Got a heart for orphans???

 "America...PLEASE???"

Those were the words we heard more than one time...

After our first trip to Ukraine, Cindy and I were even more excited bring Dema into our home.  But over the 3 weeks that we were here together we became convinced that Dema was not the only reason that we came.   There are so many children who's eyes plead for a home and a family of their own and several of the children have actually wraped their arms around us and begged for a home in America.  Yes, this trip has been a heart wrenching experience. But because we can not bring each and every one of them home, we have made a commitment to do what we can to find other families who are willing to consider adopting a Ukrainian orphan child.

 

 James 1:27 tells us that:

 "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

 

Although that passage of scripture does not command or even ask us to adopt one of these kids, it does let us know just how important these kids are to our Father.  So, as you scroll through the pictures, why don't you search your heart to see just what He is asking you to do...chose a child and pray that  they might find a family, forward this to a friend who is considering adoption, or jump in with both feet and say, "yes I will"!  

There are many of these children who are not alone in the children's home--many have siblings, some are part of a family of 3, 4, or 5 kids.  We have found some of the most "adoptable" children are part of a larger family group...maybe that is because they have some sense of family, or maybe it is because they are the children who have a little higher level of self confidence and they are wiling to come hang out with a group of strangers who don't even speak their language. 

Because these children are wards of the state, and considered "state property", we can not post names, birth dates, or any information we have on the kids.  If you would like to know more about our trip and our time here, please feel free to email us...we would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Mick and Janel McCracken are here to bring their daughter Vika Grace home and will be here for another 3 weeks or so.  If you would like further info, please email either:

Eric & Cindy at:
sales@edenvieworganics.com

or 
Mick & Janel at:
jmccracken@verizon.net 

 The children at this orphanage range anywhere from 5-16 years old, but the younger kids are pretty much off limits for "just stopping in" and visiting, we spent most of our time with the kids ranging from 8-16 years old.

In Ukraine, there is a huge emphasis on the arts.  We have seen many of the girls and some of the boys preforming in dances, singing, and acting roles.  And it seems that most of the boys who are not involved in the arts are part of either the boxing team or the soccer team.  The orphanage does a great job of getting these kids involved and active.

The art program at the orphanage is a top-notch program.  We spent most of our time visiting with the kids in a room dedicated to developing the drawing and painting skills of the kids.  If you go to the Artful Giver web site, you can see some of the outstanding work these kids have done.

Not all the children in these pictures are eligible for adoption, there are several factors that weigh in to determine if and when they are permitted to be adopted by a foreign family.  How long have they been in the orphanage?  What is the status of their biological family?  Do they have siblings and do all siblings want to be adopted internationally?  Are there siblings who are over 18 years old?

 These are all questions that our adoption agency asked and screened for prior to saying that yes, he/she is ready and available to come to America.

This is the group of boys that our son Dema calls family.  They range in ages 8-11 and they all seem to be great boys.

I just met this young man today--he is blind, but it is amazing to watch the little boys take him by the hand and help him find his way.  When I asked him if I could take his picture, he got this huge smile on his face and said "DA"!  The smile was still there 15 minutes later when I left the group.

 It has become very difficult to adopt younger single children from Ukraine in recent years.  The government has made it very beneficial for Ukrainian families to keep the children in their home country.  This seems to be in an effort to lower the number of orphans here. (Which from the last count I saw was 100,000+)  There have been success stories from children who have "graduated" from the orphanage,  but far too many of the kids end up on the streets--some girls turn to prostitution,  while many of the boys turn to a life of petty crime.  These kids are sent out at 16 years old, some have done well enough at school to qualify for State funded technical school, but many leave with no hope for a future.

This is the group of girls just across the hall from Dema's group.  They too would probably range from 8-11 years old.  The children in this orphanage are housed in separate wings and separate buildings, so our contact with the older kids was very limited, and the youngest kids were completely off limits.

 

 There is a family group of 4 children here who Cindy and I have fallen in love with...we have said, "if we were younger, if we had an addition on our house, if we had different jobs, if we had a better income"  we would bring them home.  But we're not, and we don't, so we are here to advocate for them and find not only them, but as many kids as possible good loving Christian families!  Please don't hesitate to ask us anything!