This is our little boy who was lost, but now is found, An Sheng. Is this not the sweetest little face you've ever seen? God grew An Sheng in our hearts literally overnight.

At first, I thought perhaps God just wanted us to pray for a forever family for An Sheng. But the more we resisted what God was urging us to do, the stronger He placed a burden on our hearts to bring him home to be part of our family. We began to strongly feel that this is our little boy and we need to bring him safely home.

An Sheng was found abandoned on a city bus on the evening of July 4th, 2001 by the driver. He was taken to the Children's Welfare Institute. (it just breaks my heart to think of a tiny little boy all alone, abandoned on a bus!) On July 18, 2001 he was given a physical exam and the report states that he was not in good condition. It was determined that he is congenitally deaf and mute. They estimated his age as being 4 at the time they found him. They named him and gave him the birthdate 7/18/1997.

The last update we have is from 2001. In 2001 An Sheng was in the 1st grade and was a smart and bright boy. They stated that he gets along well with others, likes cleanliness, and likes to help out. He is independent and self-efficient in his daily routines. He has no bad habits; has a loving heart; is very well behaved and intuitive. He is healthy both physically and psychologically. He wrote that he can't wait to go abroad to find his yellow-haired, blue-eyed momma.

The counselor at CWA told me that when the orphans see someone from another country adopting one of the other children, they get an image in their heads as to what foreigners look like. I hope he's not disappointed that I have brown hair and brown eyes!

David and I were not planning on this adoption. We had thought on and off again for the past 8 years about adopting, but we never pursued it. This is something that God put on our hearts rather quickly and intensely. This adoption isn't about our need to have another child to love, which isn't a bad thing mind you, but just wasn't the way this particular situation came about. This is about a little boy whom God chose to have a family to love and care for him. Most people who adopt save money for the adoption process. We have not had the time since this happened so quickly. We are confident that God will provide the money we need at the appropriate time because we believe this is His plan for An Sheng. We've already had two blessings at the right time, praise the Lord!

We have found several families in the past few weeks who have had An Sheng on their hearts and have been praying for a family for him. They all said they felt the Lord placing An Sheng on their hearts and calling them to pray for a family for this sweet child. Prayer is the strongest link we have to the Lord and each other. Prayer is POWERFUL and we see the proof of it if we open our eyes and our hearts. Thank you Father for the faithful prayers for An Sheng!

So...Here we are, in the process of getting our home study started and sending out our I-600A Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition to the U.S. CIS. We are waiting to be assigned a caseworker to help us through the adoption process and paperwork. Christian World Adoption has told us that a special needs adoption is processed by CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) much faster than a regular adoption. It will take around 8 months to complete.

We were blessed one morning when CWA called to let us know that a sweet mom in Virginia had adopted An Sheng's best friend and wants to keep the boys in close contact. She let me know that An Sheng loves soccer, ping pong, and can read!!! This blessing came the morning after I stood in front of a sports themed boys bedroom set at Let's Go Dreamin', wondering if An Sheng even knows what a sport is. That night I prayed that An Sheng wouldn't have too hard of a time adjusting to being away from the only family he's known for the past 5 years. God has been moving quickly around here!

We ask that you pray and determine if you feel led to contribute in any way. Please search your hearts to find out where God would like you to help in An Sheng's or another orphans life. Whether it be financially if you're able, through prayer, or both! If you would like to contribute to our mission to bring An Sheng home, you can call us, write us, or email us, or you can send funds to Christian World Adoption, earmarked for An Sheng. If you feel led to pray for An Sheng and our adoption process, please let us know that you are partnering with us!!! It blesses our hearts to know others are standing with us in prayer!

Christian World Adoption is a non-profit organization and sisters with Christian World Foundation, which was established for humanitarian reasons. By law, CWF is allowed to accept funds earmarked for a particular adoption. Friends and family members can contribute to adoption couples' expenses and receive a tax deduction for their contribution. 100% of the contribution will go towards our adoption if the contribution is made with the intent for An Sheng's adoption. Should you choose to contribute, just mail a check made out to Christian World Foundation with a separate note stating the purpose of the contribution is for "An Sheng's adoption." Mail the check to:

Christian World Foundation
777 South Allen Road
Flat Rock, NC 28731.

You may contribute anonymously or as a known donor. Of course we would love to know those that contributed so we can properly thank you, but we also know that some prefer to give without anyone knowing they did so.

Our prayer is for a debt free adoption so that we can come home and provide for the needs of our children. We want each of you to be a part of their lives and look forward to introducing An Sheng to each of you. We know you rejoice with us in the blessing of this child. We will keep you updated as we learn more.

Much love and prayers,
David & Tina


Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27