A Rainbow: Kolya

Kolya, born 2000

I don't know much about Kolya.  There isn't too much to go off of, based on his profile.  Yet every time I look at this sweet boy's little mischievous smile, I think of how much he needs a Daddy. He looks like a kid who would love to go out in the yard and toss a ball. Maybe he'd spend summer days hanging out in his tree fort, or sneaking through the yard, playing ninja.

It saddens me that Kolya has already spent the first ten years of his life without a Daddy to show him how to do these things. The fact that he's an older child only means his chances of a family are that much slimmer.

But maybe you know someone. Someone who could look at his goofy, playful grin, someone who'd proudly say, "That's MY kid!" and take him home and teach him all these boyish games that he's missing right now.

Kolya's already spent a full decade without a family.  Is there someone out there who can make this HIS year to come home? He's waited far too long for a Daddy to call his own!

From the RR website:
From his advocates and friends:  ” Kolya – very delicate and sensitive child who catches every touch, every word or a smile. He may long to sit next to a nice man and just hold hands, enjoying the warmth. Kolya – special in every sense of the child. He will never be like other children, but this does not negate his ability to enjoy the outside world and bring joy to others. Kolya helpful, helps nurse to collect clothes, toys, clean room. He said not much and indiscriminately, but to understand it is quite possible. He has a good memory. Kolya knows the names of geometric shapes, animals, plants, likes to listen to reading, to collect and puzzles to bother with the designers. Parents need to appreciate their strength, because they need the support of Kolya throughout life. But instead, they can count on sincere affection and love from a really good and loyal man.

Changing the World

I used to teach high school. People would often say to me, "High school? Yuck-- who'd want to hang out with obnoxious teenagers all day?"
Teens get a bad rap... they are self-absorbed, dramatic, loud, unaware of the "real world" (unless it's on MTV)... yeah, life with teens can be exhausting.

But then, there are other teenagers out there, kids who are amazing, selfless, humble, motivated. Teenagers with so much heart they put many adults to shame. You meet these kinds of teens, and you realize what a great age it is. Teenagers are old enough to understand mature situations, but young enough to be untainted by these same situations.  Rather than saying, "That's so sad. Someone should do something," this is an age that says, "Wow, that's so sad, let's do something about it!"

God bless the teenagers' spirit.

That being said, here are four teenagers that I have instantly come to love. They are planning to change the world, saving one orphan at a time. Instead of trying to save up for a car, they are trying to save LIVES. Please, show these kids your appreciation for their huge hearts, and visit their website right now! You won't be disappointed... they are so energetic, my theory is they just may accomplish their goal after all. :)

http://tolovetheunlovedblog.blogspot.com/


P.S.  Just in case you don't think a teenage girl can make all too big a difference in this world... God trusted Mary, a teenage girl, to raise His child, Jesus! (Mary was probably in her early-mid teens when she gave birth to Jesus.)

LETTERS FROM SANTA: ATTENTION CONTRIBUTORS

If you gave to this fundraiser, THANK YOU!
Please make sure to fill out the form (go to original post for link) to input the child's information so that "Santa" can send the letters. If you already filled in the form, I have your info and the letters should be arriving soon!

Thank you again!

Blessed: A Very Special Fundraiser

God has once again reminded me of His grace.
Remember the ring fundraiser that I recently held for Danil?
Remember when I mentioned that the winner decided that, rather than keeping the ring, she too would use it to save a child?

The fundraiser is now in action! She is keeping her word, which means you once again have a chance to WIN a DIAMOND RING (1 carat total weight), while helping save kids' lives in the process.  There are two children she is intent on helping rescue, both in extremely desperate situations at this moment in time. 

Please, head on over to her blog and consider a donation today. If you don't win, you've still made a huge difference in the lives of two children.  If you do win, you've made a huge difference in the lives of two children AND got something pretty to show for it! There are no losers, so head on over now and donate today!

Imprisoned

A man is falsely found guilty of a heinous crime; he is sent to Death Row, where he lives, awaiting his fate.
You have information that proves his innocence. Do you step forward to help set him free?
You have a choice.  Do you go out of your way to make sure this man isn’t falsely sent to death over a crime he didn’t commit?   Or--
Do you try and ignore it? Do you decide that, yes, your information could set him free, but you are just too busy... it’d be too hard… someone might criticize you… you’d have to go out of your way to tell someone…

Instead of setting him free, do you say to yourself:


That’s a shame. I sure hope he gets out of there.

See? That’s the problem with the system. They need to change it.

I already have a cause that I support. That's enough for me.

I’d like to help, but it’s just not the right time in my life. Maybe in ten years I can do something.

His family should have fought harder to keep him off Death Row.

People in his county should take care of freeing him themselves.

It's not my calling.

It’s not my responsibility.



These are just a few of the innocent faces that are currently sitting on Death Row.

They did nothing wrong. Through a matter of circumstance, they’ve been falsely imprisoned. Without someone acknowledging them, stepping forward regardless of inconvenience, THEY WILL DIE. Their fate rests in your hands. You know the truth, and you have information that will set them free.

So, once more I ask:
If a man were falsely imprisoned and sent to Death Row, and you had the power to set him free, would you?



 

A Rainbow: Elizabeth

I wish I could be eloquent. I wish my writing could pull you in, convince you to care, show you how much it really matters. Luckily, there are other AMAZING bloggers out there who know just what to say.

Instead, I'll just beg and plead that you read on.

This is Elizabeth. She's amazing, isn't she? Her eyes sparkle, her smile shines bright. She's nearly your typical 7-year-old girl. She loves dolls. She adores teddy bears. She has a best friend that she has enjoyed growing up and playing with everyday.  If she lived in the house next door, you'd appreciate her as much as any other little girl her age. She's almost the same. Except
she has an extra chromosome                   and because of this
she is an orphan                                       and sadly, because she is "old" at just age 7,
she has been transferred out of her orphanage
into an institution
away from her best friend
and the caregivers that have been there since her beginning.

Now, she's in a place where
the sun doesn't shine                         because there isn't anyone to take her outside, so
her smile will fade
her eyes will dim
and her reality of survival
is grim.

I wish I could be blamed for being melodramatic. Except, I'm not.
The little light that is Elizabeth is in very real danger of being extinguished.

She needs rescue. NOW.  If you can't do it, tell others. Get the message out until someone says yes. Speak for a little girl who loves teddies and dolls and hugs and everything that a seven-year-old girl should love.