Update on Alea

Alea is in the hospital. All her pre-op tests have been completed. She’s ready for surgery. However, New Day must have the cash for Alea's liver-transplant. Only 11% of the money has come in. Please pray! This is a life-or-death situation.

Want to contribute? Check out http://www.hopeforalea.com/.
Alea has no mom or dad. She is in desperate need of several miracles. Will you pray, give, and spread the word?

THANK YOU!

Cutie-Pie:

Spring Program and Preschool Graduation

Derek with "The Wanderer":

Getting ready to begin:

"Dad!"

Cherish performing with her class:

Receiving her gift and diploma:

Such a sweetheart!

With her precious teachers:

(What AMAZING ladies!)

Family shot:

Playing together:

Then off we went to a reception and a party at Mrs. Tricia's house.

What a fantastic way to end such a great year!

We love the preschool our church provides. The ladies that work there are so kind and tender! Derek and I are so thankful Cherish was able to attend once we returned home from Ch*na. We. are. so. thankful!! God bless PPP!

Hope for Alea

Thank you for all the messages that came in about supporting Alea. I have put a button on my sidebar that you may click on to get you straight to the "Hope for Alea" fundraiser. Please consider giving as part of the "Red Envelope Fundraiser" in order to bring Alea hope.

Every. dollar. counts!

She has no mom or dad to advocate for her. She needs our help!
Spread the word.

Thank you!

Suffer the Little Children

I haven’t been on here in a little while. It’s because I have been consumed with a certain little girl, Alea (click on her name to read about her), and with the condition of orphans around the world.

Alea has less than 10 months to live. She is in need of a life-saving liver transplant….

I will admit: I am in love with Alea.

I want to do everything in my power to rescue this little girl.

Right now.

However, it’s not up to me.

She’s not even available for adoption yet.

And, today she is in the hospital—even sicker than yesterday.

My heart continues to break.

I feel like boarding a plane and flying around the world to hold and care for her.

Right now.

Thankfully, she is being cared for by some amazing people who have made it their mission in life to help the orphans as commanded in James 1:27. They are loving her and doing what they can to save her life.

My husband and I have been looking for a little girl to adopt—one with severe special needs. We have already given our next daughter the name of “Hope”. We deeply desire to offer hope to a child in desperate need.

Thus, I have been researching. I came across the following clip today: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1kbayAdlgg

I am appalled.

I am devastated for these people.

For those who are abandoned.

For those who are orphaned.

For those who have no one to speak up for them.

For all those around the globe in dire, desperate, hopeless situations.

This story is true. I know of a couple (through the Internet) who adopted a young girl from Rus*ia. Katie is nine years old. When she came to them, she looked like an infant. Hard to believe? Check it out here.

This is current day.

I cannot sit still.

My heart is angry at those who have had no pity or compassion on those who are helpless; at those who exploit and use these precious children.

At the same time my heart is filled to overflowing with love, pity, compassion and desire for those who are suffering.

I want to jump this instant and begin rescuing….

Truly, I feel I could jump out of my skin for having to sit and wait at this moment.

I need to act!

But, the best action I can take at this moment is to pray.

Which I do.

Continually.

God has a rescue plan. I want to be in that rescue plan!

My hands may feel tied at the moment, but God is at work. I want to walk this moment in preparation for the action plan He has that will involve me.

I am teaching this Sunday on the “Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37). Thus, I have been meditating on what it really means to be a “Good Samaritan”. Who really are my neighbors?

Those who are suffering around the globe.
They are my neighbors.

They are human beings.

They are not subjects to discuss.

They are not objects to use or exploit.

They are not problems to be avoided.

They are human beings worthy of care and love.

God is their Creator.

It is my duty to do what I can to care for, rescue, and help them!

So, what does that look like? (For my readers and me)

Inform others.

Financially support ministries that care for the orphans, the abandoned, and the neglected.

Adopt.

From all around the globe.

That includes here in the States.

Financially support those who are adopting.

Adopt.

Adopt again.

Adopt again….

I know, it’s “just one” child in the scheme of millions of orphans.

Yes, but to that one child, it’s the world!

Now, back to Alea.

You now know about her.

She is your neighbor.

There is an organization that has made a site that is collecting funds to specifically help Alea. The people who are caring for her do not have the money for a liver transplant.
You can help.
By even giving $1.00.
It all adds up.

(If Alea is adopted before she receives a liver transplant in Ch*na, all the funds will go to the other children at this care center who are in dire need of help.)

God help these precious ones!

With a broken heart,

Julie

By the way: this blog post is not about a person who is passionate about a club, activity, cause…(which are all good). The post is about obedience. Obedience for the Believer.

Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Leviticus 19:18b says, “[L]ove your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus repeats these commands in Matthew 19:16-22 and Mark 10:17-22.

So, what does it cost to obey?

What does it cost to “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him” (Matthew 16:24-27)?