Chi's Birth Family

I posted a few weeks back that I was searching for Chloe and Chi’s birth families. Last Thursday I discovered an investigator through a friend of mine who was also searching. Come to find out, both her birth family and mine were living near each other. The search was simple and on the following Monday I had pictures, address, and phone number. I have since called her through a Spanish speaking person. The story of his family is all too common in Guatemala and rather lengthy and personal so I won’t share much of it, but just a bit. There are eleven children total. Two came to the U.S many years ago with the father who ran off with them. She has not seen them since. She then married a few more times and Chi was number 10 of 10 boys! The birth mother has predominately been the sole provider and her job is washing clothes for neighbors. She is illiterate. She has placed one other child for adoption in 2001. She placed him and Chi because she could not provide for them at the time. Presently there are seven children living in her one room home made of cinder blocks. The day the investigator arrived there were five tomatoes in the house. Two of the older boys were doing the washing because baby number 11 is only a few weeks old. Number 11 is a baby girl born on Chi’s birthday. The mother is planning to keep her. Who wouldn’t after 10 boys! We have talked as a family and plan to help provide for her and her family. Knowing the history of this family is both disheartening as well as relieving. NOW we have a story to tell Chi when he is older and it will be accurate. I believe in fate and God’s divine will in all areas of life. I know for a fact that HE placed Chi in our home and for a calling and purpose higher than I know. I think of Chi’s personality. He is intelligent, compassionate, gentle spirited, loving, joyful, and so soft. I can’t imagine my little buster living the life his brothers and sister face daily. Truly I don’t think he would have survived (or did I just spoil him?) Anyway I feel at peace and excited to help her raise Chi’s ‘baby sister’.