Several organizations have asked us to write our adoption story and we (Tom) finally did it. So, since this blog is still in it's infancy, I thought it would be appropriate to include it here for anyone who cares. The pictures that follow are from the first time we met Ian, the second mission trip and then, finally at home with his new forever family!
Our Adoption Story
Tom & Angela Humphrey
April 15, 2008 began a journey that would change our lives and the lives of our family. On that day, we met Ian Kini Lindo at Robin’s Nest Children’s Home near Montego Bay in Jamaica.
For a couple of years, we had been discussing adoption and sensing that God was at work in our lives regarding our ‘mission’. Both of us had taken mission trips and had a heart for kids and orphans. However, with two grown, married children and an ‘empty nest’, it seemed crazy to disrupt the comfort we were enjoying. And then, along came Ian.
While on a mission trip to Jamaica, the ladies of our team visited Robin’s Nest on April 15, 2008 while the men continued work on a retaining wall at Fairview Bible College. While at The Nest, Angela and the other ladies played with the kids and learned about Robin’s Nest. At some point, Angela discovered Ian, or wheelchair Ian, as he was referred to by some. Ian was an 8-year old boy with cerebral palsy who possessed a sweet spirit and captivating smile that defied his physical condition. He was placed at Robin’s Nest when he was 18-months old. Upon meeting Ian, Angela’s heart was captured. When the men arrived at The Nest later in the day, Tom got to meet Ian and could tell that something was happening with Angela. It took all her strength to climb on the bus at the end of the day to leave Robin’s Nest as she wondered “why can’t we take him home with us?”
We spent the rest of that week praying about what God would have us to do and kept asking questions like ‘why Ian, we can’t save all children like him?’ and ‘why us?’. The only answers we came up with were ‘but, you can impact Ian’ and ‘why not?’ When we returned to the US, we met with our children and told them that we were considering adopting this special little boy who had captured our hearts. Their enthusiasm and excitement was beyond what we could have imagined. Thus began our journey.
Amidst much paperwork, phone calls and more paperwork, we were able to return to Robin’s Nest on another mission trip in April 2009. During that week, Angela was able to spend four days with Ian and Tom spent three days with him. We were able to learn about him and his needs and see that God had planted an amazing spirit into this physically challenged boy. Our time with Ian that week affirmed our plans to bring him into our home and our family.
The Jamaican courts awarded us an adoption license on July 2, 2009 and we began to make plans to travel to Jamaica to finish the process and bring Ian home. On August 22, 2009 we departed for Jamaica hoping for a one-week process and figuring it would take 10-12 days. However, due to several delays with the US Homeland Security, we were in Jamaica for three weeks. Throughout that time, we experienced many highs and lows as we struggled to see God’s hand in the delays. Yet, the longer we were there, the more we saw why there were delays. God gave us three weeks of concentrated time with Ian to get to know him and for him to get to know us. We met many wonderful people as we were able to attend church in Kingston and continue to be in contact with them after our return home. Finally, on September 12, 2009 we returned to our home with Ian.
Ian has adapted to us and us to him, very well. His sweet spirit continues and his smile melts all those he encounters. We continue to be amazed at how God has blessed us and others through Ian. His spirit, despite his physical handicap, is never dampened. What a challenge and encouragement he has been to us and our family.
For us, this adoption was a result of our allowing God to change our plans and our lives in order to reach out to a young boy who did not choose cerebral palsy. Will Ian ever walk? Will he ever talk? We have no idea, but we are trusting God that we have done the right thing for us and for Ian. Who knows what He has in store for us next!
Tom & Angela Humphrey
April 15, 2008 began a journey that would change our lives and the lives of our family. On that day, we met Ian Kini Lindo at Robin’s Nest Children’s Home near Montego Bay in Jamaica.
For a couple of years, we had been discussing adoption and sensing that God was at work in our lives regarding our ‘mission’. Both of us had taken mission trips and had a heart for kids and orphans. However, with two grown, married children and an ‘empty nest’, it seemed crazy to disrupt the comfort we were enjoying. And then, along came Ian.
While on a mission trip to Jamaica, the ladies of our team visited Robin’s Nest on April 15, 2008 while the men continued work on a retaining wall at Fairview Bible College. While at The Nest, Angela and the other ladies played with the kids and learned about Robin’s Nest. At some point, Angela discovered Ian, or wheelchair Ian, as he was referred to by some. Ian was an 8-year old boy with cerebral palsy who possessed a sweet spirit and captivating smile that defied his physical condition. He was placed at Robin’s Nest when he was 18-months old. Upon meeting Ian, Angela’s heart was captured. When the men arrived at The Nest later in the day, Tom got to meet Ian and could tell that something was happening with Angela. It took all her strength to climb on the bus at the end of the day to leave Robin’s Nest as she wondered “why can’t we take him home with us?”
We spent the rest of that week praying about what God would have us to do and kept asking questions like ‘why Ian, we can’t save all children like him?’ and ‘why us?’. The only answers we came up with were ‘but, you can impact Ian’ and ‘why not?’ When we returned to the US, we met with our children and told them that we were considering adopting this special little boy who had captured our hearts. Their enthusiasm and excitement was beyond what we could have imagined. Thus began our journey.
Amidst much paperwork, phone calls and more paperwork, we were able to return to Robin’s Nest on another mission trip in April 2009. During that week, Angela was able to spend four days with Ian and Tom spent three days with him. We were able to learn about him and his needs and see that God had planted an amazing spirit into this physically challenged boy. Our time with Ian that week affirmed our plans to bring him into our home and our family.
The Jamaican courts awarded us an adoption license on July 2, 2009 and we began to make plans to travel to Jamaica to finish the process and bring Ian home. On August 22, 2009 we departed for Jamaica hoping for a one-week process and figuring it would take 10-12 days. However, due to several delays with the US Homeland Security, we were in Jamaica for three weeks. Throughout that time, we experienced many highs and lows as we struggled to see God’s hand in the delays. Yet, the longer we were there, the more we saw why there were delays. God gave us three weeks of concentrated time with Ian to get to know him and for him to get to know us. We met many wonderful people as we were able to attend church in Kingston and continue to be in contact with them after our return home. Finally, on September 12, 2009 we returned to our home with Ian.
Ian has adapted to us and us to him, very well. His sweet spirit continues and his smile melts all those he encounters. We continue to be amazed at how God has blessed us and others through Ian. His spirit, despite his physical handicap, is never dampened. What a challenge and encouragement he has been to us and our family.
For us, this adoption was a result of our allowing God to change our plans and our lives in order to reach out to a young boy who did not choose cerebral palsy. Will Ian ever walk? Will he ever talk? We have no idea, but we are trusting God that we have done the right thing for us and for Ian. Who knows what He has in store for us next!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful journey!!! We can't wait to meet Ian face to face! We continue to pray for you all as you grow together!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the blogging world, I am SO happy to see all the pictures and we have been following your journey each step of the way. We love you guys.
ReplyDeleteThat was so great to read :) I didn't know you guys had a blog!!! yay :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Angela and Tom. Such a wonderful witness to God's providence and plans for His children. Your obedience is humbling.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story. We are in the process of adopting from Jamaica. Would you be willing to answer some questions we have. My email is neilkellyanderson@gmail.com Thanks Blessings Kelly
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