Carrier, by Jared Anderson

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me
To preach good news to the poor
To bind up the broken-hearted
To make You known even more
So that people living in darkness
Will see the great light

I'll be the carrier of love and compassion
I'll be the carrier of light to the world
I'll be the carrier of hope and salvation
I will go shine Your light to the world

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me
Freedom and truth to proclaim
Trade your ashes for the oil of gladness
And your sorrows for garments of praise

Here am I send me, send me.



Monday, January 10, 2011

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

52 comments:

  1. Oh sweet boy! Someone please go get this child! I will post this on my blog and FB asap!!! Praying qualified families will be lining up for Davids tomorrow!!!

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  2. Oh, I am in tears. I am praying for this sweet boy!!

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  3. I was his host family. I just found out about all of this a couple days ago. He is the most wonderful boy and I am SICK. ANYONE can contact me! My heart BREAKS.

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  4. My prayers go out to Davids and you Lisa!!! That is not right. I hope someone steps up and adopts him.

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  5. This breaks my heart. Praying for this sweet boy. I posted on FB and blog.

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  6. Praying for Davids and I hope someone will adopted him really soon. My prayers go out to lisa as well.

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  7. This is so sad, I hope someone will go get this boy.....

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  8. You know the plans You have for this child, LORD. Give him a future and a hope!!!

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  9. I am in tears about this. Someone has to be this boy's family. I have emailed his story and will also share it on my blog.

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  10. Leanne, my online friend kelly Baeher can help you, I think. she was in a very similar situation with a boy she loved named Vicktor. She was told she would never bring him home, because he aged out. Hes home now, not adopted, but HOME. Not a final answer, because his visa is temporary, but he has lived here for several years and she has gone to the ends of the earth to make sure he remains her son. I will ask her to comment here, and hopefully you two can chat.

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  11. OH my.. I was just lead to your blog. I will pray for this to all work out. He sounds like a wonderful boy deserving of a family not a life in the streets.

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  12. I am sobbing over this situation... I will be praying hard!!!

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  13. My heart is breaking for Davids. Am praying someone steps forward quqickly. He seems like such a sweetheart!

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  14. I facebooked it. He looks and sounds like an amazing young man! Would there be any way for him to get a visa if he does age out???

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  15. Oh my goodness my heart just breaks for this little boy. I will share this with another lady post on her blog. We will be praying for him to find a family. Oh Lord, please find a family to come rescue him.

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  16. Shared on facebook! Praying for this boy! Lord, please provide a family!

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  17. I will share this. I wonder . . . why is neither New Horizons for Children or An Open Door Adoption posting this on their own facebook pages or websites? I love the idea of adoptive parents sharing this story but the agencies involved should be using their broad reach as well, I would think.

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  18. We have placed a call to both numbers listed above. Does anyone know if a home study through a state agency (state of Indiana) would qualify?

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  19. Kristen,
    The relationship between adoption agencies and foreign countries is always dicey. That may be why the agencies don't advocate for individual children like they should - just a thought.
    I, too, an in tears over this young man! I know that God can provide him with a loving adoptive family and I pray He will do just that!
    Praying in NC

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  20. I'm not familiar specifically with this case, but may be able to answer your question. Your agency would have to agree to release your homestudy (and sometimes they will!), and it must be Hague compliant.

    Generally, state homestudies for adopting in the US are not Hague compliant, but I'm wondering if an addendum could be added to bring it into compliance.

    Additionally, your study must be current (less than one year old).

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  21. Ashley,

    I'm not sure if you're the right one to contact, but I figure you're on the forefront of this, so I'll message you. My husband and I are in the application process with a very large mission organization, and I know "we" have missionaries in Latvia (Riga). I've called the office today, but received a message they closed an hour ago due to inclement weather (they're on the East Coast). I am praying my heart out for this precious boy. I have seen God act in miraculous ways on behalf of orphans, and I trust that He will somehow do the same for Davids. I am praying that he is able to be adopted within 2 weeks. If NOT, I'd like to help find him a temp. place to live, preferrably a solid Christian, loving place, hence I am trying to get in touch with "our" missionaries over there. I have no idea if my effort is going to be fruitful or helpful in any way, but I figure it's sure worth a shot. You can email me at weakyetstrong at yahoo dot com or find me in the Reece's Rainbow group.

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  22. I re-posted this post in its entirety (including photos) on my blog. I hope you don't mind, but I can make it just a link if you aren't comfortable with the re-post. I also posted a link to your blog on FB. Praying that this precious guy finds a forever family immediately. Thank you for advocating for him.

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  23. Sharing & Praying! God has a plan for David!

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  24. Anyone interested in adopting Davids can contact:

    Barbara L. Lorenzo, Executive Director
    Adoption Related Services, Inc.,
    Shrewsbury, PA 17361,
    717-227-9560.

    They have agreed to help with anyone who needs a home study update or review...she is "on the case" now and can answer your home study related questions!

    THANK YOU to everyone who is praying and spreading the word in any way they can!! (No, I definitely don't mind if you copy this info to your own blogs...we have to just get this boy's story to as many people as possible!!!)

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  25. Posted it it to my FB and almost 400 friends . . . as an adoptive mommy myself . . . I know the blessing of adoption . . . praying!

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  26. Will be praying that Davids will get a Forever Family and be adopted before time runs out. He sounds like a special person and I am sure God has plans for him.

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  27. Hoping for this young man. I would love to have him but our homestudy is three years old since we brought out twins from Haiti last year. We've been talking about adopting one last son. : ( Double : (

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  28. I'm assuming this adoption wouldn't be able to work for a Canadian family?

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  29. I have no idea what a home study is as we have never perused adoption, but if I did have a home study ready I would go get him! Praying for the right family to come along!

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  30. We called, we asked, we started the process today of finding out what we can do and how quickly. We already have a home study and it can be amended to be international we have been told. If we don't get him, it won't be because we didn't try, but because he went to a different family instead from the way it sounds! Many many people had called about him and many have pledged money to pay for the costs and expenses to make sure he gets his family in the US. If someone already has an international home study approval, they would be a first choice, and I pray someone does to make sure it happens as quickly as possible, but if not and he needs us, we are going to do everything in our power to make sure he comes to us.

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  31. My husband and I will pray diligently for this child. Maybe he could come to the US on a temporary visa for schooling or something?

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  32. We are praying and spreading the word to all we can. This is heartbreaking but I do believe that God is already bringing forward Davids forever family. It gives me such hope and relief to read about wonderful people who care about the orphans and are willing to do whatever it takes. God Bless you all.

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  33. Posted on my blog and fb.
    We are currently updating our homestudy so we can finalize our daughter's adoption. If we had the funds I would adopt Davids in a minute. We are on the last leg of completing our daughters unexpected adoption. She is a full sibling to our son and we exhausted all savings to bring her home.
    Please post upates. We are praying that he finds a good home immediately. I so wish we could adopt him.

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  34. I wish I had a home study. Davids would fit into our family so well; my daughter is also small for her age, enjoys all sports (especially swimming and gymnastics), is blonde with brown eyes, and loves animals.

    My father was a pilot, my brother is a pilot and I even have a pilot's license (though not used in a long time.)

    I would be willing to consider sponsoring Davids if he does age out. I'm not wealthy, by any means, but there's always room for one more in the family.

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  35. This is heartbreaking. I will be praying for Davids. God bless him.

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  36. How come everyone is willing to pray for him but not adopt him?! Come on people, if they would let us adopt this boy I would in a split second. Think of how many more are out there like him that need help.

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  37. There ARE indeed families stepping up to adopt him! PRAISE GOD for bringing them forward! Davids is already loved SO much!

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  38. Please, please don't tell these children that they have a new family before it is appropriate.So much can and often does go wrong in the process from when a family expresses interest and when they actually begin the process of adopting. So much of this heartache would have been avoided if Davids wasn't told he had a family when there was only an interest expressed.It's too late for Davids,the damage has been done, but please learn for the next child and be in prayer over WHEN and how to speak these things.

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  39. OK, this is so sad. I adopted my son at age 10 from an orphanage in kazakhstan. He was the size of a 6 year old, but he has caught up now, after almost 4 years. He's smart, funny, and delightful. I am praying Davids will find a family to adopt him and I posted this on Facebook and notified a friend who might be able to help with expenses. God CAN work miracles!

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  40. Ashley, please keep us updated. I want to know that this boy is coming home soon!

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  41. PRAISE THE LORD! Davids has found his forever family!!!!! God places the orphans in families...and once again, another child has found his forever family! God DOES move in mysterious ways. Thanks for praying for Davids and his new found family!

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  42. YES!!! Davids DOES have a family!!! Now on to raising funds for his adoption! Read the post entitled "Donations for Davids" to learn how we can all help raise money for his family!

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  43. what a handsome young man! You have until the day he turns 16 to get USCIS approval and then 1 year to finish up the adoption. I believe you can file for the I-600 and get it registered so to speak and then have the homestudy and all other ...paperwork on the way to meet up with the I-600. The important thing is to get the I-600 in ASAP the rest will catch up. Call Officer Larsen at USCIS-NBC at 877-424-8374
    she helped us with our petition to adopt a near 16 year old. Prayers

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  44. I am heartbroken that Davids was prematurely told he would be adopted. Having been a foster parent for 5 years (and adoptive mom of four), I know this sad story all too well. Adding my prayers for this precious boy.
    Blessings,
    Toni

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  45. I donated. I really wish I could adopt him! But we're not eligible (no home study and loss of husband's job). I will be watching your blog to find out what happens to him. I hope to meet him and his new family some day.

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  46. no home study and not able to do something STAT...aching for this young man.... my prayers are foremost for Davids and i will hold my breath that someone is able to provide the paperwork before the date.......he certainly is our number one star and i hope somehow he will know how much he is wanted, loved and perfect just as he is. But mostly i hope he gets the forever home by his birthday.

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  47. I'm 12, and that's horrible! I would love another brother, but i can't, it stinks!!

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  48. Our family will be praying fervently for Davids & his forever family.

    Hope this will help towards the fundraising efforts but they can also apply for a grant thru Show Hope, http://www.showhope.org

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  49. We are praying for this young man but I really (REALLY) wish that adoption agencies would not say things that make these young people sound perfect. Adopting a teen ( especially cross culturally) is extraordinarily difficult. The first six months will be wonderful ( the honeymoon period) but after that there can be very strong attachment issues. Please, please, allow people to know the truth, allow people to rise to the occasion of adopting teens. Adopting a teen is a wonderful journey but its not at all easy. I have never (EVER) heard of an easy teen adoption. It would be best if teenage children were adopted by parents that had already parented past their age. Good luck to everyone involved.

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