hearts of kings

While Michelle and I considered adoption a possibility, it was more of "one of these days". It was not NOW! 

2 1/2 years ago our baby had just turned 1. Our other boys were 6 and 8 and seemed to be growing into their own persons. While we truly felt open to anything we were not PLANNING on now, not planning on Belize, not planning on a 9 year old (now 11), and not planning on special needs.

Little did we know God was. You see, apparently he didn't just throw this thing together at the last minute.

Jo - Jake - Mo   Fall 2011

As you might have read in the BackStory post, this adventure began 6 months before I ever went to Belize. As we were looking at the Texas adoption site, TARE, we kept coming across kids with special needs. This was something we felt we could be open to, and thought maybe we could handle Autism. Most of the kids, however, who came up and had special needs had Cerebral Palsy.

It wouldn't be until weeks after I returned from Belize that we would learn of Alfred's diagnosis .. Cerebral Palsy.

          The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;

          He turns it wherever He wishes. - Prov 21:1
God didn't just throw this thing together... he orchestrated


ANOTHER STORY
We found out this past November (2012) that another couple, years ago, had tried to adopt Alfred. It did not and could not work because Alfred did not have a birth certificate.

Thankfully I was ignorant of this when I met Alfred in 2010 because he STILL did not have a birth certificate. He could get one. They just needed a few signatures. ... Human Services tried and tried to track down his mother - no luck. The family they did find would not acknowledge him.

In Belize June 2010

There was a Catch-22 thing going on. You could not get adopted without a birth certificate. You could not get a birth certificate without having 3 witness to your birth.

Presumably this would be a mother, doctor/mid-wife, family member/nurse. Easy enough and makes good sense. - That is, until it comes to the kids who NEED a family and NEED a birth certificate.

No one has stuck around for the child. No one will sign. No one can produce a birth certificate.

A child is bound by the circumstances of his family and the rules of law to remain in foster care even when a family WANTS to bring him home.

But NOW, through this child, God has shaped the hearts of Kings. Belize is changing its laws!

Over the years since that first adoption attempt by another couple relationships have been built with members of government, trust has been established, discussions have been had, and - Praise God - Laws are changed!

There now will be many children who not only NEED a family but CAN HAVE a family.
Praying for hearts, for families, for provision.