Our Adoption Story

"Mommy, Daddy, will you give me one more hug?"

"Will I have a new name?"

"Why, Mommy, do we have to do it this way?"

"You're the first daddy that has ever held me this way and hasn't let go."

These are a few of the phrases we have heard in this first week with our newly adopted son, Samuel.  For those that pray for us regularly and support us financially, we have had questions as to how quickly this adoption has come about.  Let us assure you, it has been quick for us too!  About a year ago, Rene and I began to consider the idea of growing our family through adoption.  We quickly decided that we would not adopt from Honduras because we have personally witnessed too many failed adoptions due to government restrictions and not being an "adoption friendly" country.  So, we went and asked questions at an adoption agency when we were home in the states last fall.  We asked questions like...
- Being faith based missionaries, are we even eligible to be adoptive parents?
- Is it a smart idea to bring an adopted child into our lifestyle of serving in another country and travelling to speak often?

The agency assured us that our situation, though unique, did not disqualify us from adopting.  We looked at the different countries that this agency represented.  Rene was immediately drawn to China since we had hosted many students from this country before in our home.  However, it was the one country that we did not meet all of the financial eligibility requirements for.  So, we decided to take a year to pray about it.  We never filled out an application or applied for a home study.  We decided to just pray.  Meanwhile, we received this agency's newsletters via email.  About four weeks ago, an email about this 10 year old Chinese boy filled our inbox.  There was something about his picture that captivated us.  He had been adopted from China, but it was not working out with his adoptive family.  So, they were seeking to find another family that would consider a "domestic" adoption.  We met the criteria for such an adoption!  So, we called.  Within a day, we were having a phone conference interview with the original family and they approved us.  Here we are, four weeks later, calling a new 10 year old Chinese boy named Samuel, ours.  He was a boy found abandoned on the streets of China at age 6 and was placed in an orphanage.  He was found without anything...no birth certificate, no belongings.  He was renamed by the orphanage that took him in and documentation was created for him.  He was placed in foster homes and then put on an adoption list.  He was adopted and then placed on a list again.  He is ours!  We aren't letting go.  He assumes our last name and now becomes one of our heirs.

This week as we have spent many firsts with him, I have watched intently and I have heard the Spirit whisper to my heart multiple times.  Adoption is such a tangible example of redemption and what Jesus does for us.  Jesus finds us, chooses us as his children.  Often times we have to go through extraordinary measures in order for us to be receptive to the arms of a Loving Father.  We have spent this week teaching Samuel about our family, showing him pictures of his heritage, and demonstrating to him love that surpasses any behavior.  Oh, thank you Jesus for being so intentional with me and for providing a book that teaches me about Your heart and tells me who You are!  I think I will start a book for Samuel (in my spare time, ha!)  Meanwhile, we relish in these moments of meeting our child whom God has blessed us with.  We begin the process of revealing expectations and family rules and guidelines that we feel are best.  We take time to answer the "Whys?" as best as we can.  We talk openly about a new family and a new name and most importantly, we are working hard to reassure him of our unconditional love.

Once the papers are finalized, Samuel will be joining us in our ministries in Honduras.  Meanwhile, Rene and I are doing our best to juggle responsibilities there and here.   Please continue to pray for us during this transition.

The whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:22-23)