Rebecca wrote and published this on her own blog recently and I asked her if I could post it to my blog too because I feel this post has a very strong message we all need to hear.

Written by Rebecca:

Since I was a teenager, it's been my desire to adopt. But I didn't necessarily plan to adopt a newborn in the States, which is what we did because that's where God led our hearts at the time of our adoption journey a few years ago. And I'm so thankful that He did! I can't imagine life without our Levi!!
When I was a teenager I met a girl from Ukraine. Her name was Laceia. I bonded with her in the short time she was in the US (she'd come over with some missionaries for a short time). I've never forgotten her. It was then that my heart exploded with a love for the Ukraine, especially the orphans (as pictured below) there.

About a year or so later, the summer I was 17, I went on a mission trip to Russia for about 2.5 weeks. While there I worked with the other four people I was with in a school helping children learn and better their English as well as with the local church there. My love for that part of the world grew more and more. One day, I was going to do something more.

This couple called themselves my Russian Mama and Papa. I loved them and would give anything to track them down again!!

My love for that part of the world and my desire to adopt from there has never ceased. It's become a back burner issue for a long time, but the desire has always been there. My heart hurts and longs to bring home a child(ren) from that region of the world. I've shared my hope and desire with Luke, and over the years it's gone from my desire to our desire.

Recently, through my friend Annie on FB, I found a group called Children's Cultural Connection. Their FB page is here. This is a hosting program (there are many hosting programs with kids in many countries) that allows you to bring home a Ukrainian orphan for about 5-6 weeks in the summer or winter to learn about them and for them to learn about the culture here. But more than that, it's to show them something outside the lives of their orphanage. To show them what being in a family can be like. To give them hope. To show them love.

When I found it, my heart leaped for joy. I was going to do this! We were going to do this! We were going to host a child and then adopt one or two. It was going to happen. I immediately fell in love with many of these children. These precious children, many nearly 16 years old, the age when they age out, to be left on their own to fend for themselves. Most who, when they age out, will become criminals, prostitutes or commit suicide within 2 years of leaving their orphanage. We were going to bring them home. Give them hope and a family. Love them.

I cried for days and days over these children and how little hope they have. I stared at their faces off and on all day for days..... and still do. I dreamed about them at night knowing their names and seeing their faces. I planned who would we would bring home. How we would work it out.

But then reality set in. Without going into detailed specifics, we can't. We don't have a vehicle that will hold more than our current family. We still owe on Levi's adoption. I was crushed. Luke was crushed. I cried more. We both desperately want to do something!!!

And you know what? We can! Right now. I am writing this very post to advocate for these orphans. For all orphans, here in the States and those abroad. Please consider hosting one of these precious children and/or share this information with others who might!! Maybe like us, right now, you can't host or adopt. (Maybe you can!!! :-)) But your heart aches. You want to do something to help. You CAN do something!! You can advocate for them. Get the word out! Share with your friends. Your family. Your church. On your FB page or blog. You can give a grant to a child who hopes and dreams to just see the United States..... and more than that to feel part of a family for a few WEEKS of their entire life. You can google 'orphan grant' and give to one of the many grant funds who can't help families without the funds to give. You can give money to a specific family you know to help alleviate the costs of hosting or adopting. (Did you know that adoption both internationally and domestically is generally $20,000-40,000!?!?!) You can sign up to take the MAPP training courses and become a foster parent in the States. You can pray. Oh, you just pray and pray and pray for these kids and for you own heart. To be shown what you can do.

As far as us? My family? We still plan to do something more than advocate. We can't do it right now. Which is what we want to do. It breaks our hearts. But now isn't doable or responsible. So we have a plan. I chose not to publicly share the specifics until more is ironed out and we continue praying and waiting for God to show us what to do... and maybe He'll even move some mountains for us. But we have a fairly specific plan that will allow up to adopt again, prayerfully more than one child. Please pray with and for us.
In the meantime? We will do what we can both prayerfully and financially to help the orphans. And we pray that you will, too.

And with the permission and knowledge of the volunteers at Children's Cultural Connection (Bios taken directly from CCC, but I'm not able to post names/ages), meet just a few of the children.

She wants to study further at University of arts and to become hair stylist. She likes all subjects in school, apart from those that are connected to math and have numbers or digits :-) "D" likes little children and to do housework - she said she would like to help Mama to cook, clean and do laundry. She likes summer, especially swimming during hot days. She likes outdoors and nature - mountains, forests, lakes, rivers. Her favorite foods - fruits, sweets and she does not like fish. She dreams to see New York.

This beautiful girl has a quiet and sweet personality. She is helpful and loves to spend time with other girls and adults.

LAST CHANCE. Such an articulate, open, positive girl! Here is what she wrote under her sacred wish:" I want to find my own good REAL family, where I will be loved and where they will need me."
"G" is very family oriented and very easy going. Her energy would fill a room with positive vibes. She likes little children. She said that she likes to be among people, to meet new people, and to spend time with old friends. She likes to study a lot! "G" likes to help around the house. About food preferences "I don't usually get to choose, so I like everything, but I think I would prefer dairy products."

Is athletic, full of energy and a great kid all around. He is small for his age, but he fits in with younger and older kids alike. He is outgoing and loves to be involved in activities.

This is another boy that has been passed over for hosting several times. Very clever boy. He dreams to travel the world and for a present to have a soccer uniform of the player Ronaldo. He likes to help adults - his favorite time is when younger kids do homework and he can help them with it and be their mentor :-) "D" likes fried meat (I bet he will love BBQ) and fried potatoes. He likes to play outdoors and to swim with friends during summer. He also longing for some nature and would like to go hiking.

Smart and charming boy who wants a family really bad. He was hosted last summer. He is an amazing athlete! He does forward and backward flips on one foot. He is also a soccer champ. He loves to swim, play sports and gets along with children of all ages.

"Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes..." from the book "Radical"

Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, plead for the widow.. - Isaiah 1:17

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. - John 14:18

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’- Matthew 25:40

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” - Romans 8:14-15

- Elaine