Missouri Adoption Story

Family tells their story of adoption
Malia Xi, Yong Zhu Berends -- a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl who’s name means enchanted pearl from the west.

At only 20-months-old, Malia met her parents, George and Marla Berends, and made a trip from Kunming, Yunan Province, People’s Republic of China, to Missouri.

Of course, Marla and George began their adoption quest two years before actually being able to meet and hold their little girl.

In October of 2003, Marla and George had seven grown children between them, but they had a heart-felt passion for making their plans to adopt from China a dream come true.