Last Hope or Changed Lives?

Maraide & Jim Sullivan

We were recruited by the International Orphans’ Foundation (IOF) in Middletown, Ct. to host an older Russian orphan for five weeks with the hope that we would consider adoption.   As we prayerfully sought the Lord, we were lead to host two brothers from Siberia: Vladimir, age 13 and Dimitry, age 7.  We were initially drawn by their plight.  Normally the summer program is for ages 5-11.  So this was a “last hope” for the two boys because of Vladimir’s age and they do not separate siblings for adoption.  When Vladimir turns 16 he would be put out to fend for himself. 

 Before meeting them, we thought that if it didn’t “click” with us then we would do all that we could to help find the right family for them.  When we picked them up and I saw little Dimitry walk in off the bus with his little backpack I thought, “what is this child doing walking around without a parent?”  And as they slept in the car ride to our house I would look at them and think, “these boys are adorable, I can’t believe they are here without parents.”  Needless to say,… it “clicked” pretty quickly.

 If everyone could have observed Dimitry the first two weeks, there would be lines of people requesting children for next summer.  He went to bed with a smile and woke up with a smile.  He flopped himself here and there in our home, smiling and reveling in this semi fantasy of having a home with his beloved brother, a father, a mother and a puppy.  Vladimir could not have been more helpful and eager to learn everything!  (Later we found out that if Vladimir had not been adopted as a result of this trip to the USA, he would have been transferred to an orphanage for teenagers immediately upon return to Russia. Thus, separating the brothers for the first time in their lives.)

 Dmitry had never heard about God before this experience.   Vladimir became very motivated and read over 500 pages of the Russian children’s Bible that the IOF purchased for all 17 orphans visiting in Connecticut.

 We were very fortunate that we could finalize our adoption in December and be home to celebrate Christmas with our new family.  The caretakers at the orphanage told us that when children return from the summer experience and know that they will be adopted, they have a noticeable increase of confidence.  They feel protected already by these potential new parents. 

 This whole experience has certainly given us a renewed appreciation for the value of a “family” to a child.  We are so appreciative to IOF and hope that others  will get involved in this special charity.   It truly is changing many lives for here, and for eternity!