Lots of New Children!

I have lots of new waiting children to share with you today from Bulgaria and Taiwan.  As usual, I cannot post their pictures online, but if you would like to see a specific child, leave a comment and I can send the photo to you privately.  While a picture is worth a thousand words, we don't need to know what these children look like to know they need our prayers...let us intercede on their behalf, with prayers of salvation, peace, and joy found only in their Father's arms!  He is mighty to save, and promises He will not leave us as orphans, comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless.  (John 14:18, AMP)

For additional photos and information on any of these children, contact Stephanie Carpenter at Lifeline. stephanie.carpenter@lifelineadoption.org


BULGARIA


Stephanie, 4 yrs old
She lags behind in her development.  She also lags behind in her speech.  She was born prematurely to a drug addicted mother.  She does attend a public pre-school and she is very sensitive.  She will bond to certain people. She needs her family to love her!

Annika, 5 yrs old 
She is a sweetheart!  Our Bulgaria contact has a good relationship at
this orphanage and may be able to get even more updates on this sweet
child.  She has a diagnosis of converging strabismus and retinal
detachment of the right eye (see report).  She is delayed in her
development and is unable to support her lower extremities although she
can now pull to a standing position and can take steps with the help of
an adult.  She does not like to be alone and seeks adult contact.

Lane, 4 yrs old
This precious little boy has a diagnosis of cleft lip, strabismus and he
is delayed in development.  He does not sit independently or walk
independently yet.  He pronounces some sounds and his sleep is calm.  He
really needs a family to thrive.

Elise, 2 yrs old 

This precious little girl will turn three in August of 2011. Her main diagnosis: Spina Bifida Aperta Lumbosacralis - condition after surgical correction; Bottom spastic paraparesis; Severe lagging behind in her neuro-psychical development (NPD). She really needs her family to love her and care for her. She is absolutely precious!

Daniel, 5 yrs old

This precious little boy's main diagnosis is Trisomia  21 - Down Syndrome and he is lagging behind in his development.  He is a very precious child, in need of a loving and nurturing family!

Bruce, 2 yrs old
Bruce's main diagnosis: Trisomia 21 - Down Syndrome, and he is lagging behind in his psycho-motor development. Please consider this precious child, as he is in great need of his family!

Emit , 3 yrs old
Emit will turn 4 in August of 2011. His main diagnosis: Astigmatism; Undescended right testicle and he is lagging behind in his psycho-motor development. He does have good physical development. This precious little boy needs a family all his own.

Davin, 5 yrs old 
Davin's main diagnosis: Family laden - the mother is with epilepsy. He is a clinically healthy child and his mental abilities are lagging behind to a mild degree. He is very adorable and a photo is available.

Joshua, 7 yrs old
Joshua is a clinically healthy little boy but has a moderate degree of mental lagging behind. He really needs a family to love him.

Alexander, 2 yrs old
Alexander's main diagnosis: Down Syndrome, heart murmur and he is lagging behind in his development. He is absolutely adorable and needs his family.

Sarah, 1 yr old
This beautiful child will turn 2 in September. She has a main diagnosis of Laurens Moon Beadles Syndrome; Infection of the urinary tract; Condition after surgical removal of uterus and right ovary; Hydronephrosis first-second degree of the left kidney; Polydactilia mani dextra (sixth finger of the right hand. She is also lagging behind in her development. She is a beautiful baby girl and she needs her family.

Twins, Samual and Eli, 10 yrs old
Main diagnosis; Clinically healthy children; They are very attached to one another; Eli has a diagnosis of epilepsy and since on medication he has not had seizures; Eli also has a slight mental delay. There are photos available. They really need a family to love them.

Sierra, 1 yr old
Sierra will turn 2 in September 2011. Her main diagnosis is Apert Syndrome and also has Syndyctaly of the fingers of all extremities and is subject to a series of surgeries after age 2; also treated for rhinitis which is probably due to the cleft soft palate(with some improvement); She lags behind in her development. She really is adorable and needs her family.

Clayton, 3 yrs old
His main diagnosis is Down Syndrome. Clayton really needs a family to love him and provide for him.

Justin, 3 yrs old
Justin will turn 4 in July of 2011. His main diagnosis - Down Syndrome. He also lags behind in development. He really needs a family to love him.

TAIWAN

Sibling set - sister and brother
Jadyn is 7 1/2 years old. She has a diagnosis of epilepsy and a history of some abuse. She also has some developmental delay and hyperactivity. She is a beautiful little girl.
Josh is 10 years old and has borderline mental developmental delay, hyperactivity, some history of abuse and some learning disability. He is a precious little boy. They need their family!

Daniel, 3 ½ years old
This precious little boy is named Daniel. He has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, epilepsy, anemia and developmental delay - MR. He really needs a family to love him and to help him to learn.
Many photos and files available!

Paul, 7 yrs old
This precious little boy is named Paul. He is 7 and 1/2 years old. He is diagnosed with developmental delay, some history of abuse, dental issues. He really needs a family to love him.

Siblings--Dane &Tommy
Dane is age 12 and his younger brother Tommy is age 6. These precious boys do need to be adopted together. There are files and photos available.

Christopher C., 3 yrs old
This precious little boy needs a family all of his own. He is so very special and as cute as can be. He has visual impairment of his right eye, mild physical disability, and it is noted that the MRI showed right cerebral schizenphaly and parital absence of the septum pellucidum. Files and photos are available.

Larry, 3 yrs old
This precious little boy is named Larry. He is 3 years old. He is diagnosed with asthma and also developmental delay. He is very adorable and needs his family. There are files and photos available.

Kao-Wen Sibling group
These precious children need a family.  There are four siblings and the ages of the children are:
Age 9, Male
Age 7, Female
Age 6, Male
Age 3, Male

May the Lord's Spirit rain down on these children, so they may feel the warmth of His love enrapture them with His life-giving waters!  Abba, Father, be glorified!

URGENT Prayer Request!

Please click HERE to read about Vanya, a precious little boy in Eastern Europe in need of a paper ready family ASAP! 

The Lord's timing is always perfect, so I am praying that His will be done in Vanya's life according to His timeframe, His plan, and His glory!!!

We Speak to Nations

There is a little boy in Eastern Europe whose future appears to be in the hands of one judge, one prosecutor, and one supreme court ruling.  That one judge denied him the right to live when she declared he would be better off spending his days on earth in a mental institution, rather than in the loving arms of a Christian family.  Why?  Because he has Down Syndrome...  Why?  Because she has been deceived...  Why?  Because we are living amidst a spiritual war unlike anything we have ever seen, a war for the hearts of man. 

This is Kirill

Who will go for him?  Who will go to the corners of the earth for him, and proclaim that Christ is King, that he is free, and that he is loved?  God has sent the Davis family to go for Kirill!  They have gone to the corners of the earth to proclaim his freedom, and have been turned away.  After two trips to Kirill's country, countless hours, days, and months of paperchasing, and a hefty ransom paid...their petition to adopt him was denied.   

But they are proclaiming that Christ is King, that His Kingdom is coming near, that strongholds will be broken, that powers of darkness must flee, and that Kirill shall be free!  They are appealing in the Supreme Court to bring their son home.  They have remained compassionate towards the judge and prosecutor who told them their son was not worthy of being loved.  They are praying that God will perform a mighty work in their hearts, that God will reveal the truth about Kirill; that he is precious, that he is worthy, that he is loved, that he has infinite potential in this world, that he has much to offer, that he will be safe in their arms...that he deserves to be free.  Click HERE to read their story and hear their pleas for their son's freedom.

Kirill's story isn't just about Kirill though.  A precedent is being set by the decision in his case.  No child with Down Syndrome has ever been adopted out of this region.  But there are two more families that are in the process of trying to adopt children from the same region where Kirill is, who must face the same court, the same judge, and the same prosecutor.  So the consequences of his case are far reaching, and the lives of many other children hang in the balance.

Eva

God has sent the Hooks family to go to the same region for Eva, and in a matter of days they will stand before the same judge and plead for her freedom.  They have already traveled to meet her, they have already fallen in love with her, they have already promised to come back for her.  They too are praying for God to move mightily in the judge and prosecutor's hearts!

 Baby J

For Baby J, God has sent the Moreno family.  They just traveled to meet her last week, and oh how they fell in love!  But their hearts were torn apart as they said goodbye to her, not knowing what the future may hold for her, or their family.  They waited 19 long months to meet her, only to be told the same judge may deny their plea to adopt her.  I truly cannot imagine the anguish.

So no, this isn't just about Kirill.  But it isn't just about Eva and Baby J either.  What is happening in their country, and many others as well, is about the battle being fought for the hearts of all men.  We as believers must stand together, in Christ, and speak His truth to the nations.  We must stand for the freedom of His precious children, who are being held captive in EVERY nation.  Satan has used a mighty force of deception to cause people to believe that these children are not worthy of being loved, that they have nothing to offer, that they must be hidden away, out of sight, out of arm's reach.  He has deceived the nations into believing that these "special needs" children are not worthy of adoption.  But the truth is being revealed, one child at a time, and his deception is being exposed.  Testimony after testimony of how these children are thriving in loving homes bears witness to God's mighty power to save, to His unfailing love for all His sons and daughters, whom He has already adopted!!  (Over the last five years Reece's Rainbow alone has aided in bringing 500 of these special children home!)

The Davis family has asked that we spread their story, and spread His word to bring freedom to His children.  So I ask you to stand with them in prayer, in His Word, and in faith.  Please pray with compassion of everyone involved:  the judge and prosecutor, Kirill, Eva, Baby J, the Davis, Hooks, and Moreno families, and for all His precious children in captivity.  The truth is that their future does not lie in the hands of any judge or court, it lies in the hands of our almighty Father, the one and only true Judge!

I leave you with the lyrics to the song "We Speak to Nations"--as I believe they are powerful "marching orders" as we walk into battle for these children.

Hear the sound
The sound of the nations calling
Hear the sound
The sound of the fatherless crying
Who will go for us?
Who will shout to the corners
Of the earth
That Christ is King?[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/i/israel_houghton/we_speak_to_nations.html ]
CHORUS
We speak to nations
Be open
We speak to nations
Fall on your knees
We speak to nations
The kingdom is coming near to you
Oh we speak to strongholds
Be broken
Powers of darkness
You have to flee
We speak to nations
The kingdom is coming near to you
We speak to you
Be free, be free!

Hear the sound
The sound of the nations worshipping
Hear the sound
Of sons and daughters singing
We will go for you
We will shout to the corners of the earth
That Christ is King

 

Let the chains be broken

Let Him set you free

In His holy name be free





Waiting Children in Bulgaria and Taiwan

The Lord has been doing quite a work in my life, and I am anxiously awaiting His words to share all that has been taking place here.  I apologize for the lack of posts recently, I simply haven't had the words!  But in the meantime, I have some new waiting children to share with you!  

Below are the bios of several waiting children from Bulgaria and Taiwan.  They are all absolutely precious, and beloved in the eyes of their Father in Heaven.  I pray they find His love in the arms of a mother and father here on earth, to wipe away each tear, and heal the wounds of an orphan's heart.  I pray that His love will carry them through until that day comes.  I cannot post their photos online, so if anyone would like more information or would like to see their sweet sweet faces, leave a comment below and I will email you, or contact Stephanie at Lifeline Adoptions stephanie.carpenter@lifelineadoption.org. 

Bulgaria

Grant – DOB January 19, 2006
This adorable little boy needs a family to love him. He was diagnosed with infantile cerebral palsy but the latest reports show him to be doing very well. He has well developed fine motor skills and he has been walking on his own since he has been 2 years and 4 months. He does have a bilateral hernia and strabismus in his left eye. He is listed as having satisfactory physical development. He is very precious and he needs his family.

Kayden – DOB September 29, 2003
This precious little boy has been diagnosed with Down Syndome. He is 6 years old and likes to seek the attention of adults who care for him. He has severe mental lagging behind and he at times will interact with other children. It is also currently recommended that he be on a Gluten free diet. He really needs a family to love him!

Micah – DOB June 5, 2007
This precious little 3 year old really needs his family! He is stated to have moderate mental lagging behind and also has epilepsy. His speech is lacking. He does seek contact with known adults and likes to be cuddled. Please contact us for more information on this precious child.

Stephanie – DOB August 8, 2006
This precious 4 year old is very beautiful. She was born prematurely to a drug addicted mother. Although she does lag behind in her development she does attend a public pre-school. She is very sensitive and will bond to certain people. Please contact us if you would like more information on this precious child. She needs her family!

Taiwan

Kao-Wen sibling group of 4, ages 3-10 yrs.
Their developments are within normal limits.
The four children are
 Cheng , boy, DOB: 2001/07/23
 Sung-  girl, DOB: 2003/07/25  
 Ching - boy, DOB: 2004/09/15
 Chieh - boy, DOB: 2007/12/12

Mark--DOB 09/02/2009
Mark has had some issues with neonatal abstinence syndrome; epilepsy and microcephaly. He was expected to no longer need any medication for epilepsy in November 2010. Currently he is suspected to have some developmental delay in motor development and will need follow up for auditory and visual functions. He was on a feeding tube for 5 months but that was removed in February of 2010.  He is ADORABLE!!

Christopher C. age 3 – DOB January 19, 2008
This precious little boy needs a family all his own. He is so very special and is as cute as can be. He is currently three years old and we have a very adorable photo of him riding a little child''s bike. He has visual impairment in his right eye (suspected child abuse) and surgery was perfomed in June of 2010. He also has been noted to have mild physical disability and has it noted that since an MRI he has a right cerebral schizencephaly and parital absence of the septum pellucidum. He would be such a blessing to a family! If you would like more information please contact us! Files and photos are available!

Please join me in prayer for these beloved children of the Lord, and if God so moves in your heart, please contact me or Stephanie for more information!

Many blessings!

By Your Love

“⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.

 ¹³ This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. ¹⁶ And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

   God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. ¹⁷ This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

 ¹⁹ We love because He first loved us. ²⁰ Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. ²¹ And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”  (1 John 4:7-21)

Oh God, please fill my heart with Your love.  I want to love, because You first loved me.  When I stretch out my hand to all those around me, I want Your heart to be what they see.  In this world, may I be like Jesus, so that Your love can be made complete among us.  Oh god, please hear my cries.   I am weary in this world.  I do not know how to love like You first love me.  Fill me with Your perfect love, and drive out the fear inside my heart.  Take my hands, open my arms, unclench the hold I have on myself.  I want to give of myself, that which is only in me by your Grace.  Heal the wounds which bind my heart, so that I may be whole again in You. 

Please fill me with…                        

Love that endures long and is patient and kind.

Love that never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, that is not boastful or vainglorious, that does not display itself haughtily. 

Love that is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride).

Love that is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.

Love (Your love in me) that does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking.

Love that is not touchy or fretful or resentful.

Love that takes no account of the evil done to it [that pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. 

Love that does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 

Love that bears up under anything and everything that comes (perseveres).

Love that is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and endures everything [without weakening]. 

Love that never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

(From 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, AMP)

Be calm my anxious heart.  Be still, and know that He is God, who IS this love you are longing for, who will carry you across the raging waters ahead.  Do not be afraid, because He is with you.  Let Him be with you.  Let Love guide your every step, be in your every breath, fill your every thought. 

"By Our Love" Christy Nockels

(There is a typo on the first slide--"Bij" instead of "By")



If Only in My Dream…

1/20/2011

Last night I had a dream that moved mountains inside my own heart, brought down walls that had been standing for as long as I can remember, and brought me weeping
(literally) to my Father’s feet.

I dreamt that I was visiting an orphanage overseas, the location of which was somewhat unclear, and the purpose of the visit remains a mystery.  While I was doing whatever it was that I was there to do, I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye of a baby girl who should NOT have been there.  She is known around our house as Juliana, or Julie for short, and is an orphan in Taiwan.  But I wasn’t in Taiwan in my dream, I got the impression I was in Eastern Europe somewhere.  So needless to say, I was totally surprised to see her there!  I had not gone there to see her!  I could only hope to see her another time, during another trip, for a much different reason! 

Julie came into our lives a little over a month ago, beckoning us to come for her.  She is one of many children we have longed to adopt, and felt “called” to.  We have spent the last month seeking God’s voice in this, seeking guidance as to whether or not this was in fact the direction we are supposed to take.  Are we supposed to adopt her?  How can we?  Is there a way?  Do we take this step in faith?  I can’t tell you the places He has taken us this past month.  We have felt Him say, “Yes!  Go for her!  It looks impossible, but in Me all things are possible!”  We were led to the passage about Peter walking on water, taking that step out onto a stormy sea in faith that Jesus would keep him from sinking.  We felt the Lord urging us to take this step in faith, knowing that on the outset it looked absolutely impossible, for many reasons!  But when God works a miracle in His people, He is glorified and lifted up.  We are brought closer to Him, into a deeper level of faith.  That is what we “walked” on as we stepped out into the stormy seas of adoption.  But our eyes are turning to the crashing waves around us, and we feel like we are sinking.  Can we really do this?  Should we?  I have guarded my heart, trying so hard not to fall in love with Juliana, but I loved her the minute I saw her. 

Back to my dream…

While I was working on my mysterious task at the orphanage, I kept looking over at her to make sure it really was Julie.  When I was finished, I snuck over to where she was, as visitors were forbidden from entering the baby rooms, and peered into her little espresso colored eyes.  She was in a baby swing with a bottle propped up to her mouth, and was slowly trying to drink some milk.  When I looked at her, she smiled at me from behind the bottle with the sweetest, most inviting smile you have ever seen.  Full of peace, and joy, and pure delight!  I could no longer resist the urge to hold her in my arms, even though I knew I was not supposed to, I just couldn’t help myself!  I took the bottle out of her mouth, opening up an even bigger grin, unbuckled the straps around her, and picked her up in my arms.  I can still feel her, exactly how she felt in my dream.  I was surprised at how big she was…I had expected her to be smaller.  Maybe because all I have are pictures of her as a 5 month old baby, so in my mind’s eye she has been frozen in time.  I was so overjoyed to be holding our baby girl, so filled with surprise and disbelief that I knew I  had to take a picture to show my husband.  As I was fumbling for my phone to take a picture of her, I set her down on the floor to get a better angle.  Instead of sitting like I had anticipated, she stood on her two little legs.  I was amazed!  All of the sudden my “5 month old baby” was standing on her own.  I stepped back in awe, and then she took her very first steps, right there in front of me!  It was unreal!  I scooped her up again, and as I held her she continued to grow and develop right before my very eyes.  Her hair grew a little longer, her clothes changed from footie pajamas, to a red corduroy dress, to a t-shirt.  I kept trying to get my phone to its camera settings to take a picture of the miracle that was happening in front of me, but my hands were shaking and I was too busy relishing in the moment.  We were so in love with each other, and so completely filled with joy…it’s absolutely impossible to put into words. 

Before I could get a picture, I heard the footsteps of one of the orphanage nannies coming toward the room, so I quickly picked Juliana up and got her back in the swing.  All of the sudden she was a baby again, just as I had found her, with that sweet beckoning grin still on her face.  I tried to buckle her in as I fought back tears ~ tears of joy at the wonder I had just witnessed, and tears of heartache as I knew I was about to be taken away from her.  The nanny walked in the room with a look of both scorn and compassion on her face, both at the same time.  My tears could no longer be kept at bay, they started pouring out as I said goodbye to my little Julie, kissed her sweet face, told her that I loved her, and walked out of the room.  As the nanny ushered me down the hall, I remembered that I had forgotten something!  Something huge, something SO important I couldn’t leave without going back.  While she was none too happy, the nanny turned around and led me back to the area where Julie’s room was.  But all the doors had been closed, and it was just a wall of brown wooden doors, one right after another.  They all looked exactly the same.  We couldn’t find her room!  All the doors were locked, and there was no going back.  The nanny took me to the director’s office and explained the situation to him, in a mild effort to get me back to her.  But he said there was no way, I had to leave, :visiting hours” were over.  I pleaded with him desperately, saying “But you don’t understand!  I forgot, I forgot to PRAY with her!  I have to go back!”  He turned around and looked at me, and with a gruff voice said, “Look, we have a little guest room down the hall where you can stay for the night, and maybe tomorrow you can see her.”  Then I woke up…

WHAT?!?!  Seriously?!?!  No more???  After the shock of my abrupt awakening wore off, and I was a little more coherent, the Lord started revealing to me what that dream meant, and why it was that He woke me from my sleep exactly when He did.  He’s taking me deeper ~ deeper into His own heart ~ a place I have come to know as the Womb.  There is so much to say about the Womb, it has been an amazing, ongoing revelation spanning several months, that during another post I will dive further into.   It’s a place where all our needs are met with Love and compassion, by God alone ~ by our Father.  It’s a place of warmth and safety, stillness, where all we hear is the beating of His heart.    A place where we are allowed to see with His eyes, hear with His ears, and love with His heart; where we grow in intimate fellowship with Him.  It’s a place of total trust in Him.  In this dream, God gave me the most amazing gift last night.  He gave me my daughter, to hold in my arms, to watch her grow, to love her, and be filled with that unique joy that only a mother can feel in the presence of her children.  He allowed me see her through His eyes, to feel her and watch her grow in a miraculous way, outside our linear perspective of time.  He allowed me to love her as my own.  And then, He called me back to Himself…to love her as He loves her, to love her as if she were my own, but knowing that in the end she is His, no matter where she is or who she is with.  The same is true for all of us.  We are His.  In my dream, it was when Juliana experienced love and compassion that she began to grow and develop.  But it was not my love and compassion that nurtured her, it was God’s love in me.  His love can reach across oceans, through gates and locked doors, past neglect and abuse, to pierce the darkness around His children and bring them into the Light. 

I have known for some time now that God has called me to love the orphan as if they were my own.  Only now do I have a deeper understanding of what that really means.  He has led me to adoption and orphan ministry, taken me down so many different paths in order to teach me, guide me, sculpt me, prepare me.  I have been undergoing an apprenticeship with the Almighty Master!  My own passion for orphans is but a reflection of His heart, His passion, His nature ~ which He knit into mine before I was even born.  My desire to adopt a child is a reflection of His desire to adopt each of us as His precious sons and daughters.  And at the end of the day, that is the adoption that is eternal.  That adoption can happen anywhere, anytime, regardless of circumstance or law or financial restraints.  Even if an orphan is adopted into a loving home, it still comes down to that child of the world being adopted as a child of God.  Until we know God’s love, we will never grow into the children He created us to be.

My heart’s desire is to walk out a fleshly adoption, to bring a child into our family, nurture them, love them, and usher them into God’s kingdom here on Earth.  I don’t know if I will ever have the chance to do that.  But what God is offering me now is something far more powerful, something eternal, something much closer to His own heart.  To love these children as if they were my own, all of them.  Not just one, or two, or ten!  All of them!  He is telling me to LOVE them as He does, and leave the rest to Him!  Just as I had to lay my Juliana down, He had to sacrifice His only Son so that we might be adopted as His children also.  He had to watch His Son endure immense suffering for the sake of all His children.  And even as His children, He has to watch us in our rebellion and disobedience, our prideful independence as we suffer the consequences of trying to live our lives on our own terms.  He gave us that choice.  He gave us the choice to walk away.  And we did.  We still do. He must love us from a distance.  But He loves us none the less.  And He deeply, deeply desires for us to come back to Him.  For us to come to Him in hunger and humility. 

When we come to know Christ, when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we are often baptized in His name.  If we are born again, we are baptized in the Holy Spirit.  It is that second birth, that cleansing, atoning, fleshly circumcising birth from the Womb of the Holy Spirit, that I am praying for each of these children, that they might have eternal life in the glorious kingdom of God.  No matter what they endure on Earth, they will find love, and compassion, and security with their Father in Heaven.  They are of Him, in Him, and with Him ~ they are saved.

After I woke up from my dream, and turned to my Father in prayer for all “my babies” (as I call my kids), God revealed an awesome vision to me.  I saw Juliana, Zara, and Lilly ~ three orphans in three separate countries around the world ~ with a glowing belt of Light around them (like those donut inner tubes used for flotation).  He spoke so softly to me, telling me, “I have heard your cries.  They are safe.  Darkness has no power over them.  My Light will shine around them, offering them a protection that you never could!  They will be known by My Love.  They are Mine.” 

I have to lay Juliana down, not knowing if I will ever hold her in my arms again, but trust that He is holding her in His arms, now and forever; that in His love she will grow into the child He created her to be! 

Happy Birthday Davids!!

Today Davids turns 16!!!  Instead of getting a driver's license on this birthday, he received the gift of a family!  Today was the cut-off we were all praying about; he had until today for a family to submit papers to adopt him.  God was SO gracious in answering the prayers of THOUSANDS!  It didn't take until today...it took only 48 hours for God to lead Davids' family to him!  And they were able to sing Happy Birthday to him on the phone this morning, and shower him with love.  What an awesome sixteenth birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVIDS!

A Picture worth a thousand words...

"Now Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1)

The past week has been a week of praying for things hoped for, believing in things not seen...thousands and thousands of people coming together in FAITH for one little boy. 

Here is the evidence of that which we could not see, and the answer to that which we could only pray for just ten short days ago.  Here is Davids as he learned there is indeed a family coming to bring him home!

That's what FAITH can do!



Donations for Davids!!

UPDATE: (1/15/11) Approximately $11,000 has been raised at Project Hopeful, in addition to the $4,000 at Lifesong!!!  Davids' family is SO close to their goal!  Click HERE to visit their new blog!  GOD IS GOOD!!!

UPDATE: (1/13/11)  According to Davids' host mom, over $8,000 has already been raised in Davids' Project Hopeful fund (plus another $4,000 in a separate account at Lifesong.)  If these numbers are correct, that means that approximately $12,000 has already been raised for Davids' adoption!!!  WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!!!

Davids' family must raise $16,000-20,000 to complete his adoption, and they have nothing to spare because they were already in the process of adopting another almost 16 year old boy from Latvia as well!  So we still have some work to do to get them over the financial mountain!

The details of this story are just astounding...I am still in awe at what God has done for this boy, and by the response of His children (us, YOU, everyone who has helped to spread the word, PRAY, and raise money!)  We have witnessed something spectacular!!!

To read more about Davids' wonderful family click HERE!  It's an amazing story! 

UPDATE: DAVIDS HAS A FAMILY!!!  Click HERE to read what his host mom just posted!  PRAISE OUR ALMIGHTY FATHER IN HEAVEN!!!

Hi All!!  I woke up this morning to the news that they are VERY close to securing a family for Davids!!!  YAAAAY!!!!  His host mama posted that the family is very close to committing to this precious boy!  PRAISE THE LORD!!!  Click HERE to read her posts for the most recent updates!

Also, she said that Project Hopeful has agreed to set up a donations account for Davids.  That means that you can make a tax exempt donation to help raise money to bring him home.  What a blessing it will be for this family to not only welcome a beautiful son into their lives, but also to not have to worry about the enormous financial strain of an international adoption!!! GOD IS GOOD!!!

Click HERE to donate funds for Davids' adoption.  (Please write DAVIDS in the comment section so the money goes directly to his account!)  Any and all donations, no matter how big or small, will make an enormous difference in this childs' life!

Thank you ALL for praying and spreading the word about Davids!  It has been AWESOME to watch God move among us!!  We have all been blessed by this boy's story, by his life, and by the mighty power and Love of God that will save him!!!

REJOICING!

Keep spreading the word so the funds for Davids' homecoming can be raised!

In Him,
Ashley

Update on Davids

Here (in blue) is the most recent post from Davids' host mama, Lisa, who has been in contact with potential families for Davids!:

"Keep praying! There is a family I just spoke with who is a possibility and one other as well.  Also, someone has offered to pay the money a family would need in order to file their I800, AND there is already a $1500 grant that came in to help as well. If a family is able to file by the 23, they will then have six months to complete the adoption. Keep those prayers coming!

Even MORE updates! This afternoon I was contacted by phone by a REPORTER from Indiana who is going to write a column about Davids this weekend.

There is a family who has a state homestudy and is working to see if they can complete the necessary requirements to be his forever family.

I am a planner by nature. This is testing that to no end as I "want" so much to plan for the What Ifs. What if he doesn't have a family by the 23... what can I do then. Can he come for a student VISA? Is there a family who would take him in that capacity? Is there a contact I can keep in touch with him through and help him financially to get stabilized? Etc Etc Etc... BUT we are waiting. We are being patient in God to see HIS glory shine through. And He's already bringing so many people together through this. He's raising awareness through this one boy. He's working. And I need to step back and let HIM work..." ~Lisa, Davids' host mom.

Click HERE to visit her blog, and continue to get updates straight from her.

Also, I received an email this afternoon forwarded from Barbara Lorenzo (with Adoption Related Services, Inc.) stating that "so far $3500 is committed toward the foreign and immigration costs.  ARS agency services are free, including Kelly’s casework.  Others are promising to take up collections when a family has come forward.  I have heard that Open Door is also willing to do something for any family that steps up, so the family has choices as to agencies."

GOD IS MIGHTY TO SAVE! 

Davids, we're praying for you, and doing everything we can to get you home!!  But it is God that will move the mountains, and place you in the loving embrace of your forever family!  He is calling His warriors into action for you, and whispering into the hearts of MANY!  He will not leave you as an orphan!  You are LOVED in a mighty way, sweet boy!   

PRAISING OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN!!!

~Ashley

Davids' Story: URGENT NEED!!!

UPDATE: (1/13/11)  According to Davids' host mom, over $8,000 has already been raised in Davids' Project Hopeful fund (plus another $4,000 in a separate account at Lifesong.)  If these numbers are correct, that means that approximately $12,000 has already been raised for Davids' adoption!!!  WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!!!

Davids' family must raise $16,000-20,000 to complete his adoption, and they have nothing to spare because they were already in the process of adopting another almost 16 year old boy from Latvia as well!  So we still have some work to do to get them over the financial mountain!

The details of this story are just astounding...I am still in awe at what God has done for this boy, and by the response of His children (us, YOU, everyone who has helped to spread the word, PRAY, and raise money!)  We have witnessed something spectacular!!!

To read more about Davids' wonderful family click HERE!  It's an amazing story! 

Contacts for more information about Davids:
1)LeAnn Dakake (New Horizons for Children)
   678-313-8321 cell
   dakake (at) mindspring (dot) com
2)Cathy Sawyer (An Open Door Adoption)
   404-667-0694
3)Barbara L. Lorenzo (Adoption Related Services, Inc.)
   717-227-9560 *They have agreed to help anyone in need of home study updates/reviews*

Earlier today I posted "a plea for a boy in Latvia," and later received more information about his story.  It is heartbreaking, and he is URGENT need of prayer and adoption!!  Please read his story, and PRAY!  Below is the message I received:

"Dear Friends and Prayer Warriors:
I have prayed over the last few days about how to share this story, and I have no words to adequately express it. However, it has to be shared and I will do my best. Many who have heard it are so sick over it, our hearts just ache. We know God has a plan; is it you?

In January, 2010, I met an awesome child/young man at an orphanage in Riga , Latvia . His name is Davids. He was one of a few children we were introduced to that day for consideration in our Summer 2010 orphan hosting program. He was really sharp and smart, had a great sense of humor and looked you in the eye when he tried to speak the good amount of English he had already learned. I remember asking his favorite things to do and he didn’t hesitate to explain he loved kite flying in the sky and dreamed to be a pilot some day! He also enjoys soccer, basketball, swimming and all sports. But, the thing that surprised us most was his age! He was already 15 and effectively the size of a 9 or 10 year old child. We asked the orphanage director more about him later, and were told Davids is healthy, just small and has the kindest, gentlest heart. He generally plays with the younger group of kids because the older ones make fun of him and claim to be “too cool” to hang out with a guy his size. As for history, he has been in 4-5 different orphanages, but has managed to keep hope for a brighter future. He is a sincere and especially child towards younger children. Lego building is one of his hobbies! I remember, he made a joke when I asked him if he liked dogs and cats…a traditional question we ask… He said, “of course! But, I am no cannibal.” And gave us the biggest smile of all! Later, when he was among the group and doing art projects, he drew a picture of a jet airplane landing under a sky that resembled the American flag. When I asked him to explain it, he told me, “My dream to fly airplane and live in family in America !” From that point, he had us at “hello” and we were committed to helping him fulfill his dream.

For the summer program, Davids was hosted by a multi-cultural, multi-racial family and he did awesome! He was kind to his younger host brothers and sister and enjoyed just about everything they did. He especially liked to build and make things and play sports outside, with swimming being one of his favorites! He learned a lot more English and wasn’t shy to use it either. While his host family was not his forever family, our team and staff was so thankful when we received a call from a couple who wanted to go and visit with him before his return to Latvia . We knew time was short, and we encouraged anyone who might be interested, to meet him asap. After one meeting, the family who went, let me know they would be adopting him and how encouraged and inspired they were by Davids. After many discussions, we realized that he needed to know the plan, as his birthday was coming up…his 16th birthday, 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 their path of graduating the orphanage and will soon be on their own. Third, it means life as they know it now: food, shelter, protection and security is about over. In the first year after a child leaves the orphanage, generally 15% commit suicide. So, it was decided for me to talk to Davids when our interview returned to Latvia this past August and see how he felt regarding this adoption.

When I sat down with him, I had a translator with me, but he didn’t need her. We sat on a sofa in the social worker’s office and I asked him how he liked America and what he thought? He explained he loved it, and it was more than he ever imagined! I asked him if he remembered this particular man who came to meet him and spent time with him the week before he returned to Latvia , and he said “Oh Yes and we had fun!” I went on and said, “Well, this man told his wife about you and they want me to tell you they are so happy, and they want to adopt you.” Davids’ look was utter shock! He said, “Who, me?” and I confirmed it was indeed him. He said, “Oh yes! VERY VERY much YES! And, they want ME?” He was just the most excited kid I think I ever had the pleasure to tell about an adoption. Most kids are shocked, but usually have to think about it and have several questions to ask before they really accept it and consider it as real. Davids’, on the other hand, was just the happiest kid on the planet that day; his dream was coming true.

Last week, I got an email from  his adoptive family… now just 10 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, I got an unsolicited email from Davids’ social worker in Latvia . 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.”
We have tried to contact his 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’. I have explained to his social worker 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.

Here are a few photos of Davids’: (the one on bottom is me telling him he was being adopted).

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

Waiting Children in Taiwan

Below are the bios of several children from Taiwan who are waiting for their forever families to come scoop them up!  But as always, these boys are in need of prayer for comfort, peace, and adoption as sons of our Heavenly Father first and foremost!  I cannot post their pictures, but if you would like more information about them, you can email Stephanie Carpenter with Lifeline Children's Services at stehpanie.carpenter@lifelineadoption.org.  May God bless you infinitely for lifting these boys up to Him in prayer!!

Liu – male – Date of Birth – January 19, 2010
Soon to be 1 year old
This precious little boy is absolutely the most adorable little guy ever. His ethnicity is Aborigine and from the Taroko Tribe. He was born prematurely and had a light body weight. He was diagnosed with congenital heart disease and has a heart murmur and had difficulty breathing. He is now doing well and can breathe normally. He no longer needs medication for his heart either. He also had surgery for the correction of a hernia. In June of 2010 he had a brain scan and it showed normal. This beautiful baby boy needs a family! Please pray for him!

Ma – male- Date of Birth – September 2, 200916 months old
This beautiful little baby boy needs a family to love him. He has had some issues with neonatal abstinence syndrome; epilepsy and microcephaly. He was expected to no longer need any medication for epilepsy in November 2010. Currently he is suspected to have some developmental delay in motor development and will need follow up for auditory and visual functions. He was on a feeding tube for 5 months but that was removed in Feburary of 2010. This little boy is very beautiful and needs his family! Please pray for him!

Yang – male – Date of Birth – July 3, 2010
Just 6 months old!
This precious little baby boy is just 6 months old. He needs a family as soon as possible. This little boy has been listed as Pierre Robin Syndrome, Hepatitis C and withdrawal syndrome. He has some difficulty with swallowing due to the small mandible, retraction of the tongue and cleft palate. He was originally on a feeding tube but after transfer to the orphanage he has been able to drink milk from a bottle that is specialized for cleft palate. When he reaches 10Kg. He can have operation for cleft palate function. He is very adorable and very much needs his family to care for him and love him.

Yuan – male – Date of Birth – January 21, 2008Soon to be 3 years old
This very adorable little boy needs his family. He has some issues of speech and motor delay. His birth mother was unable to care for him and He desperately needs a family. There are many reports and photos. Please pray for this precious little boy to find his family!
　
Chia- Ching – male – Date of Birth - January 9, 20074 years old (waiting to receive a photo)
This precious little boy is in need of his family. He currently resides in a foster family. He at one time had a period of epilepsy but it has been determined that he no longer has this diagnosis. He has not had a seizure since April of 2007. He has a slight language articulation issue but nothing that is severe. This little boy needs his own family to love him. Many files are available and we will soon have a photo also. 

Chuan (Chase) – male – Date of Birth – May 24, 2004
6 years
This precious little boy is absolutely adorable. He was born prematurely and his mother gave birth in prison and therefore he began his life in prison with his birthmo ther. He was placed into foster care but now resides at the orphanage. He is on medication for epilepsy and has a diagnosis of having been born with cerebral hypoplasia. He also has some mild disability with his lower extremities. This precious child needs a family to love him. If you would like to see photos and have more information please contact Stephanie.

Tseng – male – Date of Birth – May 11, 20028 years
This adorable young boy is in need of a family to love him. He is physically healthy and doing well. He is learning to be more empathetic and patient with others. He will finish his homework upon arriving at the orphanage after school and doesn’t need to be reminded by the caregiver. His relationships with his peers are considered fair and he does take medication to improve his emotions and impulsive behavior. He needs a permanent family to love him so that he can grow and thrive . Please contact Stephanie for more information and many photos.