Finding Jia's Forever Family

One thing that I've really appreciated about Project 143, is that they are passionate about finding these host kiddos homes.  FOREVER homes.  I've said many times, while trying to recruit other host families, that even if adopting isn't on your radar, THAT'S OKAY!  Hosting is still so beneficial to an orphan. 

Cut and pasted from P143's website:
"Most orphans have never experienced a functional, family environment and will likely repeat the same cycle unless they are exposed to a new model. It’s impossible to hope for different outcome if you have nothing new to model. Living in a family for even 4 - 8 weeks can be life changing.  A home where the host parents are dependable and present in the lives of the children highlights the proper role of parents. Living with a family demonstrates proper relationships with siblings and extended family members.
Additionally, to orphans, the idea that they are being chosen to visit America is a huge boost to their self-esteem and self-worth since, they are often poorly regarded in their society. Participating in hosting activities and taking trips with the host family makes great memories for orphans who have few to none. Another benefit for international host children is developing better English fluency. Finally, hosting provides a critical opportunity for orphans hoping for permanent adoptive families."

Although I do stand behind what I've said about "just" hosting being enough, my prayer and hope for Jia is that this hosting experience WILL connect him to a family that will adopt him.   Kids that are over the age of 6, are part of a sibling group, or who have special needs have an almost zero percent chance of being adopted.  That's why I am so passionate about hosting.  There are millions upon millions upon MILLIONS of orphans.  The number is so high that we can't wrap our minds around it.  But a child you touch and see?  Talk to?  Share a meal with?  Open gifts with on Christmas morning in your jammies?  They are pretty hard to ignore!  :-)  Hosting is an awesome way for a child who falls into one or more of the above categories to find a family.

So...I'm going to advocate for Jia like it's my job (which it pretty much is as his host mama!)

Here is what I can tell you about Jia so far:
- He's 7 years old

- He's available for adoption

-He has no known siblings

-He has deformities in his fingers (see photos) and one of his toes sticks way out to the side

- He is not allowed to go to public school because of his hands, and he takes classes at the orphanage

-He likes to draw and sing and cook

-CCAI will, if they haven't already, place Jia on their waiting child page for more advocacy

 

This guy.  Don't you just love that smile??



I'm sure he's been made to feel "less than" because of his hands.  Is there a forever family out
there to show him how loved and valuable and precious he is?

No words for this one!

Of course, once he is actually here and we get to know him, I'll have a lot more to share with you!!  I'll probably post so many pictures and videos that you'll consider de-friending me on Facebook.  (don't you dare!)

These are China's requirements for adoptive parents:

- Age 30-55

-married at least 2 years

-Net worth of $80, and 10K per household member

-No criminal history

-No MAJOR medical issues

-BMI under 40

-No current drug use (even recent drug use is a no-no)

-Adopting from China costs about $25,000-$27,000 and requires one trip to China

The entire adoption process will take about one year

 

So, there you have it!  If you or someone you know is down with the above info and would like to spend some time with Jia while he's here, please let me know!  We'll make it happen!  I do personally know of a host child who was adopted by friends of her host family.  It happens!

 

 

If you are the praying type, please start praying for this sweet sugar plum.  Pray that his forever family "hears the call" so to speak, and acts on it.    Pray for his adorable little self as he will soon be taking the trip of a lifetime.  Pray for peace for him, and a spirit of courage and not fear.  Pray that he knows from the moment he sees us at the airport that we're "his people."  We'll protect him and love him and he can trust us.  (please imagine being 7 years old, stepping off a plane, and just going away with some random strangers that look weird and don't understand a word you're saying, and vice versa.  Talk about BRAVE.  It boggles my mind.) 

 

Sorry this is so long, but it's important.  It's his LIFE. 

XO,

Tracy

 

 

 

 

TOGETHER, for Jia!

It's time to resurrect the ol' hosting blog!  As you all know, we are hosting an orphan again this Christmas, but it will be different from our hosting experience in 2012  We are going with a different agency called  Project 143, we are hosting a 7 year old boy (vs. a 15 year old girl) and we are hosting from China vs. Ukraine!  We are really excited, the funds have been raised, the domestic flights have been booked, the training is complete, and now...we wait for December 16th!

I just have to give the biggest shout out to God.  He has done GREAT things through some awesome people.  To start with, as mentioned above, the hosting fees (3K) and the plane tickets (2K) have all been covered.  We are STILL in awe, and are so grateful to the 33 people who financially made this possible. 

But, it doesn't stop there!!!  Like I have mentioned before:  Orphan care has many faces!  We were told by our hosting coordinator that professional photos are CRUCIAL.  Cut and pasted from one of her emails:
"-Get really great photos! I cannot stress this enough, I really, really can't. Photos CHANGE a child's future. A child with amazing photos will be chosen over a child with old, out of date or unflattering photos. I personally always prioritize some hosting time spent on capturing great photos. I'd almost prioritize this over dental work! An interested family isn't going to ask about cavities, but they are going to look at the child's photos."

I put out the need, and boom.  My precious friend Kim, who just happens to be a professional photographer (and adopted herself!) is on it. 

The same pediatric dentist who treated Alyona is going to treat Jia, pro bono. 

My friend Vickie, who is insanely talented and crafty is making him a Christmas stocking to match the ones our kiddos have.  She did the same for Alyona.

Kristen is knitting him a winter hat, because it's what she loves to do.

Our friends Jon and Tama are picking us up from O'Hare, putting us up for the night in their home, and then returning us to the airport the next day.  Then, they'll do it all again when we return him in January.

A generous friend owns a restaurant and said, "Bring that boy in, and dinner's on me!"

Jia speaks Mandarin.  We don't.  Along comes Emma, ready and willing to translate for us.  (phew!)

My point is this: TOGETHER, we are giving Jia hope!!! 

My "camera equipment" is my iPhone. 

I can't clean Jia's teeth or fill his cavities. 

I can't sew or knit. 

We couldn't afford $5,000 for the hosting fees and domestic travel (not to mention a Chicago hotel) 

Cooking the first couple of days he's here?  Not gonna happen.

Our Mandarin is a little rusty (haha), but we'll need to speak to our boy.

What our family DOES have is a willingness to do the paperwork, the training, the traveling, and the loving.  We can't wait to show him, for the FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE what it looks like and feels like to be part of a family.  We are so ready to love on him with reckless abandon, knowing there will be challenges, but ready just the same. 

Do you see how this is a TEAM EFFORT??  A foot doesn't do what an ear does, and an eye doesn't do what an elbow does.  But together??  We make a body that works so perfectly together!  TOGETHER for Jia!!