Adoption

A little while ago one of the girls wanted to tell me something, and by the light in her eyes and huge smile on her face, I could tell it was something good.  She could barely sit still long enough to quickly type the words into Google translate. I skimmed over the roughly translated words.. something about paperwork and waiting.. then my heart leaped with excitement when I saw these words "Someone wants to adopt me!"

Adoption.  This word sounds like hope to most of the kids at Casa de Paz.  The thought of getting adopted is to these kids what winning the lottery is to the average person. And I thank God that they can have that hope; that childlike faith that always believes and hopes, no matter what.  This is the whole reason for a place like this, to give kids hope for a better future.  Casa de Paz is a great place where the kids get loved and cared for, and in a sense we are a big family here, the kids have lots of mamas and are all brothers and sisters,  but the truth is, it is still not the same as having one mom and one dad to call your own.  I think about my own three children and how different their lives would be living here without their mommy and daddy.. It is our hope and prayer for every child to have a loving family to call their own.

In the short time we have been here at Casa de Paz, we have been blessed with seeing 2 adoptions happen (six kids in total)  Last year, just shortly after we moved to Peru, FIVE siblings (ranging from age 9 to 17) were adopted by a beautiful, courageous couple from Missouri, the Sterlings, who already had 2 daughters of their own, making it a big happy family of nine. We also just heard the good news - they are expecting another child! :D

The Sterling family

The Buttress family

About one year later, this past November we got to watch another of our boys go home with his new family, the Buttress's, who are also from Missouri!  But, the best and most amazing part about this story is - the two families are neighbors! How awesome is that?! I love how God works, He had it all planned out. The right connections, the right family, the right place, at just the right time. It is stories like these that remind us of why we are here, and give us energy to keep going. In a sense it is kind of like a reward from God for not giving up even when times are tough. Galations 6:9  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  It is all worth it when you see the fruit it bears.
And it is stories like these where you say There is no way that could have happened without God, to Him be All the Glory! I believe God has more stories like this all planned out and ready to happen in His perfect timing. :)