Author: Dr. Sherri McClurg

Fill the suitcase, bless the soul

As a part of New Horizons for Children’s very first Asian host program, we have the opportunity to bless the children of this orphanage in a very special way! We will be able to share the love of Christ by providing for the basic needs of children in this orphanage by sending home an extra suitcase stuffed with goodies.

And we can’t do it without your help!

Here is what we will need –

Suitcases & Shipping:

• 14 rolling suitcases (25-27”) – about $35 each
• 14 covered shipping expenses for suitcases – $70 each

Stuff to fill the Suitcases:

• 140 packages of American pencils: They also use mechanical “fine” lead pencils and very “fine” ink pens here. Usually black. They need the “fine” point because of writing characters
• Sewing needles, thread and buttons
• Yarn, all colors, styles: to make things which they can sell to raise money
• Books with DVDs for Conversational English would be helpful here. Elementary and beginner learning

Clothes:

• Kids’ Shoes (or $30/pair donation)
  • Boy’s styles sizes 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6
  • Girl’s styles sizes 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6
• Short-sleeved t-shirts (or $6/shirt donation)
  • Children’s Small: 34 boy styles & 22 girl styles
  • Children’s Medium: 36 boy styles & 22 girl styles
  • Children’s Large: 3 boy styles & 4 girl styles
• Long-sleeved t-shirts (or $8/shirt donation)
  • Children’s Small: 34 boy styles & 22 girl styles
  • Children’s Medium: 36 boy styles & 22 girl styles
  • Children’s Large: 3 boy styles & 4 girl styles
• Sweat shirt & sweat pant set (or $20/set donation)
  • Children’s Small: 34 boy styles & 22 girl styles
  • Children’s Medium: 36 boy styles & 22 girl styles
  • Children’s Large: 3 boy styles & 4 girl styles

 

If you would like to purchase an item to donate, please:

– Complete the form at this link to indicate which items you would like to purchase: http://goo.gl/hibgu
– After purchasing item, ship to New Horizons for Children || 3950 Cobb Parkway, Suite 708 || Acworth, GA 30101
– Optional, tax receipts will be issued if requested with the shipment. Send letter with your name, address and amount spent on items (reasonable and accurate please).

If you would like to sponsor an item to donate, please:

– Complete the form at this link to indicate which items you would like to sponsor: http://goo.gl/hibgu
– To make the financial donation, you may:

• Donate Online Click the PayPal link at http://www.newhorizonsforchildren.org/more-ways-to-help-orphans/make-a-tax-deductible-donation-to-help-orphans/ “Add special instructions to the seller” box please write “Asia suitcase fundraiser for my sponsorship of [## how many] of [item type & size]”
• Mail a check to New Horizons for Children || 3950 Cobb Parkway, Suite 708 || Acworth, GA 30101

 

Please send all donations in before February 28, 2013.

Thank you for joining us in blessing these special children!

Regional coordinator Marty Shoup is part of our interview team in Ukraine, below she shares a little about their trip so far and a few of the kids they have met!

We’re about halfway through the Ukraine interview trip, and well, there’s a bit of frustration with the way things have gone so far. We haven’t gotten to meet many kids, which is unfortunate. Some of it is an issue of timing, some of it is because of lousy weather, and some of it is because we’ve had to spend some time repairing a damaged relationship with an orphanage director. As a result of that damaged relationship, we missed out on an opportunity to visit a new orphanage in that region. So- we’ve spent a lot of time traveling but not a lot of time interviewing.  However, of those we HAVE met, most we really like. And we know The Lord is going to do wonderful things in their lives.

For those who have heard us talk about interview trips, you know that flexibility is the name of the game. Pre-conceived notions really do have to be left on the side of the road in a pile of wet, slushy snow- otherwise you miss so much.

We’re currently in a HUGE apartment in Kiev. We got to take showers (YAY), do laundry (DOUBLE YAY) and eat a meal that was not prepared at a convenience store (TRIPLE YAY!)  We’ll be here until late afternoon and then take an overnight train to Lugansk region where we’ll be interviewing at 4 new orphanages. The team will split up as the 1 orphanage is a ways off and the other three are clustered together a bit.

I’d always thought of train travel as kind of romantic…. think of the old movies with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, or even Bing Crosby. It always looked like so much fun! Well dressed people, doing nice things, going nice places, having nice conversations in a nice dining car, with room to spread out, room to relax…. Ummmmm- NO.

Though an overnight train in Ukraine IS a convenient and (somewhat) comfortable way to travel, there is nothing remotely romantic about it. I daresay even my marginally germaphobic friends would have an apoplexy if they traveled on any one of the trains we’ve been on. 🙂

As I sit here and think of the kids we’ve met so far, my mind stops on Mikal- a host only boy who did poorly on hosting last summer but has begged for another chance. He’s made some changes in his life and has weathered some tough breaks. He has seen first hand the desperation that can come with post orphanage life as his older (aged out) brother committed suicide just a couple of months ago. It brought Mikal LOW and rocked him to his very core, but I think he’s come out a more mature young man. And one, we hope, more prepared to LEARN from a trip to America. He realizes he’s too old for adoption and that a student visa from Ukraine is not an option; but he is now quite vocal with the younger kids- telling them to really look at their options and see what their future has in store for them. Mikal SEES his future, and he’s trying to help others avoid it.

I think of Anya, a lively and affectionate 14 year old who is described by her caregivers as a “little mother.” She opened up to us about her past and some of the things she had to do to survive before coming to her boarding school. She is a group favorite and I think she’ll bless the socks off the lucky family who gets to host her.

I think of Misha, a talkative 10 year old with a killer smile and a personality to go with it. He was so very comfortable with us and in himself that he sang us a song and said that if he had 100 grivna ($13 US dollars), that he’s buy an airplane and fly far far away for holiday.

I think of brothers Tolya and Ivan… whom we’ve interviewed before but a family has never chosen them. Good brothers, who like each other and get along. Brothers who would very much like to see America- together.

As we’re working on bios today, we’re praying over each child and the family that The Lord already has for them. We pray for open heart, open minds, and open wallets when it comes to fundraising.  We pray for guidance in choosing which children to offer for hosting. We pray for our coordinators back home who are already fielding calls and working off the pre-app with families who want to learn more about New Horizons. We pray for our continued safely as we travel crater filled roads and for the sanity of our dear driver Alex and translators Tonya and Valerie.  We pray for acceptance and excitement for the orphanage directors new to our program and those we can form a positive and mutually beneficial hosting relationship with them.

And most of all, we pray that all we do, we do for God’s glory. Not that we say, “look what we did”…. but “Look what HE did.”

 

 

 

An update from Stephanie Norman who is currently in Latvia interviewing children for summer hosting!

Stacey asked me Monday night if I could share about the trip and give her some blog material. I had to tell her that I had nothing. The trip was, well, what an interview trip was. An eight-hour delay in Frankfurt, long drives on snowy icy roads, poor foster homes, good kids, involved social services people, little sleep, meeting new people, solidifying relationships, and more driving. But nothing compelling, nothing I would want to bore others with. No stories that were unique or especially heart wrenching, or moments where I really felt “Wow! This is why I am here”. Until yesterday (Tues. the 15th) that is.

Our first stop of the day was at noon, at Apite. Apite could be considered a transition home for older kids. It is in Riga, and the director, Inga, is a long time supporter of hosting programs. She was also my son’s social worker. She has raised many kids over the years, in orphanages, and loves them the best she can. She tells me, with tears in her eyes, of twin boys she cared deeply about. After spending much of their lives in the Children’s Home, they were hosted and then adopted when they were 14 years old. She had the opportunity to visit with them and their forever family when she traveled to America as a chaperone with the NHFC program. Inga stayed with them, and says there is no better feeling than to see them have hope, a family, and a real chance at success. The boys chauffeured her around Florida, having recently gotten their licenses. When she talks about the boys it’s as if she were a very proud Auntie or Godmother, you can just sense how much she loves them. Inga does an amazing job with her charges. And there in lies the challenge for us.

Apite is home for about 20 young adults, ages 16-21. We met the five children Inga had asked for us to interview, when Inga shared with us that it was so hard to choose who should be considered for the program. She beamed as she told us that all the kids there would be wonderful candidates for hosting. And we believe her. The three kids who came over Christmas all loved and were loved by their families. Past kids from Inga are in the U.S. on Student Visas, or have been adopted. She doesn’t steer us wrong. Though we were out of time, and had to head to our next appointment I told Inga that we could return to meet more students at dinner. Thinking my interview partner, Jaycee and I to pick up something for everyone to eat so that we could visit with more kids. At least that was my plan, knowing full well that we are in Latvia and picking up food might require some thought and planning. Jaycee, whose ministry focuses on young adults, was quick to agree to the newly hatched plan. As I packed up, unbeknownst to me another plan was evolving in the hallway. Inga was telling two of the lovely girls we had met that we would be back. And now Maria and Diana decided they would be cooking for us.

After a few hours in Imanta orphanage, visiting with new kids, and chatting with past kids, Jaycee and I headed back to Apite. A dead battery, snowy roads, impossible left turns, a money changing stop and traffic all combined to slow us down. By the time we arrive it’s 7:15 pm. Precious time has passed.

Maria and Diana, as well as two past host girls, and others wanting to have the opportunity to be interviewed have gathered. The table is set. Photo worthy dishes are presented! The girls have spent three hours preparing for us, trusting that we would return for dinner. I am not sure who paid for the groceries, or who trudged out in the snowy, 15-degree weather in the dark, and prepared for our return, but I was blessed by this sacrifice.

Before we prayed Maria asked me if I like Latvia. Many kids and adults ask this, and I know where they are going. “How can you like Latvia? It is poor. Dirty. The people let you down. Why don’t you stay in America where is it beautiful and people are nice. Why do u want to help us here” are usually their thoughts. I can barely answer. She asks why I care about the children and people of Latvia, as I am presented with this dinner. They are the ones giving me a gift.

Let me tell you about Maria. Maria is talented, poised, and beautiful inside and out. She wants to live a healthy lifestyle. For her, that would include a family. She asked about adoption and we had to break the news to her that at sixteen she is too old to be adopted. You could see how completely devastated she was. She was speechless. By dinner though, she was asking us questions about America. Hoping to be hosted. Her questions about school made me think she might now have a dream to study in America, where earlier her dream was adoption. We explained that a hosting experience might connect her with a family that will love her, even if they live another country. Why she yearns for a functional family is not important; she shares her background is complicated and we don’t ask more. The perfect family for Maria would encourage her many interests. She is a budding textile artist, though she also likes to paint and draw. She loves to sing, and hopes to sing with the choir in the Latvian song festival. Maria also likes traditional Latvian dance. Amazingly, Maria is studying economics, a discipline that one would not often expect an artistic person to excel at. She also takes math classes for extra credit. She speaks English, German, and of course Latvian. Maria is in tenth grade, and had to apply to live in the home she now resides in. Please don’t make me write an essay about why she deserves a host family this summer…. If I had the gift of writing by now you would be picking up the phone to commit to hosting Maria. You would be blessed to have her in your home. Don’t forget, she can cook!

Diana and Maria are friends and closely bonded. It’s clear that Diana needs a family to build her self-esteem. She aims to be a secretary, but fears her memory is too bad. She is a swimmer, and plays the piano. She also loves to act. Diana shared that she likes that “families do things together”. The look in her eyes reveals the hurt she feels at having the past that she does. She struggles a little with her emotions; it’s been a tough day for her -talking with us and meeting the therapist earlier in the day. Yet she is not letting this chance to meet with new people and learn about America pass her by. She is ready to open up to a patient family, one who is ready to meet her where she is. Diana will blossom if given this opportunity. She is 15, but will be 16 by summer hosting.

Please consider what you can offer these girls this summer. You don’t have to be perfect, only willing to love unconditionally and be prepared to have your heart broken. These gentle spirits have to figure out a tough world, and lack guidance and love on a day-to-day basis. Could you host one of these girls? Could you build their self-esteem and teach them about family?

If you are interested in hosting Diana, Maria or any of the other amazing children we’ll meet while here our Summer 2013 Pre-Application is up and running! Look for it towards the top of our website on the right hand side! Or follow this link: http://goo.gl/3oAsa

 

The Stonick family in California is hosting Nastya from Ukraine. When I asked host mom Stephanie if she’d blog about Christmas with Nastya she replied that she felt she was being led to write about how her husband’s love had impacted Nastya instead. I’m so glad she listened to what the Lord had laid on her heart to share. I know you will all be blessed by this beautiful post!

When my husband Greg and I felt God’s call to participate in New Horizons Winter Hosting Program it was with the understanding that I, as the stay at home mom and primary caregiver to our two children, would be bearing most of the responsibility of care for our host child, Nastya.  Greg was totally on board, but pretty adamant about the fact that this would be “my thing”. It made sense. He would be working during a lot of her visit and I think the whole prospect of doing this was a little bit foreign to him (pun intended).

Now, at two weeks into our hosting experience I have to sit in wonder at God’s amazing plan for Nastya’s time with our family.  While I have enjoyed caring for her, and have definitely bonded with her in many important motherly ways, it is the extraordinary bond that has formed between Nastya and my husband that I think will leave the most lasting impression on her from her time with us. Who would have thought?

Nastya is only 10 years old. That fact, paired with her limited knowledge of English and our (approximately three word) knowledge of Ukrainian has made deep conversations pretty rare so far. As a result, I am still not sure how much exposure she has had to a strong father figure in her life.  When I asked her about God and church, she has shared that she does attend church regularly and knows about God, but I don’t get the impression that she knows God intimately as a Father and what that means for her as a fatherless child.

In this situation where words fail us, it has been very powerful to see Greg sharing God’s unconditional love with her.  He has been able to introduce many of the characteristics of God the Father to Nastya in a very real and physical way, possibly in a way that she may have never experienced before, and we hope he is planting seeds of understanding that will spring to life at some point in her future.

God is LOVING: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! I John 3:1

Greg has been quick to show her appropriate fatherly affection: An arm thrown around her, a gentle squeeze to the shoulder, a hug, holding and carrying her. She has been soaking it up.

God is NURTURING: The LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place. Deut. 1:31

Greg has treated her just as he does our other two children (he’s a total spoiler). He’s going to have a whopping chiropractic bill after these four weeks too!

God is GIVING: If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Mt. 7:11

 

Greg has taken an active role in giving her the gift of his time. He reads to her, has done paper crafts with her, and the other day I even found them working on friendship bracelets together.

God is our PROTECTOR: Ps 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

 

Greg is always there to catch her when she falls…and not just in the physical sense. He has had to work through some emotional times with her, he has had to verbally discipline and correct her (usually for her safety…the girl is a daredevil). He has even had to ask her for forgiveness when feelings were hurt.

God is FAMILY: God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father”. Gal. 4:6

 

Greg has told her he loves her and she has affectionately started calling him “Papi”. A part of his heart will always belong to her and I know that he will always consider her his Ukrainian daughter.

Greg and I are so thankful that God’s plans were bigger than our expectations and that he arranged for her to experience the love of a strong physical father while she was here with us. Our entire family has been blessed by our time with her and we all have gained a better understanding of God and a closer relationship with our heavenly Father through this experience as well.

We don’t know what plans God has for our sweet, smart, fun-loving girl Nastya and we don’t know what role we will continue to have in her life after she steps back on the plane to the Ukraine on January 14^th. She is an amazing girl and we hope to stay in touch and continue to help the seeds we have planted in her heart take root as she grows in maturity and understanding of who God truly is in her life. Until then, we will trust in God’s plan and be praying that He will continue the work he has begun in all of us during our incredible winter hosting experience.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. Eph. 1:17

 

This could be REALLY powerful if everyone gets involved!

The end result will be a video that NHFC creates using your photos.  All these photos of messages of HOPE will be pulled together into a video and it could be very powerful.

What to write, well, certainly you can ask God to send you to a particular verse. Consider verses that apply to not only orphans, but ALL of us! Then, put it in first person, as if the host child is “speaking” it. For instance, the verse that says “I have loved you with an  everlasting love.” Could be written as, “God loves ME with an everlasting love”

Basically, get a piece of scrap cardboard and a black marker. Whatever you write needs to be written clear and legible. You might need to go over your letters to make them a bit bolder, so it’s easy to read on camera. Focus your host child’s sign on a message of HOPE. Photograph your host child holding it. ONE host child with ONE sign. If you have multiple host children, have them EACH do one if possible.

Feel free to comment with your ideas below, we don’t want everyone the write the same thing. Look at it as an opportunity to get your Bible out and share some of God’s promises with your host child. Explain that you are selecting a PROMISE from the Bible meant just for them!

Some other ideas are “PRAY for me”, “GOD welcomes me”, GOD cares for me”, “For God so loved the WORLD”, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”, “He will defend me”,  “God will never withold LOVE from me”, “He watches over me, “I am never forsaken,” “He knows the plans for me” “I am more than a conqueror”, “I am protected”, “He sings over me.”

See the photo & video below for guidance. Sign not too big, not too small to read. Not too much going on the background (like drawings or doodles) so the message is the clear focus of the photo. Would like these to come in over the coming week and will hope to complete and upload the video before the kids leave so they can see it too!

Guidelines for Submitting Photo:

• Select a verse or paraphrase from the Bible that suits your host child
• Find a large piece of cardboard to write your message (posterboard also works)
• Write phrase or sentence on board, keep it simple, dark, and easy to read
• Find a good place to photograph, once again simple background with good lighting.
• If photo doesn’t come out well, try again in a different location or a different time of day
• Email the photos to jcozza@newhorizonsforchildren.org by Thursday January 10th!

Enjoy this little project with your host kids!

One of our winter host families shared a story with us yesterday and we just had to share it here as well! The Bohannon family in Georgia is hosting a teenage boy named Igor from Ukraine. Here’s their story:

Igor is the fourth boy we’ve hosted through New Horizons for Children and I can truthfully say that each hosting experience has brought it’s own element of uniqueness and individuality.  Last Christmas we were blessed with an unexpected Latvian angel at the last minute who became very ill within 24 hours of arriving, then another little Ukrainian angel arrived a week later (which was precisely when my husband was attacked with the same illness that our first boy became sick with… fun fun…) so needless to say, nothing went as planned but I was surely taught a lesson in faith and trust.  Then we hosted again over the summer.  Thankfully there was no physical sickness among the family, just a little boy that arrived extremely guarded, hurt, afraid and shy. After a few days he started to speak to us and we began our adventure in full force!  Fast forward, leaving out a tremendous amount of details brings us to this Christmas. ..

The weeks prior to Igor’s arrival were very busy and brought a few questions and confusion upon my husband and myself.  Without going into to specifics, I found myself questioning why and if we were the best fit for this boy that would soon be joining our family for the holiday season.  Ready or not, he arrived and I quickly realized he was the happiest child I’ve ever seen in my life.  He adjusted with little trouble (albeit he is bit more of a night owl than we are, but after a couple of weeks he has at least learned to retrieve to his room by 10:00). The nighttime rowdiness came to a head a few days after New Years with a refusal to go to bed and then sleeping until after noon the next day. Needless to say we had a long heart to heart about family, family rules and what that means, obedience, and consequences of disobedience. He was very receptive and looking back, I think this was his little way of testing the boundaries, which I will gladly take over tantrums and anger! I told him that he was not allowed a movie in bed the following night, and he must be in bed when Papa says so. No running, being loud, scaring people or animals or anything else once we say so. He wasn’t thrilled, but agreed.

When evening came around the house was actually rather peaceful! No scaring, no wrestling, no racing…. I tucked him into bed and showed Igor a new stuffed animal that was sent to us from the New Horizons office, donated by a hosting family’s church! This animal is called a Wildlife Story Teller (http://wildlifestorytellers.com/) .  It comes with a MP3 player, preloaded with bible stories in their native language.  I cannot explain the look of comfort and relief on his face to hear his language! I left him with the stories and said goodnight.  The next morning I went to wake him and he practically jumped out of bed. I could tell he was a bit troubled and was very serious about what he was trying to tell me.  He was pointing at the storyteller, and then upward saying “Jesus, Jesus!” Then he asked for a pen and paper.  He started writing and writing. Then he would get up and knock on the bedroom door, then knock on his own chest.  I quickly realized he was telling me that Jesus was knocking on the door of his heart! I started to panic a little because there was so much I wanted to say, but I had to make it simple so the translator would get it right! I even started messaging one of my fellow New Horizons Volunteers, needing moral support J  I continued to tell Igor how much Jesus loves him and that he will NEVER leave him.  He was very serious and receptive to everything I was telling him.  We talked for over 2 hours. I told him that Jesus is king, so that makes him a prince. He smiled and said “Yes, and you, Papa, Colby and Dasha my seesters and brothers!”  Wow! This kid gets it. He accepted Jesus by being in a little bit of “trouble” from excessive night time rowdiness, therefore leading to listening to bible stories!  I am amazed, humbled, and in awe of my Jesus. I am reminded that all we have to do is be available. We do not need to know all the details of our future. I was reminded that God does not NEED us. He CHOOSES us!  Thank you Jesus, for the opportunity to be USED by YOU!

Our 21st hosting season is now underway and already memories are being made! Even though it’s only been a few days choosing a favorite memory proved challenging for many of our host families, luckily they managed to narrow it down to just one they’d like to share.

The Stonick family in California shares…”Nastya is a joy. I have had so many favorite moments today, it’s hard to know where to start. My favorite moment was when our entire family climbed up on her top bunk at bedtime and we all snuggled together to look at a “seek and find” book. She had kept some space between she and I all day, but at that point she was nearly curled up in my lap. She was even busting out some good English words. I don’t have a picture of that because we were all up there, but below is a picture of her with my kiddos who adore her!”

“No one has ever shown me family, spent money on me, or loved me”  Igor age 14 shared with his host family the Steendahl’s in Illinois.  Favorite moment – just one?  It had to be when we first met.  He said “hello” (which we expected, they seem to all know how to say that when they arrive.)  But then he spit out “where are my brothers?”  We about fell over in shock.  We had no idea he spoke English and I knew immediately that he was going to fit right in.  Calling my boys (who were at home and he had never even met) his brothers from sentence one – he had my heart with the first words out of his mouth.

The Cayanne family in New York is hosting Edgars from Latvia. His host mom shares “When Edgars had just come through the gate at the airport the warmth between us was immediate. Right after the hugs and hellos, he seemed a little uneasy I handed him a letter that our sweet friend, Inga, had translated for us and the relief was instant…he just wanted to know what to expect! As he read it, Edgars stood very close to me…I thought it might have been an accident so I moved back a bit. Instantly he was right next to me again with his head almost touching my shoulder, just reading the words I had written to him. I was blown away by his willingness to jump right in and become a part of our family. One of my favorite moments so far was the look of pride on Edgars’ face when HE was the one to chop our Christmas tree down with a rickety dull tree-farm saw!”

The Kramer family in Georgia is hosting Miranda. Her host mom shares…”my favorite moment so far was Miranda running with my girls back to the parking garage after The Nutcracker – putting her arms around all of  them to try and keep them warm {the wind was blowing around 30 mph} and laughing  hysterically the whole time.”

The Ringman family in Colorado shares… “Iryna  is from Ukraine. Here is a picture of her sledding in our little bit of snow. I love this picture because she’s smiling and having fun like one of my very own kids. She smiles easily and is very polite and has wonderful table manners. She doesn’t know very much English but we are relying on hand gestures and Google Translator. We’ve had some good moments all ready and she is getting along well with everyone. Love her! Love the program.”

The Prince family in Alabama shares… “It is so difficult to choose my favorite moment. There have been so many. Renate is such a precious girl and it has been such a joy to watch her experience new things. It is so amazing to see her eyes light up over simple things like having ice in her drink. She had a taco for the first time today and loved it!  If I had to choose just one moment, I would say it was tonight watching her playing with my girls. They were just being silly girls while they baked and decorated cookies. The giggling was the sweetest sound!”

The Graham family in Ohio shares…”Markus has fit into our family so wonderfully since day one!  This particular moment is one of my favorites, as he has a special affection for our littlest and she for him.  He is so kind and loving and gentle with her.  In this moment, we were all working in the living room, setting up the Christmas tree.  I look over and he had climbed himself into the playpen with Sarah, our 1 year-old.  He must have stayed in there with her for 30 minutes, playing with her, tickling her, hugging her…it really was an amazing thing to see such tenderness in this 12 year-old boy who had only met us two days prior.  We absolutely adore Markus and couldn’t be more blessed that God has chosen him to be hosted by our family!”

Eight year old Viktorija is being hosted in California by the Izzo family. Her host mom says “My favorite moment was not captured with a camera.  She was sitting on the couch with me and my husband one evening and she was doodling on a sketch pad, and she wrote in English “I love you mama papa!”  Our hearts melted. Since I couldn’t capture that moment on film here is a photo of Vika and Dan, she loved this play park last summer and this of course is here favorite part.  She loves that papa will get her spinning fast.”

The Brown family in Tennessee shares their favorite memory with Nataliya. “Her smile overwhelms my heart with joy! She loves science experiments and spending time with her made this a special moment for us all. Today I felt like I was the one receiving the blessings from this experience. She has such a precious, sweet and gentle spirit.”

The Gardner family in Georgia is hosting 5 year old Gunars. His host mom said “Gunars found these blue goggles and wouldn’t take them off. He keeps us on our toes, but he is such a sweetie.”

The Lowther family in Colorado is hosting Martins. His host mom shares “One of my favorite moments with my biological children is when they first started calling me “mama”. The same has been true for a 15 year old speaking in a different language!”

The Sicking family in Texas is hosting 6 year old Sasha. His host mom shares “This was the night he got here from airport. He was so excited about his new Thomas pajamas. Him and my son go to bed in their matching jammies, holding hands and on their matching pillow pets.”

The Becker family in California is hosting siblings Nataliya and Vitaliy. Their host mom shares, “My biological kids and host kids were having trouble bonding for most of our first day together. Until… some soccer and basketball started happening outside for the boys and some bracelet making, reading English easy readers and practicing Ukrainian happened inside for the girls. I knew some bonding was officially in effect when they all snuggled up together for this pic.”

The Dawson family in Kentucky is hosting siblings Justine age 9 and Kristaps age 8 from Latvia. Their host mom shares “We took the children to Gatti Town for Pizza and games.  They were very unsure of it all at first, but it didn’t take them long to jump right in with the rest of my children!  The bumper cars were a huge hit!  It was the first time we heard REAL LAUGHS! It was the huge ice breaker we all needed to blend us as a family.”

The Dack family in Wisconsin is hosting Hanna from Ukraine. Her host mom says “Is it cheesy to say that the picture below represents our favorite moment? From the moment we met her, she has been the most incredible addition to our family. That moment right here, changed our lives. There have been other great moments since then, such as working with her on her English and cuddling on the couch in the morning with her and my son right when we all get up. I don’t have pictures of either of those, but they are both special times when I get to see Hanna’s heart and her need for affection. It’s also a time when I get to hear her sweet voice (she’s not real talkative otherwise).”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

116.

One hundred sixteen.

Just think about that number for a minute.  Think about ‘Hundreds Day’ when elementary school students need to collect 100 of one item to bring to school that day.  To celebrate the 100th day of school… and to teach them how big 100 really is.  To us, it kind of sounds like a little, but when you have to sit and count out that many items, it starts to seem like a lot, like you will never reach that point when you finally get to say “…98, 99, 100!!!”

When I say 116, I’m not thinking of counting buttons, Legos, or Teddy Grahams… I’m thinking about souls.  One hundred sixteen souls, children, orphans.  116 children without parents.  Each with their own stories, hardships, losses.  116 names, faces, and special spirits that need love.

116 is the number of host families NHFC still needs for this Christmas.  We have 116 awesome kids who are still waiting to be chosen by a family who will love them, bless them, build them up this Christmas. 

On the other side of that 116 is another number 88.  88 families who have joined our cause.  Together they have committed to love and cherish a total of 118 orphans.  They have said they are going to give what they have been given and share it with these children this Christmas. 

Would you consider joining our cause, the cause to fight for these orphans? Will you do it for just 1 out of the 116 who are still waiting? 

I wish I had enough time and space to tell you about all the awesome children who are still waiting to be chosen. 

Andrey is the same age as many boys who are leaving the orphanage, but he has decided to stay because he is committed to his education.
Beautiful Anastasija who deals with a poor self-image because of scars from her past.
Sasha who is not afraid to stand up for the younger orphans who are bullied.
Nikolajs who speaks with a strong stutter, but it disappears when he shares his incredible singing voice.
Deniss and Lena, brother & sister, who are talented ballroom dancers.
Markuss, who is a kind and gentle boy who gets bullied often.
Viktor who would love a new Bible after his old one was stolen.
Sweet Irina who dreams of a good family with a mom and a dad.

…and that is only 8 of them. There are 108 more out there who are just as loveable and in need of someone to love them!

 

What can you do to help?

• Pray for the waiting children.
• Share their photos from our Facebook album.
• Share the Christmas 2012 hosting video.
• Contribute a scholarship to a waiting child.
• Shop on Amazon.com to help Markuss’s scholarship fund.
• Sign up to see the full list of available children and see if they are the host child for you.

116 waiting children.  Each one with a name, a face, arms to be hugged, a heart to be loved, a soul to be fed. Each one matters.

 

God places the lonely in families
Psalm 68:6a (NLT)