Saying Goodbye to Sasha

You remember me talking about Sasha, and the other children in Easter Europe, right? (They're specifically in the Ukraine)

This month the Cornish family traveled to the Ukraine to unite with the child of their dreams. With Sasha, a little girl with Down Syndrome who has no family and lives out her days in an institution who was made available for adoption last year.

You can read the full story here, but you'll be saddened to hear the news. With all the paperwork in order, and everything ready to go, the only thing left to do was actually MEET this angel child. They arrived at the institution and their social worker and director of the institution argued some. The director didn't feel Sasha should be placed for adoption to a country where she would find nothing but discrimination. (mind you, she's in an institution BECAUSE she has Down Syndrome!) Eventually they were allowed to meet Sasha, and the director said he would think about it overnight.

After spending thousands of dollars in travel, getting a home study done, and all the other gazillions of other things that have to be completed for an international adoption, the director told them he didn't think they could make a connection with Sasha, and no...they cannot adopt her. That her life in that institution (which she is fortunate is one of the better ones) with little 1:1 contact with people, no love, no parents, is better than life with a forever family. With a brother and a sister, school, doctors, L-O-V-E.

The Cornish family will be coming home with empty arms. But their faith is strong. They know they were brought to the Ukraine for a reason, it's just not known to them exactly what that is. Please pray for Sasha, that she will live out her days healthy and her physical needs will be met. Please also say a prayer for the Cornish family. Their hearts are broken, and their arms are empty. You can read the full story here on their blog.

Here is Sasha with her potential father, before they were told they could not bring her home. She certainly doesn't appear afraid, or stressed. She sure looks happy to be getting the attention. Goodbye Sasha.