May I Introduce You?

April 27, 2012 was one of the most important days of our lives. That was the day we had been waiting for for months. It was the day we wanted so badly we were almost embarrassed to ask God for it because at the time it seemed utterly and completely impossible that it would come to pass. 

I still remember sitting in an Abby out in the boonies for a weekend prayer retreat a month before our trip and God saying "Just ask me. Tell me what you want. Ask." So on my knees, all alone in that room I asked for the impossible dream of our hearts. I asked that God would make a way for us to meet The Lost boys when we visited Eastern Europe in April. Those were the Boys God used to draw our hearts to that side of the world.  They were the ones He used to get us off the couch and on an airplane.  I wept as I asked because I was afraid of being disappointed. I have learned so much about our Father God since that day (and still have much more to learn!). He is faithful, He is good, and He will move mountains for those He loves. He's got an awfully big soft spot for the Fatherless too. :)

God made a way for us to visit the Boys on April 27th. It was a spectacular day that I'm not sure I'll ever stop talking about. Because of His goodness we were able to meet someone very special.

May I introduce you to "Samuel".

Samuel

Beautiful, amazing baby boy, fearfully and wonderfully made.

Before we visited the boys we had seen at least one picture of Samuel. We heard rumor that he was one of the few boys available for adoption at that institution. He was not listed on Reece's Rainbow though, so no one was able to advocate for his adoption.  Well, we kept our eyes peeled in hopes that he would one day be listed and we could share something tangible about him.  That day has come my friends! Samuel is available on Reece's Rainbow and is in desperate need of a family.

Samuel was one of ones chosen to participate in the program Alyona did with the boys that wonderful day. Only the few most capable were chosen. I remember when he was rolled over to the group in his chair. Jed and I, our hearts leaped, our eyes met, both realizing who this precious one was. I remember exactly where he sat. I remember the shy smile he gave as we greeted him. I remember the curiosity in his eyes as he listened intently to Alyona sharing the story of Easter. I remember his eyes dancing as Alyona sang songs with little motions. I tried to get him to do the motions with his hands, but he shook his head with a shy smile.  What a beauty.  What a treasure.  As we sat there together, his small hand in mine, I prayed.  I prayed for God to guard him and protect him- mind, body, and spirit.  I prayed that nothing would keep him from the destiny he was created for.  I prayed that he would not be left as an orphan, but that he would be rescued.  This is what I wrote about Samuel that day:

"We greeted the boys and then sang a song with some motions.  Most of the boys participated, some watched, some tried to get their hands to move in the right way but couldn't quite manage it.  Oh, but they tried!  One sweet little boy looked to be about 5 or 6 years old and was in a wheelchair.  You could see he was paying very close attention.  The wheels were definitely turning.  He is a beautiful little boy."

When we met Samuel that day there was a vital piece of information we were missing.  
We had no idea that Samuel  has a sister.  Meet "Sara".  

Sara- "Princess"

Oh darling princess.  How can you love someone you've only just learned about?  
It happened to me.  I'm a goner.

You see, Samuel and Sara haven't always been orphans.  They once had a family.  Then there was a horrible car accident that took the lives of their parents and took the use of Samuel's legs.  Samuel and Sara were orphaned that day- and then separated.  Sara was sent to an internat for typically developing children, and Samuel became a Lost Boy.  Such great loss for such young children. Sara and Samuel are almost exactly the same ages as my Addy and Ezra. My Addy and Ez are the best of friends.  The thought of them being suddenly orphaned, then separated, and Ez being sent to the place where Samuel is...it breaks my heart in two.  

By law, Sara and Samuel must be adopted together, and that is how it should be.  Sara has HIV, a very manageable disease.  Samuel is not able to  walk.  Yes, it is a tall order, but not too tall for God.  We have been praying, others who knew of Samuel have been praying, for months that this day would come.  We prayed for the day to come when we could share his picture and his story. Sara is the added blessing we didn't see coming.  By golly, it's Samuel and Sara's turn now.  :)

Will you please, please share their faces?  Will you please share their story?  These are real children.  I have seen Samuel.  I held his small hand.  I looked in his eyes- and when I did, I saw life in those eyes.  He is not just a number- he is a sweet treasure that I have held in my arms. 

There are millions of orphans in the world.  
I know that.  But this time it's personal.

If you would like to know more about how to adopt Samuel and Sara, or would like to donate to their adoption grant please visit their Reece's Rainbow profile here.