So far this week...a 3 year old died of cancer, a full term baby's heart stopped before his mommy could hold him, a tornado blew through a town and many people, many children lost their lives. Earlier this year a young lady went to bed one night probably thinking of her college graduation a month later, but she never woke up. My own 5 1/2 year old little boy, just 16 months ago, despite the best medical care we could ask for, went to be with Jesus. Life is just so hard sometimes. One thing that I am thankful for is that all of these children have families. Families that love them. Families to grieve for them. As I am praying for the Lord to give peace and comfort to these families, I cannot help but be reminded that they (we) were truly blessed. Things that we take for granted, such as a family, love, food...are not lost on me right now. You see, there are children within our reach that will sit in a crib all day, every day just waiting for that once a day attention from a diaper change or the bottle full of mush. They entertain themselves by chewing on their hands or pulling their own hair. They don't know love or family or even real food or play. There are children trying to survive on the streets, longing for the comfort of food or a bed. They are fighting treatable diseases and losing. They may never know the love of a family, the comfort of a daddy's lap or a mommy's hug. They rarely let their guard down to even sleep, because where they are is scary. Not just the monster-under-my-bed, daddy-can-make-me-safe scary, either. They are alone. I have children in heaven. I loved them with everything I have while they were here, even before they were born. Thao knew it. Jeff and I were with him every step of the way. And I grieve for him, long for him and pray for God's grace for the moment. I have 2 children in Africa and I cannot wait to love them with everything I have, provide for them, scare off the monsters and give them a family. I know 2 children in the midst of 5 million orphans doesn't seem huge to you. But, it means everything to them. I'm okay with that. If the called ignore the calling, the orphans will be orphans forever. I am definitely not saying everyone needs to adopt. What I am saying is, whether adoption, foster care, sponsoring a child, hosting a child, praying for a specific child or just the orphaned in general, then you are helping care for orphans. I beg you to pray about this, listen to the call, and start praying for orphans to not have to die alone, unloved and unwanted. Pray for people to follow their hearts to adopt. Pray for strong children to let their guard down and be loved.
***Just wanted to add, our children in Africa are in foster homes with 2 meals a day, vitamins and medicine. Our 3 year old was severely malnourished and had malaria but he is recovering, praise the Lord! Our 2 year old seems to be a normal fiesty toddler, but still fearful she won't have food. Please pray for them to heal, physically and emotionally. Pray that their hearts are ready for us when we get to bring them home!
***Just wanted to add, our children in Africa are in foster homes with 2 meals a day, vitamins and medicine. Our 3 year old was severely malnourished and had malaria but he is recovering, praise the Lord! Our 2 year old seems to be a normal fiesty toddler, but still fearful she won't have food. Please pray for them to heal, physically and emotionally. Pray that their hearts are ready for us when we get to bring them home!