Tonight, as we got ready to go get our annual picture with santa, I caught my littlest sister Catherine in a room all by herself twirling. She was in her new beautiful christmas dress, and she felt beautiful.
When she saw me watching, she stopped twirling, embarrassed. But I got my camera and eventually convinced her to twirl for some pictures. As a watched her, I realized just how lucky she is. How lucky I am.
To have someone to rejoice in the small things with you. Someone to take pictures of twirling. Someone to buy you a new Christmas dress. That is something that more than 147 million children in this world do not have.
We have been blessed with parents that have shown us Jesus' love. So many have not.
Showing posts with label orphaned. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orphaned. Show all posts
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
it's 4 minutes. watch it
How can we see things like this and not want to give it all?
How can we justify our lives when others live like this?
What is Jesus going to say on that day?
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Pray For
So one of the blogs I read is written by a woman who founded 147 Million Orphans, an organization based in Nashville! That aims to help orphans and adoptive families. Just recently, they posted about, what is in my opinion an awesome idea, their new initiative. Here it is:
I would be so grateful if you all would join in. I find that setting my phone alarm works the best...
I've found out lately jut how much prayer matters. It is what grows our relationship with God; it is like the phone calls and texts we send out friends. Without these little efforts to get to know our fellow humans, we would not have friendship. Without our effort to know God through prayer, we cannot have a relationship with him.
Praying as a community is one of the greatest things about being in the network of Christians all over the world. Let's life up these children and families to the Lord and ask him to make radical waves. To make radical changes.
SO WE AT 147 ARE ASKING YOU TO COME ALONG SIDE OF US AND HELP US TO ASK OTHERS TO PRAY DOWN THE NUMBER AT 1:47 PM ... where ever you are just stop and lift up orphans to the FATHER - pray for friend's adoptions, pray for the orphan who is hungry, pray the for the orphan that is sick, pray for the families sitting on the fence about adoption, pray for orphan/adoption ministries, pray for those serving orphans, ... WHATEVER GOD LAYS ON YOUR HEART ABOUT THE FATHERLESS - pray pray pray !!!
put in on your calendar, make it an appt. on your phone, write it on your hand, put a sticky note on your mirror or do them all ... LET'S ALL STAND TOGETHER, WATCH OUR FAITH GROW AND THE NUMBER GO DOWN !!! - to read the rest of the article click here
I would be so grateful if you all would join in. I find that setting my phone alarm works the best...
I've found out lately jut how much prayer matters. It is what grows our relationship with God; it is like the phone calls and texts we send out friends. Without these little efforts to get to know our fellow humans, we would not have friendship. Without our effort to know God through prayer, we cannot have a relationship with him.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. - John 14: 13-14
Praying as a community is one of the greatest things about being in the network of Christians all over the world. Let's life up these children and families to the Lord and ask him to make radical waves. To make radical changes.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours - Matthew 11:24
Friday, October 7, 2011
to love and be loved
I follow a blog called No Greater Joy Mom. I don't know when I started reading this blog, but I know why. She's mom to two beautiful babies that just happen to have down syndrome. I've always loved her posts because I can see how much having family that loves instead of putts down, and that cares instead of ignores, can make a difference.
Last night, I was reading one of her posts and it hit me like a rock. I miss my babies in Peru. I miss them all, but especially one in particular. Naylee. Why do babies with down syndrom catch at my heart? I don't know, I guess it's just the way God made me.
Between the first time I visited Naylee and the second, she grew so much. When I went back she was starting to try to mimic words, played games, and even more energetic than before. But, she was also being tied down more than ever. Her strength and size (the strength and size of a 6 year old without down syndrome), was too much for the nurses.
I found out,after playing with her, that she does get tired. She is so energetic and hard to handle because she dosen't get to get rid of her energy. I would be bouncing off the walls too if I didn't get to get out of my chair all day. It broke my heart then and it still does now, that the best gifts God gave her, her energy and love of life, are the reasons she is being held captive in a car seat. I can remember the anger I felt when I walked in her room and she was tied into her chair and then to a leg of a table so she couldn't tip the chair over as she tried to get out. Or the time that I walked in the room from taking another baby outside to play and the mom was trying to tie her into her chair by her waist and her neck. Those were the times that I had to leave the room. I couldn't watch without doing something, and I couldn't do anything if I wanted to be able to come back and love on her. There's a very fine balance between what we can do in the orphanages and what we can't. We cannot be disrespectful or the director will not let us come back, because the moms will tell him we were making trouble.
After a few days, Naylee started to remember me. She is so smart; she even started to learn my name. We would play games on day, and when I wold come back, she would want to play the same games; placing my hands over my eyes so we would play hide and seek. After a few days of playing with her, she started to let me hold her. She doesn't let anybody hold her; but that's only because they don't take the time to love her. She would sit in my lap for a hour just letting me scratch her back and rock her. She loved to be loved.
I was trying to read a book for my book club earlier today, but all I could think about was little Naylee. It completely blows my mind sometimes that she is over there doing her thing and I'm here doing mine. It is so easy to forget. But then God reminds me. She is over there, probably in her chair, just waiting for someone to come through the door and play with her. My worries and problems seen so frivolous when I think about hers. She simply needs to be loved.
Another blog, Loving the Least of These, had a beautiful post today about being burdened. God has burdened my heart with a love for those babies. Sometimes it feels like too much, like today. Sometimes I just want to forget it all. But then, what would be my purpose? Sure, it is easier to forget, but is that love? Can I love if I don't feel the burden of those who need?
So, when the days seem to drag on with memories of hugs and kisses from those babies, I'm still thankful. Thankful that I know about it and then God has burdened my heart with the need to love in His name.
Last night, I was reading one of her posts and it hit me like a rock. I miss my babies in Peru. I miss them all, but especially one in particular. Naylee. Why do babies with down syndrom catch at my heart? I don't know, I guess it's just the way God made me.
Between the first time I visited Naylee and the second, she grew so much. When I went back she was starting to try to mimic words, played games, and even more energetic than before. But, she was also being tied down more than ever. Her strength and size (the strength and size of a 6 year old without down syndrome), was too much for the nurses.
I found out,after playing with her, that she does get tired. She is so energetic and hard to handle because she dosen't get to get rid of her energy. I would be bouncing off the walls too if I didn't get to get out of my chair all day. It broke my heart then and it still does now, that the best gifts God gave her, her energy and love of life, are the reasons she is being held captive in a car seat. I can remember the anger I felt when I walked in her room and she was tied into her chair and then to a leg of a table so she couldn't tip the chair over as she tried to get out. Or the time that I walked in the room from taking another baby outside to play and the mom was trying to tie her into her chair by her waist and her neck. Those were the times that I had to leave the room. I couldn't watch without doing something, and I couldn't do anything if I wanted to be able to come back and love on her. There's a very fine balance between what we can do in the orphanages and what we can't. We cannot be disrespectful or the director will not let us come back, because the moms will tell him we were making trouble.
After a few days, Naylee started to remember me. She is so smart; she even started to learn my name. We would play games on day, and when I wold come back, she would want to play the same games; placing my hands over my eyes so we would play hide and seek. After a few days of playing with her, she started to let me hold her. She doesn't let anybody hold her; but that's only because they don't take the time to love her. She would sit in my lap for a hour just letting me scratch her back and rock her. She loved to be loved.
I was trying to read a book for my book club earlier today, but all I could think about was little Naylee. It completely blows my mind sometimes that she is over there doing her thing and I'm here doing mine. It is so easy to forget. But then God reminds me. She is over there, probably in her chair, just waiting for someone to come through the door and play with her. My worries and problems seen so frivolous when I think about hers. She simply needs to be loved.
Another blog, Loving the Least of These, had a beautiful post today about being burdened. God has burdened my heart with a love for those babies. Sometimes it feels like too much, like today. Sometimes I just want to forget it all. But then, what would be my purpose? Sure, it is easier to forget, but is that love? Can I love if I don't feel the burden of those who need?
So, when the days seem to drag on with memories of hugs and kisses from those babies, I'm still thankful. Thankful that I know about it and then God has burdened my heart with the need to love in His name.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
"Sometimes I would like to ask God why he allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world, when He could do something about it...but I'm afraid He may ask me the same question." Anonymous.
I'm going to be honest, I would rather not look at these pictures. They are hard. It hurts my heart, it is easier to not look and forget. It is easier to go along with my easy life and not think about the pain she is suffering. The pictures below are of one of a little 9 year old girl with Down Syndrome in an orphanage. She is NINE.
This picture was taken a month ago, she is ELEVEN now. This beautiful little girl is wasting away. She is literally dying at this moment as we sit in our comfy houses, with our pantries filled with food, thinking about the things we want to buy.
This picture was taken a month ago, she is ELEVEN now. This beautiful little girl is wasting away. She is literally dying at this moment as we sit in our comfy houses, with our pantries filled with food, thinking about the things we want to buy.
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She is my Sister in Christ. What does that mean; we are all Brothers and Sisters in Christ? If that little girl were my sister, I would be freaking out. I would sell everything to get her out of there.
Sometimes I wonder why people went along with the Holocaust. 11 million people died because everyone went along with the message they were fed by the Nazis. I read about those people in my history book and wondered how they went along with the killing, why they didn't stop it.
Will people look back at my generation with the same questions? Every year, 15 million children die from starvation. 15 million. That's not including adults, just children. Will they wonder why we didn't do anything, why we sat in our comfy homes and just watched the commercials about the starving children in Africa. Why we lived so comfortably compared to the rest of the world?
But I think, even more importantly, what will God say when I reach the gates of Heaven? When I am so close to spending eternity in His presence, will I have done enough?
The pictures came from here. If you click on this link, you can see where money is being raised to save our sister.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
naylee
Beautiful girl, six years old, huge smile, loves to be outside, does not like to wear shoes, rambunctious, never ending personality, always moving, likes to play in the grass, loves peek a boo, learning, learning to talk, learning to play monkey see monkey do, growing.
Growing. Her biggest gift and worst nightmare all in one word. For this little one, growing is exciting, but it's also going to bring with it sadness.
We have all seen people with Down Syndrom, they can be normal people if their given the right resources. Depending on the severity, they can do pretty much everything we do. They can work, make friends, live, eat, go to the bathroom, learn. Growing is exciting, they are moving on to bigger and better things.
Naylee is moving on to being strapped down half of her life. The last time I saw her, the moms had just started tying her into a wheelchair because she tried to go outside all of the time. I hadn't seen her again until today, but I had gotten reports from other volunteers that she was still being tied to a chair. Today as I walked in the baby room, she was the first person I saw. She can sure light up a room with that personality. I sat down beside her and couldn't figure out why she wasn't moving from her spot on the floor. As I investigated, I saw she was tied down. Instead of tying her into a chair, they have started tying her to a chair turned sideways, and then it is tied to something else. When she was tied into the chair, she would end up tipping over all the time because she wanted out so much.
I got to take Naylee outsideto play today for about three hours. It amazes me how much he has grown in seven months. She loves to play games, and is starting to learn how to wave and say "hola."
As Naylee gets older, she gets closer to moving up to the older children room. This is the room where there are a ton of kids, almost all in wheel chairs. The moms ge them ready in the morning, tied to their chairs, and then set them in front of the tv. They are fed at lunch, and then set in front of the tv. That is not how we are supposed to live. If Naylee is good, she may not be forced into a wheelchair, but if she stays as vivacious as she is now, she will be.
And yet, as bad as it sounds, I have to thank God she is in this orphanage. Most are not this good.
Many orphanage systems in Europe keep children with downs syndrom in fairly good orphanages until they are five. Then, they get transfered to a mental asylum. Here, 95% of babies with Down Syndrom die. 95% of babies with Down Syndrom die. Here, they are strapped into cribs and left to die. Here is one of these precious little girls. The first picture is before she was transferred. The second is a few weeks after she was transferred.
Growing. Her biggest gift and worst nightmare all in one word. For this little one, growing is exciting, but it's also going to bring with it sadness.
We have all seen people with Down Syndrom, they can be normal people if their given the right resources. Depending on the severity, they can do pretty much everything we do. They can work, make friends, live, eat, go to the bathroom, learn. Growing is exciting, they are moving on to bigger and better things.
Naylee is moving on to being strapped down half of her life. The last time I saw her, the moms had just started tying her into a wheelchair because she tried to go outside all of the time. I hadn't seen her again until today, but I had gotten reports from other volunteers that she was still being tied to a chair. Today as I walked in the baby room, she was the first person I saw. She can sure light up a room with that personality. I sat down beside her and couldn't figure out why she wasn't moving from her spot on the floor. As I investigated, I saw she was tied down. Instead of tying her into a chair, they have started tying her to a chair turned sideways, and then it is tied to something else. When she was tied into the chair, she would end up tipping over all the time because she wanted out so much.
I got to take Naylee outsideto play today for about three hours. It amazes me how much he has grown in seven months. She loves to play games, and is starting to learn how to wave and say "hola."
As Naylee gets older, she gets closer to moving up to the older children room. This is the room where there are a ton of kids, almost all in wheel chairs. The moms ge them ready in the morning, tied to their chairs, and then set them in front of the tv. They are fed at lunch, and then set in front of the tv. That is not how we are supposed to live. If Naylee is good, she may not be forced into a wheelchair, but if she stays as vivacious as she is now, she will be.
And yet, as bad as it sounds, I have to thank God she is in this orphanage. Most are not this good.
Many orphanage systems in Europe keep children with downs syndrom in fairly good orphanages until they are five. Then, they get transfered to a mental asylum. Here, 95% of babies with Down Syndrom die. 95% of babies with Down Syndrom die. Here, they are strapped into cribs and left to die. Here is one of these precious little girls. The first picture is before she was transferred. The second is a few weeks after she was transferred.
Naylee would be in one of those places, where she would most likely die. I am thankful for where she is. But that still is no reason for this bright young thing to be treated like she is. Not when the bible says this:
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
Proverbs 31:8-9
And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.
Matthew 18:5
I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!
Matthew 25:40
If you want to read about some families that have taken on the burden of the orphans around the world, and what they are doing, or want to read about adoption, go to the link at the top of my blog titled "some really great stuff..."
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
bye until monday
I ended up at San Antonio's today in the afternoon, just in time to tell my little babies good bye. From what I understand, they moved three orphanages together about two years ago to renovate the old orphanages Today is the big day. They went back home. As I write this, I can only imagine how confused they must be. They have never been anywhere except their room, the lunch room, and the playground. Their poor little brains are probably working overtime right now as they lay in their cribs in their new room.
Their old home is huge. The kids are in about 12 rooms, I have no idea what is going to become of all of this space. Peruvians aren't the best with details. Every time I ask what the moving situation is, all I get a few shady details that don't match up with what the person before me said. But, they have moved. We don't get to see them again until Monday. Until then, I guess I'm going to have to keep myself occupied with the older children, or maybe go visit the little ones at Semillitas, the special needs orphanage I would like to go there once or twice to see how much they have grown. I've gotten great reports from all the other volunteers. I guess it's meant to be.
We ended up at San Antonio's in the afternoon, because the whole volunteer group was asked to go to a government volunteer program. Lidia said that she thought it was going to be in English for just a few hours. But lets just say it ended up being a really long session of Spanish practice. I did learn a few things. There are about 15 government run orphanages in Lima with about 920 kids. Each orphanage has, among other things, a nutritionist, a doctor, and a social worker. These orphanages are all like the ones I work at, with groups of about 10-20 kids of all the same age with one or two moms at a time taking care of them.
They have recently started a program that is either more of a family style orphanage or a foster cars system. Juan asked them to clarify the new program, and they didn't clarify anything. But, either way, I think it is way better than what they have now.
Having seen how this style of orphanage works, having the kids grouped by ages, I would have to say that I am a huge supported of family style orphanages. The main idea of a family style orphanage is that the kid are kept in a family unit. They have a consistant caregiver, and with that comes consistency in everything else; discipline, routine, etc. The kids may have only a mother, or a mother and father. They may be grouped closer to the same age, all with special needs, all girls or boys, or a mix of all of these. But, they live in a house, and share in family life. What in the end may be a bit more expensive, also take away many of the negatives. The children are never told they are not wanted, loved, or special. They are loved by their new parents and siblings just like normal kids. They are a part of the community, and live a normal childhood. Kuddos to Peru for realizing this and starting to change!
Their old home is huge. The kids are in about 12 rooms, I have no idea what is going to become of all of this space. Peruvians aren't the best with details. Every time I ask what the moving situation is, all I get a few shady details that don't match up with what the person before me said. But, they have moved. We don't get to see them again until Monday. Until then, I guess I'm going to have to keep myself occupied with the older children, or maybe go visit the little ones at Semillitas, the special needs orphanage I would like to go there once or twice to see how much they have grown. I've gotten great reports from all the other volunteers. I guess it's meant to be.
We ended up at San Antonio's in the afternoon, because the whole volunteer group was asked to go to a government volunteer program. Lidia said that she thought it was going to be in English for just a few hours. But lets just say it ended up being a really long session of Spanish practice. I did learn a few things. There are about 15 government run orphanages in Lima with about 920 kids. Each orphanage has, among other things, a nutritionist, a doctor, and a social worker. These orphanages are all like the ones I work at, with groups of about 10-20 kids of all the same age with one or two moms at a time taking care of them.
They have recently started a program that is either more of a family style orphanage or a foster cars system. Juan asked them to clarify the new program, and they didn't clarify anything. But, either way, I think it is way better than what they have now.
Having seen how this style of orphanage works, having the kids grouped by ages, I would have to say that I am a huge supported of family style orphanages. The main idea of a family style orphanage is that the kid are kept in a family unit. They have a consistant caregiver, and with that comes consistency in everything else; discipline, routine, etc. The kids may have only a mother, or a mother and father. They may be grouped closer to the same age, all with special needs, all girls or boys, or a mix of all of these. But, they live in a house, and share in family life. What in the end may be a bit more expensive, also take away many of the negatives. The children are never told they are not wanted, loved, or special. They are loved by their new parents and siblings just like normal kids. They are a part of the community, and live a normal childhood. Kuddos to Peru for realizing this and starting to change!
Monday, July 25, 2011
not babies anymore
Today was a great day. I spent the morning at San Antonio's playing with my little baby boys. I realized is that their not really babies anymore. I wish I was allowed to take pictures so you could see how much they have grown. But it's not just growing physically, they are growing up.
The last time I was in this room, no one could talk. They hadn't learned to count, or point to parts on their body. They couldn't play a real game like rolling a ball, and they most definitely couldn't listen. Had you walked in their little room last summer, you would have found me with five babies sitting in my lap. If you had walked in today, you would have found five children sitting in a circle on the floor rolling the ball around.
I was truly amazed today as I realized how much they have grown up. My baby Joni had a conversation with me today. We didn't talk about anything awesome, but we talked. I see the growth in him the most. Probably because I spent the most time with him last time. He used to be shy, tentative, and clingy. Today, he is outgoing, he laughs all the time, and he is so sweet.
He has blossomed over the last six months. My one wish for him and all the others is that they stay as innocent and sweet as they are now. I've worked in the room that they will go to next, those kids can be mean. Not because they are mean kids, but because that is the room where they start to not get as much attention. In the baby rooms, there are two sometime three moms. In the older rooms there is only one mom. She struggles to just get them up, fed, dressed, and ready for school. There is no time for love in that room.
Even though these babies don't have anybody to guide them into childhood, they are learning.
I was reminded today that there is hope. I hope that they will learn to love even though there is no one showing them how to. I hope that in time they will learn how special they are. I hope they feel wanted. I hope they will lean of God's great love for them even though there is no one to tell them.
The last time I was in this room, no one could talk. They hadn't learned to count, or point to parts on their body. They couldn't play a real game like rolling a ball, and they most definitely couldn't listen. Had you walked in their little room last summer, you would have found me with five babies sitting in my lap. If you had walked in today, you would have found five children sitting in a circle on the floor rolling the ball around.
I was truly amazed today as I realized how much they have grown up. My baby Joni had a conversation with me today. We didn't talk about anything awesome, but we talked. I see the growth in him the most. Probably because I spent the most time with him last time. He used to be shy, tentative, and clingy. Today, he is outgoing, he laughs all the time, and he is so sweet.
He has blossomed over the last six months. My one wish for him and all the others is that they stay as innocent and sweet as they are now. I've worked in the room that they will go to next, those kids can be mean. Not because they are mean kids, but because that is the room where they start to not get as much attention. In the baby rooms, there are two sometime three moms. In the older rooms there is only one mom. She struggles to just get them up, fed, dressed, and ready for school. There is no time for love in that room.
Even though these babies don't have anybody to guide them into childhood, they are learning.
I was reminded today that there is hope. I hope that they will learn to love even though there is no one showing them how to. I hope that in time they will learn how special they are. I hope they feel wanted. I hope they will lean of God's great love for them even though there is no one to tell them.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
round two
I’m going back to Peru! I think this blog was a really great way to keep in touch with everyone back home the last time I went, so I’m going to use it again. Although I’m paying my own way this time (working for a semester paid off, literally), I never would be in any position to do this if it weren’t for everyone who sent me last August. I feel like you all deserve to be shown what is going on down there, since it is because of you I am there again.
Since being home, the reality of my life has really sunk in. I have a great life. I may be paying more than ever for food and gas right now, but my standard of living is higher than many many many people in the world. This is one of the reasons I’m returning to Peru. Seeing all the blessings the Lord has given me, I’ve had to ask myself, why does he give them? Why am I here on this earth? What is my purpose? I think it is a question many ask, and a natural question for people my age.
What is my purpose? The best answer I’ve come up with so far is simple, love. I was made out of love by God. He gives me everything out of love. He gives, so I may love others in His name. Nothing that I have is mine to store up, it is all His. His that he has blessed me with so that I may, in turn, give.
I have no reason to keep the things He has given me. These things will not get me to my ultimate goal: Heaven. Giving will. The more I give, the more I learn to love.
I’ve been asked by a few people why go back? Why not go somewhere else? Truthfully there is no simple answer. I love Peru. I love those babies, I love the girls I worked with in the girl’s home, I love the kids I taught. It’s not so much about the places I will see, but about the relationships I will build. Those kids don’t have anyone to hug them and show them God’s love 99% of the day.
How can I not fall in love with these faces?
These are the faces of Christ. This is Christ, who has had no one to tuck him safely in at night; he get to cry themselves to sleep. This is Christ, who has no one to make sure his belly is full; he goes hungry if he doesn’t eat all of his meal at mealtime. This is Christ, who has no one to hug him when he falls over or kiss his knee when he scrapes it. This is Christ, who has never been told he is special, that he is loved unconditionally, that he is worth something.
How can I not go?
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'
Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'
And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'
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