Introducing our Bamboo Baby

Lindy (2 months old) in her foster mother's arms July 2005

"...learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the cause of the widow." Isaiah 1:17

I will admit, I'm not a natural born fundraiser and I'm not really very good about asking for help. I'm typically not one to publicly advocate for things and I like to keep what I'm involved with kind of quiet. However, lately, I've been reconsidering things. After a lot of prayer, I believe I'm called to do things that aren't second-nature for me and to step out of my comfort zone. Thus, the reason for this post.

There are some who think the fact we adopted Lindy and are waiting to adopt again makes us special; we've even been called, "heroes." While we appreciate the kind words and sentiments we have received through the years, we don't feel like we're special or heroes because we adopted Lindy. We desperately wanted to become parents and we fulfilled our desires through the avenue of adoption. Truthfully, it is not something we had ever dreamed of doing and it was not really an easy road getting to that point.

Insert GIGANTIC however here! Adoption is now something we're completely convicted of and feel very strongly about. Our hearts have been pricked and verses that have been in the Bible for over two thousand years now leap off the pages and have greater meaning. It is heartbreaking for us to think about the millions of orphans in this world and Don and I both agree that adding children to our family to fulfill a desire and void isn't enough.

A couple months ago, a good friend of mine went to work for Pearl River Outreach. Up until about two weeks ago, I hadn't had the chance to check out the work they are doing. I was so excited and nearly jumped for joy when I found out they were helping children who are from the same orphanage Lindy was from in Changsha, Hunan. Their funds go to help the children in the orphanage, as well as those in foster care. Lindy was in foster care from two months old until we met her at just shy of 11 months. We are eternally grateful for all those who had generously donated funds to her foster program so she could receive such wonderful care and love.

We have decided to sponsor, "Lili," one of the children from Changsha. We loved the red thread connection we have with her--her birthday is one day (and three years) off of Lindy's (May 8, 2005) and May 9, 2005 was our log-in date for Lindy. It is our prayer that it won't be long until Lili meets her forever family. Until then, we hope she'll be taken care of extremely well, just like we know our sweet Lindy was.


Pearl River Outreach is still looking for some sponsors for their Bamboo Babies. If you're interested in helping, go to their blog or web.

On another exciting note, if you feel called to help but can't commit to a sponsorship, there is a fundraiser taking place right now for the orphanage in Changsha. The Meadows Family is trying to raise enough money to send 88 care packages to the children there. They are trying to raise $1000 by December 1st or they're requesting items such as socks, hats, mittens, toothpaste, and coloring books. If you'd like to know more about this special collection, please read about it here. What a wonderful teachable moment it would be to involve young children to help collect simple items for other children thousands of miles away.

I am excited about the special work being done in Changsha! I hope you'll join us in helping out these wonderful children. If you can't financially, they sure could use your prayers!

Thank you!

Many blessings~
Lisa