News broke this morning that China is officially ending their “One-Child” Policy. This policy has been in effect for 35 years in an effort to stem over population and over taxing the economy. China now has a growing economy and an aging work force- so this, in part is an economic decision to have a younger workforce.

The consequences of the policy are well known: Small families, abandoned babies, forced abortions and sterilizations, and heavy fines for those who have a second child. In recent years, the policy was relaxed and some families could have a second child if they were the product of a one-child family (along with the payment of some hefty fees).

As parents of an adopted son from China, we will never no why our son ended up in our family. It certainly could have been a result of the one-child policy (though hard to say with certainty). Our hope is that this change in policy will decrease the number of orphans in China and create new opportunities for families to welcome children into their families.

China is a beautiful country with beautiful people. Perhaps this is the beginning of seismic change where some of the chains that keep the population bound can be loosened. Perhaps it is an opportunity of the Gospel to continue to thrive by coming above ground as people hear about the ultimate family- the family of God.