Sunday, October 30, 2016

More Goodbyes...

We have had to say a lot of goodbyes in the last 6 weeks. More goodbyes then I care to make again. HARD goodbyes. And we knew that by coming to Cebu and working with children at an orphanage where the whole point is finding homes for the orphaned and abandoned children, there would be more goodbyes. Happy goodbyes, but still goodbyes. The whole point in being here is helping these children get ready for their adoptive families. We pray, we pray a lot, for families that will open their hearts and homes to these children and that they would take the chance to fall in love and bring an orphan into their homes. That means children leaving CSC and going to their adoptive families, and us saying goodbye once again. Just because its a happy goodbye doesn't make the goodbyes on this end any easier. We were able to witness our first adoptive family come and pick up their children last week. It was a mom and dad, farmers from Utah, adopting a sibling group of 5. This particular sibling group has a set of twin boys that are 9 years old. Ironically these boys were the first ones to capture the hearts of our boys. They were the first names we heard when we asked if they met any friends the first time we went up to the shelter and if they knew what their names were. These boys played with Isaac and Carter for weeks. We (Jake and I) knew when we got here that these siblings were already adopted and that they would be leaving soon. What we weren't ready for was the emotion that goes into a sibling group like that leaving. Over the short weeks that we have been here we have been able to get to know this sibling group (as well as the other children here). The 2 teenage girls in this family loved on Mady like she was their own baby sister. The middle boy although extremely quiet has a wonderful sense of humor and I would see him smirking at the funny stuff going on around him. He has a smile that would melt anyones heart. The twins, well lets just say I wish I had a quarter of their energy. They are funny funny boys and it was their favorite thing to do anything that would make someone laugh, even at the expense of not listening to instructions (sound like anyone else you know? Ahem, Carter :) ) We are so happy for these kiddos to have found a family and we are so excited for this mom and dad to have found this group of siblings. Jake and I had the opportunity to spend quiet a bit of time with mom and dad. They are the sweetest people. So kind and compassionate and they had a love for Jesus that we could see. She is a homeschooling mom (they have 3 other adopted children at home that are older) so we talked a lot about what has worked for her over the years, and she was a huge encouragement to me in my homeschooling adventure. The dad reminded me of my own farmer dad. We had a lot in common because of the farm aspect. Jake and him were able to share some funny farm stories as well. We were sad to see them all leave. It was especially heart breaking watching these kids say goodbye to their friends, our kids included. Please, can you join me in praying for this family? As with any change and especially in the adoption process, the "honey moon" stage will wear off. With the love and happy times, comes the stress and unhappy and hard times as well. Pray God will give them patience with each other and comfort especially to the children as they have left the Philippines and everything they have ever known and are now living in a strange place very different from where they come from (I know that feeling and it is not easy, trust me). Pray that they will be comforted by our heavenly father as they get to know one another as a family. And maybe someday when we are back in the states, we will make our way out west to visit a happy family on their farm in Utah.
Thanks for reading friends, love you all!! *Pam



(I am sharing these photos with permission given by the family)


1 comment:

  1. I can feel the happiness and joy as I read, yet I can also feel the sadness. Most assuredly, I will be praying for all. And, how wonderful it would be, if you and family, could get to Utah and visit the family, someday. Just remember, you all have touched them and they will not forget. Thank you, Jesus, for what you are doing all around the world.
    Love, hugs, and Prayers,
    Lizzie

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