Fund raising has begun on a campaign to help Anthony and Nikki Esquivel, of Holly Springs, NC, adopt a son, Ezequiel (Zeke) from the Philippines. Zeke is just eighteen months old and was born with Down Syndrome and a minor heart defect. He was on the “hard to place” list but following the Esquivel’s application, Zeke’s name was been removed from the available for adoption list. The Esquivels have filed all the necessary paperwork to adopt Zeke and are waiting for only two things: the final approval from the Philippines and the finances to complete the process. Anthony Esquivel commented, “Nikki and I have been very blessed to have two biological children and to adopt two special needs children from my native homeland, the Philippines. With each child, our family has been richly blessed. When we read about Zeke in our adoption agency newsletter, Nikki and I prayerfully considered whether we could open our hearts to another child. We are not unaware of the lifelong commitment we are making. We have talked, prayed, anguished and rejoiced over the many facets of adopting a child with Down Syndrome but believe every life is precious to God and every child deserves a home. Resting on these two truths, we are cautiously moving forward, eager to share our love and our lives with Zeke. We are anxious to bring him home, hopefully before his second birthday on December 17, 2009.”

The Esquivels are familiar with special needs adoption. As Nikki Esquivel pointed out, “When one first considers adoption, you are confronted with a life changing decision — to accept or reject children with specific medical, psychological or physical conditions. With my background in special education and Anthony’s heart for children in need, we were quickly given a file on a beautiful three year old boy with a hearing loss, a speech delay and some cognitive issues, named Kyle. Our hearts just melted. In the months it took for the process to be completed, I made and sent Kyle a photo album containing pictures of us. Little Kyle carried the album wherever he went. When we finally received approval, the entire family flew to the Philippines to bring Kyle home. As we entered the compound where he stayed, his eyes lit up with joy as soon as he saw us. He rapidly flipped the pages of his photo album and excitedly pointed at the photos of each of us. Kyle had been waiting for us. He had believed all along, we were coming for him and he has been a light in our lives since that moment.”

Just a year after Kyle’s adoption, the Esquivels’ were again confronted with a special needs adoption. An eight year old boy from the Philippines had been brought to the US for adoption, only to have his adoption halted by his intended adoptive family. The little boy was said to have attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder with significant behavioral issues. This was uncharted territory, but the Esquivels agreed to pray and consider meeting this little boy. After talking with their older children about what could be a “rough transition” were they to adopt this child, they went to the psychiatric center where the child was being held to meet him for the first time. Little Lemuel was heavily sedated yet clearly suffering emotionally. That was three years ago. Today, Lemuel Esquivel is doing wonderfully emotionally, spiritually and physically surrounded by loving parents and siblings.

Friends of Ezequiel was formed to help the Esquivels bring Baby Zeke home through encouraging prayer and financial support. Co-Chairperson, Cynthia Gebelein expressed the sentiments of many of those supporting Friends of Ezequiel, “It takes two exceptional people to undertake what the Esquivels are doing. Their faith and their love for children, with and without special needs, guide them in whatever they do. I cannot imagine two better parents or a more loving home for little Zeke.”

Roughly $16,000 is needed for the Esquivels to complete the adoption process. Each day members of the Friends of Ezequiel Facebook group page grows in loving and prayerful support of the Esquivel’s adoption efforts. While a few contributions have already been made, the group is far from reaching its goal. Donations can be made out to Anthony and Nikki Esquivel (Please put Friends of Ezequiel on the memo line.) and mailed to P.O. Box 1342, Holly Springs, NC 27540, or donations can be deposited at any Crescent State Bank branch to the account of Nikki Esquivel and Melissa Hoover for Friends of Ezequiel, or deposited through PayPal by logging onto www.bringinghomezeke.blogspot.com and clicking on the PayPal link. All donations, regardless of size, will be considered a blessing.

For further information contact Friends of Ezequiel Chairperson,Cynthia Gebelein at (919)567-2725.