Hello, and welcome to our AdoptTogether page! We are Jeff and Joanna Malm, and we are in the process of adopting Vera, a vivacious 13-year-old girl from Ukraine.
Last summer, my brother and his family hosted Vera through the Host Orphans Worldwide program. During her three-month visit in Colorado, Jeff and I made strong connections with Vera, swimming in our community pool, taking walks, going on shopping excursions, and enjoying weekly gatherings with our large extended family. We grew to cherish this gentle, expressive Ukrainian girl who loves to sing and dance and be the center of attention. When my brother hosted Vera again for the Christmas holidays, it became clear to us that Jeff and I could provide the loving family and focused attention Vera needs to thrive. My brother was thrilled that, although his family was not able to adopt her, he was instrumental in connecting Vera with a forever family.
Returning Vera to Ukraine after the Christmas holidays was heart-wrenching because we feared war with Russia was imminent. Vera’s eagerness to become part of our family motivated us to work as quickly as possible to complete our home study and the required parent training for adoption. When the war began, our greatest concern was for Vera’s safety, as her orphanage was in an area captured and occupied by the Russians. After a harrowing journey across Ukraine in mid-March, the entire orphanage was miraculously evacuated to Italy. We are so grateful that Vera no longer faces the danger and trauma of living in a war zone.
Because of the war, adoptions from Ukraine are on hold until the courts re-open. We continue to make all the preparations we can from our side and communicate with Vera regularly, keeping up our relationship with her as we wait. This summer we traveled to Italy and enjoyed two weeks with Vera and other children from her orphanage. What a joyful reunion to have that time together and solidify our commitment to her! We eagerly anticipate the day when our adoption is finalized and Vera comes to Colorado as our daughter.
Jeff and I both have a passion to reach out to the marginalized and forgotten in our community, and we are eager to welcome Vera into our home and family. Adoption is an intense process and a big investment. You might be surprised to learn that international adoption costs can easily total $50,000 or more. This is why we have set a goal of $45,000 to help make Vera’s adoption possible.
Would you pray for us and consider helping financially as we continue this journey? Not everyone is able to host or adopt an orphan, but we would love to invite you to be a part of the story that God is writing to bring Vera into our family.
As all the hustle and bustle of the holidays is upon us, it’s an important time to think of those who do not have the warmth and joy of family and treasured Christmas traditions. Our hearts go out to them, especially as we know so many of these Ukrainian orphans hosted in Italy and grew to love them over the time that we spent with them this past summer. These children are blessed with a place of safety and provisions in the kind, generous care of the people of the little town of Rota d’Imagna, Italy. We are headed to Italy over the Christmas holidays to work together with the Italians and the Ukrainian teachers to help create a special and fun Christmastime for these children. We are excited to spend time with Vera, and we ask for prayers that we could be a blessing to each of the children and teachers this holiday season!
Here are some pictures from our time with Vera in Colorado and also when we visited her in Italy!
