An estimated 600,000 children living in Russia are without parental care, but in 2003 a lucky 5,209 children were adopted into families living in the United States. Last year, science and math teacher Michael Myers gave one more child a home.

Mr. Myers adopted a daughter from Russia in September 2004. Katerina will celebrate her first birthday with her new family February 28 when she turns three.

Other couples Mr. Myers knows have adopted, and this raised his interest. “I believe that it is my responsibility to provide hope for others who are less fortunate. Scripturally, taking care of orphans and widows is considered ‘good’ religion by God,” says Mr. Myers. “As a Christian, I felt compelled by my faith to act on this principle in this manner.”

Mr. Myers and his wife, Donna, already have two sons, ages four and five. “We knew we had room in our home and hearts to love another child…there are many children around the world who are in need of a home,” says Mrs. Myers.

The idea of having a new sister excited Mr. Myers’ sons. “As soon as [my sons] heard that we were going to adopt, they were like, ‘Leave now and go get her,’” says Mr. Myers. “They think she’s the greatest.”

“During an adoption, the process of loving a child takes on a much different nature,” adds Mr. Myers. “Initially, love is really a commitment to meet the needs of this child regardless of how the child accepts or rejects you.”

With this new addition to his family, change is inevitable. “With more children comes the responsibility to live less selfishly,” says Mr. Myers. “Ultimately, I believe that I will need to focus more and more on meeting the needs of all three of my children.”

Neither Mr. Myers nor his wife speak Russian, so teaching Katerina English will pose a challenge. But, says Mr. Myers, “We want her to know about [her culture], and we’ll always keep the door open for her to explore that.” Unlike so many adopted children who struggle to find out where they came from, if Katerina chooses to know about her birth parents, Mr. and Mrs. Myers know both their names and where they live.

The adoption was a two-step process that required multiple trips to Russia. The first visit in July was to confirm that they wanted the child. They returned in September to gain legal custody of Katerina in court and bring her home.

The family chose foreign adoption because of “the time frame for waiting for a child, the fact that we wanted a younger child and the security with which you know the child is legally yours once she is in your home,” says Mrs. Myers.

“Since I have adopted I have consistently reminded myself that when situations seem tough, they will always be better down the road,” says Mr. Myers. “I have had to focus on making our new daughter feel welcomed and needed and in time my feelings for her will grow.”