In October 2007 we decided that we were ready to adopt. It had been something my husband and I had discussed since we were first married. Drawn to Ethiopia and its children, we began the search for an agency. We thought a bigger agency would be best for us but on a whim I dialed a number for Hope Adoption Agency. Shimiless Demassie, the owner of Hope, answered the phone. No other agency had been able to put me right through. Shimiless spoke with me for over an hour, answering all of my questions. We couldn’t believe that he would take the time to make us feel at ease about our decision to adopt. In doing that he made it very easy for us to choose Hope.
We planned on adopting a baby boy. I actually wanted to adopt more than one child but my husband was more reluctant. So we were waiting patiently for our baby boy referral when one day a Hope mom, who had recently returned from picking up her children, shared some information on an older boy that was a friend of her son. I was so intrigued and asked Hope if I could have more information on him. I received a small thumbnail picture of him but instantly I knew he was my son. His smile was so sweet. I was captivated by him. His name was Mintesinot.
My husband was not on board immediately because he was thinking of the financial side of the adoption as well as having another mouth to feed and going from the parent of one to the parent of three over night. (We were still in the process of adopting an infant boy.) I understood his reluctance but continued to pray that God would allow this; that we could find a way to bring him into our home the way he was already in my heart. After my husband had seen his picture it was not long before he too felt Mintesinot was meant to be our son. So we put into motion what would become a six month process of adopting Minte.
We were able to bring Minte home in August of 2008. We have been home almost two months now and I can honestly say it is like he has always been with us. He and his brother Aiden are always wrestling and playing just like brothers do. He has a sweet spirit and is sensitive and loving. Our lives are changed because we realized now that he was what was missing all along.
People fear older child adoption because of the baggage that comes with it. I don’t disagree that there are some emotional issues to contend with, but such is life. If you have ever found yourself curious about older child adoption, do your research and prepare yourself, it is not always easy. But there is not a day that goes by that I regret our choice to adopt Mintesinot. I am truly blessed that God chose me to be his mother.
The Wilkinson Family
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