Sunday, July 24, 2011

Urgent! Vanya needs a family!!!

Vanya.

A 13 year old Ukrainian boy who needs a host family.


He is already on his way to America, and may be already here. All of the 15 children coming have families, except him! Here is a post from An adoptive mommy - Janice at We're taking Baby Steps.


This morning I am reaching out to you-- my friends, my co-horts in adoption, my family members and my bloggy readers-- for help with something very important and very close to my heart!

This Saturday July 23rd, just four short days away, a group of 15 amazing children looking for a family are coming to the United States from the Ukraine.  These are children who range in age from 5-13 who have lived their entire lives in orphanages, and now through the help of a group called Redline United, they have the hope of finding families to love them and call them their own.

Each of these children, or sibling groups, get assigned a "host family" for the three weeks that they are here-- July 23 thru August 13th.  Each of the host families pays for the costs associated with getting the child they are hosting here to the US-- plane tickets, passports, etc.  The total cost for this is $2750.

Redline's mission with each of these children is to find them a home first and foremost.  It could ultimately be with the family who hosts them, or a different family whom they meet through one of many activities and informational meetings they set up throughout the weeks.  Last year ALL of the 16 children who were hosted found families!!!!  All of them have been adopted already or are in the process of being adopted!!  Amazing.

Well this year there are 15 children coming, and all but one of them have host families.
Just one child, sweet 13 year old Vanya, is without a family to stay with here in the US.




Can you help us find him a host family???

The program is held in the Raleigh, NC area but you don't even have to live there to host this precious boy!  You can live anywhere in the United States.  Living in this area would give him access to the three week camp and activities, but their primary objective is to find this child a permanent home after camp is over, so they are open to host families anywhere.

The main deterrent for many families in hosting is of course the cost. 

Can you help Vanya find a host family by donating what you can to help cover his hosting fee??


I am setting up a chip-in on the side of my blog  (bottom of this post on Matthew 18:14) for donations.  Please, please consider donating!!  Every little bit can add up for this child!!!

Donations toward his hosting can also be made on the Redline website (so that they are tax deductible) athttp://www.redlineunited.org/donate/family-assistance-2/ with "Vanya hosting" in the memo, or checks can be made out to Redline United with the same (mailed to PO Box 31045, Raleigh, NC 27622-1045).

So Come On Everyone!!!  $2750 is not that much when divided up between many!!!  We can do this!!!  God can do this!  This child needs this opportunity to find a family of his own.  He needs to be able to come to the US with the other children and know what being in a family feels like.  Let's help him to have a CHANCE!
Please help by donating if you can!!!


Below is a little about Vanya, and the program, sent to me by one of the program's coordinators Amanda Devore:
"Vanya is 13 years old.  He is a quiet and sweet young man and is the oldest of all the children coming for the hosting program.  He lives in a poor rural orphanage in the Crimea region of Ukraine and has been in the orphanage system for at least 3 years. 

Redline United has been doing mission work in Ukraine since July 2007.  Our key focus has been to bring the love of Christ to orphans that are otherwise alone in the world.  We fell in love with these children and wanted to be a part of God's plan to place these lonely children into loving families (Psalm 68:6).  Last year we brought 16 children to Raleigh, NC to be hosted for a three week trip of a lifetime with a family.  While the children are here they get to learn about Jesus in our vacation Bible school camp, take English lessons, visit doctors, and experience things they could have never imagined -- like seeing the ocean for the first time and riding a bike.  The best part of the experience for them, is getting to be a part of a family - for some of them it's their first time.  This year we are bringing 15 more children.  We are hopeful that while the children are here we may be able to introduce them to a forever family!"

We helped out with this program last year and got to meet all the incredible children who came to the US last summer. Let me just say, it changed our lives and the lives of our children.  We only got to assist with this camp for two days, and that was all it took to open our hearts and our children's hearts to the plight of the orphan.  Our kids got to see that those children were just like them!  They loved to play, have fun and learn.  And they wanted the love of a family.  It was a major catalyst as well in spurring us on towards the adoption of older children.

Let's help Vanya know the love of a family.  Give him the opportunity to be one less orphan in this world.  Please.




Janice posted another post about him here - They are Arriving Soon! But he still needs a host family! Spread the word, and donate to his Chip-In!

Another place that needs families to host children is the Fresh Air Fund! Even though summer is started, they still needs hundreds of families to host! Please click on their button below to find out more!


Saturday, July 23, 2011

Speaking for the Silent!



One of my favorite things (besides seeing them find families, come home, and blossom!) about advocating for these precious children is the people I get to meet along the way. One of the people I've met who is a fellow advocator - Caleb Lococo!


You can find him on his blog Swimming AGAINST the Tide, but he is most known from the ministry he founded with a few others - Speaking For the Silent. I've had the pleasure of getting to know him in the last few months. He met my mom and my Auntie Debbie in Ukraine when they were bringing Elijah home, and he was helping to bring his sister home. Boy, are he and his family awesome!!! We both have a ton of things in common (lots of younger sibling, adopted siblings, similar family vans, orphan advocators, etc) and he has helped me with a very special mission! ;D

Here is a post from Caleb:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Orphan Ministry is a special calling for a special group of people. While that doesn't make it exclusive or anything of that sort, Ministry requires superhuman amounts of emotional strength and perseverance. And if you don't feel compelled or driven, you'll probably find that this isn't quite your thing. No matter, though, everybody has a different calling in life. God knows where you'd fit best, and if it's not orphan care, its not Orphan Care!

At the same time, though, I feel like not enough people- especially guys, Christian and non-believing, try and get Orphan Care. Even if they're not called to it, at the very least, care of orphans falls into  the category of Human decency.  But anyway, I digress.

The purpose of following God's call in your life is, from my humble perspective, a matter of being a prophet for it and getting the Word out. Not just THE word (cue thunder and lightning) like the Gospels, but proclaiming that which God has drawn you towards to the rest of the world.

And in order to do that, I've made a short Promo Video, explaining our mission and what we're all about.


Speaking for the Silent Promotional Video from Caleb Lococo on Vimeo.

My hope is that through this video, the blog can get more circulation in a far easier fashion. I know I write insanely long posts. I thank all of you wholeheartedly who forge through them. But in a society of tweets and 420 character Facebook Statuses, I needed something short and sweet, yet affective.

Which brings me to the meaning of the title in Parentheses. Today, Tuesday, July 19th, I'm putting out a request for everyone to share Speaking for the Silent in some way, for the final two weeks of July. Yes, I'm aware that the final Tuesday is technically August 2nd. Oh well. In those two weeks, I'm asking every single one of you to share Speaking for the Silent in some way, shape, or form, and my hope is that by the end we'd have 200 likes on Facebook. If we can get a couple more followers on blogger, or even 200 views on the Promo Video, then by all means. But the purpose of this goes beyond numbers and statistics: the purpose of this is to spread word for the Plight of the Orphan and bring as many people as we can close to what I humbly believe is a large part of the Father's heart. Let's see where we can go!

Thanks a TON in advance,

Caleb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you hear that? They want 200 likes on their FaceBook page! They have 118 right now, and they were just at 89 yesterday! Let's get them up to 200! The link is here (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Speaking-for-the-Silent/181147985252432), GO LIKE THEM!! 

This isn't about making their ministry bigger, it's about spreading the plight of orphans in EE, and that's what I'm all about!

And you can grab their button to help them spread the word!!




Faithful Friday - The Plummer Family

Today, meet the Plummer family!


They are bringing home two little sweeties - Barbara and Matthew!





BARBARA & MATTHEW for the Plummer family–Lapeer, MI

UPDATED:  The Plummers have decided to bring home Matthew, too!
Jason and Ann have been married just shy of fourteen years. They have three biological children 11,9 and 6 years old. Jason is an auto cad engineer and Ann is a stay at home mom and also homeschools. Ann has always known there would be more children in her family but to her and her husband's surprise, the child they feel led to adopt has Down syndrome.   They are taking this journey of faith and know that God has walked before them beside them and behind them. They will continue this journey knowing that He is their biggest fan!   Your financial gifts will greatly help this family as they step forward into Russia to adopt Miss Barbara!     
7/14/11—FIRST TRIP JULY 20
 Follow the adoption journey of the  Plummer family on their blog at  www.TwoLivesOneJourney.blogspot.com

$22873.64 is available towards the cost of my adoption!


Aren't they both just sweet?!? If you have been following along for awhile you'll remember sweet Matthew's face! My friend Rachel fell in love with him, and we started advocating for him! I posted about him here - Matthew's Jars, reposted a post about him here - You Can Make a Difference, and here when he found a family - MATTHEW IS FOUND! And guess what! Matthew and Barbara get to meet their new mommy and daddy on Monday! :D I am soo excited! 

But, here's the catch - they still need $7000 to get Matthew home. They have just over a month to get it. Don't think it can happen? I'm gonna let you in on a secret - We serve one BIG GOD! And nothing. nothing. nothing. is impossible for our big God!

From Matthew and Barbara's mommy on her blog
We did receive permission to pay Matthew's commitment fee before our second trip which is $8250 so that means we have a little, not a lot, a little time to raise the last $7000. A few people have read and copied and old post of mine thinking we still need $9000 and little time to get it. I suppose some people may say $7000 in about 6weeks is not a lot of time either but if you know me I would say there is no time line God can not reach and the money issue has always been in his hands from the beginning.
Thank you all who have donated. Thank you for your love and support. We will be having a fundraiser sale the weekend we get back, praying it is as successful as the one last year.
I have added our donation links to the side bar. Please remember every dollar counts. We are blessed for what ever you are willing to give.

Won't  you join forces with me, Rachel, the girls at To Love the Unloved, and others to get these treasures home???


And here's a special deal, just for you - If you donate $10 to the Plummer's FSP, you can get and adorable Sock Monkey!

Just go to this post to see all the details! :) And you can enter a giveaway for this beautiful necklace!



It's $5 a chance, and $10 for 3 chances, just go here to this post to get in! All this is for Barbara and Matthew, so let's get them HOME!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

In an institution...

Lay two sweethearts that need a family. I've posted about them before for Waiting Wednesday posts, and today they are heavy on my heart. Genesis and Natalia (RR links here and here).

Genesis' old photos:
When she first got listed
After she was transferred to an institution

Shortly after the last photo

Genesis' newest photo:



Natalia's photo:

It plain and simple breaks my heart. I started crying after seeing Genesis new picture. She's adorable, but they shaved all her beautiful hair off! I'm so glad she looks happy in the picture, but I bet as soon as whoever took the picture left the room, her toy was grabbed away from her, and she was pushed off whatever she was sitting on. :(

I don't have a new picture to share of Natalia, but she is 8, and very tiny. She has gorgeous blue eyes, and she needs a family NOW!!!

I ask you to please PRAY for these two sweeties! Not only pray for families, but pray for them! They are living in horrific sistuations, and need out before they perish!

And please don't forget Teri Lynn!


Her Grant now says:
$16428.30 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

Did you read that? That's as much as Eddie had in his grant! Please email Marianne at Marianne@reecesrainbow.org to make an inquiry to adopt her! She needs you NOW! She needs a family to CHERISH and LOVE her as my dear friend Rachel said in her post about her.

Pray. Please PRAY. And then ACT.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Waiting Wednesday: Maxim

This Wednesday (since it should actually be Waiting Wednesday instead of Mazing Wednesday!), meet Maxim!


Maxim (7)

Boy, Born September 15, 2004
Maxim is a precious little boy who has already been sent away to the institution. He needs a family immediately!! He is 6 years old, with blonde hair and blue yes.  He struggles with strabismus in both eyes and a significant tongue thrust, but surgery/glasses and OT will help with that!  Please give Maxim the chance to grow up in a loving family, so he can realize his full potential!!  We have already had a family adopt from this institution, so Maxim still has an opportunity to be saved and to live the life he so richly deserves!
From one of our adoptive families who visited with him in October 2010:   I don't know if I can openly share how the whole encounter went so I will just say that we were able to go and while we were there I was able to see Maxim. To hold him and love on him. To laugh as he passed gas and laughed about it. That was one of the best parts of the visit, how he thought "tooting" (is it called that when boys do it?) was just the funniest thing – just like any other 6 year old little boy would. He was so sweet and so alert and attentive to those who had come to visit with him. Here's a little rundown of his abilities that I witnessed first hand:
  • He can pull up to stand and walk with assistance.
  • He knows his name and responds to it.
  • He has a sweet nature, personality, and sense of humor
  • He copies hand motions (I believe he could learn to sign)
  • He can crawl
  • He likes cars! :) They said he crawls through the window to look out when the car comes to their building.
In the one pic above where  you see his hands, he kept touching his thumbs together and so I put his pointers togehter to make a heart and after that he kept trying to do it himself. His worker was a really sweet lady who obviously believes that people with DS are capable. She hopes to see change in her country someday. That really touched my heart to know that he is being cared for by someone who believes that he can be something if given a chance. AND HE CAN!
I AM ELIGIBLE FOR AN OLDER CHILD GRANT
Maxim's Mom and Dad? Where are you? I've seen him. I've held him and kissed his sweet face. He is waiting patiently for you to come for him. I KNOW, I just KNOW, that he will be the biggest blessing to his family. Please hear the call – for Maxim.





I've mentioned in several of my Waiting Wednesday posts (Logan and Ryan), and in one of my 'Mazing Monday posts (Liza Lorenz) that I visited their orphanage (orphanage (14) on RR) on my mission trip last summer. During my trip we not only got to visit the baby orphanage, but also the children's handicapped home in the same city! This children's handicapped home also happens to be orphanage (7) on RR! Even though I didn't get to see Maxim (we only played with the kids outside, and I'm guessing from his profile he doesn't get outside much), I was at his orphanage, and he is close to my heart as with all the kids of (14), (7), and (63)! Note: these numbers are made up by RR, they do not relate to the orphanages at all

I wish I had some photos to share of the other kids in his orphanage, but I was having so much fun with those precious kids that my camera didn't even make it off my hip! :) So I am going to share a post from Andrea G, who has met him, and posted about him for her Forever Family Friday post a week or so ago.



Maxim is at the special needs orphanage and although he is not in one of the groups I was working with, I have met him and can tell you from personal experience that he is a very sweet little boy.


I first met Maxim back in October when Liza’s parents were in country waiting to bring her home. Liza’s mom Melissa had fallen in love with Maxim on Reece’s Rainbow so we spoke with the director at the special needs orphanage and arranged to visit him. What a sweetheart! He was a tiny little guy with a shy smile who was proud to show off his standing/walking skills and then simply cuddle in our laps. We didn’t get to spend much time with him but by the time we left, there was no doubt that Melissa and I were both smitten.

 

A month or so later I got to see Maxim again when I went to visit another little girl from Reece’s Rainbow who was in the same group as him. I got to spend a little more time playing with him this time and once again, little Maxim captured my heart. He is such a happy, joyful little guy and as we played ball together I got to hear his adorable little laugh before he came to snuggle with me once more.


A while back Melissa wrote a very touching post about Maxim where she pointed out something that she had not noticed before. In one of the pictures she took of Maxim during our visit with him, Maxim was signing family!

 
The sign for family



















When I first read that and looked up the sign for family, I literally got goose bumps – Melissa was not exaggerating, Maxim was doing it perfectly! Do I believe that Maxim miraculously learned sign language and was consciously letting us know what he wanted? No, but I do believe that God used that little boy’s hands to let us know what he truly needed – a family of his very own.


Maxim is nearly seven years old and with every birthday his chance at a family grows slimmer and slimmer. Maxim is loved by his caretakers who would love to see him find a family and be able to reach his fullest potential. Unfortunately, there are some changes going on in his orphanage right now (change in management, lower staff-to-child ratios, etc.) that have me concerned for Maxim’s wellbeing. Maxim has waited long enough, he needs a family now. Like Liza, because Maxim is considered an “older child” he does not have a grant of his own but right now there is $826 in the older boys’ grant so if you’re considering adopting Maxim, that grant could be his if you act fast. You can help Maxim find his family by sharing his story and praying that this forgotten little boy would be forgotten no longer. For more information or to donate, click here.