I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.
I thought I was right where I wanted to be. I had finally retired, my 3 grown children were independent and pursuing careers, and my wife and I had moved to our dream home on the lake. Nothing left to do but sit back and enjoy life…. then God laughed, smiled and said “I know the plans I have for you” and “my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways”.
After retiring in 2017, I was serving with one of my best friends and Christian Brothers, Jay Artnzen, with Saving Susan Ministry. I decided to join a team on a Mission Trip to Cambodia to visit the children we served and to get to know the in-country missionaries who had committed their lives to help these orphans grow in the knowledge of Christ to and be Christian leaders in their own country. It was my first trip to Cambodia and I had no specific expectations or plans; I was just “going with the flow”. Which for those who know me, that alone was a miracle. On that trip, I met a young Cambodian man named Soun Mesa. Nothing specifically stood out about him, it was just this internal “nudge” that said, “this is why you are here”. I spent time with all the children, including Soun Mesa, and returned home still not sure what the connection would really be. A few weeks later, Jay asked about my experience and informed me that Soun Mesa would soon “age out” of the orphan community and without a Parent Partner would not be eligible for the College Scholarship provided by Saving Susan Ministry. I was so glad Jay encouraged me to take action and that day my wife and I added Soun Mesa into our family. I became his “Pa”. Over the next several months we connected through our Skype calls and our relationship grew. We loved Soun Mesa as our own. I felt that I had done what God had asked of me and my life was full. Then God laughed and smiled again.
On my trip back to Cambodia the following year, I was excited to see Soun Mesa again. During the talent show the kids at the orphanage put on, there was another young man named Buntheang that sang a song called “In Jesus Christ, we are one family”. I felt the nudge again. But I thought, surely I had enough on my plate already, there is only so much one person can do, where do I have room in my life and heart for another child? But I recalled how God had shown me earlier in my life that His love does not have limits, it is not finite but it expands the more it is given away. And he whispered to me that the same principle applied to the love I show to others. “Trust me,” He said. I took that to heart and we decided to add Buntheang to our family as well. But before doing that, I wanted to let Soun Mesa know that we were adding Buntheang to our family. I was worried that he would feel “slighted” and maybe even a little jealous if we added another child at the orphan community to our family. I approached him a little apprehensively and shared the news. I think he could see I was worried and he gave me the sweetest smile and said, “It’s okay Pa, he’s my friend too”. So that day, I became father to 5 children.
I now have 3 biological children here in the U.S. and 2 “spiritually adopted” children in Cambodia. I love each and every one of them with all my heart. God continues to bless my wife and me with an ever-expanding family that now includes 4 grandchildren. I don’t know when the next time God, my Heavenly Father will laugh, smile, and show me new ways to share his love with others. But I do know that whenever He does, it will be an amazing experience, and Love Will Grow!
Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers and Father Figures out there!
Steve Malandro
Saving Susan Board of Directors - Strategic Growth Officer
