Our Adoption Story
Our adoption story really began about 10 years ago when our older children, at that time ages 10 and 12 started praying for God to bring us a baby to adopt. They knew we didn't have the resources to do this, and so knew God would have to do it. Almost exactly nine months later (the length of a pregnancy) we received a baby boy named Peter who was 10 months old. He was born with a congenital defect that affects his legs, and there was no muscle or function in them. He came from a town in Russia called Vladmir.
After seeing how amazingly God provided for our adoption of Peter (we only had to pay for our winter plane tickets to Russia) we started praying and asking God if He wanted us to adopt another child. Four years later, through a series of events too long to add, we found an agency in South Carolina and they told us about a little boy who was 3 ½ years old who had bilateral clubbed feet. His name was Viktor and was almost exactly 2 years younger than Peter, which we thought would be a good age difference. And since we had learned so much about orthopedic needs, decided to begin the process. Once again, we had no idea how we would raise the money. But as always, where God guides, He provides. Through friends and help form the wonderful people at "A Child Waits" we were able to go pick up our son, Patrik (we changed his name) in Siberia on July 5 2001 (his birthday) to bring him to the home God had planned for him. His orphanage was a very poor one, and in comparison, Peter's was like the Hilton. It was painful to see all of the little ones (who were actually hidden from us, but by accident we saw them) and see the need for love each one had. When we accidentally came upon them they practically mauled my husband, Larry, just pleading for that male, "father" that they were missing in the orphanage since it is run only by women.
Adopting
an older child who has been traumatized as Patrik was, (he was removed from his
home at 18 months because his parents were alcoholics and were not feeding or
meeting his physical or emotional needs,) was much different than receiving a
child as a baby. The first few months were very difficult for us; there was a
language barrier, and the adjustments not only he had to make, but our other children
as well. Also Patrik's feet were so "clubbed" that he had walked on
his ankles and had built up a new heel on the side of his feet. His first surgery
was very painful, but even God used that time to bond us to him, because he could
not be the active little guy he was and we were able to cuddle and love him.
I
just remember being on my face in prayer on behalf of our new son, and as always
God in His loving faithfulness had knitted our family together even before we
knew it, and Patrik is a huge blessing in our lives. He is a delight, full of
laughter, love and is so very caring and compassionate, especially towards his
older brother who is unable to walk. We see that in the last two years an amazing
transformation in this little boy who at first was terribly insecure has taken
place. He is a little "pigeon toed" but is as active as any other little
boy his age.
We thank A Child Waits Foundation for
their support of our adoption. We could not have adopted our sweet boy without
their help. We appreciate the heart they have for all of the orphans, there are
so many . . . if we could we would adopt them all.
Jesus
said "when you do it unto the least of these, you do it unto me". Many
people tell us that we are so amazing . . . we are not amazing, our two boys are,
they have taught us more than anyone else could have and we are privileged to
do this unto Jesus . . .
God bless you richly.
Sincerely
Koni,
Larry, Peter and Patrick Harper