Trouble in Paradise

Well, just as we didn't expect the problems we encountered the day after our court date in Penza, so we didn't anticipate that in the first week home we would be confronted with some very strong challenges!

The Clarks are visiting us from Texas. You will remember that they adopted three teenage sisters from the same orphanage that Sam and Jessica come from. They have been having problems with their girls related to rebellion as they adjust (slowly) to family dynamics. Russian orphans do not learn family dynamics (most essentially that the parents are in charge and that the children are not) in the orphanage. So many (most) families find this one of the most difficult transitions. With the introduction of the Clark girls it has excellerated the process for Jessica (Sam is doing fine, so far), and she is angry at us for restricting her access to one of the Clark sisters! But we are concerned about the influence that this particular girl will have on Jessica. It is a long story, but suffice it to say that the assumption of the Russian orphans (in general, apparently) is that "love" means letting them do whatever they want to do. And, let's face it, American teenagers are not so very different!

So pray for us! We have to, literally, teach Sam and Jessica what true love is. Pray 1 Corinthians 13 over our family! We have faith for this and all of the challenges that are before us, but that faith assumes the prayers of our friends and family.

Glen is preaching at church on Sunday, January 1st and we will be introducing our new children to the congregation. Pray that attitudes and emotions will be in line with what God is doing in our midst! Thank you!

Blessings,

The Haworth Family in Chino