I Refuse!!

If you've read the tab "Work in China" here, you will know that I am part of an amazing organization that does work in China to help those children left behind.  At the end of this post I've shared a wonderful video which gives you a sneak peek of our work.  I think it's pretty fantastic!!  But if you will, please read this post to help you better understand what it is you are watching.

Just five short years ago this orphanage was closed to visitors, let alone foreigners.  Through a series of miracles, and the hands of several very stubborn and determined moms with children adopted from this orphanage, our organization started an infant nurture program.

The following year we started an education sponsorship program which affords the school age children the opportunity to attend the local public school.

Last November we implemented our much awaited pre-school program for the special needs children.

This past April we took another team back to check on all our programs, including the pre-school children.  What we witnessed was a miracle!  The babies and the children were thriving through the programs we have established for them.  And while it is still an oprhange, we know that their lives are better now.  Only God is wonderous enough to have accomplished what felt like such a hopeless task in the beginning!

It's hard to put into words what it is like to do this type of work.  I always tell our team members before we travel that once you go, the children will steal your soul.  After this last trip one of the team members, Val Martin, put together this video from our visit and I wanted to share it with everyone here.

You will see some of our beautiful babies, many sporting their new bibs which were handmade by some volunteers here in the states.  Our hygentist who cleaned all of the children's teeth while we were there.  You'll see our school age children making memory books which they get to keep and add pictures of our past and future visits.  And then you'll even see some of our older children from the orphanage doing a special performance for US.  It was a great trip and we appreciate Val taking the time to put this together for us.  ENJOY!!!

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjVY4pbuSbE&feature=youtu.be

In His Service,
Vickie

Kindness of a Stranger

Before I tell you about what happened to us today I thought I'd send out a reminder that there is still time to donate an item for our silent auction!  You can send your item to our home address which is listed in the Silent Auction tab.

The kids LOVE opening the packages which are arriving just about on a daily basis now.  As I look at all the items that are sitting around my house, I am amazed at the generosity of people--some who are complete strangers from the adoption boards!  I sure hope we have a lot of people who are ready to go shopping on August 12th!!

This adoption has been such a different experience because this time we are going through this with our children.  They have watched me process the papers, gone with me to the Secretary of State to get the official signatures, they were interviewed by our social worker and they've made many trips with me to the Fed Ex office.  Our dossier, along with a copy, weighed in at 2 lbs!  Austin said, "Wow mom, I sure did come with alot of papers!"  I love that boy!!

It's been fun having the kids go through this paperchase with us and it has also provided a lot of open dialogue about their adoptions, the process, the paperwork, and yes....even the money involved in an adoption. 

Anyway.....about what happened to us today.

Jim and I went to a nursery today and Jim had wondered off with the kids (does any one elses husband do this........oy!!). An elderly man who worked there struck up a conversation with Jim about the kids, asking if they were adopted and what country they were from.

Jim started sharing a little about Abraham and how we were called by God to adopt him even though we didn't have any money for another adoption. As they were ending the conversation the man reached in his pocket and pulled out a hand full of money. He didn't look down at it, or even attempt to count it, he just handed it to Jim. He said, "Here you go sir, I know it isn't much, but I want you to have this for your adoption . And don't consider this charity, because it's not--it's an investment in God's Kingdom."

 

 

Needless to say there were a few tears in the car on our ride home today. This man probably only makes minimum wage working there. I immediately thought about the story in Luke 21 and the widow who gave the 2 copper coins. Jesus said, "This poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

 

 

I've still not counted the money and honestly it doesn't matter if it is $1 or $100, it's the selfless act that was shown by this elderly man that touched our souls today.  And I hope it touches yours as well.

Vickie

We have officially reached our half way mark for Abraham's Fund!!  Thank you to everyone who has so generously donated already!!  Please remember any funds raised above our goal will be held by the Foundation and will go towards the medical expenses related to his open heart surgery.  Thank you!!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus."

Silent Auction ~ The date has been set!!  Our Silent Auction will be held online on August 12th at 7pm est.  We have a lot of items donated already and it's sure to be a fun night of shopping!  Remember, no item is too small and every little bit will help to make this a successful event!

Additional information on how an online auction works will be sent out over the next few weeks so be sure to sign up for email alerts for new postings here to our website!
We will continue to accept donations until July 15th.  Also, we are looking for a "Grand Prize" item to be donated which we can raffle off at the end of the auction.  Thanks everyone for your support!

T-Shirts!!  Come check out our storefront to see the various styles and designs.  What a great Father's Day gift idea!!  They come in 6 different styles and sizes for both children and adults.  And the best part is all proceeds go towards Abraham's Fund.  On sale now until June 23rd!  Just click on the link below and you can start shopping!

Silent Auction Update - We have just crossed over 30 items donated for our Silent Auction!  We have a lot of beautiful items coming in!  We have several handcrafted jewelry pieces, custom children's clothing and many Chinese items such as a tea cup, formal Chinese silk clothing and even some teas.

Just a reminder, we would like to have all donated items by June 30th.  Please be sure to include a description of your item, the vendor's website so we can pay tribute for their donation (if applicable) and a retail value of your item.

All items should be sent to:
Vickie Bennett
20355 Carroll Road
Rockbridge, Ohio  43149

Thanks everyone for your all your support to help us get Abraham home!!

We are now into full swing with our fundraising for Abraham's Fund.  We have a foundation that has established a fund for Abraham.  You can checkout the "Donate" tab for more information on how you can help contribute to this Fund.

SILENT AUCTION ~ I love these types of events.  Maybe it is because I am so competitive in nature and I love trying to "beat" other people with their bids.  We've decide to hold a Silent Auction for Abraham's Fund and we are really excited to get the ball rolling!!

For the first phase of this event we will begin to collect donations to be auctioned off.  If you go to the tab, "Silent Auction", we have provided some additional information about the type of items we are hoping to include in this event.

This list is just a start to get your creative juices flowing....get creative and have fun with this!  I have a friend who makes crafts and another that quilts.  Those are wonderful ideas!  Maybe you are a season ticket holder to a team like the Bengals or Ohio State and would be willing to donate one of your games.  Or maybe you have some airline miles, or a time share that you would like to donate.  Or you might be willing to donate a variety of gift cards.  Every little bit helps and will add up quickly, no gift is too small.

And for those who have traveled to China, I'd love to include a section of Chinese items to auction off.  For example, we have numerous Chinese outfits that our girls and son never wore.  We have a china tea set and a hand made woman's dress that was made at one of the shop outside of the White Swan.  Or maybe you have a doll that you received from Mattel when you traveled for your adoption.  We have three of them and my son has eagerly agreed to give up his doll (he would be mad if he knew I told people he had a doll, he he).  It can be something big or it can be something small--every little item will help!!

Update on our paperwork, everything is completed and we have all been fingerprinted by Homeland Security.  Now all we have to do is wait for their approval and we can get all of our paperwork sent off to the Chinese government.

Update on Abraham, we had a friend visiting the orphanage this past week and was able to see Abraham.  He looks great and his oxygen levels seem to be doing well, even with the intense tropical heat.  Here is a picture they took of our little guy....man, he is CUTE!!!

Please remember to keep Abraham in your prayers, especially his health.  We also covet your prayers for the funding for his adoption and for God's direction in who and how He will work to provide those funds for Abraham.

In His Service,
Jim and Vickie