What’s new you ask!?!?!?

LOTS and LOTS!

Youcef (pronounced like Joseph with a Y) just arrived a few days ago. The trip to pick him up was safe. We're grateful for him!

We are rejoicing at our newest addition, Youcef. He is just one month old. He was abandoned by an unwed mother according to the note left with him. We went over to GZ to pick him up (about five hours) and he was thin and jaundiced. His head was shaved so he must have spent some time in the hospital as well. But his recovery has been quick.

Please pray that he will continue to gain weight and get healthy so he can have his lip operation soon.

Lucas is here with us for a month. His family are visiting the States. Hopefully, they too will soon get news about their adoption paperwork being matched.

We've gotten word that the children left behind at the other orphanage are getting some better care. We are very grateful.

Here is Ezekiel and Ebenezer out in the sun...an amazing change. Father hears prayer. He cares!

A local sister and a foreign family are making visits. Hurray!

Daniel’s family is working as fast as they can to get their dossier finished so he can come HOME!

Elijah’s family is “just” waiting for their LOA and then can travel to bring Elijah HOME!

follow their journey at: http://carlaburlando.blogspot.com/

Rejoicing that these two boys having forever families!!

Some truly amazing things are happening!  Thank you for your continued prayers for the ROG team!

And it has been ONE YEAR since Gracie HAVILAH has been home….WOW!  Yeah God!

Her Mama just did a sweet post at:

http://bygracewearefive.blogspot.com/

And just for some cuteness factor

Miss Maggie and Miss Salome are thriving and doing really well…..they both will most likely be adopted in China….hopefully someday!

If you would like to give to the ROG foster home that helps care for these precious children send your tax deductible donation to:

Write River of Grace on the check and send to:

Upper Room Fellowship

2234 Indian Trail Drive

West Lafayette, IN 44906-2161

ROG kiddos

When we visit the B’s some of our best memories are made with just being with the kiddos.

I can’t really explain in words how special they are.

How they just brighten the room by their smile.

Hearing them sing Jesus Loves Me is so moving.

God really, really, really LOVES these kids.

There is a batch of paperwork that needs some prayer!  When we were in Guiyang doing the “official” part of Josie’s adoption we found out the papers are still in a desk draw just waiting to be sent up to the CC*A. And then some of these kiddos will be paperwork ready to be adopted!

Please pray that they will be released SOON so these kids have a chance of getting a forever family….

Daniel, Elijah and David are still at the orphanage in XY.  Please continue to pray for them.

Elijah was “featured” in this blog: http://hannahjiejie.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/what-he-needs/

He really needs a forever family. He will just thrive!

If anyone of you feels called to pursue any of these children please just shoot me an email (ljhtjl@embarqmail.com) and I will be happy to give you more info.  I could talk about them all day long!

Some of their files aren’t prepared yet…but if the director knew that a family was seriously considering adopting one of these children he would be inclined to do their paperwork!

Daniel REALLY, really, really wants a forever family….

These kids are not “easy” to place.  But they are the ones who need a family the most!

  And if it was “easy” we wouldn’t need Jesus right?!?!!?

Hesed is 9 years old and has moderate/severe CP.  She is sitting soooo much better this year and not as floppy as before!  She is getting stronger and stronger!!! PTL

Jacob is 3 years old and just a total sweetheart.  He is SOOO SMART! And talking sooo much more this year!

He LOVES his wheelchair and gets around really well with it!

Baby Olivia gets PLENTY of snuggles and lovin’s….she is just precious.  She is just a little over a month old.  She probably will be adopted in country as she doesn’t have any “real” need. Josie really enjoyed being able to feed her a bottle one more time.

And then there is dear Le Le. I just gave you some insight into my thoughts on her in this post 

She is a year old.

Her “need” doesn’t freak me out as much after reading this blog….feel free to educate yourself on dwarfism!  It will be worth it!!!!!

http://bringinghomeholland.blogspot.com

Cherish is doing really good.  She is sitting better and is very cute!  She will be 7 in Sept.

Joel is an active little boy.  He has autism and he loves to flip papers with his fingers.  His does need watched 24/7 But has a heart of gold.  He is very special when you get to know him.

Gideon (on the right) is getting stronger and stronger each day.  He sleeps a lot but his body has been through a lot of sickness. He will be 5 in Oct.

Continue to pray for emotional healing for Salome and that she will grow in God’s love.  She is a sweet girl….and that her forever family will be able to adopt her soon.

Precious, precious Ellie….her airway is very “floppy” and she has a hard time breathing.  She can get very distressed and can’t breath easily.  And it is a struggle to feed her.  Prayers for healing would be appreciated!

Jon Jon is growing A LOT.  It really is a miracle that he is coming up on his 5th birthday!!

Benjamin has hydrocephalus and isn’t very mobile.  But is a very sweet boy!  He laughs a lot and it was fun to see him this time around.  He will be 6 in May.

And last but not least….Timothy.

This boy….it is sooo dear.  He LOVES to give hugs.  He calls me Auntie Nea which melts my heart.

He just got the Bible on MP3 format.  He LOVES it.  He is blind and has CP but can walk and is VERY smart.

He really wants a forever family.

In fact on Sunday morning he called Steve “daddy”

L. laughed saying that he knows that the Hamy’s come and adopt so he wants in on the “action”

He is a very special member of the ROG household and we love him to pieces!

So there you go….an update on the kiddos….I think the shirt says it all:

Simply LOVE.

Amazing Grace

Today  I share a very special song sung by a very special little boy….

You are an amazing boy, Timothy!  God has big plans for your life.

Gabriel

Lately Gabriel has been on my heart.
A lot.
I have his file if anyone would be interested in reviewing it. He is 10 and just a real sweetheart.
He wants a family.  He was with the ROG foster home for many years but is now up in Guiyang with a foster mom.
He could be locked in today. His file is ready and just waiting up at the CC*A for a family to find him.
He is doing well in school and has repaired cleft lip and palate.
I do wish he could have a forever family.
He has been waiting for so long…..
But Gabriel means: God is my strength.  And so I rest thinking that Gabriel is getting his strength from Him.


And please pray for this little girl.
Her name is Salome. So please pray that the orphanage would release her into the loving care of our friends and that she may feel the love and security of a family unit.

She is very sad.  And it just breaks my heart wondering what this little one has had to endure in her short life already.
In Jesus name we ask that Salome will be allowed to leave the orphanage and then be able to have a FOREVER family someday.
Amen.
_________________________________________________
There have been many of you who were also moved and want to DO something.  To help in some tangible way.
You may not feel called to adopt but you have asked me “what can I do to help an orphan?”
And some have asked for the ROG address so you can send your (tax deductible) donation to help the kiddos.
If you would like the address please email me at: ljhtjl@embarqmail.com and I'll be happy to hook you up with it!
Together let’s make a difference in a child’s life.

Adoption is:

 A RESCUE MISSION
I’ve been pondering this for awhile now.  Many have said to us “you have saved these girls.” That isn’t the way we look at it at all.
This whole adoption journey has “saved” us.

But really only Jesus can save.  And Amy over at One More Blessing put into words exactly what I’ve been thinking so instead of me writing the same thing here are my thoughts in her words:
“Adoption is a rescue mission, but not in the way you may think. God is rescuing MY heart in this process and drawing me closer to him. He shows us through an earthly adoption how wonderfully glorious our heavenly adoption is. He has redeemed ME. He has saved ME. He has grafted me into his heavenly family. God’s nature is so evident in adoption and he has brought my family on this journey to see more fully the depth of his love for us.

I believe God calls people to adoption to display a beautiful example of his redemption of us.
We can’t save Hannah (or Lena, Ava or Josie). It’s not our job to rescue her. That’s God’s job. We are simply obeying God by going to get her. In the process he is saving me a little more and rescuing me a little more from myself and the things of this world that just don’t matter.

I pray that one day Hannah will choose to accept God’s gift of salvation, and invite Jesus into her heart. That’s when the real rescuing happens! That’s the adoption that will really matter. The rejoicing on that day will remind me of how God used Hannah’s earthly adoption to help us see our adoption into God’s kingdom more clearly.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— Ephesians 1:4-5
visit Amy and “meet” Hannah at: http://onemoreblessing.blogspot.com/

So we aren’t called to “save” the orphan but are called to care for them!
It is right there in the Bible.  We can’t “pick and chose” what we would like to do from God’s word.  We just need to try and live according to His word day by day.  (and we have a long ways to go!)
Below are some kiddos who need some prayer but also forever families!!!! A lot of the kids paperwork should be ready soon….please continue to pray that it will get done in a timely manner.

But some of these kiddos will probably be called to their forever home in heaven before they will get a forever family here on earth. So very thankful for the loving home they are in and that they are getting cuddles while they are here on earth.

Please prayfully consider one of these children and if your heart is being called and pulled than start the process!  I promise it will change your life!
 
 If you need an agency recommendation I would tell you to contact Sara Lang at Madison Adoption Agency. sara.maa@comcast.net

Madison’s website is: http://www.madisonadoptionagency.org/

Drumroll please…..

Because of  your generous giving through buying t-shirts or just donating to River of Grace we have $1,542.00 in cash to take to our friends!!!  PRAISE GOD. 

We are very excited!  So many precious children will be helped becuz of you.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Here is an update from Jeff:

Thanks so much for your kind encouragements and gifts. We have received more than usual lately and are thinking about a vehicle purchase. The rushing over to the orphanage in GZ prov. and emergency runs to the hospital as well as times to just go to a park with a bunch of children may justify the purchase. It also looks like I may need to travel to other places where orphans or children with needs are being cared for or need care.  We are very thankful for this opportunity.

At the beginning of January little Malachi passed away. We had taken him to the children’s hospital. The leader of the heart specialists, Dr. W, has volunteered to help out when he can. He took us to get an ultrasound.

Malachi’s heart was very congenitally deformed with one value shut. The blood was going in the wrong directions. So the doctor said nothing could be done and Malachi would need to be loved till he passed away. We took it before God and asked for his hand to be on Malachi. We set up a side room with a soft chair, Malachi’s crib, oxygen and times of cuddling and songs.

As Malachi breathing became more labored I hopped in a taxi and took him to the ER. The nurses put us in a quiet room. Only one other baby was there, a newborn of a Miao couple from Kaili.

By God’s divine appointment I got to have a meaningful chat with this family. They got a copy of Father’s book.

And a bit later Malachi passed into Father’s arms.

We are learning a lot about God’s presence in our lives….especially in suffering. His grace is abundant!

Victorious because of Jesus great suffering for us.

In Him,

Jeff for all

Update on Malachi

 

Malachi died around 7.30 tonight (Jan. 2nd).... he had a rough day and was unable to eat much and hold his body temp, then his breathing was labored.....

He is now in the arms of Jesus and not suffering anymore.

Only God....

So in Dec. a special family decided to bless ROG with a $250.00 donation. You can read about it here:
http://afamilyofsix.blogspot.com/2010/12/sunday-snapshot-fifth-day-of-giving.html

And I sent them t-shirts as a thank you for their gift.

Well just this week they decided to say "yes" to a boy who will be aging out Feb. 9th.
And guess where he is from?!?!?!!?
The same prov. and city that our friends live in!!!  Talk about cool!
They will be there the same time we will be so we will meet them in China and hopefully get to introduce them to our friends!!!!

Read more about their journey and the cool things God is doing in their life here:
http://afamilyofsix.blogspot.com/2011/01/prayer-requests-and-more-red-threads.html

Update

Dear Friends and Family:

Thanks for your prayers. We were able to pick up our new visas on the Wednesday the 22nd....That is four days after the old ones were due to expire. Jeff is now a student and our visa go to July 30 of 2011.

               Yakira is with Father

Yesterday Yakira passed away suddenly. She was doing well but still suffered from intense cycles of distress in her body. It was a shock to us all, especially Hannah who had Yakira beside in the night. Hannah woke up to check on her but she was gone...taken by our Lord to Himself. We have had some comforts from Father about this but it is never easy to say goodbye to these little ones....The Lord gives and takes away. Blessed be His Name.

Malachi

We also have little Malachi, Jeff and a brother drove to GZ to pick him up on Christmas day. He seems to have severe heart problems. We have an oxygen tank here. Malachi is off to see a local heart surgeon this morning. The surgeon is now our friend and has volunteered to help us. Pray that Doctor Wu would know Him! He has been suffering from a sickness himself over the last year or two so that his heart seems to have softened.

Love,

Jeff and Lori and all of us here