Monday, September 21, 2009

Karakastek day 1

As I sit here with tears streaming down my face, my emotions have come over me and I don't even know where to begin. First off the drive to the baby house was perfect. Thru the mountains with a stop in Uzynagash to buy treats (cookies) for the kids, it took us about an hour and a half and as we were driving down the last part of the driveway into the orphanage a wave of emotions came over me and It felt like we had just left yesterday. We arrived and went straight to the directors office to give her and the doctor some medical supplies that were raised by a young boy, Kyle Gashler, in Utah. They recognized us right away from when were we here 2 years ago and started asking about Haven. So we took that opportunity to show them pictures of the children that people had sent. They LOVED seeing the pictures!! They looked at them for a long while! We also brought desitin, neosporin, bottle washers, pacifiers and wash cloths for the doctor and directors. For the kids we brought Pajamas and Blankets and cookies. They even let us put the pajamas on the older kids. After they got their pajamas on we had them sit down to get the cookies. You should have seen how the little 18 month old kids sat so quick and quietly with their hands out far reaching for the cookies. We played some with the older children and then they put us in the room with the toddlers. WOW Talk about heartwrenching. They all cired out mama and reached their hands up high to be held. So you know me, I reached down to pick them up. Just as soon as I picked up one, they all gathered around my legs crying and reaching. Then they were reaching to Brad and he threw them up and played with them too!! Yes I had to hold back the tears! We played for about 45 minutes and then they had to go to drink their tea, so we made our way down the hall to the older children and sat with them for awhile until they had to go to school. We then went to the third floor where the babies live. It is definitely a different experience than when we adopted , they are so cordial and nice. When we were adopting they slammed doors in our face and we were not allowed to see the babies ever! This time we took pictures, tickled them, made them laugh! Kissed on the them, hugged them. It was so sad to see them laying there with no mommas ans papas giving them the proper love and care that they need. They do there best but it is not very good and it is more sad than I ever could imagine. I knew that is was bad , but never really comprehended the poverty and filth these children are leaving in. I am so glad we came they need so much but most of all a little love and a few kisses. Tomorrow we will bring art supplies and toys, that shall be interesting and fun all in one. We have decided to purchase some tricycles here in Country to bring to the children on the day we bring the balls and sports stuff. On Thursday we will wrap it up at Karakastek with a party with cake an juice and some more donations. Our first day was FABULOUS and we can't wait to go back tomorrow! If we do not speak for the ones that have no voice, who will?? Together we ARE making a DIFFERENCE just let the pictures tell the story



19 comments:

Becki Stone said...

Oh Stacy. I'm balling my eyes out right now. Thank you for doing this. It means more than you will ever know-wait..you do know :) Thank you.

Unknown said...

Simply beautiful! I have tears in my eyes about to spill over. Thank you, thank you, thank you for doing this!!!

Unknown said...

I can't even tell you what I was feeling reading your description of driving up the long driveway to Karakastek, and then looking through the pictures! It truly feels like it was just yesterday for us too (when infact, one week from today, it will have been 3 years!!)

Bless you guys for blessing those sweet children! I SO wish I could have come too!!! Will continue to pray for you guys!!

Denice

Beth said...

You are an angel walking among us for making this trip. All the people that contribute to TH's can actually see where their donations are going. What a gift to us!! Thank you so much.
Beth

Unknown said...

Amazing, Stacy. Truly amazing. I am so moved by this whole thing. So proud of you and all of the work of Two Hearts. You are changing lives. Really, you are.

Our Family of Bloggers said...

And one last thing- that little girl at the end of the video--- can I bring her home. Please? My heart breaks a thousand times over watching that. Thank you for all that you do. I am so proud of you!

Kristan and Mark said...

Tears flowing, heartaching, yet also smiling because you and Kim are not letting those waiting be forgotten!

marsrob said...

Oh my God this is bringing back so many heart wrenching memories for me. I cannot fathom how you are doing this - you are STRONG. You are beautiful and loving angels for doing what you are doing. My heart goes out to those children. I sure wish we had the resources to give more children from Kaz a home. If only people could grasp what the Kaz kids are enduring in those babyhouses. You are phenomenal and thank you for sharing. Much love from so far away. Wish I was right there with you.

McMary said...

It is so wonderful what you are doing--sad and wonderful all rolled up into one. Thanks so much.
It is so sad for me to see as a person who tried to adopt from Kazakhstan and couldn't. I think my problems were agency related but it saddens my heart to think how many more of those children could have had a loving home if it wasn't so hard to adopt. Just makes me want to cry.

Anonymous said...

Your blog is bringing back so many memories of our time at the Karakastek BH. It is almost 18 months ago that we brought our son home from there. Every night we pray for with him for his "Friends at the baby house" That God would provide, food, clothes, love and send them families soon. You are an answer to part of that prayer. Thank you! Thanks for doing what I do not think I could- Going back and seeing all those left behind! I am grateful for my son, but still haunted by memories of the many children we saw there that didn't have families! There little faces looking at us. It breaks my heart! Thank you for what you are doing!
Jo Hollis

Regina said...

I am sobbing Stacy. Just sobbing. Thank you for doing what you everything you can for these darling children.

Much respect and love,
Regina, Frank and Milo

kitzkazventure said...

Crying but so proud of what you and Brad are doing there! What a blessing you and Kim have given us all by having a conduit to give back to the country and little ones that our hearts ache for almost daily! I cannot even stand the pictures of the ones that are about Nick's age when we were there....so much potential in those eyes, if only....

Henry's mom said...

Stacy, I am crying and crying! I am in total amazement at you! You are so special! Thank you for doing what you are doing and for being there to touch these children in ways that will stay with them forever!

I wish it wasn't so darn hard to adopt from Kaz! They make the process impossible and for what reason? I just do not get it! I wish I could go back again. Maybe one day I will.

Much love and huge hugs,

Carolyn

P.S. Please give the children extra tight hugs from me.

Judson and Kristi said...

This is so wonderful.... I am so excited for you and Brad. Did they know who Ricky was. Please let them know he is a happy, well adjusted & loved beyond imagination little boy. Because of Ricky our family has meaning beyond anything we ever thought could happen. Thank you for going there and loving & kissing those sweet children. We love you- Judson, Kristi & Ricky

Maegan and Tony Van Sant said...

This is so wonderful! You are truely a blessing from God. Thank you for all that you are doing. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

Maegan, Tony and Taylor

Aaron and Julie said...

Tears are flowing, hugs are reaching prayers are flowing. Yeah, it takes me back - especially about the older kids reaching for you. You are doing an awesome work! Hugs to the babies, the toddlers, the care providers and to You & Brad. Amazing & awesome.

Reese's Family said...

I was fine until the video, now the floodgates are open. Have you seen Azamat? Praying for you and all those sweet babies.

dnd82001 said...

So wonderful - you guys are just so so wonderful. The kids are so lucky!

Darlene

Karen said...

Just beautiful. To witness the amazing work that Two Heart's for Hope is doing is a miracle—God bless you and Kim.