ZACH ADOPTION
(article from Sarah, our daughter who is 11)

Zachary, a Russian baby that has Down syndrome, is a blessing that came into our lives. He was lost waiting to be found. God knew that someday we would have Zach in our family. God expected it but our family had no idea what was coming.

One day my mom was on the internet looking at pictures of children. I had just got home from school and was wondering what she was doing. She told me that she had gotten an email that had a link to the Ark Mission website. She said that there were babies that had Down syndrome and that there was one that she was falling in love with. My heart beat like a roller coaster and I knew what that might mean and immediately started asking questions. The more my mom found out the more her heart throbbed.

A few weeks later we were adopting a precious little boy with Down syndrome. The paperwork was endless and we sometimes questioned ourselves, but we knew deep down this was one thing that was almost like destiny. My mom and dad finally went to Russia scared, excited, happy, and strange. When they came back they were ready to go pick him up the next day.

Sometimes my siblings get jealous. After a while we realized that he needs attention and extra motivation. Our family had a ton of worries but we soon realized that all that really mattered was that we could do something for someone else and that we would try as hard as we could. When they brought Zach home I was the first to hold him. If you are thinking about adopting, it is all worth that one special hug. That night when all of our company left, I got to hold Zach again. I broke down in tears thanking God for my little brother. Disabilities don't make anyone different. All the children in Zach's orphanage deserve to have a home. Down syndrome is not a bad thing to me at all. They might learn a little slower, but they have feelings and they can laugh and play and do anything that they want. If I had the chance, I would adopt every one of those kids. I was so happy to know that Zach was coming home to us. If you see the precious faces of those children and ask yourself if it is the right thing to do, just know that you could make a difference. You could help make a smile or a sound of a giggle. All they really need is love!