So, when blogs first started becoming popular I thought, "I should really get one of those." And so I signed-up...and I basically just stared at the computer screen. On occasion something riveting would come to me, I'd type it out, and then I'd realize it was a famous quote said by, well someone famous. I looked at friends who had interesting things to blog about - like my friend Christy's Boobie Blog, documenting her new set of "twins" and even the Julie/Julia Project that was so interesting it became a hit movie starring the one and only Meryl Streep, and I thought, I just don't have anything that profound to blog about. So I turned in my blog for another time.
While I still don't believe I have any profound words of wisdom to generate a daily buzz, I do have a developing adventure. This blog is being established for family, friends and adoption supporters who would like to take that journey with us. I always knew that someday I wanted to adopt. Perhaps my mom started it all, when growing up she used to tell my brothers and I that she'd like to adopt a baby girl from China.
Recently I reconnected with an amazing lady, Lisa Wurster, who founded a non-profit called Friends of Russian Orphans. After her families own road to adoption, she and her husband saw the need to better the lives of Russian orphans still living in the institutions. Last year FORO began a program called "Journeys of Joy" (please see the first post for the details or go to http://www.fororphans.org/ to see all the programs FORO has started.) This summer my husband Terry and I will serve as a host family to a six-year old Russian child. When we first started talking about adopting it was after the devastating earthquake hit in Haiti. We put our names on lists and e-mail lists, and the unfortunate truth is that no one knows if the adoptions in Haiti will open anytime in the foreseeable future. Realizing the desire to adopt was more than just a reaction to a natural disaster we started looking elsewhere, and because of my encounters with FORO, Russia seemed like the right place. (Please note, we understand that there are children in the United States that need homes and someone to love them. After looking into Domestic adoption through the foster care system, we just knew that it was not the right path for us for a number of reasons.)
While I know in a marriage adoption can't be a one road street my wonderful husband has agreed that adoption is something he would like to do at this time as well. We have our initial application sent in to, Spirit of Faith Adoptions and now we are just waiting to begin our home study. Initially when Terry and I talked about adopting we said we wanted a 3 or 4 year old child, someone younger. But now, as we raise money for the "Journeys of Joy" program and commit ourselves as host parents, we are keeping our minds and our hearts open; knowing that God already has a child in mind for us. For the first time, I'm just going to sit back and not try to control the situation! Other than wanting a 6-year-old (the youngest age that can come over for the program) we don't care if it's a boy or a girl. We know that in a matter of a few months we may know the name and face of the little person that will guide us in our adoption journey.
So, this blog is dedicated to the child that exists 5,000 miles away, in another world, waiting for us to bring him or her home to join ours.
(Please read below "Journeys of Joy")
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
"Journeys of Joy"
Dear Friends,
Through this blog I will be documenting what may prove to be one of the most exciting adventures my family and I have ever been a part of. My husband and I will be taking an exciting journey this summer. It is not a journey to a distant land or an exotic locale. It is something far more special. It is a journey of the heart. Let me explain.
Recently, I heard a message that I believe God meant particularly for my husband and I. I learned of a special program called "Journey of Joy" being coordinated by a ministry called "Friends of Russian Orphans" (see http://www.fororphans.org/) Gesu church in Toledo, Ohio is serving as a "host community" for the "Journeys of Joy" program. Through this new program, a group of Russian orphans will travel to the United States this summer for a two week visit. During this time, the children, most of whom have never known a real family life, will be matched with a host family that will provide friendship, care, activities and love during their stay. The "host family" will continue to pray for, communicate with, and be concerned about the welfare of their guest child after the program ends. Host families will experience a special blessing that comes from expressing compassion, generosity and unconditional love.
It is my hope that this program will have profound effect on the lives of the children who come to visit. This program will allow orphan children to experience family life and understand that someone cares for them individually, and realizes that they are special and beloved children of God. "Journeys of Joy" will provide orphan children with an opportunity to engage with the larger world, to see that their lives can have a future, meaning, purpose and hope. In addition, the children will be supported by our church "host community" that will also present the Gospel to the children and through their expressions of friendship, care and love that will be offered to the chidren during their stay. And, because the program will involve continuing communication between the host family and the child, the program will also facilitate the rebuilding of trust, guidance, and the creation of a sense of self-esteem in children who have lost so much during their lives. The blessings that flow in both directions with "Journeys of Joy" are limitless.
I believe that God has called our family to be a "Journeys of Joy" host family. I am writing to you to seek your prayers for our guest child and to also ask for your practical assistance and help with the program. It is my goal to raise $1,000 before May 30th to help defray the travel and administrative costs associated with bringing our guest child to America. If you can help, please contact me (I'd rather not list my address on the internet!). You can send a check made payable to "Friends of Russian Orphans." I will assure delivery of these funds to FORO. All contributions are tax deductible and I can provide you with a receipt for your taxes.
While I know that this step of faith is one that will put our family on an unknown road, I am also certain that God will provide us light and direction during our journey. With your help, I believe our family can provide an orphan child with a once-in-a lifetime chance to realize the peace and contentment that comes from knowing that they are worthy of attention, kindness and love. Last year 9 of the 13 orphans that took part in this program were adopted by their host family. We are excited and open to all possibilities. Thank you for your time and your help!
Sincerely,
Terry and April Sroufe
To make a donation to FORO's "Journeys of Joy" program please contact me at aprilsroufe@yahoo.com or by phone
at (419) 367-0993.
Through this blog I will be documenting what may prove to be one of the most exciting adventures my family and I have ever been a part of. My husband and I will be taking an exciting journey this summer. It is not a journey to a distant land or an exotic locale. It is something far more special. It is a journey of the heart. Let me explain.
Recently, I heard a message that I believe God meant particularly for my husband and I. I learned of a special program called "Journey of Joy" being coordinated by a ministry called "Friends of Russian Orphans" (see http://www.fororphans.org/) Gesu church in Toledo, Ohio is serving as a "host community" for the "Journeys of Joy" program. Through this new program, a group of Russian orphans will travel to the United States this summer for a two week visit. During this time, the children, most of whom have never known a real family life, will be matched with a host family that will provide friendship, care, activities and love during their stay. The "host family" will continue to pray for, communicate with, and be concerned about the welfare of their guest child after the program ends. Host families will experience a special blessing that comes from expressing compassion, generosity and unconditional love.
It is my hope that this program will have profound effect on the lives of the children who come to visit. This program will allow orphan children to experience family life and understand that someone cares for them individually, and realizes that they are special and beloved children of God. "Journeys of Joy" will provide orphan children with an opportunity to engage with the larger world, to see that their lives can have a future, meaning, purpose and hope. In addition, the children will be supported by our church "host community" that will also present the Gospel to the children and through their expressions of friendship, care and love that will be offered to the chidren during their stay. And, because the program will involve continuing communication between the host family and the child, the program will also facilitate the rebuilding of trust, guidance, and the creation of a sense of self-esteem in children who have lost so much during their lives. The blessings that flow in both directions with "Journeys of Joy" are limitless.
I believe that God has called our family to be a "Journeys of Joy" host family. I am writing to you to seek your prayers for our guest child and to also ask for your practical assistance and help with the program. It is my goal to raise $1,000 before May 30th to help defray the travel and administrative costs associated with bringing our guest child to America. If you can help, please contact me (I'd rather not list my address on the internet!). You can send a check made payable to "Friends of Russian Orphans." I will assure delivery of these funds to FORO. All contributions are tax deductible and I can provide you with a receipt for your taxes.
While I know that this step of faith is one that will put our family on an unknown road, I am also certain that God will provide us light and direction during our journey. With your help, I believe our family can provide an orphan child with a once-in-a lifetime chance to realize the peace and contentment that comes from knowing that they are worthy of attention, kindness and love. Last year 9 of the 13 orphans that took part in this program were adopted by their host family. We are excited and open to all possibilities. Thank you for your time and your help!
Sincerely,
Terry and April Sroufe
To make a donation to FORO's "Journeys of Joy" program please contact me at aprilsroufe@yahoo.com or by phone
at (419) 367-0993.
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