Adoption Homecoming - The Archibald Project at the Indianapolis Airport

     This incredibly beatufiul, life-giving homecoming began way back in The Republic of Congo, where Kristen and her husband first met their daughter Elsie, at a children’s home called Mwana Villages. The Shaw’s had prayed for the moment they could adopt and love a child in need, and waited for years to finally meet Elsie. These photos not only capture the moment this sweet two year old stepped off the plane and into her home state of Indiana for the first time, but also the moment in which this family became a foursome for the first time ever, as the three reunited with the Shaw’s two year old son, Simeon. The moment in which two siblings who had been born worlds apart, became blood.

 I have always felt called to the world of adoption and foster care.  When I was younger, I would line up all of my beanie babies and stuffed animals and make "adoption lists" on my family's Macintosh Desktop computer. Each toy would get assigned to go and live happily ever after with it's new designated family. Much later, I obtained a degree in Child and Family Development at Michigan State University, and used it to serve in the world of social work, learning that of course, adoption was much more complicated than simply matching up children with loving parents so they could be happy forever. I learned while interning at a foster care agency, the reality of the dire need for quality, safe, families, like the Shaw’s, willing to provide safe home for children in need.

I was impressed at Kristen’s patient and calm demeanor and how she spoke slowly in both English and Elsie’s native language of French, so that she felt safe in this new environment. And I loved how welcoming and excited not only this immediate family, but also the extended family were to bring Elsie home. As with many adoption stories, before being matched with their daughter, this loving family struggled with disappointments, and false hope but nonetheless, they preserved. I am confident that this moment was worth all of the past heartache . This family worked with The Archibald Project during their adoption. Taken directly from thearchibaldproject.com, here is the organization's mission:

      THE ARCHIBALD PROJECT IS AN ORPHAN CARE ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION. WE USE MEDIA TO TELL STORIES. THESE STORIES ADVOCATE FOR ORPHANS, EDUCATE ON ORPHAN CARE, BUILD COMMUNITY, AND INSPIRE PEOPLE INTO ACTION. BECAUSE OF OUR STORIES,  FEWER CHILDREN ARE CALLED ORPHAN.

    Please visit The Archibald Project's website, Instagram, or Facebook to learn more about this family's and many others' incredible stories. They are an amazing organization and I am so glad I was able to connect with them for this beautiful homecoming!