James 1:27 calls those who have been adopted by the King of Kings to visit the fatherless in their affliction. The Watters family of Bethlehem Baptist in Minnesota were exposed to one such orphan during the trial of cancer that their biological daughter faced. Victor too was struggling with cancer and the Watters often noticed him laying in his hospital bed without friends of family to comfort him. Holy Spirit moved the Watters to bring Victor into their family and call him their own – no longer would Victor be without friend or family.
In time, the ultimate goal of orphan care was realized. Victor embraced the free gift of adoption into the family of God – offered freely to him through the priceless work of Christ. Truly, “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
But how will an orphan . . .
“. . . call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'” (Romans 10)
God blessed the Watters to immerse Victor in the faith; and he blessed Victor to believe.
The November 2011, World Magazine article, Victor’s Story, and the following video help to tell the story.
