Children Waiting for a Family

 From a friend about children living as orphans in another country:

“I met him 9 years ago.  Back then, he was a tiny 8 year old, bouncy, bubbly, and full of life.   Now he is taller than me.  On his birthday last week, he turned 17.  His mother is alive but mentally disturbed and unable to care for him.  He waited for years, hoping for an adoptive family.  No one came.   I haven’t seen him for awhile; he is in and out of the orphanage, probably finding trouble.  But today I saw him and we talked about life, about the future, about his plans—and we played a game together.  His eyes lit up,  “I LOVE that game,” he said.  “Let’s play!”  He was respectful and played by all the rules.  When it was time for me to leave he helped me gather up all the items that the other kids had been playing with and insisted on carrying the bag as we walked to the gate.  I saw it then, in his eyes . . .  this child was created in the image of God and even though no other adult is there to see it or notice it or care, there is something good in him, something very good.

In some kids in the orphanage goodness is so easy to see,

. . . in "E" who kicked around a soccer ball today with his little brother and then sat in the grass for a long time finding new bugs

. . . in "V" who found the self-control to not blow up when another boy was teasing him unmercifully this afternoon

. . . in "S" who was trying to fix a bicycle wheel today and sat patiently explaining to another boy what needed to be done

. . .  when little "K" skips down the hallway to give me a hug and say hi

. . .  when "K" sits quietly and reads her book in the middle of the noise and chaos that usually surrounds her

I can see something positive in each one, but there is negative too, believe me, a lot of negative:  bad behavior and habits, disrespect, and hurtful teasing.”   

How incredible to know that all of these things can change.  By the grace of God hearts can be changed.

I have seen how children can change through adoption.   I am in awe of the changes that have happened in one little boy's life over the past months since he has lived with his new family.     He looks so healthy, there is a sparkle in his eye, and he chatters on and on, but the most amazing changes to see are the ones that have happened on the inside.   He is more confident, loving, caring, respectful, and considerate.     These changes have not come without the cost of time, energy, and love from his parents,  but oh what a reward!   What a joy  to see him run into his dad’s arm, carefully push his brother on the swing or sit at the kitchen table working through a school book with his mom!

God created all these good qualities in him from the very beginning, now in a family he is able to grow, and mature in these things under the watchful eyes of his parents and so many other adults who love and care for him.  The other children that remain as orphans have good qualities too.  Sadly they often go unnoticed.   Thank you for praying for them and the many other orphans who are waiting for parents.