In September, I was asked last minute if I could go to visit orphanages in China in place of someone who had to back out. The week leading up to the trip (including the morning of) was absolutely chaotic, but it was all worth it. It was a trip of a lifetime and one I will never forget. I went to four orphanages in Anhui province in 3 days and met a lot of incredible kids. I was changed before I went, but am even more changed now. There were kids who I met who just pierced my heart- amazing kids who I feel need ME to tell THEIR story so they can find a family that will look past the fact that they are a boy, that they are incontinent, that they are in a wheelchair, that they are older...the list goes on. They were beautiful and awesome! Then there were other kids who just needed out in order to survive. I had seen malnourished children before in images, but don't believe I had ever really seen one and held one in my arms. I definitely did that on this trip. I got to love on babies and big kids, giving some touch that they clearly are aching for. It was heartbreaking to hold a baby and love on a big kid, both who spent much or all of their days in a crib, and then to have to set them back down in that place that is all too familiar to them. There were also a handful of older kids who were so special. There were a couple of times I thought I was going to have to get up and walk out because I felt like I just had to find a family for this child who has such little time left. I don't think I have slept the same since coming home from this trip. I think about these kids I met every single day. I will do everything I can to help find families for as many of them as I can, but I am only one person and the days pass all too quickly. Please pray with me for these kids and for the right family to be looking in the right place at the right time.
Every heart deserves a home and to know the love of a family. These kids deserve to know what life looks like outside an orphanage. They deserve to know what it means to have their own mom, dad, brother, sister, grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, and cousins. They deserve to know what it means to be snuggled up with a good book and someone who loves you or to be tucked in and kissed at bedtime. They deserve that and so much more. I will not lie to you- not much about adoption is easy. But you know what? Nothing our savior has done for us was easy either, but He didn't give a second thought when it came to paying the price for us so that our sins could be forgiven and we could have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him. We are his sons and daughters. He has chosen each of us. We have been adopted by our heavenly Father. Will you rise up for one of these children as He has for YOU? Pray about it while you take a couple minutes to look at the faces of some of the beautiful kids I met in China just one month ago. They are waiting for someone to choose them- for someone to say YES! Lord, I want to be your hands and feet- send me!
Broc, 5 year old boy
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: BROC IS OFFICIALLY MATCHED! PRAISE GOD!
Elsa, 2 year old girl
Elsa has CP (possibly left side hemiplegia) and cannot walk yet, but she can sit and roll.
Her file should be arriving to Madison Adoption Associate's list in about 3 months or so.
Dean, Healthy 12 year old boy
This one pierced my heart- seriously had me smiling and in tears. He's special.
His file should be listed with Madison Adoption Associates in about 3 months.
Malachi, 2 year old boy
SO cute! He has a 'minor need' and will likely be listed as LID, which means that a family will need to have their paperwork logged in with Madison Adoption Associates to be able to move forward for him. His file should be ready in about a month.
SO cute! He has a 'minor need' and will likely be listed as LID, which means that a family will need to have their paperwork logged in with Madison Adoption Associates to be able to move forward for him. His file should be ready in about a month.
Jedd, 11 year old boy
Jedd is a great kid and he's going to do very well in a family! He knows his real Chinese name and birthday. His file will be listed with Madison Adoption Associates in approximately 3 months.
Asher, 9 year old boy
The orphanage told us Asher has a different look and drools a little at times (may need speech), but beyond that- he is a healthy boy. His file is ready.
This guy was not on our list, but God made sure we saw him and we told them to make him ready for adoption and we're looking to get him help so he doesn't have to spend all day in a crib. He wanted to be held and loved SO badly!
Robert, 1 year old boy
I think about this guy every day. He is SO precious!
His file will be listed with Madison Adoption Associates and should be ready in approximately 3 months.
Unknown baby girl- she was not on our list, but we made sure to give her some love. I don't think she spends much time out of her crib. :(
Darren, 6 year old boy This guy is so happy, but was like a baby in a walker.
He needs a walker his size, therapy, and love.
His file is ready and he can be adopted now and with any agency!
Jeremy, 1 year old boy
Jeremy has a lot of needs (CP? and epilepsy), but is beyond adorable. He smiled and made good eye contact. He can't stay where he is at though with his needs. His file will be ready in about 3 months and he will be listed with Madison Adoption Associates.
Auden, 8 month old baby boy This is the guy who I wasn't sure if he'd make it another day. I am happy to report that he is now out of his orphanage and receiving care via a healing home run by Love Without Boundaries. Pray they are able to get him in better shape soon!
Gabriel, 13 year old boy -He is healthy, but didn't have an adoption file and he will age out/no longer be able to be adopted in February, 2016. Pray for him..he needs a miracle!
Cody, 9 year old boy
Cody can hear and understand everything, but he does not speak. He can make noises. He is very happy, but can get very frustrated/upset if he doesn't get what he wants. He will need a family that is experienced with adoption and older children.
His file is ready and he is on the shared list- a family could use any agency to adopt him.
Cody can hear and understand everything, but he does not speak. He can make noises. He is very happy, but can get very frustrated/upset if he doesn't get what he wants. He will need a family that is experienced with adoption and older children.
His file is ready and he is on the shared list- a family could use any agency to adopt him.
Whitney, 10 year old girl
Beautiful and sweet. Very small for her age. She needs a family to help her gain some weight and strength. DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HER FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND SHE HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT!
Lena, 9 year old girl
Beautiful! She will be a blessing to some very lucky family! She is very organized and neat. Lena has epilepsy, but is is controlled with medicine and she has not had a seizure in 2-3 years.
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HER FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND SHE HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT!
Victoria, 12 year old girl - This is another one who pierced my heart. God made sure I saw her that day! She is beautiful on the inside and outside. She truly needs someone to see past all of her needs and see her for HER...she's a gem. Her file should be coming to Madison Adoption Associate's list any time now.
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HER FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON AND SHE HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT!
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HER FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON AND SHE HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT!
Lena (9) in the background and Aspen, 8 year old girl
-Aspen was scared and cried at first, but really opened up while we were there and was full of smiles.
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HER FILE IS NOW LISTED WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND SHE HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT!
Pierce (he's also gone by the names Shaun and Luke), 7 year old boy. -He is so sweet, mild, easy-going, and quiet. DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HIS FILE IS NOW LISTED WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES! THERE IS A $5,000 AGENCY GRANT FOR HIS ADOPTION AND HE HAS $5,0000 IN HIS REECE'S RAINBOW ACCOUNT TOO!
Reagan, 5 year old girl
-She is SO happy and SO loving!
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HER FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND SHE HAS A $3,000 AGENCY GRANT!
Jackson, 13 year old boy -He was another one who pierced my heart. He will age out/no longer be able to be adopted in May of 2016. Please pray for him! He would make a great son and I just have to find a family for him. DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HIS FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND HE HAS A $5,000 AGENCY GRANT!
Calvin, beautiful 4 year old boy
He is blind, but doing very well!
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HIS FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND HE HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT!
Truman, 9 year boy -He is an awesome kid and he's going to do very well in a family that can provide him the therapy he needs. DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HIS FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND HE HAS A $5,000 AGENCY GRANT!
Taylor, 5 year old girl
-Taylor did not talk, but she could hear and she could follow directions.
McKinley, 11 year old girl
-She's seen many friends leave and she is a sweetie. Praying one day soon it will be her turn!
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HER FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND SHE HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT!
Andrea, 9 year old girl
Sweet girl!
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HER FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND SHE HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT!
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HER FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND SHE HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT!
Lincoln, 7 year old boy
-Personality PLUS! He was SO funny and SO talkative!
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HIS FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND HE HAS A $5,000 AGENCY GRANT!
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HIS FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND HE HAS A $5,000 AGENCY GRANT!
Kennedy, 13 year old girl -She needs a family soon or she will age out/lose her chance of every being adopted in April 2016. She is scared to be adopted, but there is a fantastic guide in this province who can help a family out and I'd recommend a family Skype ahead of time with her to get to know each other. This orphanage had the capabilities for that. Kennedy has spastic CP, but can walk independently.
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HER FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND SHE HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT!
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: HER FILE IS NOW WITH MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES AND SHE HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT!
Tyler, 7 year old boy
He is wonderful and his file is currently listed with Madison Adoption Associates.
TYLER HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT!
TYLER HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT!
Millie, 11 year old girl
Her file is listed with Madison Adoption Associates at this time. She has had interest and is currently on hold for a family. Please pray for her! She will make a wonderful daughter.
MILLIE HAS A $4,000 AGENCY GRANT FOR HER ADOPTION WITH MAA!
William, 5 year old boy
-He too has a need that sounds scarier than it looks. He is doing fantastic, is beyond adorable, and will do very well in a family. DECEMBER 2015 UPDATE: MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES TRANSFERRED HIS FILE TO ANOTHER AGENCY FOR A WONDERFUL FAMILY! PRAISE GOD!!!
Please ask me about any of these kids by email: el_lauren@yahoo.com or on Facebook. I pray they will all find families. Please pray with me. These are just some of the kids we met. We met many more.
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