Indiana Considering Its Own Drop Box

As the team here at Focus gears up for the big debut tomorrow of our second film, “The Drop Box,” news that Indiana is considering the legalization of “baby boxes” made headlines late last week.

The Associated Press is reporting that these boxes might soon be available at hospitals, fire stations and churches across the state giving “mothers in crisis a way to surrender their children safely and anonymously.”

The proposed legislation serves as a reminder that the issues and themes “The Drop Box” examines – desperate mothers, vulnerable babies, the sanctity of life, the need for compassionate “fathers” – are universal.

After all, unplanned pregnancies don’t just happen “over there”; they are part of American life, too.

Sadly, there are plenty of instances of newborns being abandoned right here in the U.S. A newborn girl only hours old was recently found near a California mall. In January, a dead newborn boy was found in a dumpster near Detroit. Right here in our home state of Colorado, a mother gave her newborn girl to a couple at a Walmart.

This is why all 50 states have some type of safe haven law on the books (though Indiana would be first in the nation to use actual baby boxes if the bill passes).

These issues aren’t simple, but all too often we talk about them as if they were black-and-white. What “The Drop Box” does is give us a glimpse into the real people behind these stories.

As we learn the story of South Korea’s Pastor Lee Jong-rak, who initiated his country’s first baby box, we hear some of the stories surrounding the young mothers who feel they have no other option. We also see the smiles of the babies and children.

And in Pastor Lee, we see the heart of a father who loves his children. He’s not concerned about any mental or physical disability the child may be encountering. To him, they’re each beautiful and worthy of love and care. There is no sacrifice Pastor Lee won’t make.

“I’d give my life for these children,” he says. And in a very real way, he’s doing just that. His entire life revolves around taking care of the dozens of kids who are in his house at any one time. To date, more than 600 children have been saved by Pastor Lee. Pastor Lee and his wife have adopted 10 children – the maximum the country allows.

You can catch the “The Drop Box” on March 3, 4 or 5. The special event will include an exclusive panel discussion featuring Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, President of Show Hope, Mary Beth; “The Drop Box” director Brian Ivie; Kelly Rosati, Focus’ vice president of community outreach; and myself.

Please consider going with your family or church group. You can even buy out a theater. Tickets are available at www.thedropboxfilm.com. A portion of proceeds will go directly to Pastor Lee’s ministry. In a very real way, watching this movie can help save a life.