SUSANA for the Motley family — NC

Mike and Ruth have been married for 18 years. They have 4 children – ages 18 to 5 years old and in addition an 18 month old foster to adopt African American child. When their 5 year old daughter, Emma was born, the family discovered she had Down Syndrome. Having Emma in their lives opened them up to the heart of the Father – which is those orphaned and those with special needs. The family began to open their homes to international orphans thru a hosting program.

Ruth met “Susana” while on a trip to her orphanage in September 2015. Susana lives in a war-stricken orphanage in Eastern Europe. Many of the children in her orphanage have seen first-hand the effects of war & conflict.

The family brought Susana home in December 2015, to spend Christmas with their family and for her to be seen by a team of specialists at UNC Chapel Hill. She has what is known as lymphatic vascular malformation. While it is not necessarily life threatening, without treatment the growth will continue to grow and affect many aspects of her daily life, including her jaw and her ability to eat. She will need to receive treatment for this genetic issue for the rest of her life.

The family soon discovered that Susana is not defined by this malformation! She is sweet and spunky, full of life and laughter! She steals hearts with everyone she meets. Her potential knows no bounds!

As an orphan advocate family and ministry, when the family first met Susana there were no thoughts regarding adoption – our focus and prayers was to help her find a forever family! Over the months however, God was making it clear to the family that she is their special gift, their reward from the Lord!

Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from Him.
Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!

Psalm 127:3-5

3/23/2018 — COURT PASSED!