The following letter is from Deana Junk. Deana is an adopted LIMIAR teenager.

Dear LIMIAR,

First and foremost I would like to thank everyone who put together such a great “Back to BRASIL trip 2004.” It was truly fantastic and a wonderful 9 day experience for both myself and my mother. Being in BRASIL for 4 months and participating in such an incredible trip has brought back many memories and feelings. As I read Tia Nancy’s letter “Welcome (home) to BRAZIL” I realized that within myself I have personally discovered PRIDE, GRATITUDE, UNDERSTANDING, EMPATHY, HAPPINESS and even more.

PRIDE: When I was adopted as a nine year-old child and came to Canada, I became, to some degree, ashamed of who I was and where I had come from. I wanted so badly to fit in with my peers. Due to this shame and many other reasons, I wanted to forget everything that I was: my heritage, my mother tongue, my nationality, my Brasilian blood..... basically everything that linked to my life before adoption. But as I grow older, my views of who I am and who I would like to become in life have become greater. Today, I am a proud 18 year-old Brasilian girl. As a young adult, I am not ashamed of who I am and I would like to especially thank my mother and family for their support and encouragement. And GOD for giving me peace in my own life and throughout my four month journey in Brasil.

GRATITUDE: As I grow and mature I realize how much I have been given in life. And returning to Brasil has opened my eyes to appreciate even the little things I myself take for granted. I thank GOD for saving me from such a dreadful past and for giving me a second chance in life. I can only hope, wish and pray the same for all the children dying to get out of similar circumstances.

UNDERSTANDING: I have learned that being able to understand the people (especially the children) and society of Brasil is very important. While in Brasil I volunteered at my own orphanage that I had come from. That is where I learned the greatest lessons; that all children are beautiful and unique in their own special ways and that they must be heard. They are our today, our tomorrow and the future. Without them our world is nothing.

EMPATHY: While at my orphanage I quickly grasped and totally understood what each and every single child (young and old) strived for. It was love and compassion. I quickly realized that these children needed me as much as I needed them. These children are less fortunate in many ways, and I told myself that I would try my best to help them by simply being there. To take their hand and guide them to hope for a brighter tomorrow. To hold them when they cried. To kiss them hundreds of times a day to show that they are loved. These children have stolen my heart. As I walked away from this journey with a greater joy in life, I want to thank the children for opening their hearts to me. I only hope I made the same difference in their hearts as they made in mine.

HAPPINESS : I am and have always been a happy person. But when I walk away from such experiences and my own journey, I walk away fulfilled. God has done many great things in my own life. I feel even happier when I give back to the ones who are experiencing the same misery I went through. I am thankful for many things. I would like to thank the children of Brasil for making a difference in my life. They will always be in my heart.

God, family, friends, LIMIAR and the children of BRASIL. Thank-you for making this journey, a life moving experience. Thank you for your understanding, support, love and affection. LIMIAR, I would like to thank you especially, from the bottom of my heart for finding my birth family for me. It was a dream come true for me to be able to connect with them again, without you, it wouldn’t have been possible-THANK-YOU!

Beijos,

Deana Junk (adopted from Brazil at age 9)