The Birth of a Ministry
When we began our adoption journey in the spring of 2003, it would have been the furthest thing from our mind that in only a few years God would lead us into this ministry field. At the time, we had two biological boys ages 18 months and four and our heart was to add to our family through adoption.
After losing a referral and going through a fraudulent agency, we found ourselves adopting independently in Ukraine in January of 2004. As we turned pages in the binder handed to us we looked at each child, carefully studying them and wondering how we would ever pick just one to visit. Towards the end, the official pulls out a file and shows us a healthy, chubby cheeked little girl 15 hours away by train. She was listed as 15 months making her the youngest of our children, something we hoped for. God was obviously listening to us...or so we thought.
Lesson #1 - God will bring into your life what HE wants! God is in control at ALL times!
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
With a spring in our step we arrived at the orphanage ready to engage a smiling baby ready for a Mommy and Daddy. However, we never found the baby in the photograph. What we did find was a very sickly little girl kept hidden away in the infirmary. We were left with a choice. Rescue this tiny, malnourished child or leave her in the orphanage and go home. Despite the circumstances we decided to adopt her and make her our own. We named her Grace.
Lesson #2 - God knows what you need and what is best.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
As the adoption process went on longer than anticipated in Ukraine we found ourselves learning a lot about the condition Grace was being raised in. With very little stimulation, she didn't know how to play. With little human contact and no relationship, she withdrew into a state that has been termed "institutional autism." She appeared autistic, rocking and banging her body in her crib. When we went to pick her up, her arms and legs shot out straight and stiff. She didn't know HOW to be held and she didn't like it. We soon learned that this child was born with fetal alcohol syndrome. Having not learned to suck and swallow properly, she had thrown up every bottle she ingested. Her little body was the size of a three month old.
Lesson #3 - It's not all about US!
Each of us should look not only to our own interest, but also to the interest of others. Phillipians 2:4
In that time we noticed the special needs children in the orphanage were kept in small dimly lit rooms, laying down all day. Randy and I were able to spend time in those rooms singing to them and holding them. We saw life being clung to in those tiny bodies and prayed for them to have an everpresent dose of hope to keep them going. We knew then, that while we had made plans for our future, God knew exactly what he wanted us to be doing. It made the decision to bring Grace home at the moment seem easy. Seeing the despair and knowing the future of special needs orphans meant going to a mental institution broke our hearts and we committed to God at that time to be used by Him in whatever way to help orphans.
Lesson #4 - God perfect plan will come to fruition.
Many are the plan's in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
After arriving in the U.S. and beginning the long path to healing for Grace, God took us along many paths to reveal to us His plans. The decision to found Grace Haven Ministries came after God continued to bring to us the need for understanding and ministry for families considering adoption, in the process of adopting or adoptive families searching for help in bringing healing to their child.
Our greatest lesson of all is that God is our HEALER! It doesn't matter what we see in front of us, our faith in Him will make us stronger and He can move mountains when we trust Him and agree with Him for our victories!
It is our prayer that you be blessed to an overflow of His abundant love!
Randy and Tina Kacirek, Founders
Grace at 17 months
