Our Adoption
We had what we believed to be the ideal and complete family. Our children, Zach and Kali, brought us all the joy we could imagine. They are well-behaved talented children who love their parents and each other. In spring of 2005 we learned that our family was not complete at all.
A friend of the family came to us and asked if we would consider adopting a
little boy from Uzbekistan. He had medical needs, including a colostomy, and
would not make it if he didn't have the necessary medical attention some day.
He had been in an orphanage since he was an infant and was two and half years
old. We prayed about it and sought council. We know that God commands us to
take care of widows and orphans and we believed He was calling us to this ministry
and He would provide the necessary resources.
The process was not easy. We met with glitches and delays as adoption was new
to Uzbekistan. Finally on March 15, 2006, our petition was signed, legally making
Andrew Ziyo Mouw our son. Shortly after we received his new birth certificate
and passport. We were all ready to travel in April of 2006 when we received
a phone call telling us that the adoption had fallen through and we had lost
Andrew; he wasn't ever going to come home.
We knew in our hearts that Andrew was our son and needed to be home. Zach and
Kali were devastated and were willing to do anything to bring their little brother
home. We prayed and rallied everyone we know to pray with us. We pursued every
avenue we could devise and continued to work for his release. WCI and our Uzbek
coordinator worked tirelessly on our behalf. The US embassy and Senator Clinton's
office joined our efforts even when it seemed there was no hope.
Andrew's case became high profile and ended up in international court. Miraculously
at the end of August we received another phone call. This time we were told
to get ready to travel, Andrew could come home!!! On September 29th Andrew walked
into his new home. He is now thriving and we are in the process of obtaining
the medical attention he needs. He is the most expressive, happy little boy
you can imagine. His smile and spirit are infectious and he makes everyone's
heart just melt.
We are extremely grateful to A Child Waits Foundation
and all who helped to bring our son home.
Stephen, Heather, Zachary, Kali & Andrew Mouw