On My Heart

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the orphans of the world lately.As some of you know, I went to Swaziland Africa in July of 2006. We went to learn more about the AIDS pandemic there, and the work that one church, KuKanyOkusha Zion Church, was doing. It was a powerful trip, and I found myself so drawn to the many orphans there. It was heart wrenching to see the number of children who were without a family...and those who I knew would become orphans soon. There is a team planning to return this July and in my attempts to help them raise money, I have been thinking of the Swazi children daily. I also have been thinking about the fact that my trip to Swaziland was the jump start I needed to start the adoption process...something I has thought about for years but let my own fears stop me from doing. God was a part of both of those journey's for me.
I look at the lists of waiting children for my agency and other and often read about children who's files will be returned soon. I see countries, like Swaziland, who still do not even have any form of adoption programs and my heart hurts to think there are children will never have a family. I found this song/video a while back but thought I would share it with you. I hope that it will move you, that it will inspire you to pray for the orphans of the world, that it may make you consider sponsoring a child...or even adopting. Blessings to you all.

The Weather in China

I have had people ask me about how the weather in China is effecting Lillie's first home. Snow, unseasonably cold temeratures, etc. are wreaking havoc on the country and are effecting orphanages at different levels. Presently, Director Yang has let us know that they have heat in all of the baby rooms so they are doing okay. People in town are not doing as well...many are freezing since they have no heat in their homes. Hats, coats and gloves are an all the time thing!
Other orphanages are not doing as well.Some are without heat and clean water, several are in desperate need of blankets, and all are in need of prayers. There are ways to contribute money to help in these situations. One is through Half the Sky. The link is:
http://www.halfthes ky.org/work/ littlemouse. php
Please keep all of these little ones in your thoughts and prayers!

Beautiful Waiting Children

I just wanted to take a moment to tell everyone about the beauty of adopting from a "Waiting Child" list. I know that there are waiting children all over the world...China, Uganda, Ethiopia, Korea, Vietnam.... the list goes on and on. Each child on the list has a different reason for being considered a "special" needs adoption. Maybe it is that they are an older child, maybe they have a cleft lip or palate, maybe they are a limb different child... all are a gift. There are varying degrees of need and each child is their own special little person but each needs a family. All this is to say, there are some waiting children on the list at the agency I used to adopt Lillie. They are still waiting to find their family. (the link is at the side- A Helping Hand- then click on special delivery) They are not the only list, just one of many. If you know a family, or are a family that is looking for your child, be sure to check them out!

Waiting for News...

Although I expect to hear from Mimi upon her return to the US, she was unable to send the video clips from any of the hotels in China. She did, however, let me know that her daughter, Michelle, is doing well...although she and her husband were sick during part of their trip. I also have had a chance to communicate with Grace at AHH. She is my family advocate and has been wonderful during this process. She let me know that she and the agency are also waiting for information from their liaison from the CCAA(China Center for Adoption Affairs). she let me know the forms I still need to turn in to complete my dossier paperwork. The home study has been sent off and we are still waiting for our I-171H. In other words...things are still moving along...slowly, but surely.
I am finding that as I plan for the holidays, I am unable to pull my thoughts away from Lillie and the other children who are waiting for families. I also think about the children I have met that are without a family and for whom a prospective family is not identified. As we all plan for the holidays, I ask you to pray for Lillie and for her safety during "the great wait". I ask that you pray for the other children who are without a family...in China, in the US, in Swaziland, in Kazakhstan, in Guatemala.... these children are all over the world and they are heavy on my heart. I will post again soon.
(The picture at the bottom of the blog is one of the many children I met this past year in Swaziland. He is one of the many orphan children in that country.)