The Tugwell Family Story
After years of infertility and loss, Noel and I realized that our journey into parenthood was going to be different than what we had planned – we were to be Mom and Dad to those without parents. In 2002, we began the adoption process for our first child, Lily, who at 8 months of age left her government-run Chinese orphanage for her new home with us, her forever family!
In 2006, despite not having the necessary financial resources, Noel and I felt a longing to expand our family. After contemplating how we could possibly start our second adoption, we were amazed to receive an offer of a generous, private donation which began our second adoption journey – this time for two sons in Haiti.
We went to meet our sons Silas and Titus in July 2007. This journey would prove to be a more challenging “faith walk” as our children were very malnourished. Silas, at 21 months of age, was the older and stronger of the two. Titus weighed just 9 pounds at 7 months old when we held him for the first time. After spending a week caring for them, heartache filled us as we had to leave our boys in an orphanage where their basic needs often went unmet. We prayed and believed, however, they would be strong enough to survive until their adoption paperwork was completed – until they could be brought home. Sadly, this plan was not to be. We received news that our beloved son, Titus, died in his sleep September 19, 2007 at nine months of age – only two short months after we had visited him.
Titus’ death, most likely the result of malnutrition, is tragic though not in vain. As one dear friend told us shortly after his death, “Titus most definitely served a purpose in his short life, and his life will count for more than the number of his days he lived.” Her encouraging words, along with the tremendous love and support of our family and community, allowed The Titus Task to begin taking
shape in our hearts and minds. We quickly saw that Titus’ life could impact the life of other orphans – perhaps many more could see a life that Titus never saw.
The month after Titus died I visited our son Silas in Haiti. While there, I came to know an amazing 10 year old boy named Louis. After much thought and prayer, Noel and I came to believe Louis was to be welcomed into our family. Silas blessed our home with his presence in March 2009. On January 21, 2010, just days after the tragic earthquake, doors were opened for us to go to Haiti and finally bring Louis home. God, in all His faithfulness, has completed our family.
Click here to read more about the miraculous homecoming of Louis! The story is posted on our blog on May 10, 2010.
In 2006, despite not having the necessary financial resources, Noel and I felt a longing to expand our family. After contemplating how we could possibly start our second adoption, we were amazed to receive an offer of a generous, private donation which began our second adoption journey – this time for two sons in Haiti.
We went to meet our sons Silas and Titus in July 2007. This journey would prove to be a more challenging “faith walk” as our children were very malnourished. Silas, at 21 months of age, was the older and stronger of the two. Titus weighed just 9 pounds at 7 months old when we held him for the first time. After spending a week caring for them, heartache filled us as we had to leave our boys in an orphanage where their basic needs often went unmet. We prayed and believed, however, they would be strong enough to survive until their adoption paperwork was completed – until they could be brought home. Sadly, this plan was not to be. We received news that our beloved son, Titus, died in his sleep September 19, 2007 at nine months of age – only two short months after we had visited him.
Titus’ death, most likely the result of malnutrition, is tragic though not in vain. As one dear friend told us shortly after his death, “Titus most definitely served a purpose in his short life, and his life will count for more than the number of his days he lived.” Her encouraging words, along with the tremendous love and support of our family and community, allowed The Titus Task to begin taking
shape in our hearts and minds. We quickly saw that Titus’ life could impact the life of other orphans – perhaps many more could see a life that Titus never saw.
The month after Titus died I visited our son Silas in Haiti. While there, I came to know an amazing 10 year old boy named Louis. After much thought and prayer, Noel and I came to believe Louis was to be welcomed into our family. Silas blessed our home with his presence in March 2009. On January 21, 2010, just days after the tragic earthquake, doors were opened for us to go to Haiti and finally bring Louis home. God, in all His faithfulness, has completed our family.
Click here to read more about the miraculous homecoming of Louis! The story is posted on our blog on May 10, 2010.
