Our daughters have a good friend in Ethiopia. Her name is Tsion and she has been waiting at the AAI child care center for over a year now. She is starting to feel discouraged, wondering if she will ever get a family. She is 13 years old and she has three siblings, you see– a 10 year old sister, and brothers who are 5 and 6 years old.
When people think about adoption, most don’t think of older kids, and even fewer think of adopting four kids at once. However, I know that God has a plan for this girl’s life, and I am praying that His plan includes a family for these precious kids. Would you join me in praying that these children will get a family of their own very soon? No child should have to grow up without a family.
I'm Mary, wife to John, and mom to 10 kids ages 3-20. Six of them were adopted, from Ethiopia and Korea. I spend my days applying Bandaids, reminding kids to use their inside voices, persuading kids fractions are useful, cooking spicy ethnic food, and snapping gig after gig of pictures. Very late at night, I write about it all.
I’ll keep these kids in my prayers. We’re an adoptive family ourselves. In fact, we’ve been trying to adopt older children domestically and were recently informed that our agency will no longer do interstate adoptions – basically ’cause they can’t make $ on them. No child should grow up without a family
Mine too….it just breaks my heart when I think of all the wonderful children waiting.
I’ve recently read about a family that is adopting FIVE from Ethiopia at once, so hopefully there is a forever family waiting for this little family, too!
Thanks for telling us about this family so we can all join you in praying for a Forever Family for them!
I have met Tsion, and I know what a special girl she is. Her family will be blessed to have her (and her siblings!).
I will definitely keep these special children in my prayers.
And I’m adding to the prayer that her family might be close to the families of some of her friends already here in the US.
I will pray. I’d take them in a heartbeat….if only dh was in agreement. My kids have continued to ask why we don’t have more, how they wish they had more siblings, and how empty our home is becoming. I feel the same way.
I will be praying, It’s really cool that you don’t just stop with your own children but that you are also praying for other children who still need homes. This is my first time comment but I’ve been reading your blog for a little while and it really inspires me.
Praying here!
I know a great family who just yesterday asked about adoption, but is concerned about the costs involved. I definitely want to put these children on their minds and see if God puts them on their hearts…
I’ll join you Mary.
And P.S. – I was happy to see on your other blog that Starbucks and Ethiopian coffee growers have reached an agreement.
Jamie
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Our friend just adopted a baby from Africa and just seeing those dark eyes take in her new environment warms our heart….Di
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That really breaks my heart! I can’t imagine how she is feeling. I will be praying for all of them. I know God must have a plan for their lives!!
I have seen this family of kids in the info packet I got from AAI and felt very connected to them immediately, even though there were others that I connected to also. We were originally talking about 1 child and then 2. Now 4 is a lot for my husband to get his head around.
I am waiting somewhat patiently for my him to become sure that he wants to have more kids and 4 at that. We have 1 dd who is ten.
Please send your prayers that if it is right we will move forward with this and possibly bring these kids home if we are the best family for them. Thank you!
Praying with you.
Mary: Can you receive extra help when adopting them financially? We are adopting a baby, but I would like to know more info. How would I do this? Thank you
Yes, AAI has something called the Grace Fund that you could apply for. The kids qualify for a variety of reasons: they are a large sibling group, they’ve waited awhile, and there are older kids in the group. I think the grants range from $2,000-$5,000.
There is a family in my church who recently adopted 3 brothers from Liberia. I know these 4 kids have a forever family waiting for them and I will pray!
I just found this website during a search for Layla House. Any news about these precious children or should I pray too?
The children have been put on hold pending our homestudy. Please keep them in your prayers. I hear that USCIS is taking 5-9 months!
The homestudy is nearly complete. I am finished with my required training and hubby is nearly finished with his. Things are a little slow on this end, but I am trusting the Lord’s timing. Lately I have been pressed with questions from family members about Tsion, Ruth and Abraham and Mintesinote. I realize that I don’t know much about them other than their file information. The way things are going, they won’t know about us or be able to write for some time. I find myself yearning to know more about my precious kids. What do they need emotionally? What do they like to do? To eat? What are their personalities like? How much English do they know, because I have tried Amharic and they are sure to get nothing but amusement from my attempts to communicate!