It was a hard morning for the obvious reason. We were saying goodbye to the little boy who had most definitely changed us and won our hearts…all five of our hearts. But, it was harder still that we were sending him back technically “unmatched.” I was worried that his two buddies who had been matched with families since coming to America would talk about coming back and that our sweet Jasper would be left wondering why his story would turn out differently. He needed to be someone’s son. He needed to have a forever family. Of course, my heart ached as I watched him walk down the security line and I couldn’t tell him, “we will see you again.” But there was one thing I did know in all that sadness—I know a God who created this boy for a purpose, a God who loves him more than we do, a God who called us to be part of his story. And the thing is, I believe every word my God tells me, and I trust His promises. I knew in that sadness, my God was in control.
You see, several days earlier, I spoke to a woman who lived in a state I have never been to, in a place unfamiliar to me. We talked about him. She was smitten with him, and I could feel her intensity and honest desire through the phone, to know this boy. She said, “we are going to leave, and drive to meet him.” I was overwhelmed by her passion as this drive would be no easy feat, leaving behind 3 young children and a large farm in their absence. My husband and I prayed for them that this would be his family. They pulled up the next day (after 14 hours) at a farewell picnic for the children and their host families, and I watched she and her husband smile as they watched him play and laugh in his adorable way. I felt His peace. It was a bitter sweet feeling, almost like watching your child be married off (I imagine)…there they go…I hope I did everything right, I hope they are loved as much…no, more, than we do. I felt the presence of my God assuring me of His plan, and His great love.
He has a forever family, dear friends. He is coming back to live as every child should, in a secure home, with stable and consistent love. With the promise that he will always have someone to call him son. And even better, with the chance to grow up meeting the very God who brought this family to him and secured this love. I’d say that is the best ending to his story that could ever be. And we are so very, very blessed to be but a small chapter in it all.
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Many of you have come to know and love this little boy “Jasper.” Many of you have followed the story of him and his friends, their journey to America, their new experiences. Many of you have read the messages from his host mom, detailing what a sweet, happy, and loving boy he is. Many of you have prayed for him to find his forever family.
Now let me tell you about someone you don’t know—a family, actually. A family of five. Husband Ed, wife Allison, and three boys aged 5, 7, and 9. That’s us. We’re a pretty average family just trying to follow God’s plan. Three years ago, we were called to adopt a little guy from China. We listened. We made that 2-year-old boy our son. And, it turned our comfortable life upside down! When things finally stabilized (somewhat!), we started to think about adopting again. Then, one day I saw THE picture. You know the one I’m talking about, the one with the three best friends in their bright orange shirts. It did me in!
With every word Beth shared about him, I became more and more smitten until we decided we needed to do something big. Two days before “Jasper” returned to China, my husband and I drove 14 hours to spend one hour watching “Jasper” and talking to his host family. Then, we turned around and drove 14 hours back home. We talked about things. We talked to our boys. We learned more about “Jasper’s” special needs. We wanted to make sure we weren’t just getting caught up in the moment. Most of all, we wanted to pray about it. The only way to know what our role was to be in “Jasper’s” life was to pray about it.
8 days after that day we drove to Philly, allow me to introduce myself.
Hi! I’m Allison. I’m “Jasper’s” mom.
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It is with very happy hearts that we share that ALL the children hosted are coming back! Every child has been matched with a forever family who are all now racing to do paperwork and bring them home fast!
Oh happy day!!!
If you are interested in hosting, please contact Sarah, the social worker at Madison. She is currently planning hosting for January as well as next summer.
It was only a few hours after the very emotional and tearful goodbye to the amazing 8 year boy who had lived in our house and had become part of our family for the past month. Random music was playing as I drove, and I Am came on. I had listened to this song more times in the last month than I had every month in the last year combined. It was one of his favorites and was second on the personalized playlist he had created on Kelly’s phone. He must have played that song a million times. When his mood was right, he would belt it out. He always got the “I Am” parts right, but when it came to the rest of the song, it was hit or miss. Sometimes, we would catch a few of the words; other times, we’d just laugh at his attempt.
Joy.