Compassion can shape lives. So many babies have been born in adversity. Their start in life is so difficult. And yet God has a plan. Adoption is so often part of that. And sometimes, the most hopeless story, can be the one God uses to display His great power, and His gentle compassion. Arie Mahler shares his inspiring testimony, from a tiny village and Sulawesi jungle birth, to his upbringing in Seattle, and his current calling to direct the Compassion Center at Alderwood Community Church in Lynnwood, Washington. Your faith will surely be buoyed as you are invited into Arie's heart and family.<br /><br />Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”<br /><br />Show Notes: https://bit.ly/42lp2g9<br /><br /><b>Topics Shared:</b><br />Born on the island of Sulawesi in a grass thatched roof hut<br />His mother passed away shortly after, due to complications of childbirth<br />He was left in the hut, and bitten by a wild animal<br />His uncle brought him to a missionary orphanage in Manato, a 3 days journey<br />Dr. Donald Gish and uncle, went and got Arie to bring him back to the orphanage<br />Grandpa Gish and Nana Evelyn<br />They didn’t think he would make it through the night<br />Miraculously nursed back to health<br />On the Cover of the Newsletter for the church in Seattle where he would be adopted<br />One year process for him to be adopted by his new Seattle family<br />His parents first meet him at Daily’s Drive In,<br />A godly upbringing<br />His Dad gets cancer when Arie was 16<br />A pivotal transition<br />Young marriage and family<br />The quest to find his birth father<br />Healing and answers<br />Becoming Papa and Gram<br />A sweet reunion at a memorial<br /><br /><b>THE P.S. Questions Answered:</b><br />As a coach and parent do you have advice on figuring out the whole sports life church home<br />balance?<br />Who is the greatest NBA player of all time? The Greatest Shooter?<br />What is the greatest need in the church today?<br />What legacy do you wan’t to leave behind?<br />How to get involved in The Compassion Center at Alderwood Community Church in Lynnwood,<br />Washington and what it is all about.<br /><br />——————————————<br /><br />We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]<br /><br />For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:<br />We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.<br /><br />