Something Else To Share

Back in 2001 we met a couple, Jay and Suzanne Faske, who were in the process of adopting their daughter Miriam Grace from India at the same time we were waiting for Grace. We got to know them a little bit at a Dillon International India reunion in Tulsa. At that time, they had four children....two biological sons and a son and daughter adopted from India...and they were waiting for the referral of their fifth child.

As it turned out, perfectly arranged by God, we were both given the clearance to travel to India to get our daughters at the same time. We had planned for Mike to go get Grace and for me to stay at home with Noah since he was still so small. Jay and Suzanne had planned to both travel, but in the aftermath of September 11th, they decided that just Suzanne would travel and Jay would stay at home with their children. So we were able to make travel arrangements together. Both Mike and Suzanne flew to Amsterdam. They met there and were able to travel the rest of the way to Calcutta together. It was a great arrangement....Suzanne was a great help to Mike with all the "Mommy" stuff and Mike was able to take care of all the travel logistics. They both arrived home safely with our beautiful daughters.

Although we haven't been able to keep in close contact, I feel we will always have a bond with the Faskes. We have been able to keep up with all of what they are up to through their websites http://www.angelfire.com/or3/hereiam/index.html and www.foreverfamilies.org.
If you check these out you will see that they have been VERY busy! Since bringing Miriam home, they have adopted 8 more children...from Russia, China, Kazakhstan, and now Colombia! It is amazing to read all of their stories. They have also started an orphan ministry called Here I Am. The Faskes are currently in Colombia to bring home their 13th child, Jonah. (I believe they are actually coming home today. ) Jonah's story is particularly amazing. I hope you will read about it here. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page to read about Jonah.)

http://www.angelfire.com/az3/foreverfamilies/1FaskeFamily.html

We've been truly inspired by this family and their compassion and tireless work on the behalf of orphaned children and I wanted to share their stories with you.