When we first considered hosting in December 2015 the qualification for a host child that we had in our thoughts were that the child would be younger than our 12 year old daughter. Then we saw Maria! She was 15 years old and 10 months older than our oldest son, yet somehow we couldn’t look away!

The idea of hosting (and possibly adopting) an older child with 15 years of history before joining our family was/is a little daunting. It’s a time of adolescence when children often begin to pull away from parents to establish their own independence and identities, and we wondered, would she even want us?

We didn’t know what this experience would be like, and we were equal parts terrified and hopeful. Our Spanish was from High school – 20 years ago, and she barely spoke English but somehow it all works out.

It was awkward at first, for all of us. Almost a little bit like going on a blind date. But then as she felt comfortable with us we began to see her open up, slowly at first, and then in flood gates as the weeks ended. She answered our unspoken questions by cautiously showing her vulnerabilities, and those two weeks tied our hearts to hers and hers to ours.

Maria returned to Colombia on a Monday and watching her and our 12 year old daughter hold each other and cry at the airport was heartbreaking.

We are standing on another ledge now, again hopeful and terrified as we work to complete Maria’s adoption. Only this time, we know our girl is waiting and hoping and longing with us, because she finally found a place to belong.

*Maria's family completed their adoption of Maria on September 28, 2016.

Are you interested in hosting a child this summer? Contact Love Beyond Borders (303-333-1572) or submit a request for more information by clicking here!