3. A Story of Growth
Hello!
My husband, Jason, and I began our adoption journey in the spring
of 2007. Our biological children were 5 and 3 years old, and we
felt called by our Heavenly Father to complete our family through
international adoption.
Our children arrived at the gates of God’s Littlest Angels
orphanage on January 15, 2008. They had just turned 4 years old
and their mother could no longer provide for them. The children
were malnourished, but otherwise healthy. Though they were
twins, Jon was far shorter than his sister Hope, indicating that he
was not getting the nourishment required for growth.
GLA was quick to take action. The children immediately received
immunizations, vitamins, protein shakes and nutritious food to
allow their bodies to begin developing at a healthier rate.
4. A Story of Growth
By May of 2008, the kids were looking much healthier, both emotionally and physically.
It was this month that our family received and accepted the referral of Hope and Jon. We
became very eager to bring these sweethearts home!
Our paperwork began making its way through the Haitian social and legal systems and
slowly but surely the adoption was finalized in November of 2009. There was still some
paperwork required to obtain passports and visas but Jon and Hope were Stanleys! It
was such a comfort to know that our children were in great care while we awaited their
homecoming. Receiving monthly updates with pictures, growth information and a little
update on what they had been up to was so encouraging. Through the adoption we
became friends with Molly and Joyce, the GLA staff responsible for the Toddler
House, and we will always love and support them. They provided love and structure for
our children who were recovering from the trauma of loss. Our children began to learn
about God’s love for them, how to receive and offer affection, how to get along with other
children, how to get along with adults, and they learned what it felt like to no longer be
in physical pain from hunger. We are so thankful for God’s blessings to our kids through
GLA.
5. A Story of Growth
The earthquake and subsequent evacuation was not the way we had
envisioned our adoption story concluding, but God knew all along
they would be ushered home to us this way.
Our son and daughter have now been home for 2 years and are
continuing to make such great strides in life. They are in 1st
grade, learning to read, write and solve math problems. They are
active at church and can both tell you how much God loves them and
that Jesus is our Savior. Their prayers are heartfelt and would
certainly warm your heart if you heard them.
The kids enjoy daily life as a family, bonding well with their sisters Ali
and Whitney. They enjoy extracurricular activities such as
basketball, swimming and dance and physically keep growing by
leaps and bounds!
8. A Story of Growth
God continues to use GLA to shape our lives. Jason is now a
member of the American GLA board, and both of us
returned to Haiti in 2011 to serve GLA on missions teams.
These visits will likely continue and the gratitude we have
towards GLA for loving and serving our family will last a
lifetime.
Thank you God’s Littlest Angels for all you have done. May
God bless your efforts as you continue to serve Him through
caring for His “littlest angels” in Haiti daily!
Jason, Jaime, Ali, Whitney, Hope and John Stanley
9. If you’d like to talk about helping God’s Littlest Angels, please contact
Laurie Bickel at 719-638-4348 or lorlor@glahaiti.org or Tom Vanderwell
at (616) 884-8901 or tom@glahaiti.org. Thank you!