Retirees George and Willi Wheeler adopted Yana from a Russian orphanage when she was six.
Retirees
George and Willi Wheeler adopted Yana from a Russian orphanage when she
was six. "I couldn't get her out of my mind," says George Wheeler
recalling a Rotary trip two years ago to deliver medical supplies to the
orphanage. "When I looked at (Yana) there was no spark in her eyes. Yet
I was being drawn to this young girl. God was drawing me to her."
UMNS#262 6/21/04
By Wally Athey*
SUN
CITY WEST, Ariz. (UMNS)-- Retired from two successful careers. Grown
children and wonderful grandchildren. Living in an age-restricted
community of fellow retirees. Freedom to travel and pursue hobbies.
Willi and George Wheeler of Sun City West, Ariz., were all set to enjoy
the golden years, the fruits of their labors and the gifts of God.
But
God had another gift waiting for the Wheelers. A then six-year-old girl
living in a Russian orphanage on an island just north of Japan captured
their hearts and changed their lives.
"I
couldn't get her out of my mind," says George Wheeler recalling a
Rotary trip two years ago to deliver medical supplies to the orphanage.
"When I looked at (Yana) there was no spark in her eyes. Yet I was being
drawn to this young girl. God was drawing me to her."
Willi
remembers George's return, "He kept saying 'If I talk the talk (a
Christian life), I've got to walk the walk.'" Looking back at the events
that unfolded, she sees God's 'thumbprints' throughout every step they
took.
Their
friends at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church weren't amazed
at their decision. However, some did ask, "You're doing what?"
George
says, "We started the paperwork for adoption, and felt God's presence
with us at every turn." During many trips to Korsakov, Sakhalin Island,
they came to know several Russian officials who helped them through the
process.
Although
somewhat surprised, their three grown children in Portland, Ore., and
Memphis, Tenn., along with the six grandchildren, supported and
encouraged them.
The Wheelers moved to a new neighborhood so Yana would have a place to play.
The
retirement community where George and Willi Wheeler lived did not allow
children as residents and there were no schools for Yana to attend.
They decided to sell their home of nearly 10 years and move. God again
smoothed the way for this new family. UMNS#262 6/21/04
But
the retirement community where they lived did not allow children as
residents and there were no schools for Yana to attend. George and Willi
decided to sell their home of nearly 10 years and move. God again
smoothed the way for this new family.
A friend and associate pastor at another church was ready to buy their home even before it went on the market.And
after countless house tours, "We spotted this one home after church and
it was just right. It was in an excellent school district, and it was
ours by 2 p.m." said Willi of this particular thumbprint.
When
Yana arrived in the United States she was turning eight years old. The
Wheelers decided to enroll her in the first grade, and they discovered
another thumbprint.“Her
first teacher was a woman who was our age and who really cared for the
children," said Willi. "She has worked with Yana to integrate her, to
give her success."
George and Willi see a difference in Yana. They can see it in her eyes. There's a sparkle there.
And there's a sparkle in George and Willi's eyes as they see God's thumbprint on their lives as they return to active parenting.
*Wally Athey is the conference communicator for the Desert Southwest Annual Conference.
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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