Oh my goodness–where do I even begin with this?
About a month ago I blogged here about an urgent situation two little girls were in. My heart broke. Being involved in the adoption community is such a blessing. Seeing little ones united with their families is such a joy to see. But, I also see those who wait. That’s hard. Sometimes God allows children to cross my path so that I can pray for them, and for their families to find them.
But this time something was different. Yes, I absolutely felt called to pray. But there was more, and we just were not quite sure what our role was or what God expected from us. Until now.
After weeks of praying and seeking the Father, we have heard the call. We have heard the still, small voice of the Lord saying, “This is the way…walk in it”. Precious friends, God is sending us on a new adventure, a mission to rescue one of His precious children in need.
The first time I laid eyes on her my heart almost stopped. Was I looking at the right child? Was she really four years old? She looked more like an infant. I inquired and got my answer–she was indeed four! How could it be? How can a four year old weigh only 15 pounds? She lies in a crib all day long and cannot even sit on her own. She is extremely delayed. She is a virtual baby. This precious little angel is one of the Father’s special little blessings–she is fearfully and wonderfully made, with Down Syndrome.
She will soon be known as Hailee–“heroine”–because she will overcome many obstacles. She will be victorious!
Precious friends, we would so appreciate your prayers as we journey to bring Hailee home. We are facing a few potential obstacles. She is living in an area in Eastern Europe where a new policy for orphans has been put in place. The locals are strongly advised to foster the children. Normally a good thing, but not here. As an incentive to foster, huge financial rewards are given. The result–local people are going into the orphanages (much like we would go to a shelter looking for a new dog), and just taking the kids out. No home study, no background checks. Nothing. Unfortunately the money is not being used on the children, but on other things. The consequence? Frail and weak children are literally not surviving.
Here’s the thing we’re up against–at any time during the paperchase, and right up until the day we get there, a local family has the right to come and take Hailee away. We have no protection at all. Local families are always given priority. We could loose her any day. Once she is taken into foster care, she can never be adopted internationally again. She will be lost forever.
Should Hailee be taken into foster care, her chances of survival are very slim. She is too weak, too malnourished to survive it. If there is any further neglect, she will surely die. She is living on borrowed time as it is.
We are trusting that the angels of the Lord would protect her and keep her safe until we get there. We need to pray that NO FAMILY comes to take her away. That the Lord would protect her and shelter her in that place until the day that she will be ours.
Here is the one and only picture we have of our newest blessing from the Lord. Isn’t she just precious?
This is a huge leap of faith for our family. This is us stepping out of our comfortable little boat and trusting the Father to meet us on the water, no matter how stormy it may become. Afraid? yeah, a little. This is a new journey. New adventures are always a little scary. We know nothing about parenting a child with Down Syndrome. But, we do know that when God says “Go”, He provides everything we will ever need to be successful. That does not mean it will always be easy. But, it does mean the Almighty will never withdraw His hand.
The brainstorming has begun. How to raise $24 000.00 in just a few short months. The process will be quick. Hailee will be home before the end of the year. We’re a one income family who lives dollar for dollar. God has never, not once, ever let us down. He has been so faithful and so amazing. We know He will provide for us to bring Hailee home. We know He has already gone before us.
Some say we’re crazy. Some say we have completely lost it. Maybe we have, I don’t know and I really don’t care. Our lives are completely and utterly about surrender, absolute abandonment! How can I ever say, “Here I am, Lord, send me”…and not mean it with all my heart.
We prayed it, and God knew we meant it. So, here we go again.
