Success Stories

I met him first in a picture. His face was almost expressionless, the tear-stained cheeks giving the only hint of what he was feeling. As I read through his description, I became aware that life had not been kind to him. He was over two but not yet walking, and he couldn’t stand without support. Speech that is normal at this age was nonexistent for him. His rocking behavior indicated challenges with attaching to a primary caregiver. I was hopeful that foster care could turn this around, but I must admit I was afraid we might be too late.

I was so happy when he was placed into a wonderful foster home at the beginning of the year. He had a couple of bouts with respiratory illnesses and high fever, but each time he bounced back. I found myself worrying about him and reading his report first each month as I received them from our China Manager. I cannot pinpoint exactly when it happened, but he had worked his way into my heart and I often thought about him and hoped he was being loved. In February, I was happy to read he was beginning to walk with the foster parent’s help, and was able to play outside with the neighbor children. Even the rocking behavior was occurring less and less often. When I visited in March, I recognized his sweet little face immediately, though he was much tinier in person than I had imagined. He willingly took my hand and we walked all around the courtyard, practicing going up and down steps and a ramp. The progress he had made was indeed amazing, but I couldn’t help but wish for a smile from that somber little face.

Well, in April I received the best news ever! The picture in his report shows Brody walking down the road, maybe even trotting, with a hint of a smile on his face!

Jeannie was born premature and needed the extra love and care that a foster family could bring. She thrived in Shunyi foster care and blossomed into a healthy, happy toddler before being adopted.

"Wow – thank you Karin! These are amazing. Jeannie has looked at all the pictures, and especially poured over the ones with her foster Mama in them. I think it’s so important for her to be able to see them. We have given her a little album with all the foster family pictures in it, and she is really happy with it.

The reports are so great. Its amazing to read about all these precious milestones. Thank you so much! We feel very blessed tonight. I have added a few more pictures of our girl in China with us.

Love F M."