Thanksgiving Day – thinking of children who need families

 

As we enjoy this time of family and give thanks for many blessings, I think of children who do not live with families of their own.

After adopting two of our children through Holt International Children’s services, my husband and I became aware of the overwhelming number of vulnerable children in the word. Children need families and a place where they will be loved and cherished. When we traveled to S. Korea to bring Mee Mee home we were incredibly impressed the the Holt staff we met. These humble people are dedicated to serving the children entrusted to their care and truly living their faith. We knew there would always be children in need and we decided to commit to supporting Holt International and their vision of Holt’s Vision of “a world where every child has a loving and secure home.” I had the honor of serving on Holt’s Board of Directors and the privilege of traveling to see a number of Holt’s projects.

Please read more about this amazing organization here: http://holtinternational.org/about/pdfs/Holt-model-of-services.pdf

Visiting an orphanage is always an emotional experience. I love spending time with the children and am thankful for the love showered on them by their devoted caregivers. It is so sad to say good-bye and wonder what their lives will be like.

This past July, I had the opportunity to visit the Changchun orphanage in Northeast China with a Holt Focus Team. This was not like any orphanage I had ever seen. The building was filled with light. There were toys, playground equipment and the latest physical therapy equipment available. The children were happy to see us and we were able to spend a beautiful afternoon with a number of them.

We went into a large room and a shy ten-year-old boy wheeled himself over. He smiled shyly and looked up hopefully. We were introduced a boy called ”Eric.” We learned that he is a bright student studying in both Chinese and English. He attends school and is well cared for in the orphanage. But, he does not have the family he wants so much.

 

Eric understands what adoption is. He needs a family. He belongs in a family and I know there is a family who is just right for this beautiful boy. I brought home a Starbucks mug with Changchun written across it. As I drink my coffee each morning, I think of Eric with his smile and kind eyes. I pray that soon he will be right where he belongs – home with his family.

If you are interested in learning more about “Eric” and other children who need loving families of their own please visit the Holt International website.

http://www.holtinternational.org/china/waitingkids.php?region=China&note=Standard?source=homepage