The Wingate Family

By Tina Wingate

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 kindergarten. 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 paper chase process went smoothly, and on August 18th, 2006, we departed for Beijing, China. On the third day in 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.

CWA in Ethiopia: The KidStart Plan

Typical Ethiopian orphan diets often lack some basic foods, like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole milk or enriched formula for infants. That's why Christian World Foundation has launched the KidStart Plan, which will help provide for Ethiopian orphans in two ways: 1. Dietary Plan, and 2. Life Skills Plan. Christian World Foundation began the KidStart Plan to help children living in our foster homes have a better diet, and to help older orphans make the transition to their new adoptive families. Fresh foods and enriched formula will ensure that these children will receive a more balanced, nutritious diet. Older children will be tutored in basic life skills to prepare them for the adjustments they will face in America. Both the Dietary Plan and the Life Skills Plan will give these kids a better start in life. You can help them by donating today to the KidStart Plan.

CWA Staff Member: Michael Arrowood

Each month, we'll feature another CWA Staff member to help you learn more about the people who make CWA great. Michael Arrowood has been with CWA since March 2006 and works in our Flat Rock, NC office as our Document Systems Manager. He is also the Administrative Assistant supporting four country programs in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

What was your background before CWA?
I was an independent contractor working in the area of Russian translation and interpreting. I worked as an interpreter for the United States Energy Association. Primarily, I traveled around the United States with officials from almost all the countries of the former Soviet Union. We would tour the US, go to power plants and oil platforms and go to a lot of meetings. I was both escort and technical interpreter. I've also done translation for various U.S. government agencies since 1984..

What led you to CWA?
The demand for Russian translators in my fields slowed and I was looking for more of a traditional work week with less travel. Someone I spoke with during my job search had just met Bob and Tomilee Harding at a Chamber of Commerce event, and they thought I might be a good fit for what CWA needed then, especially with my Russian language ability.

Your title is "Document Systems Manager" What exactly does this mean?
My primary task is archiving and storing documents. CWA has to maintain adoption case files indefinitely so there is lot of work to do with document storage. I help make sure families' dossiers are in the proper format, and I translate documents from Russian. I spend a lot of time keeping information in our new database accurate and up to date. And I speak with parents to give them their initial orientation when they adopt from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan or Ukraine.

What is your favorite part of working for CWA?
The best part is definitely seeing the children who come home. To see the outcome of the adoption process is very satisfying and amazing. Here in Flat Rock we deal with so many emails, paperwork, computers, pictures... but then when you see these children with their new parents, it makes it all real, and it makes you feel good.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
I think that would be keeping track of all of the changes in the laws, and the documents that are required. It's difficult to keep up with the different countries' adoption requirements. Keeping the online Planners up to date, since documents and other process information constantly change, is also a challenge. Change is a constant when it comes to international adoption!

Tell us about your family.
I'm married to Carrie, who is a special education teaching assistant at a high school in Hendersonville. She'll be certified as special education teacher this year and recently traveled to Russia to volunteer at an orphanage. She speaks Russian, too. I grew up here in Western North Carolina, so all my family lives nearby.

What is your favorite free time activity?
I am a Civil War reenactor with the 22nd North Carolina Regiment, Company B. I am involved with reenactments 12-15 times a year. I also go to schools to teach Civil War history. I love the outdoors and hiking - Carrie and I do this a lot. We live in a beautiful part of the country.

What is your prayer for CWA?
I would like to see CWA continue to bring home more and more children and continue to have access to countries to carry on this important work.