Wingate Family

Our story began several months ago, while I was caring for my chronically ill pediatric patients in their homes. I am a pediatric nurse and have been given the gracious calling of caring for children, many who are adopted or foster children. I could see in the faces of these adoptive parents the love they felt for their adopted children. I just knew in my heart that our child was many miles and lands away, but waiting for us to love and welcome her into our arms and home.

I approached my husband with the idea of adoption. Honestly, he said "No," as he was in his 40’s, and we already have four wonderful, intelligent boys together. Three would be graduating from high school in a few years and our youngest was in kindergarden. But I knew God’s spirit had pierced my heart with a profound and loud calling for this precious soul who was waiting for us to be her Mommy and Daddy.

After months of thoughtful prayer, my husband also felt the calling. In early January of 2006 we applied with CWA. We were prepared to wait 18 months, as that was the normal time frame from start to finish. In February, a staff member mentioned that I should take a look at their special needs/waiting child list. This is a list that comes out a few times a year with special children waiting to be adopted. Some of these children had minor needs, such as a large birth mark, or a more complex need, such as a heart defect. But all are considered to be correctable. As I scrolled down the list, the most beautiful little face with deep, dark, round heart shaped eyes just about jumped off the computer screen. I had never seen such a sweet longing in an infant’s eyes before. If was as if she was speaking to my soul. At that moment I knew she was meant to have our family as her forever family. I shared her sweet face and biography with my husband. We knew we wanted her, but were both filled with anticipation and uncertainty about her current condition and her future.

She was diagnosed with a teratoma, which is a tumor on her tailbone. She had surgery as an infant in China to remove it, but with little information, there was no guarantee if it was a complete success in the future, or if she would heal properly. This is when we placed our faith in God and our love for Him. We prayed day and night for her recovery.

The entire paperchase process went smoothly, and on August 18th, 2006, we departed for Beijing, China. On the third dayin the country, we were united with our precious child. She was more beautiful than we had ever imagined. As we reached out to her, she melted into our arms, and rested her head ever so lovingly on our shoulders as if to say "Oh, Mommy and Daddy, you’re finally here."

We left China on September 1st, completing our almost eight month wait. Megan is a pure delight and loves her parents, brothers and even our family dog. She is a miracle from God. At her medical appointment in the United States, her test revealed that the tumor is completely gone and she is expected to live a happy and healthy life with no complications. In the end I’d say go with your gut, and never doubt the power of God’s grace.

Bruce and Tina Wingate