Why Russia?

Often, I am asked the question "Why Russia?" I remember when my husband and I began thinking about adopting and asking ourselves this question too. As we prayed about what country the answer was simply...we believe Russia is where our Sovereign Lord is leading our family to bring home the children He has chosen for our family. Just as the Lord directs missionaries to minister to a particular people group, we believe the Lord has lead us to Russia to unite us with our children.

In the four - almost five - years since David and I began talking of adopting from Russia, we have researched and read more about the rich history of Russia. From the beautiful, old cities that display the wealth from the time of the czars, to the devastating consequences of socialism that still plague this great nation, Russia fascinates us. (picture-St Petersburg Russia circa. 1905-1915)

Russia's orphanages continue to be filled with abandoned children by birth mothers and families who cannot care for them. These children are classified as social orphans. For many birth mothers, giving up their child(ren) to an orphange is hope for a better life for their child through adoption. In the region of Arkangelsk alone, there are 67 orphanges housing children. This is one of over 90 regions in Russia that have orphanges. For ophaned children, the hope of adoption into a family gives them the perseverance to endure, waiting for their family to come for them. For many, especially older children who are not adopted, orphanage life ends in a difficult and lonely life on the streets with little hope of breaking the cycle with their own children.

The more we research, the more our hearts break for the orphans of Russia. Our Russian-born children have already connected us with this country in such a way that our family will never think of "Russia" without thoughts of the many souls waiting in orphanges hoping a family will come for them.