The Conversation

By Ruth

So it’s the night before the Summit.  So many things on my mind!!  It’s running wild with logistics for lunches, volunteers, T-shirts etc.  And yet it’s second place to thought of the conversation that will take place during lunch between Doug & I and Dirk & Sue.

About the boy.  About knowing if our lives might be taking a wild turn.  About whether or not we were going to take a flying leap of faith.

Thursday morning was non-stop Summit, and as much as I wanted to, I didn’t even get into the Summit to hear a session before the first break.  Not much time to think about the upcoming conversation.  If I remember right, I did see Dirk & Sue at one point, and we confirmed the lunch meeting.

Come the appointed time to meet, Doug & I were still wrapped up in some responsibilities, and Dirk & Sue waited patiently around, chatting with other people they knew.  Finally, we were able to break away and headed to the café area of the church with them.

Okay, sit down, take a deep breath.  Dirk & Sue had that look – of anticipation – one that says “we just don’t know what this could be about”.   I did ask them right then – “do you have any ideas about why we want to talk to you?” – to which they responded with a “no, not really”.

Then, in almost one breath, Doug put our hearts on the table and shared how I had been moved by the story Sue had shared.   I think Dirk & Sue had a mix of emotions – surprised, overwhelmed, excited and joyful.   I think I started crying when Doug starting talking, and when I glanced over at Sue, there were tears streaming down her face.   Here I hadn’t even been sure she would remember telling me the story!   We quickly learned what hearts both they and all their three daughters & families had for this boy.   All of them were sharing his story with people, asking people pray about finding an adoptive family for him, and actively trying to find one!  And even the oldest adopted boy of Sue’s daughter was praying every night for a family for his friend.

We learned a lot of things throughout the rest of our conversation (and shed a few more tears – guys excluded!  okay, Dirk, he might have had one or two – I’m not quite sure!).  The final conclusion was that we would connect with Sue’s daughter that adopted the two boys, and learn what we could from them about the boy, his story, and hear their experience.

And Dirk & Sue, they couldn’t wait to get a hold of Tammi, and tell her someone was thinking about adopting HIM.