Yes God, here I am. What is your servant to do?
Our family's prayer has always been to have an open heart and an open home to children who need a safe family. We have been blessed to have had the opportunity to love children; some for only a week, some for months, and a few for a lifetime. For the last few months we have been blessed to care for a baby boy, and to witness God’s miracle in encouraging a young mother trying to reunite with her children and starting a new chapter in her life.
As you know, in July 2012 Michelle and I traveled to Ethiopia to meet our three children, Sami, Eden, and Beti. They had been living in Hilawi Orphanage for about 18 months and our coming together was about to take place. When we met them, we were also introduced to “Little Miss M”, a little girl about 2 years old with Cerebral Palsy. We spent a few moments with her and then hurried off with our three new children, trying to connect during those early moments of our relationship. We returned to Ethiopia that September to bring our kids home, and once again we met Little Miss M at the orphanage. From that day we prayed for her and learned from our daughter Eden that she had helped take care of Little Miss M during her stay in Hilawi. Our payers for Little Miss M focused on advocacy, knowing that she too needed a forever family to care for her, to love her, and to provide proper medical care she desperately needed. In November 2013, as part of our Orphans Month Celebration, Michelle and I brought Little Miss M to the attention of our church's congregation and community, asking for people to pray for her and remember her and other children in need of forever families. Of the twenty children we advocated for, Little Miss M was described as having terminal illness. Michelle questioned the diagnosis and requested Bethany Christian Services to have her re-evaluated. The revised diagnosis discovered that an error in translation had occurred and although Little Miss M has Cerebral Palsy, she does not have the degenerative terminal disorder that had been previously identified. Time went by and no one came forward, expressing interest in her. Michelle started to question just how long this precious girl should have to wait for a family. How much time would she need to wait before she could start benefiting from proper physical therapy? How much more time would she have to stay in an orphanage. The grace of God moved over us and we saw the possibility of bringing her into our family. We prayed to God for courage and for wisdom, as we still were adjusting to our new family dynamics. God answered us by showing us the love and support from our church family. Friends and people from the congregation came forward, providing support and encouragement. Over time I too found peace and acceptance with the idea of bringing Little Miss M into our family. We are equipped to provide a loving, nurturing, and safe home for Little Miss M. We are experienced parents, aware of challenges that come with adoption. We are devouring books and information on Cerebral Palsy, to better prepare and understand what her real needs are . We have taken the time to explore and learn what Cerebral Palsy looks like and have made connections with other families with children with similar medical needs in order to create a support structure to help us face those difficult moments in our future. Furthermore, we have access to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), one of the best pediatric hospitals in the entire world. CHOP will offer the therapies and medical care Little Miss M needs to grow to her full potential.
We have already taken the first steps into this journey. We have enlisted the expertise of doctors and have discussed and listened to our children’s concerns about bringing Little Miss M in to our family. We are excited of what the future holds and for our desire to share our faith journey with you, all the while looking, listening, and accepting God’s call.
We have been offered two matching grants to offset the costs associated with the adoption. One is from our Church and the other is through our adoption agency. If you like to participate in helping meet the financial goals, please see the information below.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts as we continue to advocate for the least of these.
In Christ’s love,
Marco, Michelle, and family (Nico, Luka, Sami, Mika, Eden, Isabella, Beti and “Little Miss M” incognito)
To Give by Check
Please make checks payable to Lifesong for Orphans.
In the memo please write: Munari #4339
Please mail checks to:
Lifesong for Orphans
PO Box 40
Gridley, IL 61744
*Lifesong has been blessed with a partner that underwrites all US administrative and fund-raising costs (TMG Foundation and other partners). That means 100% of your donation will go directly to the need…helping orphans.
To Give Online
1. Go to www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate
2. Select Give to an Adoptive Family
3. Complete online form and fill in Family Account Number & Family Name Fields (4339 and Munari)
*Please note that PayPal will charge an administrative fee (2.9% + $.30 USD per transaction). Your donation will be decreased by the amount of this fee.
