Mark & Edna B.
Colombia 2015
A Long Wait at the Gate for a Speedy Race to the Finish Line
We began our adoption journey November 2009. After 5 years of waiting, 6 homestudies, 4 immigration appointments, switching international adoption agencies, and many documentation updates, we were finally paired with our sons! After many years of waiting, Heartsent Adoptions, Inc helped us find our children. They were living in an orphanage in Colombia.
Meet the B Family! Mark (45), Edna (44), Taylor (17), Haley (13), Nelson (13), and Harold (10) all make up the family God has intended to be our forever family! It began early 2009 with a sermon series of adoption which prompted revisiting earlier discussion. After attending an adoption training in October 2009 in Franklin, TN, we knew wholeheartedly that God intended for us to adopt.
We had a clear vision that God intended for us to adopt from a Hispanic country. Since that time, He has orchestrated a sincerely, genuinely, loving Hispanic family to be molded into our lives. This HUGE family has taken us under their wing and has taught us Spanish, traditions, and customs. Edna's long time doctor is also from Colombia and was a vital asset while in the country when Mark became ill. Being sick in a foreign country without doctors who speak your language is very unsettling. However, our pastor reached Edna's doctors in the states who sent his nephew to the hospital in Bogota to stay with us and keep him updated. What a blessing!
Our stay in-country was the fastest adoption that all adoption staff from our agency and other agencies had seen in Colombia. We were blessed with a wonderful in-country representative named Soraya and attribute our quick stay to her. What typically took 4-8 weeks, took our family 2 weeks! Aside from the hospital visit, the adoption could not have gone any smoother! The boys called us "Papa and Mama" the very first day. They loved playing with their sisters. They adapted to their new family's schedule right away and cheered every time we discussed which day we might fly home.
After saying goodbye to their equally beautiful and sweet older brothers, we flew home one night to arrive in Miami at 2 am. Customs and immigration required waiting while they processed the adoption paperwork. Not once on the three air plane rides or waiting until nearly 4 am in the Miami airport, did the boys complain. Harold fell asleep sitting up in a plastic chair, but was all smiles when we were finally able to tell him it was time to go to the hotel.
The boys are settled into their rooms now, love swimming every day, and watching Duck Dynasty. Our family is very thankful for the hands and feet of our families adoption through many donations, grants, and prayers during this journey. God is the "gift giver". He is the giver of family, of resources, and support. The Lord has blessed us through A Child Waits Foundation, and many, many friends and family. It was not an easy road, but God is Faithful and His timing is perfect! God is never early, He is never late. He is always right on time.
We have seen His hand in this adoption through the support of His people. Thank you so much on behalf of our family!
Sincerely,
The B Family
Meet the B Family! Mark (45), Edna (44), Taylor (17), Haley (13), Nelson (13), and Harold (10) all make up the family God has intended to be our forever family! It began early 2009 with a sermon series of adoption which prompted revisiting earlier discussion. After attending an adoption training in October 2009 in Franklin, TN, we knew wholeheartedly that God intended for us to adopt.
We had a clear vision that God intended for us to adopt from a Hispanic country. Since that time, He has orchestrated a sincerely, genuinely, loving Hispanic family to be molded into our lives. This HUGE family has taken us under their wing and has taught us Spanish, traditions, and customs. Edna's long time doctor is also from Colombia and was a vital asset while in the country when Mark became ill. Being sick in a foreign country without doctors who speak your language is very unsettling. However, our pastor reached Edna's doctors in the states who sent his nephew to the hospital in Bogota to stay with us and keep him updated. What a blessing!
Our stay in-country was the fastest adoption that all adoption staff from our agency and other agencies had seen in Colombia. We were blessed with a wonderful in-country representative named Soraya and attribute our quick stay to her. What typically took 4-8 weeks, took our family 2 weeks! Aside from the hospital visit, the adoption could not have gone any smoother! The boys called us "Papa and Mama" the very first day. They loved playing with their sisters. They adapted to their new family's schedule right away and cheered every time we discussed which day we might fly home.
After saying goodbye to their equally beautiful and sweet older brothers, we flew home one night to arrive in Miami at 2 am. Customs and immigration required waiting while they processed the adoption paperwork. Not once on the three air plane rides or waiting until nearly 4 am in the Miami airport, did the boys complain. Harold fell asleep sitting up in a plastic chair, but was all smiles when we were finally able to tell him it was time to go to the hotel.
The boys are settled into their rooms now, love swimming every day, and watching Duck Dynasty. Our family is very thankful for the hands and feet of our families adoption through many donations, grants, and prayers during this journey. God is the "gift giver". He is the giver of family, of resources, and support. The Lord has blessed us through A Child Waits Foundation, and many, many friends and family. It was not an easy road, but God is Faithful and His timing is perfect! God is never early, He is never late. He is always right on time.
We have seen His hand in this adoption through the support of His people. Thank you so much on behalf of our family!
Sincerely,
The B Family
