January 7, 2004
United At Last
What do these four children have in common? They are
brothers and sisters from Russia who have been adopted by our family. The journey
started five years ago when my husband & I flew to Russia to adopt 6-year
old twins. Five months after we adopted them and we were feeling comfortable
and adjusting well with our new children, they kept mentioning the names of
Kolya and Katya. Since our children only spoke Russian and were just beginning
to speak English we asked them what they meant. They said that Kolya & Katya
were their older brother and sister and that they still lived in Russia. They
would cry when they talked about their siblings and missed them very much.
We knew in our hearts that God wanted us to adopt them too. But how? We called
our adoption agency the Frank Adoption Center and asked them to please find
the older siblings even though we did not know which city they lived in. We
didn't get much of a response. So we tried every avenue we knew to reach them
but to no avail.
Again, one year later, we called the agency. They had
located the siblings who were living in an orphanage 8 hours north of Moscow.
They asked Kolya and Katya if they would like to be adopted and live in America.
They said "No". Our hearts were broken. Now, it was our turn to cry.
But, we didn't give up and kept praying for a way to reunite these children.
Kolya and Katya in Russia 2002
The agency suggested that we fly to Russia with our
twins to try to meet the older siblings and vacation with them for a few days.
So, that's what we did. We spent $5,000 and quickly made arrangements to travel
to Russia in late November of 2002. At the designated hotel, when the 4 children
saw each other again, after being separated for 4 years, they couldn't stop
hugging and laughing. Their dream of seeing each other had come true. Since
we didn't speak each other's language, we hired a translator and driver to be
with us throughout the weekend so that we could share stories. Kolya and Katya
had heard rumors that America was an island and that there was much child slavery
in our country. We assured them that were not true. That's why they had refused
to be adopted. After the long joyful weekend was over, it was very hard to leave
Russia and leave the teenagers behind. We corresponded through mail and sent
gifts on special occasions.
One year after our visit, Kolya and Katya wrote to us
and asked us if we would accept them into our family and if we would consider
being their new parents. We were thrilled! The only concerns we had were the
children's ages and trying to come up with the money for the adoptions quickly.
We also knew that since Kolya was 17, the Russian government may not release
him. If we could not adopt him, Kolya was prepared to go to into the army. Through
generous financial support of church members, a large grant from
A Child Waits Foundation and refinancing
our house, we raised enough money within a few months to complete our adoption
requirements. Even our dossier was expedited by the Frank Adoption Center.
Our journey to Russia and the adoption process went
very smoothly. We arrived in America on May 31st and the next day Kolia turned
18 and celebrated his birthday in our home. We are very fortunate and blessed
to have all 4 siblings together and to complete our family. We have been together
for 6 months now and it was an extra special Christmas.
We are also blessed to have help and support from the Frank Adoption Center
and A Child Waits Foundation.
Our prayers have been answered.
The Wainrights - 2003
Shawna & Josh Wainright
Wainrightj@aol.com