Teaching the Next Generation to Care

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 At a Village to Village Intl. fundraiser in Detroit I met Corinne.  Corinne connected with the purpose and mission of Village to Village Intl. and passed this passion on to her students.  Corinne contacted me shortly after the fundraiser and wanted to bless the children that had recently been brought into a family by involving her students.  Below is Corinne’s story:

I am a teacher at Northpointe Christian School in Grand Rapids, MI.  This past week, a group of about 25 high school students completed a number of outreach projects. Most days we were off campus serving at various locations around the city. On Friday, the students took the time to make baby blankets for the children who have found homes with families who have been a part of Village to Village Intl. We began by reviewing and discussing the purpose of Village to Village. The students were very interested in learning about the organization and asked amazing questions. From there, we were able to view each child and family's biography page. Being able to see the child they were making the blanket for was so helpful in gaining the students' involvement and passion for this project.

Our theme for the week was "A Servant's Heart." Throughout the week, I was very impressed with how thoroughly and carefully the students worked on their different projects at hand. The blankets proved to be no different. Each blanket was made by three to four students. They did everything from the cutting and pinning of the ribbons to sowing the fabrics together. Afterwards, they took some time to write cards for the child to go along with the blanket. Each group also produced a brief response to this experience. Here is what one group wrote: "This week we have been working on having a 'servant's heart.' One of our projects was to make a baby blanket for Shaun. We really enjoyed making this blanket for this little guy. Jeremiah 29:11 says, 'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jesus has a plan for every child in the world, like He had a plan for Shaun." Written by Naomi, Emily, Sam, and Anthony.

This week Village to Village Intl. families will receive these blankets for their children.  Thank you Northpointe Christian School Students for your thoughtfulness!  Thank you, Corinne, for teaching the next generation to care.

We are listening

I Believe There Should Be No Orphans

By Agnes Tucker

Once upon a time, three years ago before I was adopted, I lived 11 years as an orphan. That life wasn't as pretty as the life I have now. Although I miss my country and the other children I grew up with, I prefer this life. I lived with 600 other orphans who are still hoping to have the life I have now. People here have more than they need I have noticed, but yet they still cry that they are poor. To be considered that they are poor, it should be that they don't have water; they should be starving, have no clothes, no car or any means of communications.
 
In civics and economics, I learned about scarcity were people have unlimited wants and limited resources. Well this is definitely the case when you are an orphan. But whether you believe it or not, none of you, not even the beggars on the street in America, have faced the real life of an orphan. Because you have parents and do not have any of the things mentioned in the first paragraph. Being an orphan means you don't get to see the outside world. The only thing you do is look outside through the same window everyday expecting someone to come for you. And when they don't, sometimes you break into tears or accept what just happened as if you are tough.

I had been looking through my window for 11 years. And finally my time came. But before it came, I wondered if it did come, what will happen to the other orphans who are my family, friends and everything to me? Tears rolled down on my cheeks anytime I thought about the time they will age out of the orphanage. They only have one year left now for them to age out. They will be thrown into those dark, dirty streets. What will happen to them out there? Many things can happen to them.
Those streets are scary, I have seen them before. They are dirty because diseases travel through that air like blood travels through our bodies. People are raped and hurt on those streets. They have to hunt for food and they will be lucky if they find a piece of bread. Children die out there because of the dirty environment they are in. Imagine being on the streets, you wear the same clothes until they tear apart but still you wear them. Imagine sleeping outside on concrete, no blanket and no showers and no shoes. All these things make me cry and the sad thing is it's true, real and happening right now.

That's why I believe that there should be no orphans, because we've all got what it takes to save the life of an orphan. We got more than what we need, and it won't hurt us to share what we've got. If we do this all together, I promise there will be no orphans left.

Thanks for speaking out, Agnus!  We are listening...

Hurdling the Four Letter Word

I would stand on the edge of the high dive clenching my life jacket, unable to move.  My swim teacher, in her red one-piece was treading water below, pleading with me to trust her and jump.  Gentle chants of encouragement would come from my mom sitting in the bleachers.  But it was all useless, the fear had paralyzed me.  Eventually, my swim teacher would climb the ladder and walk across the wobbly board to my stiff little body.  She would escort me back to the ladder so I could shiver my way down.  I could sense her disappointment.  But who could blame her, who wants to come out of the water on a chilly June morning in Iowa to rescue the terrified student week after week.

Fear.  It makes me do weird things.  It's paralyzing.

While I've pushed through many hurdles of fear there are always new ones popping up.  Down goes the hurdle of the high dive.  Down goes the hurdle of trying out for the team.  Down goes the hurdle of trusting a man.  Down goes the hurdle of traffic in a big city.  Down goes the hurdle of foreign travel.  Down goes the hurdle of culture shock.  Down goes the hurdle of adoption.  Down goes the hurdle of the "special needs" child.  Down goes the hurdle of...

But, up pops the hurdle of gray hair.  Up pops the hurdle of finances.  Up pops the hurdle of being misunderstood.  Up pops the hurdle of being labeled.  Up pops the hurdle of parenting.  Up pops the hurdle of my limitations.  And up pops the hurdle of opening my home to a waiting older child...

Admittedly, I search the faces of children in the US and abroad that are waiting for a family.  Many of them over the age of nine, their chances of exiting the foster care system and entering the streets has increased.  In some countries "older" means only five or six years old.  I have "older" children in my home.  Four of them to be exact, and they all still need a lot of parenting, a lot of love, and the security of a family.  Especially, the one that will reach the coveted "teenage" label in a few months.  These are emotional, insecure years.  Maybe someday I will open my home to one of these waiting children, but right now that four letter "F" word stands in the way.

Fear.

It's funny how I recognize fear when it stands in the way of something I want to do.  Like jumping off the high dive.  Why did I climb that ladder week after week only to climb down wet and discouraged?  Because deep down I wanted to jump.  Deep down I want to love these waiting kids.  I want to give them what they want.  A family.  As I hear them speak my hurdle of fear starts to wobble and teeter.

Hear their voices...

  

Family Updates:

Ishmael Family

In August, Charles and Marcy Ishmael, traveled to the Shanxi Province in China to meet their son, Shaun.  Meeting him just before his second birthday, they took in the sights and sounds of his birth country prior to returning home as a family of three.  Shaun is adjusting well to his new family and is picking up English.  He enjoys playing outside and playing guitar with his daddy. Charles and Marcy are enjoying the thrills of having a two-year-old.

The Ishmael's were matched with Shaun in May 2012 and were thrilled!  They had waited for years and then one day everything happened quickly.  Funds were needed and Marcy learned that she was out of a job in June.  Through a friends referral, they learned of Village to Village Intl. and applied.
The Ishmael family raised $5,412 through Village to Village Intl.  This money helped cover the cost of their flights and orphanage fees.  Thank you to all who had a part in bringing Shaun into his family!

Peterson Family

"Fifteen months after meeting our new son for the first time through Orphan Hosting, we have completed the final step in the adoption process!  Vitaly is home, is officially our son, and is adjusting to his new life in a family!  Worth every hour, cent, and tear shed, the required steps are nonetheless draining in every way.  So, those who have come alongside and encouraged in any area have our deepest gratitude.  God has used many in this way - including Village to Village International.  The third trip to Latvia found us in need of travel funds, which were provided in part by the donors of this ministry.  We are now excited about joining in the efforts to bring other children home to their families!" 
-Sue Peterson

Stay connected with the Peterson family by following their blog.

Return to Recess

The bell would ring and we'd run out to the blacktop ready to argue for who we wanted on our team.  Glad to be done with the multiplication table for 15 minutes.  It was a game of kickball that released my energy in elementary school, or the occasional game of four-square.  Oh, I loved me some recess back then...

This past Tuesday, 80 adults reenacted recess.  Grown men turned into third grade boys, minus the grass-stained pants. Women laughed at themselves, now mature enough to admit that they were the underdog in the game.  Eight teams of ten players each, battled it out for the title of "Dodgeball Champ."  Five men and five women made up each team while soft colorful dodgeballs were lined up to separate two opposing teams.  In the end it was Team Albany Park 1 with the most people standing when the whistle blew.

Every adult needs permission to return to recess every now and then.  Friendly competition, full of laughter, raised $1,620 for Village to Village Intl.  A big thanks to Gordon Tech High School for allowing us to use their gym for the event at no charge.

If you'd be interested in having a dodgeball tournament in your neighborhood or town to help support Village to Village Intl., please let us know.  It's a simple way to help a good cause.  Plus, you just might have some fun in the process.

THANKS FOR PLAYING!!!

Introducing...

In February, we received the long awaited call that we had a court date for the adoption of our daughter, Jemma.  March 27.  We were extremely excited!  And yet torn because this date clashed with a play that our oldest daughter had been working on all school year.  Her performance date was March 29.  No big deal, right?  Wrong.  The court was in Uganda and we had planned to take our whole family. How was this going to work?  Probably sounds like a no-brainer from the outside, but to us as parents we knew a heart was going to be broken.  A school play is a big deal to a 6th grader, nerves and all, and they want their parents in the audience.  And how could she back out at the last minute?  What does that teach a young girl about commitment?  Plus, who wants to be left behind as the whole family meets the newest family member?  Questions swirling in our minds as we tried to create a plan of action.  Unfortunately, you don't just call the courthouse in another country and say, "Hey, can we change our court date, something came up?"  So there we were with a decision to make...

Thankfully, an amazing family friend, Toussaint Goudeaux, agreed to escort Jadyn to Uganda after her school performance.  He ended up spending a week in-country with our family before traveling home for work.  What seemed like a scrambled, fumbled plan really turned out to be best.  Uganda touched the Borst family, for sure.  But without our date clash, Uganda wouldn't have touched Toussaint.  At least not in April of 2012.  But it did.

Tous (as we call him) became part of the Borst family.  We went to Uganda to adopt our daughter and we ended up adding a daughter and an uncle to the family.  Two beautiful additions.  Now Toussaint is joining the Village to Village Intl. family as a board member.  Graduating from Princeton University and working as a consultant in Chicago serve well on his resume.  But even more so, his love for children and his ability to ask questions that move us beyond our box.  When asked, "What are you most passionate about when it comes to caring for vulnerable children?" He responded:

The smiles. In the midst of struggle, lack and pain a child can find the inkling of hope and mirth. Their grin, for a moment, pushes everything away for them and for anyone who catches a glimpse at it for the magical second. It's a wish that those grins would be so much more frequent.







 

   

Giving Back!

Aaron and Nichole Marshall share how Village to Village Intl. helped their family bring home their son, Zurich:

"Village to Village Intl. has been such a blessing to our family in our adoption journey to help bring home our precious Ethiopian son, Zurich Abraham Marshall. Village to Village Intl. has such a heart for adoption and helping orphans all over the world. We were amazed at how God truly provided the funds for our adoption. Family, friends, and people we didn't even know donated generously to help us bring our son home... We have been extremely blessed by Village to Village Intl. and we want to give back, so we have signed up to automatically give each month to other adoptive families. Please join us in this incredible movement of helping orphans around the world."

Thank you Marshall's for giving back!!!