We had never talked about adoption. In fact, after having two biological sons (that were a handful!) we made the decision (surgically) that our family was complete. But God had other plans for us. In November of 2004 we attended a Steven Curtis Chapman concert. At the concert, Chapman told the story of he and his wife adopting from China and what a blessing it had been for all involved. In that moment I knew that we too would adopt a child. We knew NOTHING about the process of adopting internationally. I began searching on the internet. The more I searched the more I felt we were being called to help a child with a special need. It was then that I came across Adoption Ark. Kim told me about the babies who lives in Kazakhstan with cleft lip and palate. I thought, "Where in the world is Kazakhstan?!"
After several phone calls and lots of questions for Kim, we felt we had all the information we needed to make a decision. We never felt the need to inquire with another agency. Adoption Ark could not have been more helpful, professional and kind. We were so "wet behind the ears" and had NO CLUE about paperwork, forms, or anything else. We signed our contract with AA in mid December of 2004 and submitted our dossier in February of 2005. We were on a flight to Kazakhstan at the end of May. WOW! Our oldest son who was 8 years old went with us on trip #1, which lasted 20 days. It was such an incredible experience! We also had the benefit of traveling with another couple who were also adopting through AA and in our same city. My mother and I went back for the second trip two weeks later and brought our little Matthew home on July 13th of 2005.
In the four months that he has been with us we have seen incredible changes!
He has had his first of several surgeries and has another one coming up in January of 2006. He has adjusted very well (with a few minor issues only) and his brothers have accepted him into our family with open arms. (but they don't cut him any slack either!) Adopting Matthew has been and continues to be such a blessing to us. Everyone who meets Matthew comments on the sparkle in his eye and his incredible spirit!
For those contemplating adopting and using Adoption Ark.... It wasn't until after we were home and joined several adoption support groups (locally and on-line) that we learned of all the things that could have gone wrong, heard adoption horror stories of other agencies operating unethically, and so on. The women at Adoption Ark were always professional with us, answered all our questions in a timely manner, were upfront about fees, and have provided support to us upon arriving home with our son. We made the right decision in choosing Adoption Ark and are so thankful that our baby is home!
Sara & Al Kuchera
Sam, Ben and Matt,
Farmington, Minnesota