Several months ago, Darren and I were called to step out of our cultural boat into the waves of international special needs adoption. Our eyes had been opened to the plight of special needs orphans in Eastern Europe and how they were throwaway children with no future. We researched and spent many nights on the couch watching documentaries and reading statistics. Darren and I wept at the atrocities and determined to make a difference. With some fear and trepidation, we decided to say “YES” to a little boy named Dylan. We stepped out of the boat and our feet got wet and the waves came but they were not as big as we thought they would be. Yes, there was great fear initially, but as funding came pouring in and we were encouraged and embraced by our family, friends and community, we found the footing was solid. God is solid and faithful and had already prepared a path for this adoption. We were encouraged by bake sales, random donations, and words and prayers of encouragement. What a beautiful journey we were on.
During this time, another little boy’s picture kept coming across my Facebook newsfeed. The same boy over and over….and a little voice kept saying, “he’s your son, too”. His video was shared with me and his eyes pierced my heart right through the screen. I dreamed about him and he was on my mind often. I kept putting his face aside, but something kept pushing him to the forefront. My heart was torn because one adoption is crazy, two seems insane. And yet again, God answered. I found out that adding this little boy to our adoption of Dylan will only cost a plane ticket and passport…. Did you hear that? A plane ticket and passport. We can save two boys with only an extra $3,800. By now my mind is whirling and I am thinking logistics. Two boys with special needs, where will the extra money come from? Where will they sleep? What about health insurance? The needs of all my children? The list went on and on…and then a simple question from my husband put it all into perspective. In ten years, will we look back and have regrets for not saving two? Yes, I said I would have regrets. And then the question was answered. We are saying “yes”, because we believe in the power and heart of Jesus Christ. We believe in living a life sold out to our faith and walking a faith that we believe. It will not be easy, but we were never promised comfort and ease. We have decided to live for eternity. And so, through much prayer and many family meetings we have fully submerged ourselves in the waves. We are giving ourselves completely to the calling placed before us. Darren and I both know that God has given us the passion and desire to serve orphans. So, without further ado, we would like to announce another addition to our ransom… Dakota from Bulgaria.
Dakota, 3 years
Dakota is officially matched with us through the Ministry of Justice and has also been added to our home study (now you know why things are taking a little longer than first anticipated). Dakota is 3 years old and has Spina Bifida. Just like Dylan, he has no future in an Eastern Europe orphanage. For now, he is being cared for in a clean, baby orphanage, but he will not get to stay there forever. Dakota will never walk, but we hope in our family he will learn to soar!