With heavy hearts and many tears we had to say good-bye to Vlad and Dima yesterday. Soon after their arrival, both we and our hosting agency learned of a medical condition that Dima has and were unaware of prior to his arrival. Several days together taught us that we as a family were not capable of fully caring for Dima, and after much prayer and heartache we determined that the best thing that we could do for him was to allow him to stay with another family. We felt that it was important for them to be together through the transition, and important for Vlad to assist in communication with Dima (who cannot speak any English). This has been a hard time, to learn about our own limitations and priorities and to accept that sometimes the best thing we can do is to let go and let God use us in one way to bring the boys here and to trust that another family can best care for them for their remaining visit. This experience has not dimmed our hearts for orphans but rather increased our determination to advocate for adoption. So many medical conditions that children in orphanages suffer from can be better controlled and even healed in a home with love, support, and consistent nutrition. We learned that the boys’ orphanage had no fruit for several months; a reality that we cannot begin to comprehend! The millions of orphans in this world need families who are ready to reach out and care for them as they are able, and we want to continue to be one such family.
We have been profoundly changed by this experience and will share as we continue to process. We appreciate your support; both as we have prepared for them these past weeks and as now as we let them go. Thanks to the generosity of friends and family, we were able to provide them with warm clothes and toys of their own as well as all the fruit they could eat in the days they were with us (and that was A LOT of fruit!). We received many gifts and donations for the boys, and we were able to send all of those with them to their new host family. We place our trust now in God Almighty to do his will in the lives of these boys, using their new host family as his hands and voice. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23.
4 comments:
Dearest Friends, we are praying for you, that God would lift up your heavy hearts, and that He would work through their host family.
Lots of love,
Mark, D & Luke
We are praying for you,as well as fir Vlad and Dima who have left their fingerprints on your hearts. Love, Bev & Alan
It's heartbreaking what these children endure living as orphans. While we waited for Dmitry to come home, I used to think that *everyone* should adopt a child, that if everyone adopted just one child then there would be no more orphans....since then, through our struggles with Dmitry now that he's home it's become clear how difficult life with a broken child can be. Regardless of how long Vlad and Dima were in your home, you have changed their world forever. Forever. You were a conduit of God's love, and a chapter in their lives that helped take them to where they are today. Every step of God's journey is blessed and has purpose. I understand your heavy hearts, but I hope soon you will feel peace and joy for the blessing you've been to these boys. Merry Christmas Bergstrom family! We love you!! =D
Oh Bergstrom family, my heart is sad for your family, Vlad and Dima. Thank you for sharing your thoughts & heart on this blog. You & Dave have been and continue to be in the middle of God's plans by being willing to say "yes" to Him. I'm praying for your heavy hearts.
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