So here's a little more info

I promised a little more info on why Samuel is in China's special needs program.  Many adoptive families don't tell details in order to protect their child's privacy.  In this case, Samuel's needs will become quickly evident, so I'm going to share now and ask you all to start praying specifically for his needs. 

Samuel was born with a heart problem that needs a surgical repair.  His condition, known as tetralogy of fallot, has to do with improper blood flow in the heart.  In the US, the condition would have been repaired when he was an infant.  I had the good fortune of having contact information for a pediatric cardiac surgeon (thanks, friends, you know who you are).  I sent her Samuel's medical file back in March and she said that she would not hesitate to bring this little boy home at all.  His condition can be repaired. 

Samuel also has an issue with one of his hands.  There are two fingers that are joined together.  That may or may not be repairable, but that's not a biggie.

So, there you have it.  Samuel, with his family, will be facing a pretty big surgery when he gets home.  I'm sure combined with all the other crazy changes in his life, the medical stuff will be especially hard on him. 

Here's some specific prayers we would request.

1) That Samuel's heart will be strong enough and that his health will not take any turns for the worse.
2) That the stress of meeting us (yikes) and the traveling home will not not affect his heart negatively.
3) That Samuel will just know we love him and will take care of him from the first moment we meet.  That would be a true miracle folks.  I know that.  But I believe in a God of miracles!

We also appreciate prayers for the financial hurdles that are still in front of us.  God has provided thus far, but we have a long way to go.  I'm truly not sure how, but God will see this through to completion.

In my NEXT POST, I will be addressing a pet peeve.  Someone who said, "How nice for you that you are financially able to keep adopting these children.  That's nice."  I made a decision to smile, nod, and keep my mouth shut, but...

~ Martha