Its funny, I guess, where life's road can take you. You can plan, you can prepare, you can project; but there's always a twist. Always a spice added to the mix.
Since very young I've planned my life and fulfilled those plans with spectacular accuracy. My Lord blessed me with the knowledge of His purpose for me from a young age, placing Colombia and missions on my heart. I went through High School and University with a fairly clear picture in my head of where I would be by the age of 25, and it amazed me on the day of my 25th birthday to realise that I was exactly where I had projected to be.
My two years in Colombia were the most blessed years of my life. I was serving my Lord by demonstrating His love and compassion to some of Colombia's most neglected children. The boys I cared for became my brothers, if not my sons; and I built a unique attachment with each of them that will never be broken. We lived life together, sharing many tears and much laughter, and the day I left much of my heart remained with those boys.
I have written from time to time about one of the boys named Marlon. Marlon made an impression on me with his quiet nature and soft heart; and the unique affection he received from his peers. Where others might conflict or disagree, Marlon seemed to ride above dispute. Although he wasn't necessarily the youngest, his peers treated him as a favoured younger brother, and he was loved by all. I don't think that I've ever met a boy so liked and respected by his peers.
I was allocated to Marlon as his mentor enabling me to spend quality time with him on the weekends. We enjoyed an array of adventures, from camping and hiking, to paintball and fishing. Our personalities were classically matched and we were quickly comfortable in each others company.
Building a relationship with Marlon, and being a significant character in his life, lead me down the most unexpected (yet thrilling) path of adopting him. It was a decision that slowly crept up on me, and progressed into a certainty that it was what I should do.
I fondly remember three boys calling me over for a 'private and important' discussion soon after I started considering adopting Marlon. They sat me down and told me ever so seriously that they believed I should adopt Marlon. When I asked them why, they answered that I would make a good Dad, and that Marlon deserved it. I found it incredible that 3 boys, with most difficult stories, would be able to put Marlon's name forward ahead of their own. It demonstrated how much they loved Marlon and gave me an amount of confirmation in my thinking.
Adopting Marlon by no means was an easy decision. I prayed and considered it for a full year before I felt any certainty. It was very apparent to me though that any reasons to not adopt Marlon were mostly selfish. The freedom that I had for so long enjoyed was at stake, but I knew that this was a small sacrifice compared to all that was to be gained in the adoption.
The way that the system works in Colombia is that once children turn 18 the authorities end their responsibility towards them, cutting funding for their place in the orphanages. The institutions therefore wash their hands of their responsibility, so if the young adults have no extended family to help in this transition, they find themselves on the street. They arrive there with no support, poor education, no skills, and a dependence on an institutionalised life. There aren't too many options besides begging or crime. As my relationship with Marlon deepened I became convinced that I should not let that happen to him. Where a majority of my boys had some extended family where they could draw support from after 18, Marlon had no family at all, and I refused to allow him to end up on the street.
The adoption process has taken much dedication and perseverance. I decided to adopt Marlon 18 months ago, and we can only just vaguely see light at the end of the tunnel. Yet despite its complicity I have felt my Lords hand gently pushing me along, and have heard his quiet and reassuring voice guiding my path. I have seen His hand so clearly along the way, as what should have been huge obstacles so easily fell.
In November I returned to Australia to commence the adoption assessment process. It has been slightly grueling, but I have been told that a recommendation will be made to Colombia supporting the adoption. Colombia verbally told me that they will approve, so I am only now waiting on paperwork to be processed before I make the trip to pick him up.
Marlon is coping relatively well with my absence, but the wait is starting to get to us both. I would have liked to have gone to pick him up in July, but it doesn't seem that that will happen. I think the more likely date will be towards the end of September.
I am so excited with the prospect of picking him up. The thought of hugging him again, and of never being separated from him again, definitely pushes me on. I'm so excited at the thought of boarding a plane with him and flying to Australia. Of visiting Disney World, of taking him to the beach and the snow, and of creating a home for him.
Above all that though I'm looking forward to being someone to Marlon; giving him some identity as a member of a family. I marvel at the fact that still as an adult I look to my parents for guidance, support and encouragement; and I'm glad that Marlon will have some guidance and support through his teenage years and into adulthood.
Since very young I've planned my life and fulfilled those plans with spectacular accuracy. My Lord blessed me with the knowledge of His purpose for me from a young age, placing Colombia and missions on my heart. I went through High School and University with a fairly clear picture in my head of where I would be by the age of 25, and it amazed me on the day of my 25th birthday to realise that I was exactly where I had projected to be.
My two years in Colombia were the most blessed years of my life. I was serving my Lord by demonstrating His love and compassion to some of Colombia's most neglected children. The boys I cared for became my brothers, if not my sons; and I built a unique attachment with each of them that will never be broken. We lived life together, sharing many tears and much laughter, and the day I left much of my heart remained with those boys.
I have written from time to time about one of the boys named Marlon. Marlon made an impression on me with his quiet nature and soft heart; and the unique affection he received from his peers. Where others might conflict or disagree, Marlon seemed to ride above dispute. Although he wasn't necessarily the youngest, his peers treated him as a favoured younger brother, and he was loved by all. I don't think that I've ever met a boy so liked and respected by his peers.
I was allocated to Marlon as his mentor enabling me to spend quality time with him on the weekends. We enjoyed an array of adventures, from camping and hiking, to paintball and fishing. Our personalities were classically matched and we were quickly comfortable in each others company.
Building a relationship with Marlon, and being a significant character in his life, lead me down the most unexpected (yet thrilling) path of adopting him. It was a decision that slowly crept up on me, and progressed into a certainty that it was what I should do.
I fondly remember three boys calling me over for a 'private and important' discussion soon after I started considering adopting Marlon. They sat me down and told me ever so seriously that they believed I should adopt Marlon. When I asked them why, they answered that I would make a good Dad, and that Marlon deserved it. I found it incredible that 3 boys, with most difficult stories, would be able to put Marlon's name forward ahead of their own. It demonstrated how much they loved Marlon and gave me an amount of confirmation in my thinking.
Adopting Marlon by no means was an easy decision. I prayed and considered it for a full year before I felt any certainty. It was very apparent to me though that any reasons to not adopt Marlon were mostly selfish. The freedom that I had for so long enjoyed was at stake, but I knew that this was a small sacrifice compared to all that was to be gained in the adoption.
The way that the system works in Colombia is that once children turn 18 the authorities end their responsibility towards them, cutting funding for their place in the orphanages. The institutions therefore wash their hands of their responsibility, so if the young adults have no extended family to help in this transition, they find themselves on the street. They arrive there with no support, poor education, no skills, and a dependence on an institutionalised life. There aren't too many options besides begging or crime. As my relationship with Marlon deepened I became convinced that I should not let that happen to him. Where a majority of my boys had some extended family where they could draw support from after 18, Marlon had no family at all, and I refused to allow him to end up on the street.
The adoption process has taken much dedication and perseverance. I decided to adopt Marlon 18 months ago, and we can only just vaguely see light at the end of the tunnel. Yet despite its complicity I have felt my Lords hand gently pushing me along, and have heard his quiet and reassuring voice guiding my path. I have seen His hand so clearly along the way, as what should have been huge obstacles so easily fell.
In November I returned to Australia to commence the adoption assessment process. It has been slightly grueling, but I have been told that a recommendation will be made to Colombia supporting the adoption. Colombia verbally told me that they will approve, so I am only now waiting on paperwork to be processed before I make the trip to pick him up.
Marlon is coping relatively well with my absence, but the wait is starting to get to us both. I would have liked to have gone to pick him up in July, but it doesn't seem that that will happen. I think the more likely date will be towards the end of September.
I am so excited with the prospect of picking him up. The thought of hugging him again, and of never being separated from him again, definitely pushes me on. I'm so excited at the thought of boarding a plane with him and flying to Australia. Of visiting Disney World, of taking him to the beach and the snow, and of creating a home for him.
Above all that though I'm looking forward to being someone to Marlon; giving him some identity as a member of a family. I marvel at the fact that still as an adult I look to my parents for guidance, support and encouragement; and I'm glad that Marlon will have some guidance and support through his teenage years and into adulthood.
I thank God for crossing my path with Marlon's. I feel that God has blessed me with this opportunity, and I'm looking forward to the privilege of having Marlon as my son.
I hope that my days serving in Colombia are not over. I would love to return, but I will dedicate a year or two to Marlon being in Australia before I look to the possibility of returning to the mission field. Whatever the case, I trust in the Lord for this next step in my life.
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