What happens when we say yes? Embracing God’s calling for our lives doesn’t guarantee an easy path ahead. It may be more challenging and uncomfortable than the one we are currently traversing. But, the journey of saying yes gives a front-row view of God’s amazing work. Read Will Hamlin’s story below to witness how a yes to adoption can transform many lives. 

Will’s Story

My name is Will Hamlin, and this is my story. I was born in China with a visual impairment. I am blind and was abandoned at a young age. I lived at an orphanage throughout most of my childhood until I was moved to a foster family when I was seven or eight years old. When I started school, I had to move to a different foster family because they were closer to the school I attended. I really disliked that decision, but I had no choice. Life was not easy with the new foster family, and I had no friends. I fell far behind in school because I was mistreated by my foster family, and I would bring those feelings to school. I felt very alone but began to understand that I needed to change so that my future could change. At that time, I was already in the fifth grade.  

I wanted a new life. I wanted a place. I was not expecting to get adopted by a family that was not even in the same country as I was. I didn’t know how to feel, but I agreed to the adoption, and that is how my life changed. Although I didn’t know it at the time, God was the one changing my life. He gave me a second chance to restart and to be a better person. He saw what I suffered through, and He pulled me out of my misery.  

Still, moving into a new family is not easy, especially being blind. I had to learn a new language, a new culture, and everything else that was completely new to me. I was able to learn English in two years, but even then, it was a struggle. At first, teachers used LEGO^® pieces to teach me math and magnet letters to teach me how to read and spell. That was very hard, but I persevered. Over time, things got easier.  

However, I started to realize that being blind bothered me. I never had to worry about it in China because nobody cared about what I could do, so I didn’t care either. When I came here, I learned that a blind person can do the same things as sighted people, and that’s when I started fighting: fighting for my freedom and for my independence. I wanted to be able to live independently, so I started to think about what I could do with my new freedom and my new future. Music opened up my world. It allowed me to see the possibilities, so I started to learn how to play the trumpet and the piano. I knew it was my future because it felt so natural to me and allowed me to communicate with people, even without understanding English.  

Since then, I have started to expand my musical talent. I have played in the middle and high school concert bands as well as my church’s praise band. In the seventh grade, I joined the marching band. That was not easy, but through determination and some very nice friends, I am still marching in the band. Obviously, I wouldn’t be able to do any of that without help. My teachers were very patient with me and helped me. Also, my parents were always behind me and supported me. Without them, none of my musical opportunities would be possible. Learning to be independent has not been easy, but I believe that I can achieve it, and I believe that I will. 

What If?

Will’s mother recently wondered about how her son’s life would have looked differently if he had not been adopted–if the Hamlins had not said yes.  

What if we had not said yes? What if he had aged out? What if he had never come home? I know the answer, and it is unthinkable to me now because he is my son.  

The “what ifs” swirled around in my heart as I watched our son apply to college. When Will came home, he had no vision of a future. He didn’t think he would go to high school, much less college. His “what ifs” are heartbreaking and bleak: Will would have gone to the “second orphanage,” where he would have spent the rest of his life. He may have been cared for by the more able-bodied adult orphans, or he may have been one of the luckier ones who took care of the more feeble adult orphans. There would have been no high school, no band concerts, no college, no family to cheer him on, and no future. Now, he is applying to four different colleges and will major in music therapy or music education. He has hope and a future, and he has a family to cheer him on. Even though his life has dramatically changed because of our yes, our family has been forever changed, and we are the ones who are blessed as the Lord transforms us all.  

Adoption is challenging, and so is the journey to find a true sense of belonging. Will’s story is one example of how challenges like these come together through Christ to bring hope and transformation to children and their families. If Will’s story has encouraged you to say yes to adoption, you can begin your journey today.