Matthew 18:14

Matthew 18:14 used to be the name of this blog. I have since changed it to What it Means to Love, but the address remains 'matthew18vs14'.

"It is not the will of our Father in Heaven that any of these little ones should perish."

I love that verse, and it fits so well with this blog, because that is the underlying theme. Whether it's sharing about children who need families, praying for those stuck in countries no longer open, helping families with fundraising and such to bring their children home, helping families bring their children home by taking care of their other children, or loving on children already home... it's not God's will that ANY of them should perish.

Not Angela.

Not Owen.

Not Mark.

Not Ekaterina.

Not Jacob.

Not Aisha.

Not Lilly.

Not Sutter.

Not Allen.

Not Maria.

Not Hope.

Not Angelia.

He is not willing that ANY should perish. 

Let's be His hands and feet, and do everything in our power to keep them from perishing.

Waiting Wednesday: Sutter

Thank you to all who entered and shared my birthday giveaway for Sutter! Two friends on facebook ended up winning. His grant also jumped a couple hundred dollars! :)

But.

He doesn't have a family yet.

And I found out on Monday that his birthday isn't in the summer like mine, it's in FEBRUARY 2014. 

Which means he doesn't have a year until he ages out, he has SIX MONTHS!

When I posted on my birthday, I only knew the year he was born, and hoped it would be later in the year, but no.

HE HAS SIX MONTHS.

Then he will turn 16, age out and be sent to one of the worst adult mental institutions in his country. I visited that institution when I was in his country on a mission trip.

I also visited the orphanage he is currently at, and I'm pretty sure I met him, even though I didn't get any pictures.

But the institution he'll go to.

I was literally sick to my stomach at some of the things I saw there.

Sutter can not walk, so he will be confined to one of the bedridden rooms, the worst place in the institution. He will be confined to a bed the rest of his life, lying in his own waste and not ever going outside.

THIS CAN'T HAPPEN. HE CAN'T GO THERE.

 I'm begging you, please.

HE NEEDS A FAMILY NOW.

If you can't go get him, SHARE SHARE SHARE his picture and his story. And donate to his grant if you can.

But most important PRAY. PLEASE PRAY for a family to step up and get him before it's too late. (A family must be filed to USCIS before his birthday.)

Thank you.

Some more about him from someone who has met him:

 - Sutter is easygoing and organized.

- Sutter is a really smart boy. He likes to make puzzles and he can solve them really fast. His favorite game was copying a picture and rebuild it with little colored pins on a board with holes. If you try to fool him, he will say ‘no’ and start to laugh contagious. I’m sure that he would be able to participate in some kind of education.

- He had several operations as a child, which improved his locomotion, but after his growth spurt he lost some of his mobility again. He tries to walk with crutches and he gets PT for it. With the right medical care I’m pretty sure he would be able to walk.

- Some days he is really kind for the other children in his group and then he acts really helpful. Other moments he tries to get all the attention. He would do very well in a family, where he gets the attention he deserves.

Visit his page here: Sutter

My birthday. :)

Today is my birthday.

So three things.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

#1-

I had hoped and counted on mom and dad being gone getting my new baby sister for my birthday, but it looks like it will be awhile yet. :(

Read the adoption update here on my mom's blog here: Well, we have news...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

#2-

Me and my birthday Buddy, Aaron Nalle!

Aaron was adopted from a mental institute in Ukraine. He spent too many birthdays on his own, but now he is home and healing with his family.

Happy Birthday Aaron!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

#3-

I put out a plea on facebook today.

It's my birthday today, and can I ask you a favor? This is Sutter. Like me, he is also turning 15 this year, he has cerebral palsy, and he is waiting for a family in EE.

I was at his orphanage, I was at the institution he will end up at (when he ages out next year), and no person should ever have to live in either of those places. I'm also pretty sure I met him. He needs out ASAP before he runs out of time!

Would you be willing to donate just $15 to his grant? As a present to me, and as an effort to save his life.

And if you donate today, let me know and I'll enter you in a drawing to win a free custom hat of your choice (see here). Email me at forhisgloryhandiwork(at)gmail(dot)com or comment here.

The link to donate is: SUTTER and THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!