They wait. They watch. They hope.
The ones left behind.
The files everyone passed over. The children nobody wanted. In every nation - every culture. They wait.
There are so many. Millions and millions and millions of waiting lost children.
Standing behind fences, laying in cribs. Longing. Praying. Wishing.
It is heartbreaking to see their faces peering out past the bars in their lives.
The reality is - only a few will be rescued. Only a small portion will walk free of the bars.
Most of these loves. Most of these little ones. Most of these children will grow up without homes. Without families. They will grow up behind the bars. Staring out.
Some of them will be placed behind even thicker bars. They will have no chance ever of leaving.
Forever and ever in institutes.
Others. Others will eventually walk out of those gates.
Fourteen, fifteen, sixteen year olds.
No parents to give them direction.
No safety net if they fail.
They will walk out alone. Millions each year graduating from behind the bars.
A few will be rescued by those in the church who are putting Christ's words into action. A few will find real jobs and will be able to make it in the world. A few will survive.
But only a few.
The vast majority - the vast majority of these little lost loves who finally grew up - the vast majority will end up on the streets.
Without a means to support themselves. Without help to get jobs. Without money or food....
The girls - the girls will sell their bodies for food.
The boys - the boys will end up in jail.
In every culture - every country.
If they don't commit suicide first.
That is the sad reality.
Each family I talk to who goes over - each family who enters the world of adoption is confronted with THIS reality. They are rescuing one but millions are left behind.
They walk the halls of the orphanages and the institutes faced with the reality that the vast majority will never ever have a family.
It is heartbreaking, gut-wrenching and it is the reason why so many who adopt cannot stop shouting for those they left behind.
They have looked into the eyes of the lost loves. They have walked away from those who are longing, hoping, waiting.
They have been forced to turn away from the faces of those peering out behind the bars.
Those loves they left behind.
And they have been changed.
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The picture above was taken a week ago by a family who met their son for the first time. They have to make three trips before he is finally, safely home at last. Their hearts were broken these last few weeks by those they will leave behind. It is all they can do to keep from weeping at those little loves behind that fence. So many who need families. So few who will ever make it out. They are dear dear people to me. Their support for us was endless when we were adopting Aaron. There are no words for how much they helped us during our great time of need over there.
They have much yet to raise to bring this treasure home.
Ian
I love the Giveaway they are doing!! It is unique and I am definitely hoping my name gets drawn. I don't wear a lot of jewelry but I would wear one of these! They come with an 'imperfection' making them not quite up to the world's standards. How unbelievably cool is that? 'Rejected' stones.
I definitely want one.
Psalm 118 22-24
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The LORD has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
PLEASE go support the Stewart family.
We can't save the millions but we can make a difference for the one.
One less child looking out from behind that fence is a Victory!
May God bless you and all the families that have embarked on this journey as well as the many families who have helped.
ReplyDeleteOh boy, you have me seriously crying over here! After The Boy from Baby House 10, the children at the gate - as we drove off there was an unsettling silence, and maybe a wimper from one that wanted to come along. What they must have thought of our Ari, who is their SAME age. He just thought they were friends, and that maybe they could play together. But no, they won't allow it. A thousands heartbreaks can occur per second when you are immersed into an orphanage. Thank you Julia, we cannot wait to post than Ian is one less.
ReplyDeleteAs always, thank you for your beautiful words that capture what so many hearts feel, but so many minds can't even begin to put into words.
ReplyDeleteWhen faced with the orphan crisis, how massively big it is. I always remember that our journey to our daughter will not save every single orphan.
But if people along the way follow that journey, spread the word, if hearts change...thats such a blessing. And for one little girl, well, her world will be forever changed by us, and we are so thankful!
Brooke Annessa
www.theannessafamily.blogspot.com
Those poor kids who have to stay in the institutes, they have it worst. The others also have it bad.
ReplyDeleteI pray for Marat, Emmitt, Elizaveta, who are older and may age out. I hope for Emmitt the most. He will be bedridden for life if he isn't adopted, and he has been bedridden for years already.
It was just the same at Ana's orphanage...children lined up at the gate calling "Paka...Paka" (hello in Russian). Then they were scolded.."NO, that is Nastia's (Anastasia's) Mama & Papa!".....oh, it was so sad. I think of and pray for those little ones almost every day that we have been home....for a year and a half now.
ReplyDeleteI thought this video might be of interest to you. It's a bit long but shows where these kids end up some day.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2011/apr/05/ukraine-lost-children-video
I hate that this picture exists. I hate that children are thrown away... more shouting is definitely in order. thanks Julia, God's work, my friend...you rock.
ReplyDeleteHey! Funny coincidence, we did a similar post over at Speaking for the silent! ;)
ReplyDeleteExcellent words as always though, Mrs. Nalle, beautiful and yet painfully true. I pray for so many of these little ones hoping they won't be on that left behind list.
Heartbreaking & it brings back so many memories of the children we had to leave behind....
ReplyDeleteThis song is one you would like, I think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbH0IWZL05s
It should be the anthem for every single Jesus-loving person.
When I first saw this picture, it broke my heart. I knew this picture would touch so many people. We are ALL called to help in some way. Thank you Julia for all you do for us and all these kids.
ReplyDeleteJust made a donation for little Ian! Praying that sweet boy home. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see a picture of one of these orphanages with gates, my mind goes to the words of Jesus speaking of the Church in Matthew:
ReplyDeleteand, the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.
Going to pray for this family, and Ian