Miracle Man

   "A strong ship and a star to guide him by."

Miracle Man's Story:

He began life in a government maternity hospital. Nothing is known about his birth family. In fact, we don't know much about his first 5 years other than his medical history.   His birth parents most likely didn't think he would survive, and they certainly would not have had the means to meet all his needs. Miracle Man was born with a rare genetic syndrome. He had third degree (worst) bilateral cleft palate and lip; hearing loss, heart defects, club foot, missing facial/cranial bones, and facial differences.

He had several surgeries before homecoming.  Doctors repaired his lip and palate, created a pharyngeal flap, and released a tendon in his foot so he could walk. Before this last operation, Miracle Man had not been able to walk at all because his foot bent all the way backward.   

                                                  Look at him run now! Mr. Athlete!



I first learned about him from an adoption agency in Washington.  Although I had looked at literally hundreds of other children, his bright little face kept calling me back.  As a single mother, I questioned whether I would have the means to see to his very significant needs.   I mentioned my dilemma to a good friend.  She said to me, "Terry, if this child keeps calling you, then there is something there and you need to pursue it. There will be someone to stand in the gaps."

I felt God speaking through her!  It was all I needed to hear!

The next day I called the agency to say, "Let's bring him home."  There was a pause on the other end,  then the lady explained to me that just because you want a child doesn't mean you're guaranteed to bring that child home.

Okay, well, I knew that, but let's bring him home! 

Then  she said they hadn't been able to get any information from  the agency in India for months.  There was some political unrest in the state and no one knew what was going on.  After several calls, the agency determined they could no longer advocate for any child from that partner agency.

I took a deep breath and prayed he would get whatever he needed in life. Then I told myself God would either move the mountains standing between us or he had used that little boy I'd fallen in love with to bring me to a child who would be mine.

Fast forward six months. Following paperwork delays I lost another child I had begun pursuing.  That was a Wednesday. On Thursday, a packet arrived about a third, beautiful child whose needs were every bit as significant as Miracle Man's.  Friday came, and with it the news Miracle Man had been moved and was available to be adopted. Every time I thought about that third little boy I asked myself how could I go to their country and not bring Miracle Man home.

The answer:

There would be no going and not bringing him home. He would be part of my family.

Nine months later nearly all the legal paperwork was complete; However, the addition to my house was not.  Rainfall in December 2005 and January 2006  topped 300 percent of normal.  Amid this record rainfall an entire new roof arose over our house with workers dashing between the torrents to construct it.  In December, one last part of the adoption process remained and I elected to have it done here, which would give me the six extra weeks to complete the house.  Only both the paperwork and the house took longer. Much longer. 

February came, no news. A major obstacle arose that threatened to end everything. In faith, I proceeded despite this. Finally in March, a month to the day the obstacle loomed, Miracle Man's little sister and I stepped on the plane to bring him home. Now, the obstacle didn't go away, it threatened still.  We kept going. I drove out doubts each time they reared their heads and prayed for Miracle Man to get what he needed, for God to remove the mountains, and re-stated my faith over and again that we were his family and nothing would stop us.

We made it. The kids bonded at first sight and were inseparable. They are pretty much so to this day.

Miracle Man grieved heavily for all that he had known and challenged me for a long time after coming home. He is bright, funny, warm-heated, figures out everything, courageous (climbed 25 feet up a tree the day before major surgery and nearly made me pass out!), and so very loved!

AND STILL....

Did you read the quote on the blog roll about seeing with the eyes of your heart and not with those of the world?

The director of Miracle Man's childcare center told me something that will forever stop me cold:

In six and a half years, no one--no one! Ever. Ever. Ever. Looked at his file. Not once. No one in the whole world! What would have happened to my wonderful son if I hadn't...if I didn't...if...

There were more challenges than I can express here. It took supreme courage to face those challenges and go forward in spite of the obstacles.  I am so very glad I stepped out in faith to bring Jai home. I am thankful every day for God's gift of this precious boy so many others overlooked. The thought of him not getting a family and the miserable life he would have endured breaks my heart.



A Challenge:

Look with the eyes of your heart  past  

                  window dressing,  

                        past  

                scary diagnoses, 

                        past  

                 what the world  

                                         hurls  

                             in

                      your
                                path. 

Affirm your faith.  

Go forward  

             in courage  

                               and  

                                       with boldness-- 

for only bold dreams have the power  

                                                                to stir 

the heart!  

                     Make a difference in someone's life today and every day!