“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” -Romans 8:28
What happens when a child is taken from everything he knows and placed in a completely different culture, language, and family? For Isaac Melber, adoption was the beginning of a journey that would lead him through grief, questions of identity, healing, faith, and ultimately a calling to ministry.
In this episode of The Adoption & Foster Care Journey, Isaac shares his powerful story of growing up in Ethiopia, losing his parents, spending time in a Christian orphanage, and eventually being adopted by an American family. He opens up about the challenges of cultural transition and the questions he wrestled with as an adoptee—and how Scripture became an anchor for his identity and healing.
Isaac also shares about returning to Ethiopia as a teenager to meet members of his birth family and the unexpected opportunity God gave him to share the gospel with them. His story is a beautiful reminder that God can redeem even the hardest parts of our stories and use them for His purposes.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
<ul>
<li>Isaac’s childhood in Ethiopia and his experience in a Christian orphanage</li>
<li>The transition from Ethiopia to life with an American adoptive family</li>
<li>Navigating language, culture, food, grief, and loss as an adoptee</li>
<li>How Scripture helped Isaac process grief and establish his identity</li>
<li>The importance of grounding identity in Christ rather than circumstances or achievements</li>
<li>Isaac’s journey through soccer, football, and wrestling—and learning to use sports to honor God</li>
<li>Discovering his calling to ministry</li>
<li>His emotional return to Ethiopia and reunion with members of his birth family</li>
<li>Sharing the gospel with his family during his visit</li>
<li>Isaac’s book, Twice Delivered, and his desire to encourage adoptees, adoptive families, and the church</li>
<li>Practical encouragement for parents raising children from hard places</li>
</ul>
A Word of Encouragement for Foster & Adoptive Parents
One of Isaac’s most important messages for parents is simple: keep loving your child, even when they reject that love.
There may not be a formula for parenting a child from a hard place, but faithful, consistent love matters. Isaac encourages parents to look for everyday opportunities to talk about adoption, identity, grief, and trauma. A movie, a holiday, a family gathering, or an ordinary conversation can open the door to questions a child may already be carrying inside.
His story also reminds us that our children’s stories don't end with their trauma, loss, or adoption. God is still writing their stories—and sometimes we have the privilege of walking beside them as they discover who they are in Christ.
Scripture Mentioned
Isaac reflects on the importance of immersing children in God's Word from an early age, drawing from passages including Deuteronomy 6, James 1, and John 3.
“Our identity isn't found in what we accomplish. Our identity is found in Christ.”
About Isaac Melber
Isaac Melber is an adoptee from Ethiopia, pastor, speaker, and author of Twice Delivered. His personal experience of adoption, cultural transition, faith, and reunion with his birth family has shaped his passion for encouraging adoptees, adoptive families, and the church to see adoption through a biblical and hope-filled perspective.
Resources
Twice Delivered — Isaac Melber’s book explores the beauty and complexity of adoption through the perspectives of adoptees, adoptive families, and the church. It combines personal stories, Scripture, discussion questions, and prayers to encourage families and communities.
Connect & Listen
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a foster or adoptive parent, an adoptee, or someone who wants to better understand the adoption journey.
And remember: God doesn't waste our stories. Even the hard chapters can become part of His redemptive work.
Links mentioned in this episode:
<a href='https://www.isaacmelber.com/'>https://www.isaacmelber.com/</a>
<a href='https://www.sandraflach.com/blog'>Free Breath Prayer Download</a>
<a href='https://www.justicefororphansny.org/book-online'>See Available Trainings</a>
<a href='https://www.justicefororphansny.org/afcj'>The Adoption & Foster Care Journey</a>
<a href='https://www.youtube.com/@justicefororphans'>AFCJ on YouTube</a>
<a href='http://justicefororphansny.org/'>justicefororphansny.org</a>
<a href='http://justicefororphansny.org/hope-community'>justicefororphansny.org/hope-community</a>    
Email:  <a href='mailto:sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org'>sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org</a>
<a href='http://sandraflach.com/'>sandraflach.com</a>
<a href='https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Care-Saturday-Devotions-Adoptive-ebook/dp/B0G4XLBHT1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IBCL66896A5T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iQCUm0ZWmE6U7xTOsJgwRg.ytk18gpzvOAYGr36XecqarCCfyEMtuATsXbuahieOAM&dib_tag=se&keywords=sandra+flach&qid=1766856135&s=books&sprefix=,stripbooks,113&sr=1-1'>Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms</a>
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” -Romans 8:28 What happens when a child is taken from everything he knows and placed in a completely different culture, language, and family? For Isaac Melber, adoption was the beginning of a journey that would lead him through grief, questions of identity, healing, faith, and ultimately a calling to ministry. In this episode of The Adoption & Foster Care Journey, Isaac shares his powerful story of growing up in Ethiopia, losing his parents, spending time in a Christian orphanage, and eventually being adopted by an American family. He opens up about the challenges of cultural transition and the questions he wrestled with as an adoptee—and how Scripture became an anchor for his identity and healing. Isaac also shares about returning to Ethiopia as a teenager to meet members of his birth family and the unexpected opportunity God gave him to share the gospel with them. His story is a beautiful reminder that God can redeem even the hardest parts of our stories and use them for His purposes. In This Episode, We Talk About: Isaac’s childhood in Ethiopia and his experience in a Christian orphanage The transition from Ethiopia to life with an American adoptive family Navigating language, culture, food, grief, and loss as an adoptee How Scripture helped Isaac process grief and establish his identity The importance of grounding identity in Christ rather than circumstances or achievements Isaac’s journey through soccer, football, and wrestling—and learning to use sports to honor God Discovering his calling to ministry His emotional return to Ethiopia and reunion with members of his birth family Sharing the gospel with his family during his visit Isaac’s book, Twice Delivered, and his desire to encourage adoptees, adoptive families, and the church Practical encouragement for parents raising children from hard places A Word of Encouragement for Foster & Adoptive Parents One of Isaac’s most important messages for parents is simple: keep loving your child, even when they reject that love. There may not be a formula for parenting a child from a hard place, but faithful, consistent love matters. Isaac encourages parents to look for everyday opportunities to talk about adoption, identity, grief, and trauma. A movie, a holiday, a family gathering, or an ordinary conversation can open the door to questions a child may already be carrying inside. His story also reminds us that our children’s stories don't end with their trauma, loss, or adoption. God is still writing their stories—and sometimes we have the privilege of walking beside them as they discover who they are in Christ. Scripture Mentioned Isaac reflects on the importance of immersing children in God's Word from an early age, drawing from passages including Deuteronomy 6, James 1, and John 3. “Our identity isn't found in what we accomplish. Our identity is found in Christ.” About Isaac Melber Isaac Melber is an adoptee from Ethiopia, pastor, speaker, and author of Twice Delivered. His personal experience of adoption, cultural transition, faith, and reunion with his birth family has shaped his passion for encouraging adoptees, adoptive families, and the church to see adoption through a biblical and hope-filled perspective. Resources Twice Delivered — Isaac Melber’s book explores the beauty and complexity of adoption through the perspectives of adoptees, adoptive families, and the church. It combines personal stories, Scripture, discussion questions, and prayers to encourage families and communities. Connect & Listen If this episode encouraged you, share it with a foster or adoptive parent, an adoptee, or someone who wants to better understand the adoption journey. And remember: God doesn't waste our stories. Even the hard chapters can become part of His redemptive work. Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.isaacmelber.com/ Free Breath Prayer Download See Available Trainings The Adoption & Foster Care Journey AFCJ on YouTube justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” -Romans 8:28
What happens when a child is taken from everything he knows and placed in a completely different culture, language, and family? For Isaac Melber, adoption was the beginning of a journey that would lead him through grief, questions of identity, healing, faith, and ultimately a calling to ministry.
In this episode of&nbsp;The Adoption &amp; Foster Care Journey, Isaac shares his powerful story of growing up in Ethiopia, losing his parents, spending time in a Christian orphanage, and eventually being adopted by an American family. He opens up about the challenges of cultural transition and the questions he wrestled with as an adoptee—and how Scripture became an anchor for his identity and healing.
Isaac also shares about returning to Ethiopia as a teenager to meet members of his birth family and the unexpected opportunity God gave him to share the gospel with them. His story is a beautiful reminder that God can redeem even the hardest parts of our stories and use them for His purposes.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
<ul>
<li>Isaac’s childhood in Ethiopia and his experience in a Christian orphanage</li>
<li>The transition from Ethiopia to life with an American adoptive family</li>
<li>Navigating language, culture, food, grief, and loss as an adoptee</li>
<li>How Scripture helped Isaac process grief and establish his identity</li>
<li>The importance of grounding identity in Christ rather than circumstances or achievements</li>
<li>Isaac’s journey through soccer, football, and wrestling—and learning to use sports to honor God</li>
<li>Discovering his calling to ministry</li>
<li>His emotional return to Ethiopia and reunion with members of his birth family</li>
<li>Sharing the gospel with his family during his visit</li>
<li>Isaac’s book,&nbsp;Twice Delivered, and his desire to encourage adoptees, adoptive families, and the church</li>
<li>Practical encouragement for parents raising children from hard places</li>
</ul>
A Word of Encouragement for Foster &amp; Adoptive Parents
One of Isaac’s most important messages for parents is simple:&nbsp;keep loving your child, even when they reject that love.
There may not be a formula for parenting a child from a hard place, but faithful, consistent love matters. Isaac encourages parents to look for everyday opportunities to talk about adoption, identity, grief, and trauma. A movie, a holiday, a family gathering, or an ordinary conversation can open the door to questions a child may already be carrying inside.
His story also reminds us that our children’s stories don't end with their trauma, loss, or adoption. God is still writing their stories—and sometimes we have the privilege of walking beside them as they discover who they are in Christ.
Scripture Mentioned
Isaac reflects on the importance of immersing children in God's Word from an early age, drawing from passages including&nbsp;Deuteronomy 6, James 1, and John 3.
“Our identity isn't found in what we accomplish. Our identity is found in Christ.”
About Isaac Melber
Isaac Melber is an adoptee from Ethiopia, pastor, speaker, and author of&nbsp;Twice Delivered. His personal experience of adoption, cultural transition, faith, and reunion with his birth family has shaped his passion for encouraging adoptees, adoptive families, and the church to see adoption through a biblical and hope-filled perspective.
Resources
Twice Delivered&nbsp;— Isaac Melber’s book explores the beauty and complexity of adoption through the perspectives of adoptees, adoptive families, and the church. It combines personal stories, Scripture, discussion questions, and prayers to encourage families and communities.
Connect &amp; Listen
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a foster or adoptive parent, an adoptee, or someone who wants to better understand the adoption journey.
And remember:&nbsp;God doesn't waste our stories. Even the hard chapters can become part of His redemptive work.
Links mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://www.isaacmelber.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.isaacmelber.com/</a>
<a href="https://www.sandraflach.com/blog" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Breath Prayer Download</a>
<a href="https://www.justicefororphansny.org/book-online" rel="noopener noreferrer">See Available Trainings</a>
<a href="https://www.justicefororphansny.org/afcj" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Adoption &amp; Foster Care Journey</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@justicefororphans" rel="noopener noreferrer">AFCJ on YouTube</a>
<a href="http://justicefororphansny.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">justicefororphansny.org</a>
<a href="http://justicefororphansny.org/hope-community" rel="noopener noreferrer">justicefororphansny.org/hope-community</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;
Email:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org" rel="noopener noreferrer">sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org</a>
<a href="http://sandraflach.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">sandraflach.com</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Care-Saturday-Devotions-Adoptive-ebook/dp/B0G4XLBHT1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IBCL66896A5T&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iQCUm0ZWmE6U7xTOsJgwRg.ytk18gpzvOAYGr36XecqarCCfyEMtuATsXbuahieOAM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=sandra+flach&amp;qid=1766856135&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=,stripbooks,113&amp;sr=1-1" rel="noopener noreferrer">Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions for Foster and Adoptive Moms</a>
Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father&nbsp;book on Amazon

Episode 546 - Twice Delivered: Isaac Melber’s Journey of Adoption, Identity & Faith

Kathleen Guire – adoptive mom, author and ETC Parent Trainer in West Virginia.  Empowered To Connect (ETC) Parent Training is an interactive learning experience designed specifically for adoptive and foster parents.

Kathleen Guire – adoptive mom, author and ETC Parent Trainer in West Virginia. Empowered To Connect (ETC) Parent Training is an interactive learning experience designed specifically for adoptive and foster parents.

Kathleen Guire&nbsp;– adoptive mom, author and ETC Parent Trainer in West Virginia.&nbsp;&nbsp;Empowered To Connect (ETC) Parent Training is an interactive learning experience designed specifically for adoptive and foster parents.

Episode - November 11, 2016

Ryan & Kayla North - Texas foster/adoptive parents and Empowered To Connect Parent Trainers and Trainers of ETC Parent Trainers

Ryan &amp; Kayla North - Texas foster/adoptive parents and Empowered To Connect Parent Trainers and Trainers of ETC Parent Trainers

Episode - December 16, 2016

Dan Kulp – Comedian, author, pastor, and adoptive dad of 3 special needs children

Dan Kulp – Comedian, author, pastor, and adoptive dad of 3 special needs children

Dan Kulp&nbsp;– Comedian, author, pastor, and adoptive dad of 3 special needs children

Episode - December 23, 2016

Father Scott Van Der Veer – Pastor of St. Patrick’s in Ravena & St. Mary’s in Coxsackie, NY.  Adult adoptee.

Father Scott Van Der Veer – Pastor of St. Patrick’s in Ravena & St. Mary’s in Coxsackie, NY. Adult adoptee.

Father Scott Van Der Veer&nbsp;– Pastor of St. Patrick’s in Ravena &amp; St. Mary’s in Coxsackie, NY. &nbsp;Adult&nbsp;adoptee.

Episode - December 30, 2016

Sandra Hogue - Florida adoptive mom of 10 kids through foster care

Episode - November 25, 2016

Scott & Carolyn Pouncey - founders of Rock of Hope Ministries in Romania

Scott &amp; Carolyn Pouncey - founders of Rock of Hope Ministries in Romania

Episode - December 2, 2016

Casey Walker - Screen Writer for the documentary film "Lost Kites".

Episode - December 9, 2016

Jason Ledlie - Texas adoptive dad, therapist and founder of Jeremiah RAOK (Random Acts of Kindness) Ministry.

Episode - November 18, 2016

Host Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—one kinship and 4 international. Her youngest 2 are teens diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With over 30 years of parenting experience and 20 plus years as an adoptive and kinship parent, she’s made mountains of mistakes and learned loads of lessons. She understands the difficult road of parenting children with trauma histories—and she is still in the trenches!

The Adoption & Foster Care Journey is a podcast to encourage, educate, and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care, and kinship care. We aim to support adoptive and foster families by sharing encouraging real-life stories and equipping them with modern-day research and parenting techniques.

Religion & Spirituality

Christianity

Parenting

Kids & Family

Host Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—one kinship and 4 international. Her youngest 2 are teens diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With over 30 years of parenting experience and 20 plus years as an adoptive and kinship parent, she’s made mountains of mistakes and learned loads of lessons. She understands the difficult road of parenting children with trauma histories—and she is still in the trenches! The Adoption & Foster Care Journey is a podcast to encourage, educate, and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care, and kinship care. We aim to support adoptive and foster families by sharing encouraging real-life stories and equipping them with modern-day research and parenting techniques.

Host Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—one kinship and 4 international. Her youngest 2 are teens diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With over 30 years of parenting experience and 20 plus years as an adoptive and kinship parent, she’s made mountains of mistakes and learned loads of lessons. She understands the difficult road of parenting children with trauma histories—and she is still in the trenches!

The Adoption &amp; Foster Care Journey is a podcast to encourage, educate, and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care, and kinship care. We aim to support adoptive and foster families by sharing encouraging real-life stories and equipping them with modern-day research and parenting techniques.

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