The Gathering of the Seeds from the East
(A speech by Stephen C. Morrison, given at the Korean Ambassador’s Residence
during the International Gathering of Korean Adoptees, Washington D.C., 9/11/1999)

The Honorable Dr. Lee Hong-koo and the people of Korea, and to all of the distinguished guests and friends, I thank you for the special hospitality you have extended to all the adoptees and families of the “Gathering”.

  The word “Gathering” holds a special significance for me.  Over forty years ago when Mr. Harry Holt, the founder of Holt International Children’s Services, Inc. was on his way to Korea to adopt eight children, he was beset by doubts and worry.  He wasn’t sure whether what he was about to do was from God.  Being a Godly man, he prayed and God led him to the verse in Isaiah 43:5, which states, “Fear not for I am with thee; I will bring thy seeds from the east, and gather thee from the west.”   Mr. Ambassador, today in the west, you are witnessing this remarkable “Gathering” of those seeds from the east.

  Excellency, what thoughts do you have as you see all of us gathered here?  Just who are we?  And how should we view ourselves and our adoption experience?  No words can truly express how many of us feel regarding our adoption experience.  We did not choose our beginnings.  We did not choose to be abandoned.  We did not choose to be orphans.  We did not choose to live in orphanages.  And we did not choose to be adopted!

  However, God gave these things to us for reasons we don’t fully understand.   We can’t change our past.  We must accept things given to us, past and present, and move on.  But one thing is clear.  Though we didn’t choose our humble beginnings, we have been given the opportunity to choose our future.  We can choose our dreams.  We can choose our destiny.  God has given us the freedom.  But above all He has given us families. This is truly what adoption has allowed us to have. 

  Mr. Ambassador, we would like to thank the Korean Government and the people of Korea for letting us go.  We would like to thank Korea for the opportunities given to us to build our dreams here.  Many of us would have been unable to reach goals and live fulfilling lives had we remained in Korea.  Lastly, we want to thank you tonight for listening to all of us.  May God bless you.

- Stephen C. Morrison (최 석춘)

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