I never knew there was an orphan crisis. I never realized that orphans in other countries were treated so badly, discriminated against for having "special needs." Until my Mom showed me a picture. "Could you see them as your brothers? How crazy am I?" Of course I thought she was crazy (I even told her so). Daddy would never go for that. But he did! All of a sudden, I went from the oldest of 4, to the oldest of 6! We were so excited to meet Sam and Duncan. Special needs, my foot! They just seem like normal boys, waiting for their families to come find them. Waiting for MY Mommy and Daddy to come get them! My brothers as soon as I saw their pictures.
Could this really be real? We were so excited. I was driving my husband crazy. All I could think and talk about was my brothers! Duncan and I even share our birthday! The fundraising! The time limit! The traveling! Their rooms! So much to plan! So much to prepare for! They have become a part of our family. We started getting to know them (even though they couldn't get to know us.) We even got Sam a soccer ball.
So can you imagine our heartbreak when we realized things weren't going to work out? We couldn't just wait and see if things "might" happen on time. They need families now, before they age out! So even though we are still missing them, we are thankful for their new families. They're not going to be each others brothers, but they will be somebody's brother! That means more to us than anything. My mom still uses her blog (check it out here.) to advocate for other orphans. And Sam and Duncan will always be my brothers. <3 I dream of meeting them someday.
But why should our adventure stop here? Psalms 94:16-17 says "Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence." We need to stand up for orphans! We need to rise in faith and help! We will not let their souls settle in silence.
God has started my family on a path. I only wish we knew where He has us heading. But, time will tell! He has some awesome plans, that I do know.
