We have read comments such as, "Kids would be better off left in their native country," or "Why would you take a child away from the only 'family' he has ever known?"
And I have to tell ya', there was one day in China after we had both Kooper and Kinley that I wondered the same thing *sigh*. Kinley was completely shut down and Kooper was finding it difficult to keep up the facade of being a well-behaved 13 year old who wanted to come to the USA with his family. For a few short hours I seriously thought my two children might be better off with those they had considered family since shortly after birth. It didn't take me long to realize these were lies from the Enemy because he hates families! After praying and pleading for intercession from others, I realized that God had planned all along to redeem Kooper and Kinley from their brokenness by placing them in our family.
And today Kinley Grace is so well-adjusted that the screaming baby I first held a few months ago is only a memory brought on by looking at photos. Kooper has passed through so many phases over the last few months, I can't even remember all of them. He was once a selfish, distant child with little restraint and no desire to be challenged. Today he is more empathetic, more caring, finally desiring to communicate and s.l.o.w.l.y. accepting challenges. We are all growing!
I'm just going to highlight the bullet points in Amy's article, but I would encourage you to read it for yourself. While every child and every institution is different, our son would not have
1) Many people do not realize the deep and ingrained stigma that an orphaned child often faces in Chinese society.
2) Some people might ask how anyone would know you were an orphan after you left the institution. Couldn't you just keep it quiet?
3) Almost everything in Chinese society revolves around the family, and great reverence is given to one's ancestors and lineage.
4) Many people worry that the older children being adopted don't really want to leave their home country.
5) Another question that is frequently asked is why are we hearing about so many kids about ready to age out now when there were so few over the last ten years?
Oh Connie, so much catching up to do...I just skimmed down and it looks like everyone is doing so well! I can't believe yall have been home FOUR months!
ReplyDeleteWe need to chat again, friend! Love you!
Wow! I just read the article and that was amazing. What a great perspective. Thanks for sharing, Connie!
ReplyDeleteI must go and read the whole article. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE you heart and your sincerity, dear friend. Keep on keeping on being a VOICE!
I know it is probably difficult for you to get to Dillon's China Camp but Amy will be a speaker this year. Amy lives here in Edmond and is part of our FCC group. Great lady!!!
ReplyDeleteBarb
Thank you so much for sharing that article. I admire your courage to adopt two children at once. What an awesome testimony. I found that in my experience with our oldest daughter from China to be very true. The Aunties told her we would make her clean our house everyday and that is the reason that we wanted her. They also told her that we would send her back if she did not behave and do well in school. Of Course we could never imagine doing such a thing and she was only eight when we adopted her. She is such a wonderful and beautiful little girl.She is still growing and healing but she is such a joy. We are blessed to have her and my heart just goes out to the older, waiting child.
ReplyDeleteThanks again and Blessings,
Melanie
www.journeytojordynandjailynn.blogspot.com
www.onemorehunanprincess.blogspot.com
ohhhh Connie - this is so true - and I too have gone through those emotions - emotions of knowing what is right for our children! But ooohhh how good is our God!
ReplyDeleteI will take time to read her article! Thanks for sharing!
Can't wait til Monday! :)
and the kids are excited for the long drive - they get tv's in the car! :)