This is Davids after he learned of his family.
No words required.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Answer to prayers- God is good
Hi friends.
I just wanted to share that since this last post about Davids, a family has been found and over $3900 has been raised to bring him home. Many many people posted this story about Davids on their blog and facebook pages and prayers around the world have been lifted up for this boy.
Please continue to pray that all goes well for his adoption and if you are so inclined, donations are being collected at http://www.projecthopeful.org/donate . Placed Davids in the memo and all proceeds will be placed in his grant fund to bring him home.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support and remember that this is the story for every orphan waiting. A day comes when they can no longer be placed within a family. My goal is to keep that day from coming for as many children as possible.
I just wanted to share that since this last post about Davids, a family has been found and over $3900 has been raised to bring him home. Many many people posted this story about Davids on their blog and facebook pages and prayers around the world have been lifted up for this boy.
Please continue to pray that all goes well for his adoption and if you are so inclined, donations are being collected at http://www.projecthopeful.org/donate . Placed Davids in the memo and all proceeds will be placed in his grant fund to bring him home.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support and remember that this is the story for every orphan waiting. A day comes when they can no longer be placed within a family. My goal is to keep that day from coming for as many children as possible.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The need is real
the following is a story about a boy that underlines why I advocate so strongly for orphans. The children are real, the problem is real and we MUST be the solution.
This story is about the blond boy in the middle of the picture. His name is Davids. His 16th birthday is coming up in days which means several things to an orphan. First, it means they are about to age out and can’t be considered for adoption. Second, it means that they are on the path to leave the orphanage and will soon be on their own. Third, it means life as they know it now; the little food, shelter, protection and security they currently have is almost gone. In the first year after a child leaves an orphanage, nearly 15% commit suicide.
A few months ago Davids was given the most hoped for news: a family was coming for him. He had been sponsored in America for the summer and shortly after returning to Latvia he was asked how he liked America. He explained he loved it, and it was more than he ever imagined! He was asked if he remembered a particular man who came to meet him and spent time with him the week before he returned to Latvia , and he exclaimed, “Oh Yes and we had fun!”
This man and his wife had decided to adopt Davids. When he was told, his look was utter shock! He questioned, “Who, me?”
They confirmed that it was indeed him.
He shouted, “Oh yes! VERY VERY much YES! And they want ME?”
Davids was the happiest kid on the planet that day. His dream was coming true.
Last week, an email was sent from his adoptive family… now just days before his 16th birthday. It basically said they felt that they would adopt a girl they met (which was planned all along), but they no longer wanted to adopt Davids. They had changed their mind. The next day, an unsolicited email from Davids' social worker in Latvia was sent. This is what she wrote:
"Hello Le Ann,
I wish to ask you about one of our boys, his name is Davids T. He was hosted Summer 2010 at a host family in IL. Since he was close to 16, we got information and you shared with him that there is family who will adopt him. It was not the family who hosted him, but another one.
Till this day we never received more information about the adopting family, and we confirmed that the Ministry also has no information yet. I must share, we are all worried and concerned. Davids became so nervous in this last month, his attention to everything is gone. Yesterday he was moved to hospital, because of problems with his stomach relating to the stress of not knowing. We know this all is because he is so close to his 16th birthday; it's on 23 January this year.
We don’t know what to say and can't say anything to Davids because we don't know. It will be a shock for him if it's not true, he has so long lived with this thoughts focused on this adoption and a family in America .
We wish to know the truth to share so he can know and be happy again.”
They have tried to contact the adoptive family and explain, show them, what their decision has done to this child. So far, there is no response, but more importantly, there is no time with only a few days that remain for someone to file the I800 with USCIS to adopt Davids’. It has been explained to his social worker in Latvia what the full situation is, and as a strong Christian, she has agreed to pray earnestly with us for a new family to come forward for this child! The adoption agency who was working on this case has agreed to do everything they can to expedite the adoption and assist where possible to get them through the system.
If you or someone you know is interested in moving NOW to adopt Davids’, this is what needs to happen:
1)You must already have an approved home study issued by a Hague Accredited adoption agency in the USA . It must be able to be amended to show you are approved for at least one child, a boy, who is age 16 or under.
2)You must be willing to file with the USCIS the form I800, which will specify Davids’ as the child you intend to adopt, and it must be received prior to January 23, 2011. If done, this gives the adopting family 180 more days to complete the adoption.
Please join us in immediate prayer and action to locate and identify Davids’ Forever Family!!! You are out there somewhere and God knows exactly who you are and He doesn’t make mistakes. We just need to get the word to you about him.
Contact:
Le Ann Dakake, Director of Hosting Programs, New Horizons for Children 678-313-8321 cell
Or
Cathy Sawyer, An Open Door Adoption: 404-667-0694
This story is about the blond boy in the middle of the picture. His name is Davids. His 16th birthday is coming up in days which means several things to an orphan. First, it means they are about to age out and can’t be considered for adoption. Second, it means that they are on the path to leave the orphanage and will soon be on their own. Third, it means life as they know it now; the little food, shelter, protection and security they currently have is almost gone. In the first year after a child leaves an orphanage, nearly 15% commit suicide.
A few months ago Davids was given the most hoped for news: a family was coming for him. He had been sponsored in America for the summer and shortly after returning to Latvia he was asked how he liked America. He explained he loved it, and it was more than he ever imagined! He was asked if he remembered a particular man who came to meet him and spent time with him the week before he returned to Latvia , and he exclaimed, “Oh Yes and we had fun!”
This man and his wife had decided to adopt Davids. When he was told, his look was utter shock! He questioned, “Who, me?”
They confirmed that it was indeed him.
He shouted, “Oh yes! VERY VERY much YES! And they want ME?”
Davids was the happiest kid on the planet that day. His dream was coming true.
Last week, an email was sent from his adoptive family… now just days before his 16th birthday. It basically said they felt that they would adopt a girl they met (which was planned all along), but they no longer wanted to adopt Davids. They had changed their mind. The next day, an unsolicited email from Davids' social worker in Latvia was sent. This is what she wrote:
"Hello Le Ann,
I wish to ask you about one of our boys, his name is Davids T. He was hosted Summer 2010 at a host family in IL. Since he was close to 16, we got information and you shared with him that there is family who will adopt him. It was not the family who hosted him, but another one.
Till this day we never received more information about the adopting family, and we confirmed that the Ministry also has no information yet. I must share, we are all worried and concerned. Davids became so nervous in this last month, his attention to everything is gone. Yesterday he was moved to hospital, because of problems with his stomach relating to the stress of not knowing. We know this all is because he is so close to his 16th birthday; it's on 23 January this year.
We don’t know what to say and can't say anything to Davids because we don't know. It will be a shock for him if it's not true, he has so long lived with this thoughts focused on this adoption and a family in America .
We wish to know the truth to share so he can know and be happy again.”
They have tried to contact the adoptive family and explain, show them, what their decision has done to this child. So far, there is no response, but more importantly, there is no time with only a few days that remain for someone to file the I800 with USCIS to adopt Davids’. It has been explained to his social worker in Latvia what the full situation is, and as a strong Christian, she has agreed to pray earnestly with us for a new family to come forward for this child! The adoption agency who was working on this case has agreed to do everything they can to expedite the adoption and assist where possible to get them through the system.
If you or someone you know is interested in moving NOW to adopt Davids’, this is what needs to happen:
1)You must already have an approved home study issued by a Hague Accredited adoption agency in the USA . It must be able to be amended to show you are approved for at least one child, a boy, who is age 16 or under.
2)You must be willing to file with the USCIS the form I800, which will specify Davids’ as the child you intend to adopt, and it must be received prior to January 23, 2011. If done, this gives the adopting family 180 more days to complete the adoption.
Please join us in immediate prayer and action to locate and identify Davids’ Forever Family!!! You are out there somewhere and God knows exactly who you are and He doesn’t make mistakes. We just need to get the word to you about him.
Contact:
Le Ann Dakake, Director of Hosting Programs, New Horizons for Children 678-313-8321 cell
Or
Cathy Sawyer, An Open Door Adoption: 404-667-0694
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Thinking about the children who wait
I have been quiet lately here on my blog, but I assure you, here in my home, not so much. Lots have been going on, most of it very exciting, but I wanted to share the very real burden on my heart. I understand that if this is not where you are you may come away from this post feeling like you have been emotionally manipulated, but that is not my intent. This verse weighs on me. I understand what it means. It is a beautiful reminder of what Christ has done for me and it speaks exactly to what every orphan feels.
Romans 8:22-24
For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.
23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?
I think this is a very moving passage. It speaks of our redemption in Christ. The pain of living outside of his family, our eagerness to be redeemed- adopted as sons and the hope we have that it will happen.
It is exactly what my children experienced before they were adopted into my family. It is the story of every orphan living today.
We know that they groan and suffer (is there anything more painful than childbirth? I think the seperation, the isolation from love and family and belonging, is the soul's equivelant pain.)
They are groaning within themselves (for there is no one else to groan to) wiating eagerly for their adoption, the redemption of their tiny little lives.
They hope for this, because it has not yet happened, as the verse says, who hopes for what he already sees? These children see no one coming for them... but they hope.
They hope for you, friend. They groan within themselves waiting for you to move as the Holy Spirit calls you to act. Waiting for their redemption from exile, to be adopted as your son or daughter.
This is the burden on my heart. It is what fuels the FIG program. I know that it is what motivates the people who have stepped up to advocate for the children still waiting.
If it is something that burdens you, contact me or go to www.projecthopeful.org . you can get involved.
You can make a difference.
Romans 8:22-24
For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.
23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?
I think this is a very moving passage. It speaks of our redemption in Christ. The pain of living outside of his family, our eagerness to be redeemed- adopted as sons and the hope we have that it will happen.
It is exactly what my children experienced before they were adopted into my family. It is the story of every orphan living today.
We know that they groan and suffer (is there anything more painful than childbirth? I think the seperation, the isolation from love and family and belonging, is the soul's equivelant pain.)
They are groaning within themselves (for there is no one else to groan to) wiating eagerly for their adoption, the redemption of their tiny little lives.
They hope for this, because it has not yet happened, as the verse says, who hopes for what he already sees? These children see no one coming for them... but they hope.
They hope for you, friend. They groan within themselves waiting for you to move as the Holy Spirit calls you to act. Waiting for their redemption from exile, to be adopted as your son or daughter.
This is the burden on my heart. It is what fuels the FIG program. I know that it is what motivates the people who have stepped up to advocate for the children still waiting.
If it is something that burdens you, contact me or go to www.projecthopeful.org . you can get involved.
You can make a difference.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
This is Peyton (not real name). He is 4 years old. He has beautiful brown eyes and dimples. He is HIV+ and healthy. It is important that a family is found for him soon because at five years of age he will be transferred to another institution. It is vital to adopt children out of this particular Eastern European country prior to the age of five because their risk of being placed into an institution that they cannot be released from is great. Currently Peyton resides in an attentive orphanage with an adoption friendly court system.
If you would like to be a FIG family for Peyton,or better yet his permenant family, please contact me at figs@projecthopeful.org . I will get you started right away.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
I don't want insulation
I've been thinking a lot about insulation lately. No, we are not working on a home improvement project and I don't work at Menards. But in wracking my brains over why there is such an orphan crisis, HIV crisis, food crisis, homeless crisis, I've realized that it's an insulation problem.
Just what do I mean by that?
First, what does it mean to insulate?
Dictionary.com says:
Insulate
1. to prevent or reduce the transmission of electricity, heat, or sound to or from (a body, device, or region) by surrounding with a nonconducting material
2. to isolate or detach
this site goes on to give Word Origin & History
insulate
1538, "make into an island," from L. insulatus (see insular). Sense of "cause a person or thing to be detached from surroundings" is from 1785. Electrical/chemical sense of "block from electricity or heat" is from 1742. Insulation "insulating material" is from 1870.
I found this fascinating. It spoke exactly to what I think is the problem. Lets start with the second definition first. To isolate or detach:
It is estimated that there is a new HIV infected person every 5 seconds. Therefore we are looking at about 17,280 people daily contracting the virus.
16,000 people a day die from starvation in the world. That is over 6,000,000 per year on this planet.
There are over 132 million orphans according to www.unicef.org and other sources suggest closer to 143-163 million world wide
In 2005 an approximate 1 billion did not have suitable housing and 100 million had no housing whatsoever
That is a lot of people. Can you name one? One person experiencing any of these problems? See what I mean? The average American is isolated and detached from all of these problems.
How about the first definition: to prevent or reduce transmission of electricity, heat, or sound to or from (a body, device, or region) by surrounding with a nonconducting material. Or in this example: reduce transmission of awareness of the problem, compassion or consideration for the needy, or desire to change the status quo for those suffering from these situations.
We have been made into an island. We have become detached from our surroundings. We can't see beyond our own easily gained comfort. Cold? Turn up the heat. Hungry? Order a pizza. Bored? Numb your mind with one of many "reality" shows celebrating the mortifying egocentricity of countless people who are proud to flaunt their depravity. It must break God's heart that this is our "reality". I know it breaks mine.
So how do we overcome this detachment? This paralyzing sense of entitlement? This insulation?
It is going to be hard my friends. Especially for those of us who have managed to obey Jesus and do something. I don't think there is anything more difficult than adopting the second child when it was such a challenge to adopt the first. If you find yourself in this situation understand that most of your "support system" will indulge your "need" to help once, but don't go overboard now. Reject this, friend! Jesus gave His All. He paid it all. If we are His, our lives are not our own. We must pour out ourselves for him.
1 Corinthians 9:24
24(A)Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives (B)the prize? (C)Run in such a way that you may win.
Matthew 25:44-45
44"Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?'
45"Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'
Ephesians 4:1b
Therefore I urge you who have been chosen by God to live up to the life to which He called you to.
Tear off the insulation of this life. Stand naked and raw in the face of dire need and don't flinch. Don't stop working, shouting, crying, helping, until the work is done or He calls you home. Yearn for the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant..."
Just what do I mean by that?
First, what does it mean to insulate?
Dictionary.com says:
Insulate
1. to prevent or reduce the transmission of electricity, heat, or sound to or from (a body, device, or region) by surrounding with a nonconducting material
2. to isolate or detach
this site goes on to give Word Origin & History
insulate
1538, "make into an island," from L. insulatus (see insular). Sense of "cause a person or thing to be detached from surroundings" is from 1785. Electrical/chemical sense of "block from electricity or heat" is from 1742. Insulation "insulating material" is from 1870.
I found this fascinating. It spoke exactly to what I think is the problem. Lets start with the second definition first. To isolate or detach:
It is estimated that there is a new HIV infected person every 5 seconds. Therefore we are looking at about 17,280 people daily contracting the virus.
16,000 people a day die from starvation in the world. That is over 6,000,000 per year on this planet.
There are over 132 million orphans according to www.unicef.org and other sources suggest closer to 143-163 million world wide
In 2005 an approximate 1 billion did not have suitable housing and 100 million had no housing whatsoever
That is a lot of people. Can you name one? One person experiencing any of these problems? See what I mean? The average American is isolated and detached from all of these problems.
How about the first definition: to prevent or reduce transmission of electricity, heat, or sound to or from (a body, device, or region) by surrounding with a nonconducting material. Or in this example: reduce transmission of awareness of the problem, compassion or consideration for the needy, or desire to change the status quo for those suffering from these situations.
We have been made into an island. We have become detached from our surroundings. We can't see beyond our own easily gained comfort. Cold? Turn up the heat. Hungry? Order a pizza. Bored? Numb your mind with one of many "reality" shows celebrating the mortifying egocentricity of countless people who are proud to flaunt their depravity. It must break God's heart that this is our "reality". I know it breaks mine.
So how do we overcome this detachment? This paralyzing sense of entitlement? This insulation?
It is going to be hard my friends. Especially for those of us who have managed to obey Jesus and do something. I don't think there is anything more difficult than adopting the second child when it was such a challenge to adopt the first. If you find yourself in this situation understand that most of your "support system" will indulge your "need" to help once, but don't go overboard now. Reject this, friend! Jesus gave His All. He paid it all. If we are His, our lives are not our own. We must pour out ourselves for him.
1 Corinthians 9:24
24(A)Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives (B)the prize? (C)Run in such a way that you may win.
Matthew 25:44-45
44"Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?'
45"Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'
Ephesians 4:1b
Therefore I urge you who have been chosen by God to live up to the life to which He called you to.
Tear off the insulation of this life. Stand naked and raw in the face of dire need and don't flinch. Don't stop working, shouting, crying, helping, until the work is done or He calls you home. Yearn for the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant..."
Sunday, November 28, 2010
The Exciting things
I am ready to share with you about the ministry opportunities that have opened up for me. As most of you know, I volunteer with Project HOPEFUL. Until now, it has been mostly on a fill in wherever needed basis. I am pleased to share with you that I now operate in a more official capacity.
I am the FIG Program Director. Also the Ukraine contact. That last bit speaks mostly to the fact that I am the one who has most recently been through the Ukraine process and in developing the FIG program, I have and am continuing to gather lots of Ukraine resources.
The more exciting news is the part of FIG director.
What is the FIG Program?
I'm glad you asked.
FIG stands for 'Family in the Gap'.
As a FIG member a person or family can choose one of two sponsorship programs.
First as a specific orphan advocate. For a year long time period, a person/family/group will choose one child from the waiting list and perform 4 core tasks.
first, PRAY.
Second, COMMIT.
Third, ADVOCATE.
Finally, FUND RAISE.
The second choice is to commit to be a Foster Family Sponsor on a yearly basis.
The core components are similar:
PRAY
COMMIT
DONATE
You can read more about the FIG program as well as the other programs that Project HOPEFUL operates.
If you would like more information about the program, please email me at figs@projecthopeful.org and I will send you an information packet.
You might also like to see the TRUTH PANDEMIC video here . It is full of excellent information about HIV and how it can and cannot be passed. Additionally, all of my children are in it and that's always a treat.
www.projecthopeful.org
I am the FIG Program Director. Also the Ukraine contact. That last bit speaks mostly to the fact that I am the one who has most recently been through the Ukraine process and in developing the FIG program, I have and am continuing to gather lots of Ukraine resources.
The more exciting news is the part of FIG director.
What is the FIG Program?
I'm glad you asked.
FIG stands for 'Family in the Gap'.
As a FIG member a person or family can choose one of two sponsorship programs.
First as a specific orphan advocate. For a year long time period, a person/family/group will choose one child from the waiting list and perform 4 core tasks.
first, PRAY.
Second, COMMIT.
Third, ADVOCATE.
Finally, FUND RAISE.
The second choice is to commit to be a Foster Family Sponsor on a yearly basis.
The core components are similar:
PRAY
COMMIT
DONATE
You can read more about the FIG program as well as the other programs that Project HOPEFUL operates.
If you would like more information about the program, please email me at figs@projecthopeful.org and I will send you an information packet.
You might also like to see the TRUTH PANDEMIC video here . It is full of excellent information about HIV and how it can and cannot be passed. Additionally, all of my children are in it and that's always a treat.
www.projecthopeful.org
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