As many of you know, I was adopted as an infant and this has been a huge theme in my life and my story. God has taken me through the pain and sorrow and has started to speak to me truths that combat the devil’s lies in my heart because of my adoption. God has started to restore to me the joy and the blessing that adoption is. This is all to say that the topic of adoption is near and dear to my heart. I love it.
This month our ministry contact in Swaziland happens to be a man named Eric Peterson. Mr. Peterson has a beautiful family. His wife Jen, daughter Claire, and son Jacob have been serving with AIM in Swaziland for the last two years. Interestingly enough, their time at this ministry ends while my team and I are a part of this ministry and I don’t find it a coincidence that God has placed us here.
The other morning Eric was sharing part of his family’s story with us and asked for prayer that God’s will would be done in the process of them adopting a beautiful little girl from Swaziland. Their little girl’s name is Mukelo (pronounced Mu-gay-lo) and she is 2 ½ years old with severe cerebral palsy. Currently Swaziland is closed to adoption to the U.S. but Mumu (as they call her) is a special case because the help that she needs can really only be found in America. In Swaziland it is common for infants to be discarded if they are disabled or have special needs and that was the case with Mumu a few years ago. Thankfully, God has had His hand of protection on her life and has been preparing a way for her to go with the family He has picked out for her, the Petersons.
Even though there are a few obstacles, God has shown a great deal of favor and blessing on this family to continually lead them through this adoption process. It’s actually really cool that we got to overlap our time here with them because two of the girls on the other team already have a connection with Mumu. One of the girls met Mumu on a previous trip to Swaziland when her health was doing a lot worse. The other girl has friends who had cared for Mumu for a time in Swaziland as well. So awesome to see the connections!
A few days ago I got to meet this beautiful little girl and I can tell you I am completely captivated by her. She talks with you in her own way and cuddles up to you while you hold her. I know that she will soon be with her family despite the closed adoption status, but that is why I ask you to join me in prayer for this family!
Pray that God would continue to soften hearts, open doors, and provide financially for Mumu to finally come home this year!
