Depraved Indifference

What a great video...

God has so changed our lives and our hearts toward these children. It's so hard to explain to my friends and family. I know some of them are tired of hearing it and want to close their ears to the call, but it is undeniable--God has called us to care for these children. And it's not all about adoption. I know that not everyone will answer the call to adopt, but it is bigger than that. It is about caring for them, praying for them, having your hearts broken for what breaks God's heart....

What would you do if that was your child? How do you think God feels when He looks down and sees one of His children abandoned with no one to care for him while we sit in our abundance and ignore the situation or sit around talking about it without action? I stand by my beliefs that everyone can do something. I KNOW it seems overwhelming and you begin to believe the lies of Satan that what one person does doesn't make a difference, but believe me, IT DOES!

Spread the warmth this Christmas

Spread the warmth of Christmas this year by Christmas shopping to help the orphans of SFCV have heat. 

In China, the government turns on the heat on Nov. 15th and turns it off March 15th. The full amount is due BEFORE it even gets turned on.  Please help us raise money for the SFCV "The Hearts And Warmth" (THAW) fund. 

I have pashmina shawls, silk scarves, purses, artwork, mirrors, bracelets, necklaces, and a special selection of bracelets and calligraphy made by the children of SFCV just for this show!

And without further ado....

Photo #1

Large painting on canvas (36"x24")

$115

 Photo #2

Large Painting on canvas (36"x24")

$115

Photo #3

Large painting on canvas (39 1/2" x 30")

$295

Photo #10--pashmina shawl--$20

Sorry for the off picture, I was trying to show the variation of color.

Photo #11--Wooden box--$15

(6.5" x 3" 2.5")

Photo #14--Bracelets made by the Primary Children--$10

Photo #15--Bracelets made by the Primary Children--$10

Photo #16--Bracelets made by the Primary Children--$10

Photo #17--Bracelets made by the Primary Children--$10

Photo #18--Bracelets made by the Primary Children--$10

Photo #19--Bracelets made by the Primary Children--$10

Photo #20--Bracelets made by the Primary Children--$10

 Photo #21--Medium woven purses--$8
(SOLD the two on the left)

Photo #22--Medium woven purses--$8
(SOLD top left and right)

Photo #23--Silk purse set--5 to a set

Pink is the last set.

$10/set

Photo #25--coin purses--$5

(These are a little different than the last batch, they have rigid sides)

Photo #26--coin purses--$5

Photo #27--coin purses--$5

Photo #28--coin purses--$5

Photo #29--jade bead bracelets made by the Primary children--

Green jade--$15

Yellow "jade"---$5

Photo #30--Large fan--$5

Photo #31--awesome calligraphy done by the primary children.  Each piece is signed by the artist!  

This is the symbol for Love.  I also have Faith, Hope, and Blessing.  I will add those tomorrow.

$5 each  

(I do have 2 sets of Faith, Hope, and Love with the background matching.)

Photo #32--Bracelets--$10

Photo #33--Bracelets--$10 (flower ones SOLD)

Photo #34--Bracelets--$10

Photo #35--Bracelets--$10

Photo #36--$30

Photo #37--$30

Photo #38--$30

Photo #39--$45

(I also have it in light pink and a darker mauve pink.)

Photo #40--$45

Love character with plum blossoms

Photo #42--$60

Photo #41--$60

Photo #42--$30

To purchase any of these items, please email me at troyandcharlene93@yahoo.com with the picture number and which one you'd like.  Preferred payment is paypal to this email.  If you'd prefer to send a check, email me for our address.

Orphan Sunday

Dear Father, 

On this Orphan Sunday, we join with Your people across our country and beyond to pray for orphans. 

We know that love for these precious children begins not with us, but with You. You pursued us when we were wayward and alone. You adopted us as your children. You invite us to address you as Daddy and to live as Your sons and daughters. Truly, we love because You first loved us. 

You tell us also that You are near to the downtrodden and destitute. Your heart aches for children that face the world alone. You champion the cause of those who have no one else to take their side. And You call us to do the same. 

So we pray that You would rouse us to share your heart. We ask that You would stir Your people to passion and vision and action on behalf of children that have no family. 

We lift up to You the millions of children in the world who have lost their parents to disease, to war, to addiction, to poverty, to abandonment. As You promise to do, place the lonely in families. Be their defender, their provider, their hope and peace. Help us to do the same. 

We pray also for the five hundred thousand children in our foster system in America. So often, they are bounced from home to home, knowing little love, consistency or true nurture. Please be their love, their consistency, their nurture. Help us to do the same. 

We confess that we have often lived with little regard for these precious lives. Please forgive us. Lead us to take up their cause, not in guilt or obligation, but as a joyful response to Your great love for us. 

As we do, we pray that You would use our humble response to transform. To transform the lives of countless orphans both physically and spiritually. To transform us as we encounter You in them. To transform Your Church as we lift our eyes beyond our own comfort and self-focused religion to live out the painful beauty of the Gospel. And finally, to transform a watching world as it catches glimpses of Your love made visible through the actions of Your people. 

We commit all this to You, the One who is both our Father and a Father to the fatherless, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen 

5 Waiting children from Hohehot orphanage

The staff at SFCV has been approached about finding families for almost 40 children from Hohehot orphanage!  This is an amazing opportunity!  I don't have any pictures yet, but I will update as soon as I hear any more.  Their paperwork has all been done and is at CCAA ready to be matched with families.  We think they are on the shared list.  Could you be one of them?  

1.  Zheng Yanbo is a 2 1/2 year old little boy.  His has a cleft lip & palate.  (DOB:  April. 24th, 2008)

2.  Wang Fengying is a 2 year old little girl with light hydrocephalus.  (DOB: Sep. 13th, 2008)

   

3.  Zheng Yanfei is an almost 2 year old little boy with cleft lip & palate.  (DOB: Nov. 19, 2008)

   

4.  Wang Fengduo is a little girl who is only 20 months old.  She has a meningocele (post surgery) and light hydrocephalus.  (DOB:  Feb. 17th, 2009)

5.  Wang Longsheng is an 18 months old little boy with a right ear deformity.  (DOB:  May. 3rd, 2009)

   

We used BAAS for our last adoption and are using it for our current one.  Xiaoqing is phenomenal to work with and when it comes to finding children on the shared list.  I know she would be willing to help locate these files.  Her email is xqcai@comcast.net

When the cloud remained...

I've been in quite a funk lately.  My heart has been so heavy for orphans, broken to the point of tears on many occasions.  My heart aches.  I want to be doing and going and helping.  I've been CRYING out to God to move in our situation.  To sell our home and let us live debt free and free to go where He calls us.    (I never thought selling the house would NOT be His plan.  How can being debt free NOT be His plan?)  To release Ting Ting's paperwork so that we can bring her into our family as our daughter.  To show us a glimpse of His plans for us (a neon sign would be better....LOL).

Nothing.  Silence.  UGH!  Oh how hard it is has been to pour out my heart to God and hear silence.  (Hard to admit too....)  Ask and you shall receive?   I've been crying out and begging and pleading for an answer, any answer.  I've been asking and haven't been receiving.  Until this morning.

Again this morning I poured out my heart and opened my devotional Streams in the Desert.....

When the cloud remained...the Israelites...did not set out. (Numbers 9:19)

This was the supreme test of obedience. It was comparatively easy to strike tents, when the fleecy folds of the cloud were slowly gathering from off the Tabernacle, and it floated majestically before the host. Change is always delightful; and there was excitement and interest in the route, the scenery, and the locality of the next halting-place. But, ah, the tarrying.

Yet having to wait was another story altogether...

When God sends no answer and "the cloud remains" we must wait.  Yet we can do so with the full assurance of God's provision of manna, water from the rock, shelter, and protection from our enemies.  He never keeps us at our post without assuring us of His presence or sending us daily supplies.  

.....You must wait where you are until the cloud clearly begins to move.

I decided to read Numbers 9:19 for myself.  The study at the bottom convicted me:

You are somewhere right now. Instead of praying "God, what do you want me to do next?" ask, "God, what do you want me to do while I'm right here?"  Direction from God is not just for your next big move.  He has a purpose in placing you where you are right now.  Begin to understand God's purpose for your life by discovering what He wants you to do now.

Ouch!  I have been so focused on "what's next?" that I haven't asked "what now?"  What have I missed in the now?  

All this sounds so neat and tidy.  Please don't be mislead.  It's been hard and messy!  (Can anyone recommend a good waterproof mascara?)  And I know I'm not there yet.  This will be a difficult season.  I tend to be a "git r done" kind of gal.  I can make a lot happen in my strength.  I don't want to do things in my strength anymore, but change is hard.  Waiting as obedience?  He sure cuts to the chase, doesn't He?  

Does this change my hearts desires?  No.  I still want and dream of going and caring for the world's orphans.  I still dream of somehow living in China one day.  But for now, I will try to learn how to wait until the cloud moves.  I will try to use my talents right here where I am.  Hard stuff...prayers appreciated!

THAW fund--The children at SFCV NEED heat!

Like every year in China, we have to pay our heating bill in advance to get heat for the children of SFCV.  We're asking you to show your love for them by giving generously to The Hearts And Warmth fund.

The Chinese government controls the flow of heat throughout the country, turning on the heat Nov. 15th and shutting it off March 15th.  They will not activate our heat unless full payment is made in advance, and the heat fee for SFCV this year is $24,070 USD.  Our deadline is Nov. 13th.  

You can sponsor the heat for the entire winter for one of our 11 buildings--children's homes, the school, the clinic, or the outreach center--with a donation of $2,188 USD.  A gift of $547 supplies one month's worth of heat for one building; $127 covers one week's heat; and just $18 will keep an entire home warm for one day! PLEASE help us keep our children warm and healthy this winter by sending a generous donation to our THAW fund today.

Go to ChinaOrphans and donate today!

Could this precious 4 year old girl be your daughter?

Isn't this the most adorable little girl?

Mandy is 4 years old and needs a mom and dad to love and care for her.  Could it be you?

Mandy is friendly, extroveredt, and talkative. She likes to communicate with other kids, and likes to sing, dace, and imitate.  She is good at stringing beads and is interested in drawing and writing. 

Mandy was born on 6-20-2006. She has complicated congenital heart disease. 

If you're interested in finding out more about her, please contact Xiaoqing with BAAS at xqcai@comcast.net.

Another handsome little man needs a family--Adrian

Adrian

Adrian just turned 5 recently.  What better present than for your family to find you? 

According to the doctors: Adrian has double oulet RV, malposition of the great arteries, severe pulmonary hypertention, subpulmonic VSD, patent foramen ovale, PDA and coarctation.  In Feb. of 2008, he had an S/P arterial switch and VSD closure operation.  The surgery was successful, but they knew he would need another surgery. It's about time for him to have it, so the medical team is taking him for some tests after the national holiday. He is on medication everyday.

Could this smiley, handsome young man be your son?

If you have any more questions about him, I can put you in touch with someone who knows him and can give you more info.  

JW needs a family!

JW, aka John Wayne, needs a family... 

He is a precious 2 year old little boy who has spina bifida and club feet.  His SB was repaired when he was an infant and he had Ponseti casting done by ChinaCare when he was 9 months old.  His clubbing was minor and treatment was successful!  John Wayne is one determined little boy, he started to walk while he was IN the casts and hasn't stopped!  He's always been developmentally on track with sitting, crawling, standing...  At the moment, he is appears fully functional, of course bowel and bladder problems are always a possibility with spina bifida.  

He currently lives at EaglesWings.  

If you're interested in learning more about him, please contact CCAI.

Another sleepy girl pic

This girl can sleep anywhere!  Notice the thumb has slipped out--she is down for the count!

40 Day Prayer Guide for Orphan Care

Over the next 40 days leading up to Orphan Sunday, I will be praying for orphan care.  Many times people get scared or uncomfortable when you talk orphan.  They're afraid of what it will mean to them personally. They wonder if they'll be called to adopt.  Maybe.  Maybe not.  But one thing is clear, God's heart is for the orphan.  Many times in the bible He speaks of the least of these, the orphan.  One of the better known scriptures on it is James 1:27--"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  He also promises to not leave us as orphans (John 14:18).  And He sets the lonely in families.  (Psalm 68:6)  What orphan care will look like for each person and family is different.  The important thing is to value the things that God values, and God values the orphan.  

Please join me over the next 40 days in praying for Orphan Care.  Prayer changes everything.  And praying together is powerful.  In the words of Jesus:

"When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."  Don't you love that--"My Father in heaven goes into action."  What a beautiful picture.




The prayer guide is used with permission from Orphan Sunday.

Introducing a few ways to support SFCV

I've been brainstorming a some new ways to raise money to help support the children at SFCV.  Thinking of my 3 favorite things--children, books and coffee, I've come across 2 ways that you can help raise money by buying things you may already be buying!

The first is Barefoot Books.  They have some of the most adorable books and many are educational!  

The second is JustLoveCoffee!  

Click through to these sites from here and shop--that's all you have to do!  Purchases made through these 2 links will help the children at SFCV!  

Needing a family...

Yang

Yang was born on 7-13-2007. His special need is post operative cleft lip/palate. Yang is a bright and active boy who loves out door activities and animals.

Harry

Harry was born on 7-8-2008. His special need is repaired cleft lip and cleft palate. He is an active boy who loves to play games and play with other children.

These children are on an individual list.

for information, email Xiaoqing Cai:  xqcai@comcast.net

or leave a comment here.

Look at these 2 cuties that need families

These 2 cuties both have limb differences, which are very special to me.  Our Grace's left arm looks just like Matthew's!

Matthew

is  13 months old

And has a limb difference.  He's missing his left forearm.

He looks so cute and cuddly and as sweet as can be!

 Molly

                                                  

Molly has a deformed/incomplete left hand and foot.  

Isn't she just adorable with a huge personality to go with that preciousness!?

These children are on an individual list.

for information, email Xiaoqing Cai:  xqcai@comcast.net

or leave a comment here.

Artwork Auction to benefit SFCV

Take a look at these BEAUTIFUL paintings that were done in China!  They are coming directly from SFCV gift shop.  We are auctioning them off to help raise funds for SFCV.  To place a bid, leave your bid in a comment for me.   

Bidding will end Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 10 pm CST!   So be sure to check back to see who won and to see how much we have raised for SFCV.

Artwork #1 

Size 23.5" x 35.5"

Starting Bid:  $75

Artwork #2

Size 24" x 20"

Starting Bid:  $50

Artwork #3 

Size 24" x 35.5"

Starting bid $75

Artwork #4 

Size 39.5" x 30.5" 

Starting bid: $225

Please share this my site with all your friends!   

THANKS!!!

(If possible, the winner will make their donation directly to SFCV on their website so that the funds will be available to them faster as time is of the essence.  The artwork will come to me rolled.  They are sending me a smaller one with the frame so I'll know how to put them back on a frame.  If you choose to have me send it to you rolled, I will cover shipping.  Otherwise, shipping will be extra.)

(All proceeds will go DIRECTLY to SFCV!)

(I put a starting bid to make sure that we covered the cost of the paintings.)