Some dear friends of ours from church have a heart for adoption like nothing I've ever seen. I will do my best to give you a quick overview (Joy- please forgive me if my details are incorrect). Joy and Stephan got married and had two precious children. Unfortunately, they lost their little boy as an infant (I believe, SIDS?). Losing Jacob did not stop them from wanting more children; in fact, I believe it was through this loss that God began to build a desire in their hearts for many children. They adopted a little girl several years back. All of these things happened before Joey and I met this phenomenal couple. Two years ago, when we met this family, they were starting the process of adopting a son from the Phillipines. As we prayed for them through this time, I learned of Joy's heart for hurting children, or "littles" as she calls them. We prayed for them and celebrated with them when they finally brought Aaron home early last year.
But their hearts and their home were not full yet. Not long after Aaron came home, Joy and Stephan began praying for their next child(ren). There are lots of rules associated with adopting that I don't understand. But they kept praying (and us with them) for an open door for them to walk through. A few months ago, a door was opened that can only be explained as God's hand and favor upon them. The rule for adoption in the Philippines is that you have to wait at least 2 years before you can adopt again. Since Aaron has only been home a year, this would mean it would be at least 2015 before they could apply to adopt. However, the adoption agency approached Joy & Stephan about adopting 3 more boys (a set of brothers), if the government would grant them a waiver from the rule. They prayed and said yes. The government granted them the waiver.
The catch to this situation (although we know God will provide) is that the oldest of the three boys just turned 17. In order to adopt all three, the process must be completed before he turns 18. (Though, it is a miracle that he is still eligible for adoption; without siblings he would have been booted out of the system at 16) God has obviously covered this whole situation with his blessings; there is no doubt about that. However, Joy & Stephan need financial support to make this happen. Below, I have placed a link to Joy's blog. Please, go read a few of her posts. And, if you feel so led, donate to their Bringing our Boys Home account from the link at the top of her blog. Let's help bring these boys home!! They are just starting a Picture Puzzle fundraiser. This is a simple way to donate to them. Joey and I will be buying some pieces!
Part of me wants to brag about the hearts of this whole family. We have served with Joy and their oldest daughter at RFKC (the camp for foster kids that we serve at each year). We have served with Stephan at several different events at church. They all have wonderful hearts. However, I know bragging about them too much would make them uncomfortable, so I will refrain. But just look at their faces; you can see the wonderfulness of their hearts through those beautiful smiling faces!
Also, they are going to need a bigger house in order to add 3 more boys. Please pray that their house (which has just gone on the market or will be very soon) sells quickly. They have found a house they are interested in, but must sell their current one first. Pray for a miraculously fast sell.
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