Nadia's Story

Nadia's Adoption Story

“A father of the fatherless…God setteth the solitary in families…” - Psalms 68:5,6

Many of you have heard of our exciting summer with Family Hope ~ an organization

that brings orphaned children to the United States. Family Hope introduced us to

Nadia ~ an orphan from the Ukraine. For those that have not heard her story, we would

love to share it with you now ….

August 2008 Kendall shared with us that she was saving her money for an “older” orphan sister. We began praying with Kendall about this sweet and tender desire. One week later we received a call regarding an opportunity to host an Ukraine Orphan in our home for 21 days. They sent us pictures of the remaining orphans that needed host homes. Kendall was sitting at the computer when the pictures popped

on the screen. Immediately she pointed to Nadia and said, “There she is … that’s my sister!” We were amazed at her little insight, Nadia was one of the three children needing a host home. Two weeks later Nadia was with our family.

Nadia is a beautiful twelve year old young lady from an orphanage in Ukraine. Nadia had a heart breaking life of abuse and abandonment the first five years of her life. At age five she was brought by the government to the orphanage. She loves music, movies, is an amazing artist and adores animals. She is very shy but extremely polite and we are told a strong leader to those in her orphanage community. Instantly she became a part of the Brown family. Together she and Kendall learned how to ride bikes. Much of her time in Texas was spent riding bikes, swimming, watching Disney princess movies and eating popcorn and gummy

bears with little brother Cole. Nadia desires and longs to be adopted into our family and with each phone conversation shares her longing to quickly return to her American home.

Nadia's name in Ukraine means "Hope" ~ we are blessed to be on this amazing journey..."Hope's Journey."

Why adopt internationally ??? For a couple of years we’ve felt so clearly directed by God to adopt internationally that we want to obey Him, and we also desire to give an orphan child a family that he/she otherwise might not have. Having Nadia in our home opened our heart and eyes to the need. Plus as we said above … it was love and first sight!

God desires for orphans of all nations to be loved, cared for and adopted into Christian families – ultimately so they can become saved, and be adopted into His eternal family through Jesus Christ! There are so many things God has used to prick our hearts and move us to adopt, here are a few:

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction… James 1:27

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will – Ephesians 1:5

In Ukraine children once they reach the age of 16 are made to leave the orphanage. Statistics show 70% of boys are involved in organized crime/drugs .. 60 % girls become prostitutes … 10% after leaving the orphanage commit suicide. Did you know it is estimated less than 10% of all orphan children are adopted into evangelical Christian families? According to current estimates, if only 10% more Christians in America would adopt, it would be equivalent to providing homes for all the orphans in Eastern Europe (1.5 million), Latin America (400,000), and the US foster care system (150,000).