Monday, April 22, 2013

Let Us Not Grow Weary!

I'm back with another handsome face that needs a place to call home!  'Joseph' will be turning 16 on April 25th and will be out on the streets if his family doesn't find him!  We have 3 days to find an in-process/homestudy-ready family.  His special needs are abnormal development of cardiac system, recurrent infections of ENT organs and respiratory tract, and a humpback. 

'Joseph'

Yes, there will always be more children that need homes,and yes, we just did 'this' and advocated for a young man that needed a home before his 16th.  But we are not to grow weary doing good (Galatians 6:9), so please pray and advocate for 'Joseph.'


Another opportunity to be a part of a child's life without adopting, is hosting.   New Horizons for Children is still taking applications for the Summer 2013 hosting program.  Their promotion video for this summer is below.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

A Plea, Accounting, and News

UPDATE 4/17/2013: 'Sebastian' has a family coming for him! He will be coming home with 'Ianto,' another young man that was at risk of aging out. They will be brothers! 

'Ianto'


First off, take a moment to read to about 'Sebastian'  on Reece's Rainbow and at NoGreaterJoyMom.com.

'Sebastian'




'Sebastian' is 16 years old in 8 days.  He needs to have a family with a current homestudy pursue him before he turns 16.  At 16, he will be given the equivalent of $30 and shown the door.  A life on the streets awaits him, if a family doesn't step forward.  His only special need is a slight stutter!!!  He has asked pleaded for a family. Please read about him and share through your favorite social media outlet. 

What is life on the streets?  According to UNICEF study..

  1. Every 2.2 seconds another orphan ages out with no family to belong to and no place to call home
  2. Studies have shown that 10% – 15% of these children commit suicide before they reach age eighteen
  3. These studies also show that 60% of the girls become prostitutes and 70% of the boys become hardened criminals


"Sebastian's" Country Requirements

  • Married couples only
  • Parents must be a minimum of 15 years older than the child they’d like to adopt
  • As of late 2011, there’s no longer an upper age limit for parents
  • No stated family size restrictions
  • Total with travel approx $25k
  • Both parents for 2 1/2 weeks to attend court
  • Both parents return home for 10 day wait
  • Only one must return to complete the adoption for approx 14 days
  • No history of mental health conditions or infectious diseases
  • No criminal history
  • May adopt multiple unrelated children
  • This is a very fast program! Start to finish is an average of 7 months. Families committing to children in this program, especially the children at risk of the institution, should be in a financial position to complete the adoption quickly. It is a blessing to be able to adopt so quickly, but leaves little time for major fundraising efforts.
CANADIAN FAMILIES WELCOME!



--------------------------------------------------------

Thank you to all who supported us in the Forty to Forever campaign.  Including the campaign and funds that have been handed to me in person, we raised $924.83 since our first trip!

Our second stage dossier still has not received the Bulgarian Minister of Justice's signature.  Other families in different stages of the process have received signatures, so we are hopeful that this interim Minister will sign.  Interim elections will be held May 12th at which point a permanent MOJ will come into office.  We would really not like to wait that long. :)  After receiving the signature, a court date will be assigned.

--------------------------------------------------------

I mentioned some time back that the neglectful and abusive former director in Gemma's orphanage has taken her claims of wrongful termination to court to be reinstated as the director.  The lower court voted to reinstate her; read older post here.  Well, other officials are now appealing the lower court's decision.  The closed door hearing will take place April 18.

excerpt from The Blessing Of Verity:

From one of our Bulgarian friends~
“The orphanage appealed the court decree re-instituting her before the High Court (last instance). The hearing is closed (not public) and it is on the 18th.
It is for the Court to decide if there are enough causes for them to hear the case in an open hearing, later. It will technically mean automatic re-institution or a whole new court procedure at the highest court instance in Bulgaria.
Please have everyone storm the gates of heaven with prayers. Even if they re-institute her, I truly can’t see her back knowing the howls it will cause in the media.  I am ready to fight…and to lose my last drop of life and blood but not allow that monster back there.”

Pray with all your might that the director who presided over this orphanage from before the fall of Communism in 1989 will not be re-instated.