Children in my Heart!

This is the time of year when I first went to Ukraine...May of 2009. We were already a large family of 9, but God was pulling us to adopt 3 more little children with Down Syndrome from Vorzel Ukraine. It brings a smile to my face to think of the orphanage and all the children who were at Vorzel when we first visited, and who are now with their own special families. It still amazes me, though I know it shouldn't how God works things in your life. We think we are in control most times, but God is when you let Him. God is very capable and all knowing.

When we got to Ukraine...we rushed to our appointments with our facilitator...After that we would go first to Baby House #3 and see our little Masha, who is still tiny and darling as ever. There I would also see Ivanna, Vladik & Timothy and some other regulars through out my 2 months in Ukraine. These children touched my heart and life like nothing else...

After 30 minutes or so we would rush down to Baby house #5 and see Milena & Luda..who lived together. They both have been such a joy and are also so darling and along with Masha & make me laugh & smile everyday. When I spend time with them I often think of their little life in Vorzel and all the other children who were there with them. There are many families we have contact with still who have taken the leap of faith and obeyed God's calling in their lives...for this I am grateful. All children deserve a family to love them unconditionally..and every family deserves the blessings of a child with Down Syndrome...

Many times we miss God's calling because of our own agenda. We think we are in control of our own lives. In some aspects of course we are, ...but in the stillness is when we can hear God's calling the best. During prayer & quiet times. I am grateful today for my salvation and God picking me...why me? Why my husband? why anyone? Well we are all called to come to know Jesus as Saviour...but not all hear. Some are deaf to God's call. This is very sad for Christians...knowing others who will not answer when God knocks at the door of their hearts. Maybe today you will ask Jesus into your heart and admit you are a sinner and need a Saviour. There is no other way to heaven..not by your works which alone are worthless to God..

I am so happy we listened to God's call of Adoption. He placed adoption on our hearts when we were 1 st married in 1993. We saw a special television documentary on orphans and adoption and this stirred our concern. I soon after got pregnant and was told to wait until our own child was 6 months old. By that time I was pregnant again with our 2 nd child and our adoption plan was put on hold. Years later we were reminded again at our church when a couple adopted twins from Korea and so we searched the website at last! By this time we had 6 children, our 5 th daughter having Down Syndrome. It all made sense then when we were drawn to this little girl in a crib looking up with eyes saying "Take me!" Oh my Lord, we are so happy and grateful we answered the call. This is when we went to Vladimir Russia to adopt Yulia who also had Down Syndrome. She has been sunshine in our lives for over 5 years now. A wonderful experience we will cherish & never forget! My older girls call her the live baby doll..we recently brought home our 13 year old son and he fits in like he was always here...our blog is torresfamilyadoption.blogspot.com

For questions or advice on adoption, please email us at rubenandjoann@msn.com

Adoption is an awesome calling...if you think you are being led to adopt a child with special needs, there are many places to go.. the place we found our children were Rainbowkids.com and Reecesrainbow.org theworldswaitingchildren.

We met Pastor Sasha & his family while in Vorzel Orphanage..We are so glad we met him and his team working at the orphanage. Through our adoption many people have gotten to know The Skripak family and their church. They are an awesome testimony and you will be happy you met them and became a part of their missions team. Please think about saving the life of an orphan through adoption or through Almaz Church orphan Outreach Ministry.

Getting Closer to the Goal!

Over $2000 raised so far for the van for the Skripak Family & their Ministry to the orphans!
The chip in is still on but no donations yet there..you can also send a check...email Pastor Sasha at above email Address for details...The first week at Vorzel will be starting soon and the church is in need of this van to transport people from the airport to Vorzel and other orphanages.

Thank You to all those who have made the sacrifice to help out the Almaz Church!