What a difference a year can make!

Last year at the end of April, I was struck by my friend's story of hosting and adoption.  Thanks Jamie!  That led to "just looking" at the New Horizons for Children photolisting.  Well, one look was all it took.  I'd heard plenty about the needs of orphans and foster kids, and Bryan and I had even begun to pursue adoption several years before.  At the time we were stuck on the good ole required income and savings issue so set the papers aside.  

Many years later, as I saw the faces of those kids, I knew.  They were no longer "orphans," but boys and girls. Children who just needed moms and dads, brothers, sisters, another chance.  I had no idea that you could "host."  We had never even thought about an older child.  Well, Jamie's story brought the possibility to my computer screen.  After a few days of discussion (I was ready, the guys in various stages of preparedness), we CHOSE Vitaly as our summer host child - or perhaps he was CHOSEN for us.  This is the first picture we ever saw of him.  There was something in his eyes that spoke of life and hope and joy despite the trials he'd endured.  I could see so much potential....

April's pre-application was the step off the cliff or out of the boat, whichever you prefer.  Both speak of giving up control and doing what looks impossible and non-sensical to some.  To others, it just looks like faith that God knows what is needed and will handle whatever comes. May brought paperwork.  June was full of preparing schedules and activities and clothes and lists.  V arrived the end of June, stayed through July, opened our eyes and hearts more fully, and we began the adoption process as soon as he left in August.  The rest was work and tears and love and joy and frustration and every other emotion that exists.  

This March we spent 2 weeks in Latvia to get permission to bring V home!  Last March we didn't even know he existed.  What a difference a year makes.  

Have to wonder what the year ahead holds :)

All of the children I am praying for on the photolisting for this summer have as much potential as V.  They are unique, strong, and brave.  They need a second chance.  They need someone who will be as strong and brave as they are.  Here are a few still not hosted.  They are from Ukraine. The deadline for them is 5/14.  A year from now maybe some will be home too.  When you look them in the eyes, what do you see?

$1500 Scholarship Roman and Viktoria are siblings who are very closes and supportive of each other. She likes chemistry (arrived to the interview in her lab coat!) and English and geometry in school. Her favorite sports are beach volleyball and basketball but she especially likes dance and is on the competition dance team. They had just returned from St Petersburg Russia where they took 2nd place in an international competition with 4 other countries! Roman likes PE, History, math and Ukrainian language. He plays on the school's competition and traveling soccer team and likes to draw, dance (he competed last year) and sing ballads and love songs. These kids were calm together and equally responded and were so easy to talk to. Viktoria wants to have a profession either drama or theater or perhaps become a dermatologist. Roman said his sister is the best student in her class and reads a lot. She said he doesn't really like TV but prefers to be outside fishing and playing with his friends.

 U115 $1050 Scholarship Vasyl and Viktor were happy brothers! They are both small for their age, Viktor, the smaller of the two, is actually the older one. He likes algebra, playing basketball, and drawing. We would love to learn how to draw or paint murals. When asked what he would change about his life, he said "I am happy with my life." His wish is to go to Disneyland, which he saw on TV once. Vasyl loves his brother, and repeated all the same answers! They both study English and understood parts of our interview without translation.

U114 $150 Scholarship Tatiana is a very beautiful girl both inside and out. She is tall for her age, and said she wants to be a supermodel! She loves ballroom dancing, and working with beads. She does embroidery and weaving, and cross stitch. She also loves sports: soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track. She loves teddy bears, singing, and dancing. She was so excited about interviewing with us, and was encouraging the less outgoing children to talk to us

 U117 $1450 Scholarship Yulia and Andriy are easy going siblings who both took turns talking and opened up to our team very well. She likes computer class, Ukraine Language classes bes at school and also loves to sing and sings in the school's performing choir that also competes. She was calm, and very interested in our interview. She likes the TV music channel during her down time after school. He plays soccer on the school competition team and said his favorite soccer star is Chevchenko. He likes to play outside with his friends and doesn't watch TV much. He is also a calm boy who likes racing games on the computer if he has a chance. Both talked to us and easily answered questions. She said he is a leader in his class and likes to assist elderly people and small children when he sees a need. He says she likes to roller skate and has good friends (vs "not good friends). Their interaction with each other was good and they said they prefer a family without other kids at home if possible, but older ones who "already grew up" would be good too.

Strength and courage to you,

Sue

PS - All of the Latvian kids from my earlier blog post have been chosen except the two sets of twins.  :(  Trusting that there are families in Latvia or elsewhere for them.  Or maybe here at Christmas.  Hurray for the others though!  What a summer they will have and bring with them to the families who have stepped up :)