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 | The Miracle of Haitian Adoptions
by Kim Phagan-Hansel |
When Christian novelist Karen Kingsbury searches for her next inspiring story, she won’t have to go much further than her own home. As mother to six children, three adopted from Haiti, Kingsbury’s adoption journey would warm even the coldest of hearts.
With three children at home, a successful writing career and a happy marriage, Kingsbury felt something was still missing. For years, she and her husband Don had discussed the possibility of adopting, but the timing never seemed right. When their youngest son Austin was born with a congenital heart defect that could appear in other children born to the couple, Kingsbury felt it was time to explore the adoption option further.
“We didn’t feel we were done building our family,” Kingsbury said.
So she started looking for a child to add to the family. The family searched in the United States first, but they wanted to make sure the child they chose for their family would not harm family members in any way. They were interested in several children, but each time several other families were interested in the same child as well.
Then one day Kingsbury was surfing the Internet and came across a Web site that would change her life forever. She had discovered an online photo listing of children available for adoption in Haiti. Soon she was mesmerized by the face of a 5-year-old boy named EJ.
After much discussion with her family, it was determined EJ would become a member of the family. Kingsbury and her husband began the daunting paperwork required for an international adoption. However, as they continued to pray and work toward the day they would be united with EJ, they became more aware of the differences EJ may feel in a family of Caucasians.
Soon they were looking at the handsome face of Joshua, realizing he would make a great addition to the family as well. Unfortunately, Joshua seemed to have some difficulties, and the agency did not feel he would be a good fit for the family.
“With unsure hearts, we decided on a different boy, a 6-year-old named Sean Angelo,” Kingsbury wrote in an article about the adoptions at www.karenkingsbury.com.
Six months later, Kingsbury was on a plane to Haiti to pick up her new sons. When she arrived at the orphanage, not only was she greeted by EJ and Sean Angelo, but also a little boy named Joshua.
According to Kingsbury, Joshua walked up to her and in perfect English said, “ Hello, Mommy. I love you.” Immediately, Kingsbury was entranced by this little boy and pleased to find out that the information learned earlier about Joshua was incorrect. The three boys were actually close comrades, and Kingsbury didn’t feel she could break up the threesome. She immediately called her husband.
“My husband said, ‘I think we need a bigger house,’” Kingsbury said.
Quickly, the decision was made to adopt Joshua as well. Unfortunately, her trip to collect EJ and Sean Angelo was wrought with other delays. Because of an error on the paperwork, Kingsbury had to return home without the boys. EJ and Sean Angelo followed a few days later, but she actually felt this worked out better.
“It was our entire family greeting them when they came off the plane, and it was really a beautiful picture,” Kingsbury said.
A few months later, Joshua came home as well. For the first three months, the adjustment was difficult for the family because the boys didn’t speak any English, only Creole. Kingsbury felt frustrated during this time but enjoyed introducing the boys to so many firsts in their lives.
“Seeing their reaction when they first went to the supermarket was amazing,” she said.
Another moment she shared with readers was the first time the boys experienced warm running water. She wrote: “Slowly the water grew warm, and as it did, they began speaking loudly in Creole, pointing to the water and jumping up and down. It wasn’t difficult to figure out why they were excited. They’d never felt warm running water.”
Those experiences changed the way Kingsbury’s family looked at life, and they all feel blessed to have such extraordinary children in their lives. While the first few months were challenging, after the first three months, the boys understood and spoke English well. Kingsbury feel the boys have now adjusted to their new lives and enjoy each day as part of a loving family.
“They’re so fiercely proud to be American,” Kingsbury said.
The three boys share a room and spend much time with each other. Don plans to stay home to homeschool the younger children this fall. Because the children spent so much time in the orphanage, the boys are behind developmentally. As a teacher, Don hopes to address some of the boys’ special needs through more one-on-one education techniques.
All in all, the family has adjusted well to the adoption, and all members believe their lives are fuller now. Adopting the boys has brought them closer to their faith and made them all grow spiritually.
“It strengthened our faith and has been incredible in all different areas,” Kingsbury said. “We want to be a real light.”
Kingsbury’s own experience with the adoption has played out in her writing as well. She has felt inspired by her personal experiences and wanted to pass that along in her books. She has used adoption themes in her Redemption series, among others. Her writing about adoption has even brought about some unexpected results.
“I know at least 10 different families who have gone on to adopt because of our story,” Kingsbury said.
Kingsbury hopes to encourage others to adopt and let them know adoption is a wonderful way to grow a family.
For more information on Kingsbury, visit her Web site at www.karenkingsbury.com.
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