four Given, visit his website: http://www.malobel.com/

If you read the book and would like to review it as well, you can do so here, via amazon.com"

- See more at: http://www.writingdownlife.com/2013/06/12/book-review-four-given-by-malo-bel/