10 Days

We first met Benjamin/Sasha at his orphanage about 8 months ago.  We have been home with him for about 5 months.  This picture is from the very first day that we met him in Pishanna.

I think the fear and uncertainty are pretty clearly written all over his face.  We were strangers telling him we wanted to take him to a new country, a new culture, with new food and a new language.  We were offering him a family - something completely new to him.  Yet he wanted it badly enough, he stepped out in faith and came with us.  This is a picture of him from a few days ago....a mere 8 months later.

He has fully embraced his new life and his new family.  He loves being in the U.S., loves our food, loves our family, and is a very happy boy.  He talks all the time.  He makes jokes all the time.  Look for yourself at the difference the love of a family can make in a child.  He does not even look like the same kid to me.  I asked him today why he was so quiet at his orphanage.  He said, "Because there were so many people there."  He is blossoming and growing in his family now.  It is natural to crave family.  It is God's plan for children to have family.  Sasha wanted a family.  And he is so happy.  He thanks me for teaching him.  He thanks me for doing his laundry.  He thanks me for meals - he says, "Very very good!" It is not all perfect by any means, but a deep longing in him has been fulfilled.

There is another boy who was a classmate and friend of Benjamin's named Radik.  We met him while we were at Pishanna and were able to spend some time with him.   He is a special boy who is almost always smiling and enjoys interacting with people.  Over the last few years Radik has watched as several of his friends and classmates have been adopted.  He often talks about his desire to have a family too.  But, his time is running out.  Radik's 16th birthday is May 24th.  In Ukraine, children age out of the orphanage system at 16.  They leave their orphanage and are expected to find their way in the world.  The vast majority of the boys end up addicted to drugs and/or alcohol, in jail, or dead within a few years.  It is their stark reality.  Radik needs a family to begin the process to adopt him before his birthday.  10 days.  We need to find someone in 10 days.  Please pray for this miracle for Radik!  For more information about him and what it would take to adopt him please contact me.

I have never in the life of this blog, asked anyone to share it.  Today, I do.  We need to get the word out to as many people as possible.  We never know who in our circle of friends may be feeling the call to adopt and time is running out for Radik.  10 days.  Through God, all things are possible.  10 days.  Please share if you are able.