When we got to DINAF and I saw how tiny they were and how sick they were, I wondered what on earth we were doing. I realized they were not out of the woods. I vowed to myself that they would not die. At least on my watch. The medical costs were enormous. Our Casa supporters just kept coming through. They began to grow and thrive.
Sometime later, Stephanie Rhoton came to Honduras on her first mission trip. She fell in love with all of the children of Casa de Esperanza. She began to help us financially and other ways. And, was later added to the board. Sometime over four years ago, Stephanie listened to God's voice that she was to adopt those twins. She shared this with us and we said go for it. For an American to adopt a Honduran child almost never happens. And, when it does, it is a long hard journey. Add to that, Stephanie is single. But, Stephanie prayed and we prayed. Soon others began to pray as well. It was never an easy or cheap journey. Stephanie remained steadfast in her belief that those boys were hers.
Thousands of prayers have been prayed. As setbacks came, thousands of tears have been shed. There has been uncertainty. Fear. Frustration. Anger at a system that moved so slowly. Emotions that we don't even know.
Today, in Honduras, this long hard journey ended as Stephanie and both boys signed papers officially naming Stephanie as mommy to Olman and Josue. Today, thousands of prayers have been answered. A few hundred more tears were shed. This time they were tears of happiness and relief.
Congratulations Steph. Congratulations to Olman and Josue also.
