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Lucy's Commitment to the Children

by: Lucy Armistead - Director: Kentucky Adoption Services, Inc.

The following memoir, written by A. Lucy Armistead, Founder and Executive Director of Kentucky Adoption Services, Inc., chronicles the birth of her love for the adoption of older children.  It describes one of her very first trips to Guatemala, and documents her initial feelings about her life's mission in adoption and her calling to help the "forgotten" ones.

"Recently, I was in Guatemala visiting orphanages and beginning a new International Adoption Program to help children over the age of one find homes. My trip was amazing and very productive.

I made numerous contacts with people who share a strong commitment to children, both the ones that are considered adoptable and the ones who for various reasons will not be able to find a family. Before leaving for Guatemala, my only contact was a translator and guide. Luckily, his mother had worked in adoptions for several years and was able to help me find others who could help me on my mission. I felt a strong sense that God was leading me to Guatemala for a purpose, and once I got there several doors opened that confirmed this calling.

When I initially decided to travel to Guatemala, I was both excited and nervous. I felt a sense of peace with my decision, even though I would be leaving my three children, my husband, my exchange student, and my dog. (I should just say my six children!) I was traveling alone to a country I had never visited and the only Spanish I knew was "Muchas Gracias", which I used quite frequently, since I met so many wonderful and helpful people. I went to Guatemala with a sense of purpose and a confidence that I was doing what God wanted me to do. This enabled me to embark on this adventure with only mild trepidation.

My first two days in Guatemala were exciting and educational, but I felt frustrated at what I perceived to be my lack of progress toward my goals. I was blessed to be invited to a Protestant church and I was lucky that one of the speakers was an American missionary, whose message was being translated from English into Spanish. I was also able to tour the lovely colonial city of Antigua and learn a great deal about Mayan history and the customs and culture of the Guatemalan people.

One of the first things that struck me about Guatemala was the unbelievable diversity. There were people of every ethnicity represented. While I greatly enjoyed touring the country I wondered if I had misread God's calling and prayed asking him, "Why did you bring me here, God? I know I am not supposed to just be here on vacation." 

The very next day my prayer began to be answered. I was able to meet with an attorney and an orphanage director and I saw several children living in orphanages. Both orphanages were clean and appeared to be well staffed. The youngest child I saw was two weeks old and the oldest was 14. Both orphanages had an abundance of children. Although the orphanages are well run, the little faces that peered up at me from the cribs and play yards longed to be picked up and held. The standards are so different from ours.

Over the next few days I was able to visit several other orphanages and even play with the children. At one particular orphanage I was sitting on the floor playing with several of the children. One little girl around three years old plopped down in my lap and we played for quite awhile despite the fact that we could not speak the same language. As I was leaving, she ran up to me, gave me a hug and kiss, and told me "adios". The Director of the orphanage had a strange look on his face and told me that was the first time she had ever allowed someone to touch her, let alone sought them out to say "goodbye." Of course, I was ready to bring her home with me, but he said that she already had a family coming for her in a few weeks. She is one of the lucky ones that will know the joy of a family and her actions show that she is ready to open up to the love of a family once she receives one on one attention.

I saw so many children that need homes, like siblings Jesus and Anner, who are 15 and 12, Veronica, who is 14, Jose, who is 3, Ixchmeal, who is 5, Jennifer who is 2. The list could go on and on. I hope that if you have ever considered the adoption of an older child, you will look into this possibility, whether it is through the Department of Social Services, Guatemala, or some other country. Everyone asks me how I could just leave the children in the orphanages. Although they certainly are not in an ideal situation, the orphanages do not resemble the ones the media is fond of portraying. The children seemed happy and clean and the caregivers seemed to genuinely care about the children.

One of the most obvious barriers to International adoption is the fees involved. This is especially the case with adoptions from Guatemala, which generally run between $21,000 and $28,000. One of my primary goals when I started Kentucky Adoption Services was to provide above average adoption services at reasonable fees. Our local adoption agency service fees are among the lowest in the State of Kentucky and the placement fee for our International Guatemala Program will be among the absolute lowest in the country. We are also working with our contacts in Guatemala on keeping fees low, so that a typical adoption through our agency will be much lower.

I would like to ask each of you to consider a donation to a fund that will help sponsor the adoption fees for children over the age of one or that are considered special needs. Every little bit could help a child find a family. Kentucky Adoption Services has been granted non-profit status so all donations will be tax deductible. I would also like to point out that it is difficult to keep fees low and to still be able to pay our overhead, so any donations toward our day to day operations would be appreciated. Please designate on your check which area you would like to help. Thank you for your support!

Today is my son, Kyler's, sixth birthday. It seems like just yesterday that he was getting his first teeth and last month he lost those first precious baby teeth. As I look at him today I am so grateful that God entrusted his care to our family. Children are a wonderful blessing no matter how they enter a family. Although our house is rarely clean and what is done is quickly undone, I cannot imagine my life without sloppy kisses and the other joys of parenting. While reflecting on my joy at being a parent, it seems appropriate to point out the millions of children who will never know the joy of a family. When I look at my children I realize that the children waiting for families are just as special. There are so many needy children waiting in orphanages around the world.

Blessings,
Lucy Armistead
Director: Kentucky Adoption Services