In my mind, adoption had always sounded like a beautiful, life-changing choice, but I imagined it as something far off in the future—“one day” that might happen. Many people automatically assume that because Chris and I didn’t desire biological children, I must be unable to have them. I’ve learned to respond with grace, using that moment as an opportunity to explain that, for us, adoption is a responsibility chosen with intention: a commitment to give a child the family they need. Before the day I met my children, I had never actively pursued adoption—but God had already been planting seeds in my heart through a growing passion for international missions. Little did I know that He would lead me on a journey to Malawi, a breathtaking country often called “The Warm Heart of Africa.”
Growing up in the Bronx, New York, I attended Times Square Church with my family for many years. It was there that I learned about supporting orphans around the world, combining the sharing of the Gospel with tangible acts of love. Their stories touched me deeply. Of all the places I learned about, Africa held a special place in my heart, though I had no idea which country it would be.
Fast forward less than a decade: I moved to Alabama and married my husband, Chris, who also had no desire for biological children. About a year into our marriage, we began attending a newly planted church called Lighthouse Baptist Church. As the church grew and began supporting several missionaries, I noticed that none were serving in Africa. One day, after starting a new job, I asked Pastor Wright if he knew of any missionaries from that region I could personally support. After the service, he handed me five missionary newsletters and said, “Read them all, pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to the one you’re supposed to support.”
After prayer and careful consideration, one letter stood out immediately: Dr. Gardiner Gentry, a missionary to Malawi and the founder of Good Samaritan Children’s Home. His letter alone mentioned the word that had been on my heart all along: orphans. It felt like a direct call from God.
Shortly after we began supporting their ministry and adding it to our church’s missions list, Dr. Gentry and his wife, Alice, visited our church to speak. I’ll never forget when he said, “To find the will of God for your life, you must make it a habit to ask Him each day what He wants you to do—and then do it, just like brushing your teeth every morning.” At the end of the service, he encouraged Chris and me to visit Malawi one day. With God’s blessings in the form of a promotion for me and annual bonuses for Chris, we began saving for a trip. By 2016, we finally had enough for a short-term mission trip—and though Chris couldn’t join due to work, I went, ready to serve.
The moment I stepped off the plane at the Blantyre airport, a wave of nervousness hit me. I was about to fly halfway across the world to a place I had never been—but God’s still, small voice reminded me that I was exactly where I was meant to be. At the airport, Ms. Thandie, director of the children’s home, greeted me with two staff members and two children. One of them, a baby girl named Lilly, sat in her lap. “She’s the youngest child at the home, and is currently in the process of being adopted by a family in Indiana,” Ms. Thandie explained. In that moment, God planted another seed in my heart for adoption.
During my stay, I volunteered by teaching Bible lessons, playing, and spending time with the children. Finally seeing the place we had supported financially for years was an overwhelming blessing, and experiencing Malawi’s vibrant culture firsthand left a lasting mark on my heart.
The turning point came the day before I was set to fly home. Ms. Thandie received word that five children were being placed at the home, accompanied by the Minister of Social Welfare. She asked if I wanted to see the placement process and visit the village. Though I had planned only to do one last Bible lesson, I quickly agreed. We drove two hours to a remote village, where the minister, Honorable Dr. Patricia Kaliati, welcomed us into her home. There, I saw children who had been abandoned—lying on dirt floors with nothing but a towel. One little boy, left with his sisters, captured my heart instantly.
Tears streamed down my face for a child I had just met, and yet I knew even my pain was a fraction of what they had endured. Initially, placing all three siblings was uncertain, given the high cost of caring for young children, but the decision was thankfully made to bring them to the home. On the ride back, I held little Aubrey in my lap and realized the truth of David Platt’s words: “Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. But once you hold them in your arms, everything changes.” That day, my children were born in my heart, and love began to grow.
A few months later, I noticed young children needing sponsorship in photos, including Aubrey. I couldn’t turn away. After deciding to sponsor him, I received a message saying, “You should adopt him, hint hint.” I spoke with Chris, who prayed about it. A week later, he said, “I couldn’t stop thinking about it all day—let’s begin the adoption process.”
We contacted an adoption agency in Kentucky and submitted our application in November 2016. What we expected to take two years stretched to three and a half, filled with unexpected delays, fear, doubt, and daily uncertainty. Yet, the journey was worth every challenge. We began with Aubrey and later added his sister Donatta in 2018, keeping her adoption a secret until the approval became official.
2019 tested our faith the most. We had submitted everything and were waiting for a court date. Weekly prayer sessions with my pastor’s wife, Ruth Wright, and friends strengthened me. I often prayed scripture over the situation, reminding myself that “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord” (Proverbs 21:1). Though I had hoped to bring the children home before Christmas, I booked tickets to visit anyway, trusting God’s timing.
A letter from Dr. Gentry arrived shortly after, with a note: “Don’t forget these very needy ‘no home’ orphans while you are waiting to bring yours home.” His words shifted my perspective, reminding me of both the blessing and responsibility of family, and the importance of helping others in need. That Christmas, I brought medicine, baby formula, and love to the children, and finally experienced precious bonding time with my own future children.
On January 23, 2020, at 8:23 a.m., I received the call I had been waiting for—the agency confirmed our adoption was approved. Overcome with tears and joy, we had just four days to prepare for a journey expected to last five weeks or more. The court confirmed our fitness as parents and reminded us that God would provide the wisdom we needed. After nearly six weeks in Malawi, Chris returned to work while I stayed with the children. On the way home, we shared moments with my parents, showing them Times Square, its tall buildings, and the cold winter weather.
We arrived safely in Alabama on March 10, 2020, just as COVID-19 lockdowns began. The timing was perfect—God protected us and gave us extra time to bond. Adoption comes with its challenges, and healing emotional trauma takes patience, but I am blessed to be their mother, learning and growing alongside them. God’s goodness has been evident in every step, teaching me His faithfulness, strength, and love.
Today, we take each day as it comes, letting God’s love continue to bond us. Our children have adjusted well, openly sharing memories from their past, their stories honored and respected. Even the adoption therapist noted how rare it is for older adoptees to open up so quickly, proving God’s faithfulness in placing the lonely into families. Though their past pain is deep, we are grateful to now walk this journey together, embracing a new season of love and healing.
All glory goes to God for orchestrating this journey. I am thankful for every person who has prayed, donated, or encouraged us along the way. We all have the opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life, whether through adoption or acts of love. Even the smallest effort can ripple into a life-changing impact. Every child deserves to be known, loved, and valued. Don’t let what you can’t do interfere with what you can.
