Adoption: The Congo

 

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So, here goes. First I must preface this with a word from my mother. "You know, Kristyn, this is sort of  like you being pregnant so you'd better call your brother as well...before he reads this news on your blog." So we've made a few calls to our family, but here's our phone call to the rest of you...


Michael called me the other day and asked if I was sitting down. He said he had a strong feeling that we should adopt from the Congo (really the Democratic Republic of the Congo...or the DRC). He proceeded to say that the voice in his head (which we know was God) suggested that we go ahead and adopt two children. Siblings.


I was speechless. Up to this point we had discussed adopting one child, locally, and then being done. Three kids, five total Joneses, sort of sounded manageable. But he said two, not one. 


This was last week. Since then we've learned that the DRC is the second poorest country in the world, with one of the highest infant mortality rate. These children are subject to becoming child soldiers. (I can't even think about that.)  And then there are all of the other issues that a very poor country faces.


I sit here typing as I think of our two children sleeping peacefully in the other room, about to enjoy a Christmas holiday centered around family and love and peace. I cannot imagine the millions of orphaned children in the Congo right now. 


If there is one thing we've learned through our adoption of Tegegne it was this. When God speaks, we listen. We listen and say, oh wow...really? You sure? Then we take action and trust that this is right. Not easy, not laid out completely, but right. With Tegegne we took a giant leap of faith in many ways, especially with our finances, and we saw God provide. We were overwhelmed and humbled and blessed. Adoption is definitely not easy, or completely laid out, but it is good. 


And here we are. Researching adoption agencies that work in the DRC. Gaining information, trying to assure that we find legit people to work with. Looking wide eyed at each other when we total the adoption for two children...and then thinking about college someday. (Actually Michael mentioned weddings...in case we bring home more girls...but I told him weddings are a walk in the park but what about college!) 


So that's it. This wild adventure that we call life. Please, if you will, join us on this journey asking God to provide for the days ahead and show us the next steps.


Faith, hope, and love. These three. But the greatest of these is love.


Kristyn