because it IS our problem

THANK YOU for helping to raise over $23,000.00 in just one day for Liliana’s adoption.  You guys are amazing!  God is so, so good.

UPDATED: (Friday 11 a.m.) 

I sit here humbled and totally amazed at what God has done for sweet Liliana in the past 24 hours.  THANK YOU to each and every one of you who has played a part in her rescue, her unfolding miracle.  I will update more later but I just wanted to let you all know that I have ended the Chip-In.  Liliana’s family will now have enough money to complete her adoption.  The ransom has been raised!  However, if there are still some of you who would like to donate, I will pass details on later as to how that can still be done.  With a heart overflowing with thankfulness and praises to my King.  

~Adéye

“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.

Honestly?  I don’t even know how to write this post!  I have sat staring at a few pictures for the last few days, thinking, “How in the world do I even put this atrocity into words?”  I am not the most eloquent with words at the best of times–but this–this is absolutely heart-wrenching.

Type.  Delete.  Type.  Delete.  Sometimes, the right words are just so hard to find.

Allow me to introduce you to a very special little girl.  This is Liliana (not her real name).

Isn’t she so beautiful?

The above pictures were taken about two years ago.  Sweet Liliana was nine years old at the time.  Nine!  In spite of her tiny size, she actually seemed to be doing alright when these were taken, judging from the pictures.  I can totally handle these photos.

Unfortunately for Liliana, no one ever came for her. She was never rescued.  And added to that, she lives in a country which, very sadly, sees no worth or value in those who have special needs.  Nothing, and I mean nothing, could ever have prepared me for the latest pictures of her. 

Friends, the pictures below are hard to look at.  They just are. No doubt about it. For some, they are too hard to look at. Many would even choose to turn their backs, and as the president of World Vision, Richard Stearns, so accurately said, they would say, “Sorry, not my problem!”  It’s hard for us to face reality such as this.  It’s almost impossible for us to even wrap our heads around the gravity of a situation like this.  Sometimes it is so much easier to live in our four walls and NOT know what happens on the other side.  It’s comfortable there.  I know, because I have been there, done that.

But how can we possibly say that this is not our problem?

These pictures were taken this month.

She is nothing but skin and bones. It’s pathetic. I even have her measurements.  Her wrist is three inches around. Her upper arm is three inches around. Her legs are 13 inches long, hip to heel. Her head is 16 inches in circumference. Her feet are four inches long.  You have got to be kidding me.

For crying out loud….She is eleven years old!

How is it even possible for a little girl with Down syndrome to be allowed to literally waste away in a crib?  Be starved of adequate nutrition?  Be so emaciated that her skin looks like it is about to tear?

This is real life.  This is what happens to millions of children just like Liliana–the ones who lie confined to metal cages their entire lives.  The ones who suffer at the hands of humans who simply do not realize that ALL life is precious and valuable.

Of course this is our problem!  “Our,” as in all Christians, that is.  We’re the ones whom the Father has commanded to “care for the widows and the orphans” (as it says in the book of James).

We cannot turn a blind eye, walk away, and forget about the atrocious catastrophe that happens to the fatherless.  We simply cannot.  Yes, there are times when God calls us to pray as a body–to come together in unison and trust Him to move a seemingly impossible mountain.  But then there are the other times.  The ones where we are spurred into action.

There are times when we are called to rally for the sake of another human being–one who will never be able to pay us back or give us a single thing in return.  As John Wooden once said, “You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”

I’ll be honest with you.  These pictures make me want to fight for the orphan all the days God grants me breath on this earth.  These pictures make me want to scream at the top of my lungs, “This IS our problem!”

So, because this IS my problem, I knew that sitting back and not doing a darn thing simply was not an option.  I cannot travel to the other side of the world and bring this darling home.  We don’t qualify.  But doggone it, I sure can try to do everything in my power to make sure that she does come home! 

Liliana needs a family–like yesterday.  She needs someone to get to her before it is too late.  Finances should be the last thing on her family’s mind–getting to her as soon as is humanly possible should be the only thing they need to be concerned about.

It’s true–we really do not have to adopt a child to make a profound difference in their lives.  Just give–a little or a lot.  Give what you can and watch God multiply it.  It’s the loaves-and-fishes stuff.   

Together, we can make a HUGE difference!

Oh, sweet girl, hang in there.  Don’t give up!  Please, please hang on.  Help is on the way.

Yesterday I made an appeal to my lovely blog readers for a few items to give away as part of a fundraiser for precious Liliana.  As usual, I was blown away.  God’s people really do astound me.  Some had already seen Liliana’s picture doing the rounds and were so eager to jump in and help out.  I have put a Chip-In at the top of this post.  The total is set at $22,000.00.  Sounds like a whole lot of money–yet nothing in God’s economy.  Nothing for the sake of a child.

And so today I come to you pleading for help.  Yes, I’m begging again.  Please would you consider sowing seed into Liliana’s grant fund?  Every little bit donated will add up and become such a huge blessing to the family whom God raises up to rescue this angel. 

This is Liliana’s deliverance.  It’s her redemption!

My friends the Malones, who run an amazing ministry which helps orphans called the Eli Project (who you may remember from Vanya’s fundraiser), have graciously agreed to receive all the funds donated for Liliana in their non-profit. Every single dollar donated will go to the family who adopts her and the money will be dispersed by the Eli Project.  The Malones have such huge hearts for the orphan–they definitely walk the talk and I love that about them.

Goodness gracious, the list of giveaway items below is absolutely awesome!  People sure have opened their hearts to a little girl so desperately needing to be rescued and they have donated some fabulous things.  This is a giveaway so all winners will be chosen at random by an automated selection program.

Also, would you please help us by spreading Liliana’s fundraiser to anyone you know?  Please share her story on blogs and social networks so that one teeny, tiny little life can be redeemed and beauty can rise from these ashes.  I appreciate that so much. We’re stretching our faith to trust the Lord for a fully funded adoption.

Below are the amazing items which are up for grabs.  Thank you, thank you to the incredible friends who donated them.  I am so thankful for the outpouring of love for sweet Liliana. 

“NOW….show us your glory, Lord!”  Exodus 33:18