Sasha's Story

Just one year ago Randy and I never would have imagined that our family would grow from five to eight in what seemed like overnight. In less than two years time and after two adoptions, we added David, Juliya, and James to our existing family with three biological children, Aidan, Garland Grace, and Anna.
Our children came to us in different ways and sometimes unexpectedly, but each one has truly been a sacred gift from God. Our adoption journey has been one of heartache and rewards, learning to trust God entirely along the way and in every situation. Now as we move forward with His calling to adopt one more, Sasha, a fifteen year old boy from Ukraine, again we are faced with putting our lives and future in God’s hands. We are following His road map each step of the way, though we’re uncertain at times where He is leading, but we do know our final destination will be with Him for eternity.

Sasha was outside waiting for us in the courtyard of the orphanage every day. Of course, he knew that we were coming to see our children, Juliya and Pasha (James). We met them over Christmas hosting and had come to Ukraine to adopt them and bring them home. Still, Sasha waited alone on the bench every day hoping to see us and maybe join in a game of soccer or basketball along with Juliya and Pasha.
Randy and I met so many incredible children in the first two weeks during our visiting hours at the orphanage, that we sent out many emails to family and friends back home with photos of the children, hoping maybe some would open their hearts and homes to these amazing kids.
After two weeks, Randy and I were talking about Sasha one evening back at the hotel. Earlier that day, Sasha had given me a note with a small cross on a chain. The note said, “Amanda, you are my best friend forever. I give you the cross to remember. With much love, your Sasha.” I looked at Randy sitting on the couch in our room and said, “I think we need to stop advocating for Sasha… I think Sasha is OURS.” Randy just nodded in agreement and bewilderment and said, “Yes, I think so too.”

The first day we met Sasha he was the “cool” kid. He was the one with the earring and small tattoo on his leg that looked like something the boys in the orphanage probably did themselves. I tried to get him to play ball with us, but he was way too cool to join in a game with the younger kids. Finally, I asked Juliya his name and called out to him, insisting that he join us. Sasha looked down, sheepishly grinned, and slowly walked to the circle to play. In the next few days I greeted him with a “high-five” or just called to him from across the orphanage grounds. In a matter of days, Sasha began looking for us and greeting us with hugs. With every hug and pat on the back, this cool fifteen year old boy was slowly melting and working his way into our hearts.

We went back to the orphanage to say goodbye to friends, and of course, Sasha before getting on the slow train back to Kiev. We brought Sasha new flip flops, school shoes, and loaded his cell phone with minutes so that we could stay in touch with him. When it was time to say goodbye, he grabbed me around the neck and sobbed in my arms. I had never seen a fifteen year old boy cry like that. As I wiped the tears from his cheeks, I reassured him that we would see him again. Then I probably exposed my feelings too much, but I said, “Sasha, I know you are a big boy, but in my heart I feel like you are my baby, my boy.” He continued sobbing with his head on my shoulder for some time and then buried himself into Randy’s chest and cried some more.

We spoke to him on the phone during the next few days in Kiev while we were filing paperwork at the US Embassy. Sasha texted and called us several times a day while we were there. In his messages he began calling us Mother and Father. He said that we were his family and he would love us forever. On our last night in Kiev Randy talked to him on the phone and encouraged him to study in school and stay out of trouble, to which Sasha replied, “Ok, I love you Dad.” As soon as we got off the phone he began texting again. The last message of the night said, “I want to see you. Please come in Ukraine for me.”
That message tore me apart and I had to call him even though it was around 10:30pm. He answered the phone in a whisper because the other boys in his room were asleep. I whispered back to him that we WOULD come to Ukraine for him. Always speaking in simple English with Sasha, that night I said, “Mama says go to sleep now, OK.” He responded, “OK, you go sleep too. I love you Mother.”
Early the next morning he called before school and repeated the question over and over, “When you come in Ukraine. When you come in Ukraine for me?” I didn’t have an answer, but I told him Dad and I would start the documents to bring him home.

Now that we’re home, Juliya and James are adjusting well and really finding that sense of freedom and wonder that all children should have. I watch them everyday with such joy as they ride their bikes, swim, practice English, or just play with their siblings. I thank God for bringing them into our lives and giving us the honor of parenting them on this earth. However, I never expected to leave Ukraine with a hole in my heart and an ache in my stomach that only adoptive parents can understand. Our journey isn’t over, we have one more child to bring home, and with the prayers of our family and friends, God will lead us back to Ukraine for Sasha in His timing and His way.