Ed and Maranda met in 2007 while completing an internship at the International House of Prayer. Before they were even engaged, they decided that if they got married their family would include adopted children, some of whom would have special needs. They were married in 2008 and in 2009 their first child, Daniela, was born. Daniela, now 3 years old, loves to dance, create art, and especially loves all things pretty.
In 2010, they brought home their son, Joseph, from Texas foster care. Joseph, now 9 years old, is a smart boy who loves trucks, dogs and babies, and also happens to have an intellectual disability. Under Ed and Maranda’s care (along with the help of some very talented therapists) Joseph has progressed from being totally dependant on caregivers, unable to speak except in small phrases, and full of fear to being a courageous and talkative little boy who is able to do much of his self-care independently.
Over the course of several months, God has spoken to Ed and Maranda about having a son without legs. Since then, they have been waiting on God to bring him to them. At the end of 2012, as they prayed about God’s plan for them in the new year, they felt the Lord leading them to adopt again. They found Asa’s (soon to be known as Sam) picture as they browsed Reece’s Rainbow one day and as they prayed they knew he was the son God had spoken to them about.
They are excited to travel across the world to bring home their son just as Jesus traveled from heaven to earth to bring us home. They can’t imagine anything more important to do with their lives than to care for these precious ones whom Jesus loves.
4/15/13—DOSSIER EN ROUTE
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at thegomesfamily.wordpress.com