Adoption Stories

The Lesage Family Adoption Story
Sioux Center, IA

Being state-certified to work in independent adoptions in Iowa, I contacted Holt on behalf of clients who had tried unsuccessfully for years to adopt internationally. I decided to learn about Holt to do some comparisons and perhaps referrals for adoption.
I subscribed to Hi Families as a part of this professional process, however, our whole family reads each magazine. When our third issue arrived (March/April 1993), I wept as I read of baby girls dying in China. I could not get out of my mind the words of Harry Holt recalled by David Kim: “Who is going to answer to God for the lives of all these children?”

Having been raised in a Christian home, I knew the answer to that question - we all were. God will require of us an accounting of what we do with what He has given us.

Several of my clients had hoped for baby girls, so I called the Oregon office and spoke with Becky Tucker (Becky, who was Waiting Child Coordinator at that time, now works in Holt’s Romania Adoption Program). China was on hold then (China reopened for adoption early in 1994); so I asked about several waiting children: Abigail from the Philippines and Tsz Yan from Hong Kong. I rejoiced to hear that both children had families already.

Then I asked about Kong, Kyung-soo, the youngest waiting child in that magazine. I was not sure why I did so at the time since both of my families hoped for girls. Loving babies, I guess I wondered how Holt did with babies with special needs, but in Becky’s response I discovered Gods’s plan for why I asked. “We’ve had no inquiries at all for Kyung-soo.” said Becky. “Would you or your families be interested in adopting him?”
Stunned, I could only think, “Lord, are you trying to tell me something?”

Our four children ranging from a college freshman (adopted as a 16 month old), down to the youngest, age 5, were sure that God was speaking clearly. Our 9 year old spoke eloquently: “If they’ll let us have him, we have our crib, and lots of clothes, and a big back yard to play in.”
We began our deliberations. Kyung-soo has EEC syndrome. Our doctors had never heard of it, but Dr. William Howard, pediatrician in Des Moines and also a Holt father had. He faxed us information on the syndrome. We learned about cleft hands and cleft feet.

We consulted with Holt-Korea’s pediatrician Dr. Cho about other conditions that could exist in this syndrome. Kyung-soo had no cleft palate, no apparent skin or hair anomalies, no microcephaly. There was no way to tell yet if his teeth would be missing the layer of enamel. Holt-Korea was concerned that Kyung-soo was not yet bearing weight on his feet, and some questioned whether he would eventually be able to walk, even with the surgeries that he needed.
Nothing we heard stopped the love that was growing in our hearts for this little boy. We agonized about our financial ability to proceed with an adoption we had not planned or saved for. We spoke publicly in our church about Kyung-soo’s need of a home. As people began to offer their financial assistance and prayer support, we knew that God was calling us to be blessed with the task of raising another child for Him.

We first saw Kyung-soo’s picture on March 22. Our placement agreement was signed on June 16. He arrived home on September 16, almost 1 week shy of 6 months from our first contact. God is good!
Since “Matthew” means gift of God, we have chosen to call this little boy Matthew Kyung Soo. He arrived beaming and bouncing off the long plane trip, with a stewardess behind the escort. The stewardess said, “I just had to see who was going to get this one! You are going to have fun.”
She was right. Matthew is an energetic, outgoing, alert child, and we enjoy him a great deal.
When we brought Matthew to church, the members of our normally reserved congregation applauded as Jasper went to the front to announce, “This is Matthew.” Nothing more needed to be said. Two-year-old Nicole, another Holt adoptee from Korea, warmly welcomed Matthew. She arrived from Seoul about seven months earlier. “Baby!” Nicole says when she sees him at church.

Not a day goes by that we do not think about Matthew’s birth parents - their pain and loss, or about his special foster parents, to whom we have written. Our latest correspondence shared our joy for the fact that Matthew is now walking - another miracle of God in our son’s life. He can pick up large as well as tiny things with his special hands, and is learning to feed himself. Throwing balls is probably his favorite activity, and he does it with great determination and delight with either hand. At times, he tries to run while he is throwing. Surgeons have scheduled hand surgery in a month. then they will decide when to proceed with foot surgery.We are thrilled with Matthew’s progress so far and expect that surgery can only improve things - wonderful news for a child we prayed would not need to use a wheel chair.

In closing, we wish to thank Holt and encourage Holt’s staff in the important work that you are doing. Your pictures and faithful sharing of Holt’s vision that God desires love and mercy for needy children brings many of us to adopt. We continue to read each magazine and pray for the waiting children we see there. In the back of our minds is always the question, would someone we know perhaps be the right family for this child? May God bless you as you do the work He has given you to do!

This article was reprinted with permission from Holt International Children’s Services magazine, Hi Families, Jan/Feb 1995 issue. To subscribe to Hi Families or find out more information on adopting from Holt, contact them at (503)687-2202. You can also write their main office at PO Box 2880, Eugene, OR 97402.