Traveling soon?

I  haven't posted in a while but wanted to let everyone know that I should be traveling to meet my little guy soon. I am currently waiting to be assigned a court date. I have been so busy with life that I haven't been dwelling on this next step. I felt peace knowing that each day that passed brought me closer. Last week I got a jolt when a friend in my similar situation received her court date. The jolt came when I learned that she had one week's notice for court. Wowsers!  I am so happy for this friend and it brings me joy to know that she is getting to spend time with her little guy and mine.

News of her court date reminded me that mine should be happening soon. Yay! It also reminded me of all that I need to do to prepare for travel. I have been asked to bring donations with me. If you are inclined to help, please look at the list and let me know.

Thanks for stopping in for an update. I simply CAN NOT wait to bring him home. I praise God for this new chapter in my life. Thanks for sharing my joy and for your prayers!

Suggested Donation List

New or like new condition children’s shoes, all sizes
New or like new condition children’s clothing (infant to 14 years of age)
Developmental toys for children (plastic or wooden preferred)
School supplies for older children
Books for young children and school aged children (board books and easy readers) Bed Sheets, bed covers, crib sheets, (for infant cribs and older child beds)
Baby and child shampoos
Baby and child bath soap
Similac formula milk in powder form; with iron and lactose-free are preferred.
Baby wipes
Preemie, Infant and toddler size diapers
Baby oil
Baby powder
Bottles
Standard bottle nipples
Anti-fungal ointment and tablets
Anti-fungal shampoo
Neosporin or antibiotic ointment
Hydrocortisone creams
Infant and child Motrin, Tylenol or other fever reducer
Pedialyte or Kaolyte (preferably powdered form)
Infant and child decongestants
Infant and child vitamins, liquid
Children’s Vitamin D supplements (found in several multivitamins)
Vaseline
Bactroban ointment
Alcohol Swabs
Saline spray or drops
Antibiotics
Nystatin (Mycostatin)
Disposable surgical masks and gloves.
Medical shoe covers (worn in hospitals during surgery) 

What's Next?

Many people have been on this loooooong journey with me and I promise that I will update my blog more regularly. If you look a few posts back, you will see that I haven't posted since October of 2011, when I had been waiting 16 long months. Who knew that my wait would basically double. In February, I passed 32 months of waiting. I still believed that it would happen, I just had no barometer as to when......

Therefore, I was very surprised astonished last week when I received a call from my adoption agency saying that I had been matched with a sweet 20 month old boy.  Praise God! Instantly, the pain of the wait fell away. I was in love and I knew instantly that I could be his mom. ( I plan to write more about the actual "referral" call later. )

So, what's next? Well, now I wait for a court date. My agency says it can be 2-4 months before I receive word that it's scheduled. Please pray that this happens quickly. Now that I have a face and a name I am even more antsy about getting him home. I am hoping to have court on the shorter end of the  estimated waited time. I would love to get court completed before courts close for the rainy season. I will then come home and return after a few months for embassy. I know that God's timing is perfect and I place all of this in His hands.

Also, please pray for this sweet boy. His life is also full of change and transition. Pray that he is comfortable, safe  and that he feels love and peace wherever he is. If you have time, pray for me too. Pray that I prepare ever so carefully for this new stage of life. I know that God is with me and I am asking Him to lead me down this very new path that feels so right!

Thanks for continuing on this journey with me. I need you!

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121

It's happening......

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12

It's finally happening. I am pleased to announce that I have received a referral for a sweet little boy in Ethiopia. Stay tuned for more details......

God is so good!

I'm Still Here

Tomorrow marks 16 months waiting for a referral. I am one day closer to being a mom. Recent chats with my case worker say that it could be 3-6 more months. It pains me to write that, but it is what it is....

In the meantime, I have and intend to keep myself super busy. The school year is off to a fast start. My sister has moved back to town. I love having her and her family closer (two doors down to be exact). What a gift! I love having my immediate family so close. My brother and his family are a mere 20 minute drive away. So blessed!

Let's see....what else?

Well, as time ticks away, it seems that all of my paperwork is expiring. So, my social worker is coming for a visit on Wednesday (I am furiously cleaning while I type this). She will update my home study and I will apply for a new orphan petition with USCIS. After that takes place, I have learned that I need to complete a new dossier (dossier=fancy word for bunch of paperwork I get to collect and notarize). I have already completed one dossier but it is getting old and the process has changed so I will go back to paper chasing. It's okay I tell myself. I want to keep busy right?

So, when will all this happen? Not sure.....let's keep 2012 in our radar. My precious mom will travel with me. She has all her shots and is ready to go. That is such a comfort and I thank God for an adventurous mom!

I can't write anymore without thanking God for seeing me through this journey of hills and valleys. He has kept me steady and sure. Whenever I have had doubt or a sad day, He has encouraged me through words from someone or a thoughtful note in my mailbox. He assures me to "Be still" and reminds me that He's got this. "Trust me" He says.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

How will I keep busy?

If you have followed my journey, you know that there are funds that I need to keep gathering. My new paperwork with require additional funds as will my referral and traveling back and forth to Ethiopia twice. So, I am doing a few things to help......

1) I am having a giant garage sale on November 5. I have had two other successful ones. It's a lot of work but also a lot of fun.

2) Free trade coffee! If you are a coffee drinker, please stop by my coffee shop. A portion of the sales will go to my adoption. Yum! There are a variety of coffees to choose from.

3) I will be selling African necklaces again. They make great gifts and are fun to wear. Remember, they help the African women who make them and a portion goes to my adoption fund. Stay tuned for more details...

Please continue to pray for "BB". My daily prayer is that my child is safe and feels hope. Thanks so much for joining me on this lonnnnnggg journey. I couldn't do it without you and am humbled by your support.

One Year Waiting

Tomorrow marks one year waiting for a referral for a precious child from Ethiopia. As I reflect on this year, I can see God preparing me to become a parent. I have learned so much from reading, researching, and "watching" others experience adoption. I thank God for this journey and really don't know how I would do it without Him. There have been many highs and lows for sure......

When I think about this year, I picture myself in a loooooooooooooooong, slooooooooooowwwwwwwww line waiting for my number to be called.

Every time I get close to the front, someone moves the line or hands out new numbers. For example, at the beginning of my wait, the Ethiopian government announced a new requirement. Adoptive parents would make two trips to Ethiopia (no sweat, I love Ethiopia) instead of one trip. Then, this spring, the Ethiopian government announced slow downs to ensure ethical adoptions (how can I argue with this?).

So, my waiting continued. As I waited in "line", I learned so much. I talked to others in "line", read, and researched. I was even been able to learn from others who were way ahead of me in "line" (so happy for this family).

Countless times my feet (my heart if I am honest) grew weary from standing in the adoption "line" for so long. (I do admit that a few times I threw a pity party for myself.) I must say that each time I felt a pang of weariness, something happened. God always sent someone or something to encourage me. It might have been a friend or family member checking in to see how things were going. Often, it was a word from someone else who adopted. Other days it was a humbling donation to my puzzle fundraiser. Many times times it was a unexplainable peace that could only come from the Prince of Peace.

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

This week, my agency sent out new estimated wait times. Read below to see the news......

•Current wait times for families requesting boys 19-36 months: 12-18 months

•Current wait times for families requesting girls 19-36 months: 14-20 months

As I stand here in "line" I have to chuckle. Just as I get to 12 months of waiting, the wait time has increased. As I receive this news, I feel frustration.....then peace....and then hope. I am certain that this peace and hope can only come from Christ who strengthens me.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

So, in "line" I proudly stand. Proud to have made it this far. I haven't ever felt like I should get out of "line". Not once...(I have wanted to cut a few times though )

I take comfort in Scripture. Our Sunday School lesson this week was on the Israelites and the wilderness. I found comfort in the words of Moses to the people of Israel.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT

See, I know that God is with me in this adoption "line". He has gotten me this far. He will not abandon me. I find peace in knowing that He is ahead of me too. He knows my destination and He is leading me there. In "line" I proudly stand. At the end is my child.

Please keep "BB" in your prayers. I will take a few too. I can't wait to tell "BB" about all of you. Thanks for taking this journey with us and for checking in. If you need me, I am over here patiently in "line".

Katy

9 1/2 Months!

Hello All!

I have officially been waiting 9 1/2 months for a referral. In March I spoke to my case manager and she seems to think I should hear something in the summer months. Of course, as we know, all of that could change at any moment....

I can honestly say that I do have moments of impatience. I do get frustrated because I feel that I am ready now. Sometimes I have a full-fledged pity party (it's not pretty).

THANKFULLY, these brief moments are followed by a peace that can only by found through God's grace and His faithful reminders that His timing is perfect. It's pretty simple. He has my heart so He has my trust. Tonight as I sit updating my blog, I have a peace about the wait.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I also want to give you an update about the Puzzle Project. I am so very touched at the amount of support that you have given to BB (Baby Bohannon) and myself. I am humbled. I am grateful. Words cannot adequately tell you the amount of encouragement I have received by each one of you who have sponsored a piece of our adoption journey. I have such generous friends (some are brand new) and I thank God for you!

I will post a picture soon! It's 1/5 of the way there! I can imagine myself telling BB one day the story of each piece and the generous person who supported our journey.

"Children Of God" - Official Music Video

Today marks 9 months waiting for a referral! Praising God for this adventure and milestone. Hopefully will have news of a referral in a few months. Thanks to all for your support and prayers!

Here is a video that touched me this week. Enjoy!

Puzzle Progress

The puzzle is growing! Thank you so much to all who have sponsored a piece or pieces. Please know that your sweet name is written behind each piece that you sponsored. I am also keeping a handy dandy spreadsheet that lists each person that sponsors and their relationship to me and BB. It is something that I will place in BB's Life book so BB will know who supported us during this journey.

Please continue to pray for this adoption. Word on the street is that some important decisions are being made this week in Ethiopia that could cause the adoption process to slow down. Please join me in prayer for the children that this will affect. Our God is big and He is in control.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

James 1:27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.


Have a great week everyone and thank you so much for your support!!
Katy

The Cost of Adoption

Thank you! Bless you! Praise God!

My adoption puzzle is growing! I have proudly and lovingly placed 53 names on the back of 53 puzzle pieces. See below. I can't wait to finish it and mount it in my home as a reminder of all who have helped me and BB.
Now, I am well aware that this is a 1,000 piece puzzle and I have a ways to go! Some of you may be wondering about the cost of international adoption. I am here to tell you that it is costly but well worth it. God has provided every penny that I have needed thus far. He has placed generosity in the hearts of friends and strangers. He loves adoption and I have no worries about His provision.

Right now, I am gathering funds for my referral acceptance. When that happens (hopefully soon), I will need to write a check for over $11,000. I am not yet half way there but have confidence that I will be. If talking about money makes you uncomfortable, then I apologize. It does me too. As a matter of fact, asking for financial help has been a very humbling experience for me.

So, the puzzle fundraiser continues! I would love to have sponsors for another 50 pieces this week. God is so good! He is teaching me so many things. I appreciate all of you who are reading my blog and who are praying for me! It means so much!!

Knee deep in puzzle pieces and so very grateful!
Katy

A Piece of the Puzzle

This week I officially reached 8 months of waiting for a referral! I am getting closer and feel very hopeful that something will happen soon. Many people ask me if I am bothered or frustrated by the wait. My first reaction is to say yes....I am ready to be a mom and ready to get this show on the road. However, I find myself answering in truth that there is plenty to do as I wait patiently for a referral.

Over the Christmas break, I spent some time finally clearing out the room for BB. It took a few days and actually looked like an episode from Hoarders at one point. I pushed through and now actually have a room that is almost ready. I am not decorating a room yet since I don't know the age or gender of BB. That fun will come after referral....

In the meantime, another thing that I need to face during my wait is fundraising. I basically need to gather a large chunk of money to submit when I get my referral. That does not include the money that I will need to travel twice to Ethiopia. Rest assured that I am doing all that I can to save for this adoption but I need help.....

I have a plan......(okay, I borrowed someone else's plan and ask permission to copy it.) I am asking people to be a part of my adoption journey by sponsoring pieces of my puzzle (see below). This is a 1,000 piece puzzle. It is aptly titled, "Waiting for the Bus" by Julia Cairns.

As a donation of $10.00 is given for each piece, I will write the sponsor's name on the back of the puzzle piece. When the puzzle is complete, I will mount the puzzle between two panes of glass and hang it in my home. My child and I will be able to admire the art and it will serve as a reminder of all who blessed us along our journey.

If you are interested in donating, please click on the donate button. One puzzle piece is $10.00.

Each week, I will give a progress update and picture of the puzzle. Thank you in advance for considering helping out with this endeavor. I thank God for you!!

If you would like to donate in another way, please email me at katybo@hotmail.com

How long?

Everyday someone comes up to me and asks me about my adoption. I appreciate that so much. I know that God uses people to give me encouragement and it seems that someone asks at just the right time. I wanted to let everyone know about a small change that I have made to my adoption plans....

A month or so ago I made the decision to change my request. In the beginning of my journey, I asked for a baby under 12 months. That was what I was preparing for. In November, I asked to change my request to a child 24-36 mos. I feel very much at peace about this decision. Adopting and "older child" has its own challenges and I feel that my adoption agency has prepared me for this new path.

I spoke with my adoption agency this week, and it looks like the current wait time for a referral in this age range is 9-15 months. I have already been waiting almost 7 months. So, that means that I may hear about a referral in March or thereafter. EXCITEMENT! I may truly be a mommy this year!

Please know that I am at peace about God's timing and if I've learned anything it's that time lines can change and often do. In the mean time I have plenty to do to prepare for this new little one.

Please join me in praying:

*for my future child that I call BB (Baby Bohannon). I pray each day for BB's safety and health. I pray that he/she is able to experience love and hope wherever he/she may be at this moment.

*for financial provision for this adoption. May God continue to help me find ways to financially cover the costs of adoption. (HE has already helped in many ways)

*that I may continue to trust and grow through this process. That I make the days count and not just count the days.

*that other hearts are broken for the cause of the orphan



Thanks so much for stopping in and I appreciate your prayers!
Many Blessings to you!
Katy

Journey to Adopt Part 3

The Acacia necklace fundraiser was a success! Thanks to all who participated. I appreciate you all and thank God for you. I ended up selling almost 130 necklaces. Wow! I will probably do it again as I near referral time.

In the meantime.......I realized that I started my blog with the story of how I came to adopt. I had three parts to my story and stopped at part two. So, I am going to go ahead and talk about part 3. (Remember this blog is to record my story for my child).

Here we go......

Part 3

I decided to go back to Ethiopia the next summer for a month with Mocha Club. I was excited because I was asked to work with the teachers that I had met the previous year. See part 2. I was at a loss as to what they needed but found out that they wanted to work on their English. Right before we left for our trip I found out that they had invited all of the teachers from Ambo not just the ones that I had met before. There could be as many as 50. It was a little daunting and I worked to get ready for the challenge....

Ethiopia the third time was wonderful. It was like going home. We visited ministries that we had visited before and a new one, Women at Risk in Nazaret. These women were transforming their lives by turning from prostitution and learning job skills. It's a wonderful ministry that I was able to see first hand. Go here to see how you can support them.

Once again, when we visited an orphanage, another little child drew me in. As we were visiting and loving on the kids, I noticed a child who seemed very overwhelmed. I was holding her when then orphanage director told me that she had arrived from Nazaret the day before. She was probably near a year old and I couldn't let go of her. I kept wondering about her story. What happened in her short life to bring her to this orphanage? I left the orphanage feeling helpless. I knew that all I could do was pray for her.....It's hard to say, but in some ways she haunted me. What could I do for her?

I ended up being reunited with my teacher friends from the year before. They were in the first training session that we had. I had a wonderful translator, Nati, who helped me. We held two day sessions where teachers came in and they practiced their English while I modeled some teaching strategies. They in turn taught me about their country. They were a delight and we had so much in common. The difference is the teaching conditions that they have are so different from ours.

The coolest part about the teaching seminars was that the teachers were paid by Mocha Club to come to training. This honored their time and their profession. It also just so happened that the teaching seminars were held at the same location and same day when we were doing our ministry with the street boys. So, during breaks and lunch, the teachers could watch the boys play like other kids. The hope was that they would see that the boys were the same as other kids. They laughed, played, and wanted to learn like other children. They just happened to be without homes. Mocha club would be sending some of the street boys to school that fall.
Some of the teachers that attended the seminars may be the teachers that they would have....

A month in Ethiopia was incredible. The team that I was with was again hand picked by God. It was amazing and life changing. I was reunited with Ethiopian friends from the previous trips and was truly blessed. For the first time, I got sick while over there but it didn't matter. I was where I wanted to be and was able to march forward.

As our month stay neared its end, it was hard to say goodbye to our translators and friends. As we were in line to get on the plane to come home, one of my teammates asked me if I would be back next summer. Without missing a beat, I said, "I think the next thing I will do is adopt."

I thought to myself, where did that come from? :) But at that moment, adoption felt like my next step. I had seen, visited, held, and loved on orphans. Yes, my next step was to adopt a child from the country that I love.

I was certain that was what I was supposed to do.

Pictures from Trip 3

Compassion kids-we taught them English

Love this foot
We had Christmas for the street boys

some of the street boys washing off after mud soccer

We gave clothes and shoes to the street boys on our last day in Ambo. They also received a photo of themselves.

Have you bought your Acacia necklace from Aunt Katy?

Read below to find out how!

Buying Acacia necklaces helps my Aunt Katy's Ethiopian adoption and the widows in Uganda who crafted them.

$25 per Acacia necklace

1 Necklace $25.00  2 Necklaces $50.00  3 Necklaces $75.00

Acacia Necklaces

Would you like to donate to a few good causes at once? Do you need Christmas gifts?

I have Acacia necklaces that were made by widows and single moms from Kasana, Uganda. Your donation of $25.00 will give you a necklace and in turn support their income. A portion also goes to orphan care and to my adoption fund. Please consider donating in two ways. 

1. If you are local, message me about getting a necklace. katybo@hotmail.com

2. If you are from out of town, order one from the "buy now" button from pay pal.

Thank you so much for your support!!!!!

$25 per Acacia necklace

1 Necklace $25.00 2 Necklaces $50.00 3 Necklaces $75.00

fashionABLE | Creating sustainable business for women in Africa

Christmas shopping anyone? Please take a look at these amazing scarves. They help sustain women in Africa. It's an organization that I've seen first hand. You can even find a cool video on how to style your scarf!

fashionABLE | Creating sustainable business for women in Africa

Journey to Adopt Part 2

So my sister Jill and I just returned from an incredible conference in Austin called Together for Adoption. It was amazing to be with people who have a God inspired passion for orphans. It was both joyful and sobering. Again, I was reminded that we can not be frozen in fear but must move forward in faith. The answer to the orphan crisis is God's church. I am praying for God to show me the part I am to play........

Here is part two of my journey to adopt story. 

A year passed and I had an opportunity to return to Ethiopia for a two week mission with Mocha Club. My sister could not go with me because she had just picked up my sweet nephew Silas from Ethiopia. So, off I went to Ethiopia with a group of incredible strangers. It didn't bother me that I didn't know anyone on my team because I got to return to Ethiopia. I was so anxious to get back. Incredibly, I would be visiting the orphanage where my nephew Silas lived. My sister gave me pictures to show the nannies that cared for him. (Remember, the baby room I described in part one of my story? Well, that was the room that held my precious nephew Silas when he was in the orphanage).

At that same orphanage, I met a little girl. She seemed distant and hollow. She had a blank stare and seemed overwhelmed. I held on to her while I was there. I knew enough to know that she was well taken care of but lacked that one-on-one attention and eye contact that babies and toddlers need. For some reason, I was drawn to her and held her each time we visited the orphanage. 

To this day her eyes stay with me. She is the face I think about when I hear about the "orphan crisis".  Again, all I knew to do was to pray that she would find her forever home. Her eyes haunt me and they should.

  While in Ethiopia, I fell in love with a town called Ambo. We were there to work with a Compassion International school and  Mocha Club projects. While there we met a man who ran a ministry for the hundreds of boys who live on the street in Ambo. The boys live on the street and clean shoes to earn money for food. In order to spend time with them, we had to feed them since they were not out earning their food money.  We were humbled that they would come off the streets to hang out with us. We threw them a birthday party. 

While at the school in Ambo, our team leader asked if the teachers in our group would meet with the teachers from the Compassion school. I was thrilled to sit and talk to teachers that worked with these kids. What we found from our conversation was that we share common concerns. We were all concerned about kids who didn't eat before they came to school, lack of resources, and kids who were not ready for the next level of learning. I was blessed by speaking with these teachers. They had such a heart for kids and so little in terms of resources. When we asked them what they needed, they asked for prayer. Humbling. I was encouraged by meeting with them.

        

A kindergarten teacher in the kindergarten classroom.

   

All of these kids fit in this sweet school. 

The two weeks went fast. The team of strangers that I went with became family. As I left Ethiopia to return to the states I knew that I would be back. What could I do to help the teachers I met? What could we do do help the boys of Ambo who lived on the street? What about the girl with the vacant eyes?

As I boarded the plane to come home I had all of those questions running through my mind. I thanked God for what I saw and experienced and I asked him to help me sort out my questions. Selfishly, I could not wait to get home because my new nephew Silas would be coming to visit. It would be the first time I would meet him.  Coming off the plane in Killeen, I received the greatest surprise and blessing....

Journey to Adopt Part 1

Everyday someone comes up to me and asks about my adoption. They want to know where I am in the process and some ask what led me to here. I find it so comforting and encouraging! God uses His people for so many good things. As you know, this journey is going to be long, so I will take all the encouragement that I can get. So here I go, I am going to tell my story about why I am adopting (this will be a 3 part story).....

Three years ago, my sweet sister Jill, asked me to go on a mission trip to Ethiopia. Jill and her husband were going to adopt from Ethiopia. Jill wanted to connect with her future child's country and asked if I wanted to go along. After some prayer and consideration I concluded that I also wanted to go to Ethiopia and learn about my future niece or nephew's home country. I was 35 and had never been on a mission trip. I don't think I ever imagined that my first trip would be to Africa. I immediately felt peace about my decision and off we went on a two week mission to Ethiopia.

My life was changed each step of the way. I learned that Africa is beautiful. I learned that Ethiopia is full of beautiful people and many lives there have been touched my tragic circumstances. I learned most about Ethiopia by loving on babies in orphanages, playing soccer with street boys in the rain, and by observing how God can use one person to make a difference in another person's life. I loved watching the nannies who cared for the children. In one AIDS orphanage, some of the nannies couldn't tell where they worked because it was taboo. Believe me, I was humbled by all that I saw and experienced. I was absolutely disturbed by seeing the infant room at one orphanage. It held nine newborn babies. They were swaddled and looked like sweet tootsie rolls, three to a bed, in a room the size of my walk-in closet. Ouch.

The experience that we had left me very tender and emotional. As we boarded the plane for home, we discovered that there were going to be 30 orphans on our plane. We learned that they were coming to America for a two week camp. They would be staying with church families and they were hoping that these connections would lead to adoptions. A boy sat across the aisle next to me. He was about 12 years old. I watched this sweet boy on a plane for the first time. There was such hope and light in his eyes as we took off. He was so brave. Everything was new to him. The fifteen hour flight was full of "firsts". He experienced his first take off, weird airplane food, and TV. As the flight went on, they turned off the lights and many people went to sleep. I watched this lovely boy carefully turn on his reading light and take out his English/Amharic book and begin to study. At that moment, with tears streaming down my face, I wanted to take care of him. I even told God that I would adopt him. But I knew that I couldn't. I was single and I wasn't ready to be a mom. I did the one thing I could for him. I prayed for him. He stayed in my prayers and I learned a few months later that he was adopted by the family in Texas that he stayed with. Wow! God is good! Meeting him was when I first thought about adopting.

Soccer in the rain with street boys

Sisters in Ethiopia