Saturday, August 22, 2009

WOW!!!!

“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”
~Mitch Albom


I CANNOT believe that after only three days into the raffle we have already hit our immediate goal to get our dosseir to China. I am completely overwhelmed and humbled by your generosity to help us bring home our son.

I was planning on taking the Chip In button off once we hit our goal, but I have received several e-mails saying I should leave it up to see how much more we can raise to help with the cost to bring our son home. Although our immediate need has been met, we are still in need of quite a bit more. So for now, we have decided to continue with the Chip In button to see how much more we can come up with. The deadline for the raffle is August 28th, so there is still plenty of time to get in for a chance to win some really great prizes.

What amazes me the most is that many of you who have donated are currently in the process of financing an adoption of your own. I honestly cannot say I am not surprised. It is those of you who are familiar with adoption for whatever reason (adoptive parent, grandparent, sponsor, etc), that truly "get it." You get that it doesn't matter how we get these kids home, but the fact that WE do. You get that IT TAKES A VILLAGE. You get that we ALL need to band together to end the orphan crisis. It can be done, and it can be done $10.00 at a time. I am certainly not saying that everyone needs to run out and start the adoption process to bring home a child. What I am saying, and asking that EVERONE wakes up and realizes that not just in countries like China, Guatemala, Russia, Africa, etc, but right here in America there are children going to bed hungry, neglected, cold, sad, sick, unloved, malnourished, alone, and the list goes on and on.

As difficult as times are right now, I can whole heartedly, and honestly say that I am so thankful that we are all happy, healthy, and that in time, things will get better. Imagine for just a moment having to put your child(ren) to bed hungry because you did not have the money or even the means to feed them. Imagine not being able to keep your child(ren) warm because you have no way to clothe them or even get a blanket for them. Imagine having to abandon your child because you cannot afford the medical expenses to take care of them. Imagine knowing that because of Aids/HIV or some other disease you will be leaving your child(ren) to care for themselves when you are no longer able to. Imagine having to walk miles with out shoes, or proper clothing to leave your child in an orphanage because you know you are not capable of caring for them. Imagine being a child not knowing what it is to be feel the warmth and touch of a human being because they are lying in a crib all day. Imagine being a child who does not know what it is to be loved, or to be loved so much that your parents relinquish their rights in the hopes that you will be adopted by a family who will be able to give you everything they cannot. Imagine being one of the 147 million orphans in the world who right this very minute do not know what it is like to BELONG TO A FAMILY.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
Proverbs 31:8-9

It is because of the 27 contributors to our raffle that there will soon be one less orphan that will go to bed at night not knowing what it is like to belong to a family. Because of you 27 people, we are one step closer to bringing our son home to not just our family, but to His family.



Too see the great prizes available in the raffle just scroll down to the next post.

4 comments:

TanyaLea said...

You're right Mandi~ It doesn't matter how we get these children HOME, what matters, is that we do...and often times it does, indeed, take a village. PTL that He has provided this next step to bringing Drew home. He is faithful!! <><

love ya,
~Tanya

Tara Anderson said...

We rejoice with you and trust that God will continue to provide ALL your needs to bring your little Drew home! Praying for you!

Tara

Kathy said...

Praise God for ALL the contributors that GET IT !! I am looking forward to seeing Drew come home !!!

Football and Fried Rice said...

Is your fundraiser still open? I thought it read that it closed on the 25th? Is it Friday or the 25th? I'd love to help spread the word too!! Please let me know if it is going until Friday!