(I am writing this with Sylvia's permission) Adoption is a beautiful thing, but it always begins with a loss. Last week Sylvia’s sister died of HIV. She was a single mother. The grandmother wanted to keep the orphaned 2-year-old girl named Ruth. But the village council stepped in and said that grandmother was not able to care for Ruth. So Sylvia and her husband Emmanuel will be able to adopt her. Sylvia and Emmanuel both have an education, but they do not get paid well. This is going to be a giant leap of faith for them. They got married at Christmas. They are expecting a baby in early fall. But Ruth had no future in the village. They need to hire a nanny so Sylvia can keep her job and health insurance.
Ruth will be connected to compassion ministries program. God willing, she will receive an education even to University.
In Uganda, the rate of HIV infection remains high. It is at between 6 and 7% of the population living with HIV. But girls between 14 and 24 are getting HIV at a rate of 11% because of the sexual abuse and violence that is unfortunately too common in Uganda.
Heartbreaking. She is such a precious little girl and Sylvia has such a big heart. Praying that we one day will also be able to adopt, knowing that it always comes at a price. Loss is always involved.
ReplyDeleteRuth is doing very well now. She is well fed and feeling secure. She loves her new cloths. She loves the books Sylvia reads to her every night. I (Amy) have 3 adopted kids. It is never so easy. But my 3 adopted kids have a much better life...and one with a family. I did not take them away from their family. Life and circumstance did that. I instead gave them a family when they had none. The loss was there. I cannot help that. I can only help them moving forward. And my children are a gift...just as Ruth is. She is amazing. I do hope you take the steps towards adoption. Every child deserves a loving family.
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