First of all, our latest:
*Immigration paperwork is in! Just waiting for the approval, then travel dates for trip 2 to finalize Vitaly's adoption! We were thinking that this would come AFTER school is out, but things keep moving quickly so.... may need to be creative again :)
*As I type, V is outside playing street hockey with one brother and a friend. He just returned from a bike ride after a school day with Dad. Adjusting really well so far. Social worker visit next week to do our report; doctor visits galore to get as much info as possible. Meeting to get ideas on the best school placement for him for fall. Whew!!!
*Now, for the heart of the post. If you skip the writing, don't skip the end of the post please. The best is saved for last! I have to take every opportunity to share with anyone who might listen or share about some other very special children - orphans from Latvia or Ukraine who are waiting for families. The way we met V was through "hosting." A 4 or 5 week commitment only. Many families pursue adoption afterward, but not all. That is fine. Sometimes kids meet their adoptive families while here with another host family. Some just have a summer of wonderful memories and pictures to keep forever - hopefully giving them some strength to carry with them on their journeys. Some folks host knowing that they'd like to adopt. I have chosen a few kids to spotlight here. I'm praying that all will find a family before the window for summer closes in the next couple of weeks. If you or someone you share with want more info, please contact me at pittcrew1@comcast.net. These children are hosted through www.newhorizonsforchildren.org but there are other organizations too. For those of you who are not committed to following Jesus, try www.projectonefortythree.com as they don't have a faith part to their application.
Once you see these faces, I hope that every person will do at least one of the following:
1. pray for a family to host/adopt - choose one child and pray
2. donate toward a scholarship or sponsor one of the kids through New Horizons - any amount helps
3. share this message so that others will see and spread the word
4. host! - single women are accepted for Latvia I know, not sure about Ukraine but I can find out
5. contact me or New Horizons for more info
Here they are!!!! I PROMISE to any who choose these kiddos, contact me and we'll help you to raise the fees for plane fare, etc. Please don't let money stop you! You need an empty bed (borrow if you need to), love, and a little courage :)
JURI
from V's orphanage - tiny sweetheart
.Wonderful, funny and energetic child. Jurijs really loves to be around people and loves to make people laugh. He has tons of energy. One thing about Jurijs is that he really needs to be around others and doesn't like to play or do things by himself. He can get totally engrossed in playing legos, but still wants someone sitting right with him as he's working on them. He likes the reassurance that he's doing a good job. He's a smart kid and enjoys reading books with others. He does have some impulsive behaviors and always works through the tantrums on his own and then is able to join back in the group. He's a very fun and loving child who needs love and support. 9 years old.
Alina
$750 already paid!
$750 Scholarship Alina is a sweet girl with a warm personality. She has never celebrated her birthday. Her wish would be to have people around her who love her, lots of flowers, dancing, singing, lots of colors, and a chocolate fountain because she loves sweets, She is an explorer, she would like to fly in a plane and visit America. Alina's favorite animal is a crocodile and she wants to visit aquarium. She likes younger children and in the future would like to become a pre-school teacher.
Demantis and Dariuss
TWINS!
Demantis and Dariuss are twins who are both good at music and sports and have a good sense of humor. They both would enjoy soccer, swimming and volleyball in the Summer. Demantis is good at drawing and art and would like to learn how to play the guitar. His brother says that he is a good brother, and while they do sometimes argue as brothers do, they make up very fast. Darius is the more serious of the two and more focused on academics. He also would like to play the guitar. Demantis wishes to travel around the world, have lots of friends, and own a car. Darius wishes to speak ALL languages, have a family, and lots of friends. They were hosted 3 years ago and would like to come to a home with children of similar age. We think they will do in any small family.
MARIAN
He has $500 paid and his best friend has already been chosen!
$500 Scholarship Marian: an exceptional child! There are no other words to use to explain him! Violin is the instrument he desires to learn, planting his own garden is another wish, and most of all is to have a family and happy life. What more could he ask for? He has won awards for artwork and currently has items on display in a prestigious museum in Ukraine. Beethoven and other classical musicians are what he chooses to download to his MP3 though, he's not so much into sports. Marian said he wishes to have more friends. He said if he could get his best friend anything for his birthday as a present, he would give him a soccer ball because he loves soccer and works hard at doing good. He is hoping that he and best friend, Igor both get the chance to come to the USA this summer.
Nastya and Sasha
TWINS!
Anastasija, Aleksandra - "Nastya" and "Sasha" are very close sisters. (Can't get the rest of their description to post, but let me know if interested and I'll manage to get it to you.)
VIKTOR
$500 paid already!
$500 Scholarship Viktor is a most patient kid, who is also an artist with embroidery! Consider that he did this in TWO days! He does NOT like singing, dancing or many sports. But, he will play soccer with friends every once in a while and loves to ride bikes. He wants to learn to play the violin if he could learn ONE new thing. He likes to read Greek legend books and novels.
BORYS
$1,000 paid already!!
$1000 Scholarship Borys has a best friend who describes him as a great soccer player, a so-so artist who loves to draw, a funny, kind, and loyal friend. He helps take care of the orphanage dogs and is well liked by the other kids. Borys is of gypsy descent and has no known parents, siblings or relatives. He is in 7th grade and has been in the orphanage as long as he can remember. He admits he has always dreamt of having a good family of his own. He was hosted in summer 2011 and absolutely loved the experience, taking many happy memories "home" to Ukraine. A family who recently spent time with Borys, while in Ukraine to adopt his best friend, has advocated for Borys to have another opportunity to be hosted this summer.
ROMAN
Roman is small for his age and a little bit shy. He has hazel eyes and freckles and when his face lights up in a smile, it's the most adorable thing ever. He loves to play soccer and anything outdoors. At school he sings in the chior and dances. If he had 1000 grivna ($125) , he'd buy a guitar and teach himself to play. He has never traveled anywhere outside Ukraine. He's been passed over TWICE for hosting, and stayed behind, watching other friends leave for America. An adoptive family who recently spent time with Roman, advocated for him to have one more opportunity to be chosen. They also commented on his small size - much like an 11 or 12 year old. LAST CHANCE
Who wants to have the best, most challenging, most rewarding summer of your life? Or - help someone else to do so?
10 CHILDREN, 8 HOMES NEEDED - Surely we can help 10 kids my friends....
With a hopeful heart, Sue
