The party was fantastic and the children all gave us hugs to say thank you. Then we played a little and visited with the director and doctor. I cried while saying goodbye to each and everyone of the children. Of course thay have all captured my heart and there are several that I will NEVER forget. They are truly the innocent and have no idea what their lives could be like. This week we brought them coats, hats, gloves, vitamins, medical supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, underwear, socks, blankets, pajamas, toys, art supplies and playground balls. I am not naive to think the some of these things will not be taken from them. I know that some of the people here will pilfer thru it take what they want and then the children will get the rest. But I know that even if the children get at least one more thing than they had when we got here we made a difference. As we drove out of the driveway today I thought to myself that I know someday I will return. Someday I will be back to love on the children, God willing someday I will return!
We have enjoyed our time in Kazakhstan so much, people have been so cordial and kind. We have had many feasts and lots of tea. This experience has changed us both forever. Almaty is a great place for a mission trip there are 11 orphanages with a 60 mile radius. This orphanage building is so old and is in need of so many things, Windows being the most needed. Tomorrow we go to the special needs and blind orphanages to drop off some more donations and the wheelchairs.
We (Kim and I) really want everybody to know how much we truly appreciate your support. This trip could not have been possible without your generosity, support, donations and prayers. This week has been emotionally and physically draining and SO worth all of it!!!! We know that GOD can move mountains for these children, so join me in praying for their future. Join me in praying that GOD can find them all a home, someone to tuck them inat night, someone to love them, someone for them to call MAMA. Thanks again!
15 comments:
my heart is broken!
While I have always wanted to make a difference since returning from Kaz, it's not just wanting, it's now my LIFE mission, to never forget about the children left behind and to help enrich the lives of families who have their children home with them!
Thank you. I can't write any more through the tears.
Stacy, another day that you have made me sit here and cry my eyes out! Thank you so much for what you do daily.
So many emotions, I don't know what to do with them.
Milo and I sat together looking through the photos and I reminded him that he used to live in a baby house just like that when he was little. He looked at me and said, "Mommy Daddy came back" and then "I stay here." I swear he remembers. I know he does.
You know, I look at our Ana all the time and watch her play, laugh, and live life to its fullest, all the while in the back of my mind, I wonder what her life would have been like if we hadn't obeyed God and sacrificed everything to get her! Every time I thank God that she will never have to know what life in a Kazakhstan orphanage is like.
Thank you Stacy for what you and Kim and have done. I know this week wasn't easy on you, it sure wasn't easy on me reading your posts everyday! Just heart wrenching!! Safe travels home.
Stacy,
I can tell which one of those children has really touched your heart... I know they all have in one way or another but I can tell from the pictures which one you would take home in your back pocket if you could, in a heartbeat!
I can not express in words how thankful am to you and Kim both for doing this. You have touched these children in ways that we will never really know but you know you have!
I am sure today, well now it is already your tomorrow, has been one of your hardest days ever saying good-bye. Why oh why do they make it so HARD to adopt these beautiful children? Just think of all the wonderful people in the world who would love to parent any of these children but just can not because they can not afford adoption. I being one of them! I have not given up yet completely! lol
Safe travels home!
HUGS!!!
I just cannot handle this. I am overwhelmed.
wow... that makes me so sad. i'm so glad you all got to go and see and spend time with the children.
i've been questioning whether or not to go to Kaz for my 2nd... and now I'm just sitting here looking at those children thinking... yes, one of those could be with me. (praying for financing right now)
god bless...
I wish I could have been in Kaz with you but it just wasn't possible this year. What a great blessing you have been to this children. It may be one of the happiest memories they have of their childhood.
After reading your post, I am afraid I would not have been able to handle it. So sad, just so sad! It is so different than what we experienced in Karaganda.
Each region must have different rules. We were told in Karaganda that parental rights were terminated after 6 months of no visitation from any family members. A grandmother or aunt or any family member could visit just once every six months & that would keep the child ineligible for adoption but if no one visited the children they were place on the registry to be adopted. One mother came back 18 months after dropping off her child & she had been adopted. Several abandoned children were adopted while we were in our visitation period.
Thank you again for all the hard work you do!!!!!
I smile when I see what you have done for these kids but my heart is literally breaking that they have such a sad future. My heart and head are both having such a hard time understanding why it is so hard to adopt these children--their lives could be so much better and the lives of the parents adopting them would be so much better.
I hope things change in that regard. Until then I am glad there are people like you and Kim and everyone else contributing to Two Hearts so that the kids are never forgotten.
When you wrote that most of the children are not adoptable, it broke my heart. Baby houses as babysitters? What are people thinking? It just is beyond comprehension and thankfully, there are people like you and Kim and everyone who supports 2 Hearts to try to make a difference in these little lives. Thank you.
Stacy u r a stronger women than I could ever be. Thank you for stepping out of your comfortable life, leaving your wonderful girls and going to the land of the the forgotten. I am beyond words (which is pretty hard for me) at your journey. I want to bring each of these sweet faces home. I knew what you were walking into but it still is hard. Love you guys- Tell Brad not to miss us to much (hehehehe). Love you guys
The Bells
Thank you for writing and posting all these pictures. I was at Karakstek in March. I had the same thoughts and feelings you did. I looked at every one of the pictures you took and enlarged many of them to look at the children I remember more closely. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. I only wish that the birth parents would either bring their children home or relinquish them; that the cost to adopt were not so high; that after jumping through so many hoops the Kazakh courts could be relied upon to approve the adoption; that the orphanges morphed into more interactive places with more care and love...because we all love these children so, and their lives don't have to be the way they are.
What a wonderful thing you have done for the children. Breaks my heart to see children in the orphanages...
You have found Gods calling and answered it so beautfully.
From all the children touched - THANK YOU!
D
Stacy and Brad...you are making such a difference in the lives of so many!! You have touched lives there as well as here in the States with your caring and your willingness to do everything through God's will.
We commend you!!
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