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PLANO, Texas – Adoptive parents Jim and Susan Yarbrough never thought they’d adopt another child after their 2003 adoption of Vitaly from Russia. But then they hosted an Angel.
The Yarbroughs, parents of Kelly, 19, a freshman at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and Vitaly, now 9, were committed to international adoption and wanted to promote international adoption through Buckner. To that end, they agreed to host a child living in a Russian orphanage during the 2004 Angels from Abroad program.
Initiated in 2004, the Angels program (see sidebar) was created by Buckner International Adoption to expose American families to international adoption. It is designed to allow adoption-minded families the opportunity to host orphan children ages 6-14 when they visit the United States during their summer vacation.
The Russian children stay in host family homes during their visit and participate in several Buckner-organized events, including recreation, Vacation Bible School program, child-centered activities, parties and medical and dental exams. In addition, host families plan their own family activities around the schedule of events.
“We weren’t looking to adopt again, but thought this would be a way to help the program,” recalled Susan, a former special education teacher who is now a homemaker. “We didn’t know who we were going to host. “
We had an ulterior motive,” added Jim, an environmental scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency. “We were lining up families in our church, Fellowship Bible Church North in Plano, to meet the children in the hope that they would consider adoption.”
Three weeks prior to the Angels’ arrival, they found out they would host Masha. The three-minute video they received from Buckner revealed a shy, red-haired 13-year-old gifted with musical talent, but they didn’t know how she would fit into their family for two weeks.
Their doubts melted along with their hearts almost at once when Masha arrived.
“She got there on a Thursday,” Jim remembered, “and there was a picnic on Saturday, Something clicked there with us -- how much she tried , her spirit came out, she was so hard-working and responsible, and all of the other kids looked up to her. That impressed Susan and me.”
“We were surprised by how poised she was and how she fit into the group,” Susan said. “Initially, we were disappointed because we thought she wasn’t available for adoption.”
But Buckner adoption caseworkers discovered during the visit that there was a possibility of adoption. With the new information, the gears started turning among the Yarbroughs immediately.
While Jim and Susan pondered the option, Kelly told them of her excitement about the possibility. Vitaly was a little more settled. He’d already made his mind up that Masha would be his sister.
“We all kind of stumbled into it,” said Kelly, who is studying art and English. “I always wanted a sister. She’s sweet, and we got along great. We were all thinking about adoption, but I think when we actually talked about it together, it became more real.”
Susan explained the family’s quick decision. “With Vitaly’s adoption, it took a long time to arrive, but with Masha, the decision came quick. I think it was God who prepared us.”
Jim agreed. “God prepared our hearts with Vitaly and we were more comfortable with uncertainty. Understandably, the Buckner International Adoption people were careful about advising us about the adoption. It was too uncertain (because Masha’s family’s parental rights had not yet been terminated by authorities in Russia).
After a family meeting, they decided to ask Masha about the possibility of becoming a daughter and a sister, about becoming the second Angel in their home through adoption.
“The last night, they had a going away swimming party,” said Jim. “We asked Masha, and said, ‘This is all up to you.’
“She, in her shy way, nodded her head and said yes, I would,” he recalled. “That was it. But seconds later we saw her talking excitedly to (orphanage director) Galina.”
The adoption proceeded slowly because of Masha’s legal status. During one of two required visits to Russia to finalize the adoption, the Yarbroughs met Masha’s aunt, who Jim said wanted to care for her niece, but was unable financially.
“She said Masha’s future would be limited in Russia,” Jim said. “And she told us, ‘I’m so relieved to meet you.’”
The adoption was finalized July 13. Now, at 14 and just a few months after her adoption, Masha attends school and is quickly catching up on her English. She goes by Nicole at school, is making friends and, according to her, “School is good.”
“I was real nervous about school,” Jim said. “She got here 10 days before school. But she’s done amazingly well in a little over three months,” said Jim. “She’s an amazing person, has a good support group and good teacher and has been positive in trying new things.”
In addition to their Buckner support system, the family also has another natural support group – the other children who were part of the 2004 Angels program and were adopted following their time in Texas. The Yarbroughs recite the names as if they are part of their own family: siblings Masha and Dima, Stacy, Galina, Sergey, Anya and Dima, among others.
Vitaly is ecstatic about having a new sister, as is Kelly, who said, “I would love to be a role model and mentor, someone she can talk to. We can’t talk as much because of language, but we’re getting there. She is still happy to see me when I come home and I get a big hug.
“She likes to go buy makeup and girly things with me,” she explained, adding with a smirk, “and I have another ally.”
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