All in the family: The Loewen family adopts Sofia-Grace
By Eric Clark
News Editor
For Loren and Nolly Loewen, the thought of adding an additional child to their family was brought about by their love for children and their desire to serve God.
Both have enjoyed their children and the camaraderie between their children.
So when it came time to talk about adding an additional child, the two agreed adoption was the most positive solution.
"It wasn't necessarily an easy, quick decision," Loren said of the adoption.
"It's something we've always wanted to do," Nolly said. "God solidified it in our hearts about two Christmases ago. Loren was ready, and he said 'Let's do it,' and we did."
Enter the newest addition to the Loewen family, Sofia-Grace Hui Qinq.
For the past 16 months, the Loewens worked with the Great Wall China Adoption Agency, a licensed non-profit organization specializing in adoption for singles and couples. GWCA has two home offices, one in Austin, Texas, and the other in Beijing, China.
Since 1996, the agency has placed over 2,000 children in American homes, according to the agency's website.
Like many before them, the Loewens were especially pleased with their interaction with the agency during the process of adopting Sofia-Grace.
"We had no trouble (adopting Sofia-Grace) other than the long wait because of the SARS (epidemic)," Nolly said. "They (GWCA) helped us get through the paperwork process and our guides actually did much of the paperwork for us while in China. It was a really smooth process."
According to the couple, the agency insures no interference with biological relatives (i.e. custody battles).
In fact, in China, it is a crime to abandon a child. So the family that abandons the child is cautious not to reveal their identity. In China, abandonment of a child carries a prison sentence.
The Loewens, who have four biological children, including twins Julia and Maria, 14-year olds, Clara, a nine-year old, and Tessa, a six-year old, said the addition of Sofia-Grace has been a "perfect fit."
"The amazing thing to me, is how well she seems to be fitting into our family," Loren said. "I'm really convinced that God had a hand in this. When we went to pick her up, she was by far the best (considering her response to us compared to other parents in the travel group.) We were ready for her not to take to us, but overall she's been great. It's clear that God had her waiting for us."
In their quest to adopt their
