In an extraordinary journey of faith and resilience, one couple’s devastating loss transformed into a mission of love that would change the lives of eight children forever. Joy and Stephan’s story demonstrates how tragedy can evolve into an unexpected calling, as they built a family through adoption, embracing children with special needs and creating a legacy of unconditional love.
From heartbreak to healing: The beginning of their journey
After marrying in 1994, Joy and Stephan had simple dreams of raising two children and traveling the world. They welcomed their daughter Mélika, followed by their son Jacob. However, their world shattered when Jacob passed away at eight and a half months old. The devastating discovery that they couldn’t have more biological children deepened their grief.
Opening their hearts to adoption
Their adoption journey began when they welcomed two daughters through a distant family connection. Still feeling a deep longing for another baby, they explored domestic infant adoption, initially considering children with manageable medical needs like hearing loss or cleft palate.
A turning point came when they learned about a 12-year-old boy in the Philippines, legally named “Baby Boy,” who needed a family. Unable to host him due to visa restrictions with his unusual legal name, they chose to adopt him instead.
Divine intervention leads to three brothers
Their family continued to grow when they learned about three brothers needing a home. While praying about the decision, they received what they believed was a divine sign during a sermon about the Christmas carol ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.’ The brothers’ names – Em, Eman, and Emmanuel – matched the breakdown of the hymn’s title, confirming their decision to proceed despite the usual two-year waiting period between adoptions.
Embracing children with special needs
The couple’s dedication to children with special needs became evident when they adopted Asher, a two-month-old in hospice care. Despite doctors’ predictions that she had only days to live and would never see, hear, or feel emotions, Asher defied expectations, bringing joy to her family until her passing.
Their commitment continued with Zayden, a boy with Down syndrome and complex medical needs who has undergone nearly 80 surgeries by age four and a half. Despite his challenges, Zayden’s loving nature touches everyone he meets. The family later welcomed Mila, another child with Down syndrome, whose strong-willed personality brings a different dynamic to their home.
A father’s perspective on purpose
Stephan, who initially resisted adoption, now advocates for other fathers to consider their life’s purpose. He challenges them, saying, “We need to stop just thinking about retiring to play golf and go fishing. These are fun things, but what’s your purpose in life? What kind of legacy will you leave behind?”
Through their journey, Joy and Stephan have demonstrated how saying “yes” to unexpected challenges can lead to profound fulfillment and create lasting impact in the lives of children who need loving homes.
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