Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Adoption...not just for the Infertile

At the Denver Museum of Natural Science


All is well at the Rogé house. These photos are from two weekends ago. We went to the Museum and took in an IMAX film as well. The kids are doing fine and aside from a couple of bugs discovered in the "toilet homework" and a eye exam for Nadia, there hasn't been much drama. Nadia's vision isn't correctable to 20/20 just yet, she is correctable to 20/40 and 20/50, but the doc feels that she may improve since we have started work on the problem. When we saw the kids' files in Ukraine at the SDA, it said that she had a mild astigmatism. The doc said that they should have taken steps then to help her and she wouldn't have this eye problem she has now. The bugs in the other two and Nadia's eyes are good examples of the need that all orphans face on a daily basis, we take good health for granted here in the US. That's why it is important to do all you can do in the life of one or more of these precious children.


You may ask yourself, "what can I do" or "what difference can I make"? I used to wonder the same thing. I am reminded of the story about the child who came upon the beach that was littered with hundreds of starfish. He began throwing them back into the ocean one-by-one. An adult saw him and asked why he was throwing them back when faced with impossible, insurmountable numbers of starfish. "Do you really think you are making a difference?", asked the stranger. "I don't know" said the little boy, "but I made a difference to this one" as he tossed the starfish in his hands.

That's how a person should tackle the insurmountable. When we looked at files at the SDA, we couldn't take all 27 kids we were shown. In our mission trips to Kherson and SB, we couldn't provide for or take all 400-500 kids we met. But we did make a difference to these three. We are making a difference to Rimma and Zina. It's a start. My friend Kari said once that she didn't know why everyone doesn't adopt. I second that! I read an article once that stated if every Christian family adopted just one child, there wouldn't be orphans or orphanages.
Please don't think me a self-righteous or holier-than-thou sort of person. I admit that I have a passion for orphans and most people cannot do adoption for various reasons. I was one of those people. I never thought that I would raise "someone elses" kids, let alone older kids. If we did adoption, it would have to be babies, right! Everyone wants a baby! That was my way of thinking until I met three wonderful kids named Rhya, Luke and Natalie...the Stoesz kids. From there we got involved with Ukraine Orphan Outreach and met Rimma and Zina along with the other 15 terrific kids. The rest is history as outlined in this blog, take a look sometimes.
What I'm getting at is this. If adoption is on your heart and you are struggling with the decision, come be a part of this year's UOO summer camp 2009. We will have eight children attending and no, they aren't babies. We at UOO advocate for the adoption and involvement of older orphans who are just as in need if not more. These are the little ones that have been forgotten. They need someone to care, to love them, to help them. Time is running out for them as they will be leaving the orphanages at the age of 16. The statistics are scary, you've seen them. You don't have to adopt, become a pen-pal and correspond. Let them know that not all adults will let them down as has been so in their short past.

Take a trial run with a youngster by volunteering with Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization. I have been doing this for two years now and it has been a blessing. My "little" has grown into a fine young man of 12 now and I get back as much as i give. He has taught me how to be a father figure to older children and he has a male adult role model in which to seek answers and communicate with.

Foster care and foster-to-adopt here in the US are always in need of willing parents. Heidi and I were undergoing respite foster care training when our dossier took off in Ukraine this past summer. Respite is where you take over for foster families when they need a break, take a vacation or need to attend a serious family situation. We will come back to this once we get Rimma and Zina home.

So there are lots of ways to get involved with the less-fortunate little ones in our world. You can host a day at our camp or just come be a part of the festivities, no strings attached. You can mentor a child or become a foster parent. You can help one of the many missionary teams in Ukraine such as our friend Karen and our friend Becky. Both minister to the orphans of Ukraine. Becky is trying to raise funds for her Orphan home she wants to start, contact her and see what she needs. $300 x 1000 people would buy the home and get it started.

By the way, the two girls I tried to get a family for are still waiting in Boyarka. The two earlier families that were interested are not able to continue at this time. If they were on your heart or if you want to talk about them, let me know. You can see a picture of them on Becky's blog right now. They are pictured on her latest entry. I took them off my blog due to the fact we were adopting at the time and I was advised that it could hinder our adoption of Nadia, Julia & Kole. I have pictures and could send them to trusted families should you ask.

One of my favorite quote sources is Teddy Roosevelt, I love that guy! Here's one for you, it fits in the theme of helping orphans and those less fortunate.

In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing. TR

He also said:

Believe you can and you're halfway there. TR

It seems that Rimma and Zina will come home for three weeks this summer instead of the 10 week-long program that we had requested. Through many rounds with the director, he has chosen to be stalwart in his decision and his three other demands. Thanks to Frontier Horizon for making this possible. We will have to love them up enough in those three weeks to last until Spring/Summer 2010. That is when we are forecasting Zina's availability for our adoption. Rimma's clock is already counting down and we are working hard with the lawyer to secure Zina's court date and registration. There's another opportunity to experience the joy of older Ukrainian children. Come see us when they come home in the month of August!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am very interested in at least becoming a pen pal for these orphans until I get to the point in life to adopt. I'm 27 and getting married in a month and these adoptiion blogs have been my "books" for many years! It's been on my heart for a long time and now I'm working on my fiance. So, as I'd like to do the summer time with an orphan, I'm in Missouri and don't know how that works. But to at least begin with being a penpal would be awesome. Please email me with more information. Thanks.
goose189@hotmail.com Corie

Leslie said...

Well said, well said. SOOOOO happy to know that the girls are coming home. Even a day with their family is worth all the headache. Yeah, Frontier Horizon!

Heidi and Felix said...

Corie,

I sent you an e-mail! Thank you for helping the orphans of Ukraine. Don't worry, this small gesture on your part will pay BIG dividends in the life of a lonely orphan. That's all it takes, someone who cares.

Felix

Unknown said...

WOW!! Thanks buddy for the shout out!!!! Now if those 300 people rad your blog I will be in business. The time is SO ripe right now. House and land prices are at an all time low. House are just sitting waiting to be bought. PRAY!!!!!

Love and miss you guys.

(Hey did Jim give the kids the treats I sent from Ukraine?)

Heidi and Felix said...

Becky,

Yes, the Volfs mentioned that your packages were received in time. They said thank you. When our tax return comes in we will be making that first donation. Hope the home gets started. Let little "cookie-boy" be your first child. ( I don't remember his name, you know who I am talking about). Is the little girl who is his size available for adoption...ask Galina.

Felix

Anonymous said...

I have been reading your blog periodically throughout your entire journey. I saw your post about the 2 girls awhile ago and thought about them a lot. As I was looking at our hosting programs website (my family is hosting an 11 year old for the 2nd year this summer), I recognized that these 2 girls were recently added as possible host kids (along with a few others from Boyarka)! Out of about 35 kids on the site, they were there. I was shocked. This means that if they are selected they will be coming to the Seattle area for 6 weeks this summer!

bdnp3827 said...

I was asking about the candy and mild straws that I sent to your kids through Jim. Did he forget to give them to you????

Nazare is still alive and kicking. Saw him yesterday!!! He is still a bubbly little thing... now he runs and jumps in my arms. The little girl is not available yet. She also has a brother (3 years old). The home is in the process of filing for parents' rights to be taken away. Pray for her... Tanya...she has been in the hospital for the last few weeks with pneumonia. Very week frail little girl!!!!

I would be interested to know what girls Justine is talking about that are from Boyarka. I wonder if they are any of my English students.

Leslie said...

Hey, guys! Our family blog is at http://TheLandrumsBlog.blogspot.com

Debora Hoffmann said...

I want to meet Zina and Rimma! I hope we can come see you guys--with our girls! I'll continue praying for Zina's registration.

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Longmont, Colorado, United States
Heidi loves to play sand volleyball, sail and garden. Felix loves to fly at the local aeroclub, sail and fish.